I'm helping a friend and classmate build an Intel-based PC for around $400–500. He's a civil engineering student, so CPU and RAM performance matter more than gaming or GPU performance. The system will mainly be used for ETABS, MATLAB, AutoCAD, Perform-3D, Bluebeam, and similar applications, with the possibility of adding a modest dedicated graphics card later, such as an RTX 3050 6GB.
The current plan is an LGA1700 system with an Intel Core i5-13400 or i5-12600, 16GB (2×8GB) of DDR4-3200 memory, an ASUS B660 or B760 Wi-Fi motherboard, and a 500–700W 80 Plus Gold power supply. I originally considered H610 but was concerned it might be too limited for long-term use. The idea is to leave room for a future CPU upgrade, potentially up to a Core i9-14900K.
I'm unsure whether B760 is worth the extra cost over B660, which specific motherboard would be a good choice, and whether 16GB of RAM will be enough for complex engineering models. I also wondered if buying a 240mm AIO cooler now would be sensible so it could be reused with a future i9, or whether a good air cooler would be the better choice. Finally, I'd appreciate recommendations for an inexpensive, well-ventilated case that includes fans and doesn't focus on RGB or appearance.
2 Answers
Don't buy a 240mm AIO just for a possible future upgrade. A liquid cooler adds pumps, failure points, and maintenance concerns, and it doesn't make sense on an i5-13400. Use the included cooler or an inexpensive tower air cooler now, then choose a substantially larger cooler if the system is ever upgraded. Also, a future i9-14900K can draw a lot of power, so the motherboard's VRM quality and the power supply matter more than simply having an upgrade-compatible socket. A good 650W unit is plenty for the current build and a modest future GPU, but verify the exact PSU model rather than relying only on the wattage or Gold label.
For ordinary student workloads, the chipset itself probably won't make a noticeable difference, so a reasonably priced B660 or B760 board with the features you actually need should be fine. The bigger concern is memory. Sixteen gigabytes is usable as a minimum, but Bluebeam and large AutoCAD or engineering models can become sluggish with it. If the budget allows, 32GB should be the target, using two 16GB sticks. A board with four memory slots will also make a future upgrade easier.
These are for a master's program, and some of our models are extremely large. My own project eventually pushed me to 128GB of DDR5, so I'll definitely reconsider whether 16GB is enough for him.
I was considering a higher-quality AIO, but the reliability concern is fair. I'll probably stick with a decent air cooler now and only upgrade cooling if the CPU is actually replaced.