Hey everyone! I'm building my first PC and I recently picked up an i5-14600K for $150. I've put together a list of parts, but I want to double-check that everything is compatible. One concern I have is about RAM clearance with my cooler since I'm using an M-ATX motherboard. Here's my build link: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3HP8Nz.
I've also heard that there might be issues with 14th gen CPUs, and that I might need to update the BIOS. Can anyone help clarify what that means?
2 Answers
I recommend going for a Z790 motherboard since you have a K-series processor. It will give you better overclocking capabilities and more features that will suit the i5-14600K well.
To ensure RAM clearance with your cooler, you might need to raise the fan on the CPU cooler by about 1 cm. The cooler you're looking at has a 35mm clearance and the RAM you're considering is 44mm tall. It's a bit tricky since there are different Phantom Spirit models, but for the "120 Second Edition" you're looking at, that clearance seems to be 35mm.
Also, keep in mind that your power supply (PSU) should ideally have an ATX 4-pin connector for the CPU, since the motherboard has slots for both 8-pin and 4-pin. You don’t absolutely need the 4-pin with an i5-14600K, but it’s good to have that option for potential future upgrades.
Another thing to note is that your NVMe drive is Gen5, while the motherboard supports Gen4, so it will run, just not at full speed. Lastly, there's a good chance your motherboard won't support the 14th gen Intel right out of the box, so you might need to update the BIOS. Check out this link for the BIOS update: [here](https://pg.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B760M%20PG%20Riptide/index.asp#BIOS). If the motherboard doesn’t support a BIOS flashback, which I think it doesn't, you'll need to research how to update it without a CPU. It's something to watch out for!
Thanks for the tips! How can I check if a motherboard's BIOS supports the CPU out of the box?
What's the difference between a Z790 and my current choice?