I'm building a new PC and have put together a part list that I would love some feedback on. Here's what I'm considering:
- **Processor:** AMD Ryzen 9 9950X 4.3 GHz 16-Core
- **Motherboard:** ASRock X870E Taichi EATX AM5
- **Memory:** Crucial Pro 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL40, but I'm contemplating going for more RAM as my projects can get demanding. Would 2x48GB or even a third stick of RAM be beneficial? What are the potential downsides of mixing different types of RAM?
- **Storage:** Samsung 9100 PRO 1 TB M.2 NVME as the main drive, plus three 2 TB Samsung 990 Pro NVME drives. Am I overdoing it with the drives?
- **Graphics Card:** PowerColor Red Devil OC Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB
- **Cooling:** Lian Li Galahad II Trinity SL-INF Liquid Cooler – also needing advice here.
- **Case:** Lian Li LANCOOL III RGB ATX Mid Tower – looking for suggestions on case airflow and cooling.
- **Power Supply:** Corsair SF1000 1000 W Fully Modular SFX – is this sufficient for my setup?
Am I missing anything crucial for building a powerhouse machine? Any recommendations or tips would be hugely appreciated!
3 Answers
It's unclear what your exact needs are, but this seems like a solid workstation setup. Just a heads up, be cautious with ASRock boards when using 9000 series CPUs—they can damage them! If you're thinking about multiple storage drives, starting with larger capacity drives is usually a better plan. Also, keep in mind that using M.2 NVME slots can share bandwidth with the GPU, potentially dropping it to x8 bandwidth, which might affect performance slightly.
Go for the 2x48GB memory configuration. If you really want to maximize performance, you can add a fourth stick, but for that, I'd recommend MSI boards like the Tomahawk, known for great performance with four DIMMs. Given RAM prices these days, keep in mind that building above 64GB can get pricey!
If you ditch Thunderbolt for a different sound card, you might not need such a high-end motherboard. Just make sure it meets your core needs!
I'd stick to a dual channel RAM configuration unless you really can't find a good deal on the third stick. I found a better cooler that’s priced well, plus a case with good airflow. If aesthetics matter to you, consider whether you need a glass side panel. Check out this revised part list for better options: [Updated List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/PRDnsp).
Yeah, 2 or 4 sticks is the way to go for optimal performance.
Replacing the 5-pack with individual sticks might save you some bucks; just check if the price makes it worthwhile.
One thing to double-check is the cable length for the SF1000 power supply; it’s generally meant for smaller builds, so make sure it fits your case setup!
Thanks for the insights! I'm using this build for music production, so I thought extra drives would help with performance. It sounds like I should stick with 2x4TB instead and definitely lean towards 2x48GB for the RAM. Regarding the motherboard, would you recommend any specific models like the Asus ROG STRIX X870E-E or MSI MAG X870E TOMAHAWK for USB 4 compatibility?