AMD: Still having a hard rtime with MB choice. Looking again for mATX

[Deleted member 89018]

Is there anything I need to worry abot using the M2 drive with the above board? It seems to me that there is really no reason to use the standard SATA type SSDs any longer, especially when you can use M2 enclosures for external use now. Also, if you know, I've always used Samsung SSDs. Unless there is some problem, I'd like to stick with Samsung for the M2. Any suggestions?

m.2 drives are available in both SATA type and NVMe (pci express) type. Either will work in your board, the specifications say it supports both.

I’m assuming by “standard data ssd” you mean a typical 2.5” size. Still plenty of good reason to use those, but the main reason is... a lot of boards might only have one or two m.2 slots. So if you need more storage than that, it’s the only way. They are also available in higher capacities than m.2 drives (Micron, for instance, has a 7.6TB 2.5” ssd).

nothing wrong with Samsung if you can get them for a good price. But they’re overpriced these days. Best deal going for NVMe drives is probably the Inland Premium drives at Microcenter (and MC now sells them on Amazon as well). Price typically hovers around $110 for 1TB and as I recall they’re quicker than Samsung 970 evo drives.

 

[Denpepe]

Still no working link

If I can use XMP and get the stock speed for the board, I'll be happy enough. My OC days are over.

The link does seem to have issues, but if you copy paste it into your browser it works fine (also the noctua link works correctly, maybe an amazon thing?)

 

[pendragon1]

Is that going to take into consideration fan start up voltage? I know I can look that up. Also, I'm going to use 140mm fans x2 on the bottom and top, and it only takes 120mm on the front. So I'll have exactly six fans, 4 140s and 2 120s.

I see at the Noctua site their NF A14 140mm fan says "max input current .13A"
https://noctua.at/en/nf-a14-pwm/specification
Does that mean what the fan can take or what it draws on startup? If so I could run 7 fans off of one riser. Also, if you know, don't the CPU risers handle more than 1 AMP? I'll post a new thread too to see what others think.

yeah the fans usually list the max they will draw. so the noctua's will max out at .13a draw including at start up. yeah technically you could but the biggest splitter ive seen is 4 fans or youd have to use a fan controller like in the post above and that ill ususaly have a seperate power connector. the cpu risers may be higher A and some boards have a pump header that is usually 2a. you'd have to check if a board does or not.

oh and re that amazon link, it doesnt work for me either but just copy/paste it.

 

[DWD1961]

How about this for your fan header problem? It will only regulate PWM fans though. 3 Pin fans will fit but it will run at full speed unless you have a separate low noise adapter/voltage reducer.

Amazon product ASIN B07N3HP8S5

Like isn't working.

 

[RazorWind]

I just noticed that the board says "integrated graphics." Do they mean if your CPU has that option, or do they acually have an integrated chip on the board itself? I'd aso love to know what voltages the sysfan and CPU fan are so I can run more than one fan on each riser.

It means it has display connectors for using an APU like the 3000G.

The fans are nominally 12V. It's the amperage you're after. 1A max per header is generally considered the rule of thumb. Some headers are capable of higher, but they usually say so somewhere if that's the case.

Still no working link

If I can use XMP and get the stock speed for the board, I'll be happy enough. My OC days are over.

Trying again.
Amazon product ASIN B07DMNZY56
You'll get the stock speed (that is, 2133) without XMP. With that kit, you'd get 3200 MHz. When you get up into the 3600+ range, the XMP profile becomes increasingly optimistic, and may not always work, but I'm typing this post on my Ryzen 3600/Gigabyte B450 machine with XMP enabled. It seems to work fine for me.

 

[Jandor]

Is there anything I need to worry abot using the M2 drive with the above board? It seems to me that there is really no reason to use the standard SATA type SSDs any longer, especially when you can use M2 enclosures for external use now. Also, if you know, I've always used Samsung SSDs. Unless there is some problem, I'd like to stick with Samsung for the M2. Any suggestions?

There is a reason to use sata ports : on M.2/PCIe/NVMe slot will forbid the use of 2 sata ports, so you are left with much less sata ports. 2 Nvme drives = 4 sata ports less. This is huge for instance for a B450 motherboard, quite bad for a X570. For instance 1 raid 1 of 2xHDD + 1 BDR burner needs 3 sata ports left free.

 

[DWD1961]

yeah the fans usually list the max they will draw. so the noctua's will max out at .13a draw including at start up. yeah technically you could but the biggest splitter ive seen is 4 fans or youd have to use a fan controller like in the post above and that ill ususaly have a seperate power connector. the cpu risers may be higher A and some boards have a pump header that is usually 2a. you'd have to check if a board does or not.

oh and re that amazon link, it doesnt work for me either but just copy/paste it.

I think it does have a pump header too. Would that be controllable in the bios/software too with a heat curve, etc.? I also found the 4 riser expansion fan headers on amazon. I couldhide all that in the closed PSU chamber.

On the Ram, I looked at the QVL list again and didn't find one single QVL with 16GB x1, so oh well. I've had my eye on this for a while and will probably get it if I can't find any objections here on HO:
https://tinyurl.com/wpyvubc
Silicon Power 32GB (16GBx2) XPOWER RGB Turbine Gaming DDR4 3200MHz (PC4 25600) 288-pin CL16 1.35V UDIMM Desktop Memory Module - Low Voltage (SP032GXLZU320BDB) 139.00

No idea what is wrong with the forum link maker. I just used Tiny URL to link it. Seems to be working that way. In FF I jsut opened the image in "view image info"and grabbed the image URL from there.

 

[RazorWind]

I think it does have a pump header too. Would that be controllable in the bios/software too with a heat curve, etc.? I also found this:
Amazon product ASIN B07C7Q9MZ7

Amazon product ASIN B07C7Q9MZ7 <--copy and paste

However, couldn't you just use two 3 Y splitters for a total of 4 fans? In any event, the two headers, CPU and SYS, will be more than enough. I'll just have to split them off. I'll probably get the above splitter, then run extensions to the fans, mounting the splitter boards in the second compartment so you can't see them.

The Silverstone thing that someone else posted earlier is probably better. Plug all your fans into that thing and set up one fan curve in the BIOS, and you're done. No need to futz with multiple headers.

 

[DWD1961]

m.2 drives are available in both SATA type and NVMe (pci express) type. Either will work in your board, the specifications say it supports both.

I’m assuming by “standard data ssd” you mean a typical 2.5” size. Still plenty of good reason to use those, but the main reason is... a lot of boards might only have one or two m.2 slots. So if you need more storage than that, it’s the only way. They are also available in higher capacities than m.2 drives (Micron, for instance, has a 7.6TB 2.5” ssd).

nothing wrong with Samsung if you can get them for a good price. But they’re overpriced these days. Best deal going for NVMe drives is probably the Inland Premium drives at Microcenter (and MC now sells them on Amazon as well). Price typically hovers around $110 for 1TB and as I recall they’re quicker than Samsung 970 evo drives.

Good points, and yes, the Samsung drives (M2) seem over priced comparatively. One reason i want to use them is because of the Samsung backup image software, which works flawlessly. I have two Samsung drives I use in my laptop, one in the laptop and one as the backup. I just use the Samsung image software to make a back up to the external SSD. The Samsung image software does not work on anything but Samsung drives. I'm not sure, but I think the image software will work for the M2 to 2.5 external also.

I just wanted to ask again, if I am running thw M2 in PCI mode, still no bottle necking with the PCIe 16 video?

I really apprecaite your comments. And, that goes for all of you. Really bringing me up to speed fast.

 

[DWD1961]

There is a reason to use sata ports : on M.2/PCIe/NVMe slot will forbid the use of 2 sata ports, so you are left with much less sata ports. 2 Nvme drives = 4 sata ports less. This is huge for instance for a B450 motherboard, quite bad for a X570. For instance 1 raid 1 of 2xHDD + 1 BDR burner needs 3 sata ports left free.

But you can run the M2 drive in either PCI or SATA mode, right? So, if you run it in SATA, then the bios allocates two SATA paths for it, and disabled the SATA ports automatically?

For me, I'm ok with that. I only need one drive at 500GB. So I won't even have an SATA drive installed, and I'm not using any internal DVD drives or anything else.

 

[DWD1961]

The Silverstone thing that someone else posted earlier is probably better. Plug all your fans into that thing and set up one fan curve in the BIOS, and you're done. No need to futz with multiple headers.

Still can't get a link to the "Silverstone thing." LOL. I'm assuming teh control plugs into the PSU and then one plugs into the fan header which only controls speed through PWM? If so, that would be a pretty slick way to go for sure.

What about RGB fans and using that control module? How would that work? Same way, just pug the fan RGB plug into the MB's RGB fan headers?

 

[RazorWind]

Good points, and yes, the Samsung drives (M2) seem over priced comparatively. One reason i want to use them is because of the Samsung backup image software, which works flawlessly. I have two Samsung drives I use in my laptop, one in the laptop and one as the backup. I just use the Samsung image software to make a back up to the external SSD. The Samsung image software does not work on anything but Samsung drives. I'm not sure, but I think the image software will work for the M2 to 2.5 external also.

I just wanted to ask again, if I am running thw M2 in PCI mode, still no bottle necking with the PCIe 16 video?

I really apprecaite your comments. And, that goes for all of you. Really bringing me up to speed fast.

No bottleneck. The CPU has 16 lanes dedicated to the PCI-E slot, four that are dedicated to at least one of the M.2 slots, and four more that connect to the chipset. The M.2 slot has four dedicated lanes.

But you can run the M2 drive in either PCI or SATA mode, right? So, if you run it in SATA, then the bios allocates two SATA paths for it, and disabled the SATA ports automatically?

For me, I'm ok with that. I only need one drive at 500GB. So I won't even have an SATA drive installed, and I'm not using any internal DVD drives or anything else.

There isn't really a "SATA mode." There are SATA SSDs that physically fit into an M.2 slot, and those behave differently from the type that feature an NVME (that is, PCI-E) interface. You have to choose which arrangement you want and buy the appropriate SSD beforehand.

Get the NVME type. They're WAY faster, and if you only have one additional drive, you don't need to worry about PCI-E lane allocation issues.

 

[RazorWind]

Still can't get a link to the "Silverstone thing." LOL. I'm assuming teh control plugs into the PSU and then one plugs into the fan header which only controls speed through PWM? If so, that would be a pretty slick way to go for sure.

What about RGB fans and using that control module? How would that work? Same way, just pug the fan RGB plug into the MB's RGB fan headers?

Try this:
Amazon product ASIN B07N3HP8S5
It has a cable that goes to the fan header on the motherboard, a cable that goes to a SATA power tap, and eight fan headers. You set the fan curve in the BIOS, or using Speedfan or whatever, and it uses that curve for all eight fans. The RGB on most fans is handled via a separate cable that plugs into a special "RGB" header on the motherboard.

 

[DWD1961]

No bottleneck. The CPU has 16 lanes dedicated to the PCI-E slot, four that are dedicated to at least one of the M.2 slots, and four more that connect to the chipset. The M.2 slot has four dedicated lanes.



There isn't really a "SATA mode." There are SATA SSDs that physically fit into an M.2 slot, and those behave differently from the type that feature an NVME (that is, PCI-E) interface. You have to choose which arrangement you want and buy the appropriate SSD beforehand.

Get the NVME type. They're WAY faster, and if you only have one additional drive, you don't need to worry about PCI-E lane allocation issues.

I think I have it: The M2 SATA drives disable two on board SATA connectors for their lanes, and the M2 NVME have dedicated PCI lanes, which leave open all SATA connections? Thanks a lot for the explanation.

 

[DWD1961]

Try this:
Amazon product ASIN B07N3HP8S5
It has a cable that goes to the fan header on the motherboard, a cable that goes to a SATA power tap, and eight fan headers. You set the fan curve in the BIOS, or using Speedfan or whatever, and it uses that curve for all eight fans. The RGB on most fans is handled via a separate cable that plugs into a special "RGB" header on the motherboard.

F-yah! That's what I wanted. Do they also have RGB splitters, or is that on board riser only?

 

[DWD1961]

Thanks to you guys, I think I'm all set now to finish my build. I'll run it buy a new thread when I finish to see if there will be any problems. Anything else any of you want to add, please do.

 

[DWD1961]

F-yah! That's what I wanted. Do they also have RGB splitters, or is that on board riser only?

As long as you're here, can i control RAM LEDs suing the Gigabyte BIOS or Software, or do I have to use the RAM manufacturers software?

 

[RazorWind]

As long as you're here, can i control RAM LEDs suing the Gigabyte BIOS or Software, or do I have to use the RAM manufacturers software?

The kit that I posted earlier is compatible with the Gigabyte RGB software. That said, I don't like to have the RGB software actually running, so I always just leave my RGBs on unicorn vomit mode.

I used to have a gigabyte graphics card that would retain whatever RGB setting without the software actually running all the time, but new RGB stuff doesn't seem to do that.

 

[Deleted member 89018]

I think I have it: The M2 SATA drives disable two on board SATA connectors for their lanes, and the M2 NVME have dedicated PCI lanes, which leave open all SATA connections? Thanks a lot for the explanation.

this actually depends on how the motherboard manufacturer has implemented it. If there is a limitation to available ports when using the m.2 slot it’s going to be listed somewhere on the board specs. If it’s not listed on the website specs it’s worth downloading the board’s manual ahead of time.

for instance, something like, “if SATA type ssd is used in m2 then SATA port 0 is disabled” or “if nvme type is used then pcie slot x4 is disabled”. Or they will put in a chart listing possible configurations.

depending on which chipset / processor is in use the manufacturer has X number of pcie lanes and Y number of sata ports available. So depending on slot layout and ports they’ve put in place, each board will be different.

that board you linked, the b450 itx Aorus one, has just the one m.2 slot and 4 sata ports, all of which is within the specs of the b450 chipset + ryzen proc. So you don’t lose any sata ports or anything when putting either type of ssd in there.

But take a look at the b450m aorus elite specs page, which just says to look in the manual (sometimes they list it right on the site). Download the manual and find the page they list and you’ll see that some boards do have limitations, but it’s usually in either the availability of sata ports or the extra pcie x4 slot.

 

[DWD1961]

The kit that I posted earlier is compatible with the Gigabyte RGB software. That said, I don't like to have the RGB software actually running, so I always just leave my RGBs on unicorn vomit mode.

I used to have a gigabyte graphics card that would retain whatever RGB setting without the software actually running all the time, but new RGB stuff doesn't seem to do that.

It's a good point. I wish you could exit the software and have it stay resident in memory to retain the settings. Then load itself in memory without actually having to have the program itself open. I'm seriously thinking about going with a mostly static system, except for some strip lighting to illuminate the interior slightly, and control that with the Gig fusion system. I'm vascilating now about even the case I have chosen. I have another choice for a fully static (no lights) system, except for an always on dim one color light, like a single fan, just for ambience. It has no wondows or anything like that,a dn would jsut kin of glow a little with one single color fan.

The kit that I posted earlier is compatible with the Gigabyte RGB software. That said, I don't like to have the RGB software actually running, so I always just leave my RGBs on unicorn vomit mode.

I used to have a gigabyte graphics card that would retain whatever RGB setting without the software actually running all the time, but new RGB stuff doesn't seem to do that.

Is there a way to simply turn it all off? I can't even imagine having to look at that while I'm working.

 

[pendragon1]

Is there a way to simply turn it all off? I can't even imagine having to look at that while I'm working.

yeah but why buy rgb ram then? get something equal without rgb for less money.

 

[RazorWind]

yeah but why buy rgb ram then? get something equal without rgb for less money.

It's not always less money. I didn't set out to buy RGB ram. It was just the best deal for speed I wanted. I think it must cost so little to include RGB these days that most manufacturers just throw it on there for the hell of it.

 

[DWD1961]

yeah but why buy rgb ram then? get something equal without rgb for less money.

When I'm listening to music and eating dinner, for instance, I'd want it on, or having guests over, etc. But when I am gaming at 1AM, I'd want it off. Make sense? I guess having the option is better than ging without lights and not having the option? The Crystal case is tinted so if I turn everything off it would be visually black in the glass panels, so I can have it both ways.

Really appreciate your help.

I just have to tighten up small stuff now and I'll put in the order.

Then, hope nothing arrives DOA!

Do you have any suggestions on RGB fans that are really quite? In my last build I used Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C12B5AP 120mm 1850 rpm , and back in 2010 they were called Scythe not Servo. They are really fantastic fans and running below 1400 RPM are virtually silent. However, they are old school and I can;t find them in RGB. They are also expensive, but quite is very important to me.

 

[pendragon1]

When I'm listening to music and eating dinner, for instance, I'd want it on, or having guests over, etc. But when I am gaming at 1AM, I'd want it off. Make sense? I guess having the option is better than ging without lights and not having the option? The Crystal case is tinted so if I turn everything off it would be visually black in the glass panels, so I can have it both ways.

Really appreciate your help.

I just have to tighten up small stuff now and I'll put in the order.

Then, hope nothing arrives DOA!

Do you have any suggestions on RGB fans that are really quite? In my last build I used Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C12B5AP 120mm 1850 rpm , and back in 2010 they were called Scythe not Servo. They are really fantastic fans and running below 1400 RPM are virtually silent. However, they are old school and I can;t find them in RGB. They are also expensive, but quite is very important to me.

no i just run normal fans and static color where i do have rgb

 

[Jandor]

Try this:
Amazon product ASIN B07N3HP8S5
It has a cable that goes to the fan header on the motherboard, a cable that goes to a SATA power tap, and eight fan headers. You set the fan curve in the BIOS, or using Speedfan or whatever, and it uses that curve for all eight fans. The RGB on most fans is handled via a separate cable that plugs into a special "RGB" header on the motherboard.

I've got an 8 port that is from Thermaltake or some other well known brand. But it is a real pain. Nearly unable to retrieve the fans from the sockets once they are inside. So look into what people say about the model. I have a mATX case from Silverstone and it came with a 3 socket only fans spliter and one of the sockets didn't work but the sockets were mechanically ok and I could retrieve from them easily.

 

[mda]

Re: the silverstone, you can search the following on amazon and it should be the first hit.

B07N3HP8S5

 

[Jandor]

I think I have it: The M2 SATA drives disable two on board SATA connectors for their lanes, and the M2 NVME have dedicated PCI lanes, which leave open all SATA connections? Thanks a lot for the explanation.

As far as I can tell, whatever mode you use, every M2/Nvme socket used deactivates a couple of sata ports, one and the next one. In Nvme mode, it will reduce also some PCIe lanes of some PCIe slots or will decativate them.
So if there are only 6 sata ports on B350/450 chipset at best, and you need a couple of sata HDD, 2 M.2/nvme ssd, a sata BDR/DVD drive, you'll miss one sata port. I am quite sure of that.
Some people may like to have 1 optane on M.2 for caching the drives and the page file, 2 Sata SSD, 2 sata HDD and 1 BDR and then also you will miss one sata port.
I'm talking about 2 of those whether SSD or HD, in case you think of building raid 1 for each (hardware security against failure), which I always do. In case you don't, don't bother. There is enough for 1 optane m.2 socket for cache and page file, SSD on m.2 socket, HD on remaining sata port and BDR/DVDR ont the last active sata port left.
In case you lack 2 sata ports, you may need an X570, X470 or X370 motherboard for another 2 sata ports but there are none in mATX format, only mini-ITX (but with ports missing) which is really weird (and stupid).

 

[mda]

As far as I can tell, whatever mode you use, every M2/Nvme socket used deactivates a couple of sata ports, one and the next one. In Nvme mode, it will reduce also some PCIe lanes of some PCIe slots or will decativate them.
So if there only 6 sata ports on B350/450 chipset at best, and you need a couple of sata HDD, 2 M.2/nvme ssd, a sata BDR/DVD drive, you'll miss one sata port. I am quite sure of that.
Some people may like to have 1 optane on M.2 for caching the drives and the page file, 2 Sata SSD, 2 sata HDD and 1 BDR and then also you will miss one sata port.
I'm talking about 2 of those whether SSD or HD, in case you think of building raid 1 for each (hardware security against failure), which I always do. In case you don't, don't bother.
In that case, you may need an X570, X470 or X370 motherboard for another 2 sata ports but there are none in mATX format, only mini-ITX (but with ports missing) which is really weird (and stupid).

+1 on this post.
AFAIK, a quick guide but is not always the case:
1 M2 and 4 SATA = B450
1 M2 and 6 SATA = X370/470
2 M2 and 6 SATA but GPU likely running at x8 = X370/470
2+ M2 and 6 SATA with GPU running at x16 = x570

 

[Jandor]

+1 on this post.
AFAIK, a quick guide but is not always the case:
1 M2 and 4 SATA = B450
1 M2 and 6 SATA = X370/470
2 M2 and 6 SATA but GPU likely running at x8 = X370/470
2+ M2 and 6 SATA with GPU running at x16 = x570

Interesting. X570 keeps 6 sata + 2M2. Nice.

And yes, one needs to look exactly how the model of the motherboards handles all this in the manual.
Another solution would be to buy THE only mATX board on x399, the Asrock X399m Taichi with a Threadripper 1920X or 1950X, and you'll get more of these.
8 sata 3 + 3 M.2 (PCIE 3 x4) + 1 U.2 + 3PCIe X16, all working at the same time at full specs.
If you think buying an x570 MB + 3900x or 3950x, but need a mATX board that don't exist with the inferior X570 chipset, this is worth considering.

 

[Jandor]

I'm looking into it and it is much more complicated. In fact the manufacturers only talk about simplified explanations and there is much more to it. m.2/sata or Nvme use several lanes (1, 2 or 4 lanes), which seem to be at first the sata lanes but not always depending on the BIOS. Sometimes, it seems the BIOS firmware may change the behaviour. Sometimes the BIOS leaves you to chose which mode, sometimes it doesn't (takes the best it can depending on your hardware). So for instance one m.2 port could be sata using 1 sata lane, or 2 sata lanes because BIOS doesn't care and deactivate 2 sata ports in case you may switcth to better than sata. On other cases, if you use x4 pcie on nvme, you loose x2 PCIe from some x4 or x16 PCIe port + 2 lanes from sata, for instance on a B450 board, but on high end chipsets (like X399) there is no loss and those lanes are fully dedicated to the m.2. On some other motherboard or BIOS, you may have, like on some other B450 chipset motherboard an x4 nvme completly out of the PCIe lanes, leaving all sata ports free. On some BIOSes if you force the m.2 port from x4 to x2 lanes it may drop the sata parts or the PCIe lanes. You have to check. Even better : on the same board, if you use a normal Ryzen chip or an APU, the behavior changes completely, and even between older Carrizo APUs and newer Ryzen APUs. And don't bet on dropping a PCIe card SSD because even in this case it may deactivate sata ports. And as I mentioned the details are not written in the manual and the firmware may have even changed what's written in the manual. You have to test every case scenario.
So if you're prone to headaches, this is a good way to get one.

 

[DWD1961]

Re: the silverstone, you can search the following on amazon and it should be the first hit.

B07N3HP8S5

Yeah I found those and many others.Thanks.

 

[DWD1961]

As far as I can tell, whatever mode you use, every M2/Nvme socket used deactivates a couple of sata ports, one and the next one. In Nvme mode, it will reduce also some PCIe lanes of some PCIe slots or will decativate them.
So if there are only 6 sata ports on B350/450 chipset at best, and you need a couple of sata HDD, 2 M.2/nvme ssd, a sata BDR/DVD drive, you'll miss one sata port. I am quite sure of that.
Some people may like to have 1 optane on M.2 for caching the drives and the page file, 2 Sata SSD, 2 sata HDD and 1 BDR and then also you will miss one sata port.
I'm talking about 2 of those whether SSD or HD, in case you think of building raid 1 for each (hardware security against failure), which I always do. In case you don't, don't bother. There is enough for 1 optane m.2 socket for cache and page file, SSD on m.2 socket, HD on remaining sata port and BDR/DVDR ont the last active sata port left.
In case you lack 2 sata ports, you may need an X570, X470 or X370 motherboard for another 2 sata ports but there are none in mATX format, only mini-ITX (but with ports missing) which is really weird (and stupid).

Depending on what I use, it will be either one M2/Nvme PCI dirve, or one M2/Nvme PCI dirve and one SATA 2.5 drive, and nothing more. I jsut don't need any more HD storage than that. I just want to make sure using the M@ drive isn't going to force my PCI x16 to x8!!!

 

[DWD1961]

+1 on this post.
AFAIK, a quick guide but is not always the case:
1 M2 and 4 SATA = B450
1 M2 and 6 SATA = X370/470
2 M2 and 6 SATA but GPU likely running at x8 = X370/470
2+ M2 and 6 SATA with GPU running at x16 = x570

The 450 Gigabyte board actually has 2 M2 slots, but one is dedicated to wifi/BT, and the other (1) is for a drive. You can't interchange them.

 

[DWD1961]

Have some other questions, too. I'm going to use a low profile cooler for this build, and need suggestions. I know the Noctua is a good choice, but they don't come with RGB fans and their low profile fan is a thin type, which means their fan mounts won't work on a normal 25mm fan thickness, which brings me to the next question: Are there any decent, i.e., quite and good cooling, RGB fans I can use on the low profile CPU cooler? Also, I only want a low profile cooler that can fit a 120/140mm fan, and I'd rather have the 140mm fan.

So,

--Low profile cooler recs?
--Which RGB fan to use, if not the stock one?

Next, looking for case fans without built in wire, but just a cable riser. I want to add my own fan cables in white, if I can find them. I'm very picky about fan noise.

 

[DWD1961]

Motherboard: Again, seriously, no QVL supporting 32GB ram, even though it says the board supports 32GB?
Gigabyte B450 I AORUSPRO WIFI mITX
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B450-I-AORUS-PRO-WIFI-rev-10#kf
Memory Support List

This MB comes with two fan risers, CPU and one SYS Fan. I'm looking into the specs now in the manual, but if anyone knows the volts for the CPU and sys fan risers, please post. (Manual: https://static.gigabyte.com/Product/2/6655/2019021210422050bb6fec426a5bf02a545baba37bb42c1e_m.png) I'd like to keep all of the fans on the MB if possible,and use teh board BIOS/Software to control all fans.

Do you know if this board has the M2 Wifi card in it that can be replaced? I'm still thinking about getting teh ASUS recommended board above, if I can swap out the wifi/BT 4card in it to BT 5. Which board do you think is better,the Gighere or the above ASUS ROG Strix B450-I Gaming Motherboard (Mini ITX) AMD Ryzen 2 AM4 DDR4 HDMI M.2 USB 3.1 Gen2 B450?

I also want to install a different cooler on the 5 2600 (120.00), but then I can get the 2700x for the same price if I use the included Wraith Prism cooler becuase the cooler is going to be 50 bucks give or take. I want the CPU cooler to be over kill so it always runs more quitely, and cooler at both idle and gaming temps. I just like cooler and quiter.

 

[Deleted member 89018]

If the wraith prism fits I’d just use that. It’s a decent heatsink.

for 65w CPUs you’d be fine with low profile coolers like the noctua l9a but for the hooter running ones I don’t know that you’d get the low noise that you want. What case is it again?

 

[DWD1961]

If the wraith prism fits I’d just use that. It’s a decent heatsink.

for 65w CPUs you’d be fine with low profile coolers like the noctua l9a but for the hooter running ones I don’t know that you’d get the low noise that you want. What case is it again?

Case:
https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Cases/Crystal-Series-280X/p/CC-9011136-WW

One thing I don;t like aobut the stock coolers is they rely on that flimsy pull latch and I remember years ago they had the same thing on the old Athlons. I hated them. It's a shame that I have to go with a different cooler to maintain low noise and temps when using that extra 50 bucks could get me from a 5 2600 to a 7 2700. But then again, we're back to the latch fastener for the cooler.

What is a good idle temp for a 5 2600 or 2700? I had my core 7 Bloomfield 920 OC'ed to 3.9 using a Cogage tower with a single 120mm Servo Nidec Gentle Typhoon, and the idle on it was 29-32, and the wide open temp never go over 75C, and I think the core i7 Bloomfields Max Temp was about the same as current gen 2600 and 2700 CPUs. I would never run a CPU near it's TDP. It's 95 for the 2600, but I'd rather have that number much lower than 80 wide open, and mostly silent. The Cogage/GT fan combo gave me almost inaudible noise wide open.

I've heard the AMD Prism, and it seems pretty loud. If I could swap the AMD fan with a Gnetle Typhoon 1800RPM model, that may solve that problem,a nd provide better cooling, but then we still have the stock coller diansuar clip attachment. Damn AMD for doing that. The screw down type is much cleaner.

I'm going to have 2 140mm fans in the bottom, top and front of this case. I haven;t built in it yet, but I was also thinking about using a tower cooler, adn elaving teh fan off if the 140s can provide enough air flow. But I have no idea if they are able to directly engage the CPU cooler like that.

Just burns me a little knows that I ahve to make the trade off from 8 to 6 cores if I want the cooler mounting and cooler I want, or go with teh dumb backward technology and use the Prism on the 2700x. Also, the 2700x at stock speeds doesn't run that cool using that cooler either. I guess I could disable the auto OC in the BIOS and run it at 3.7Ghz max. That would probably keep the Prism "fairly" quite. I mean, fuck, I'm going to be spending the same for a 2600 plus cooler or the 2700x without a cooler.

Maybe I'll just go with teh 2700X and replace the cooler later on when I have the cash, if it needs to be cooler and quieter.

 

[mda]

The Prism isn't bad. I have a few. Noise on the prism is caused by the fan constantly spinning up and down in direct response to temps.

If you manually smoothen out the fan curve to not be as responsive to temps, it should be fine. (IE instead of varying between 20 to 40% at low temps, I just set mine to run at 60% until a certain temperature).

 

[Deleted member 89018]

Oh, that doesn't come close to requiring a low profile heatsink. You've got plenty of room. Max height of the CPU heatsink is 15cm.

If you want something with RGB on it and want good cooling:

http://www.cryorig.com/h7ql.php
I have owned a couple of Cryorig H7 heatsinks over the years - my last build was in a case where the CM 212 wouldn't quite fit, but this would - and it's quite a good heatsink, not noisy at all. Uses a nice retention mechanism, not the stock one (though I haven't had any issues with AM4 heatsinks that use the stock bracket). The "quad lumi" version has RGB on it too. 14.5cm height, so it comes in just under the max height the case can support.

That said, I'd still suggest using the heatsink it comes with and adjusting fan curves if needed. They're fine if you're not doing overclocking.

Note: current prices on these are a bit high - Cryorig usually sells them direct through Newegg and Amazon. The regular H7 is usually $35 or so. This version I think is around $50. I expect they don't have their listing up because of CNY, so if it looks like this heatsink is what you're after, just keep an eye on the listings and the prices will probably go back to normal in another week or two.

Personally, I'd just go with the 2700x and the Prism; I wouldn't see any value in spending the same on the 2600 and aftermarket heatsink when I could get +2 cores and an extra 3-400MHz (stock) for the same price (or slightly less actually).

 

[DWD1961]

The Prism isn't bad. I have a few. Noise on the prism is caused by the fan constantly spinning up and down in direct response to temps.

If you manually smoothen out the fan curve to not be as responsive to temps, it should be fine. (IE instead of varying between 20 to 40% at low temps, I just set mine to run at 60% until a certain temperature).

It just spins faster to make up for less airflow that you would get from a 120mm or 140mm fan. That makes it noiseier,but I get what yuo are saying.If it is near silent at 60% RPM and that works most of teh time,itcould be ok. My old Cogage tower with a Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon (Max RPM 1800) is nearly dead silent even when the CPU is wide open on a 3.9Ghz clock (i7 920 hotter than hell CPU).

I just can't see buying the 5 2600 for 120 and buying a 50 dollar cooler ofr it whne w=for the same money I could get the 2700x and live with the Wraith for a while.

I really like the Wraith Threadripper Cooler, but it's the same price as a Ryzen 5 2600 CPU--lol.


I think I am going with the 2700x. I just need to figure out whtter4e or not to get the Asus or Gig board now.
ASUS ROG Strix B450-I Gaming Motherboard (Mini ITX) AMD Ryzen 2 AM4 DDR4 HDMI M.2 USB 3.1 Gen2 B450

GIGABYTE B450 I AORUS PRO WiFi (AMD Ryzen AM4/M.2 Thermal Guard with Onboard WiFi/HDMI/DP/USB 3.1 Gen 2/Mini ITX/Motherboard)

The ASUS comes with the wifi/BT combo but BT 4.2 Someone on another thread said I can replace that wifi M2 card for about 20 bucks. I'm not sure if the GIG board is the same way, but it comes with BT5 anyway. Otherwise,. I think for some reason i wanted the ASUS board.