Experienced builders. SFF, thoughts?

[KaisoArt]

I haven't built a machine since 2020, and that was just a cpu an Memory upgrade to the machine I built in 2018. Things have moved on considerably, and I've decided to do a new SFF box. I'm starting this thread to ask questions from all the knowledgeable people here. I have some components already but still need to buy others.

Originally I was thinking of using a Ryzen 9 7900 for the TDP of 65W. However, that processor is currently $402, while a 9900x is $378, with a TDP of 120W. The 7900X is cheaper but with a TDP of 170W. (too high for this box me thinks) Since this is a SFF in a Lian Li a4-H20, (Already have the case) I'm leaning towards the 9900x. Here is my current components list. Does anything jump out as incompatible?

Case: Lian Li A4-H20 (Already have)
Cooler: NZXT Kraken 240. (Already have)
Memory: Corsair Vengence DDR5 64GB 6400MHz CL32 (Already have)
Video: Gigabyte Windforce 3050 6gb (Already have)

Mobo: ASUS ROG Strix B850-I gaming in hand. (ORDERED)
Processor: Ryzen 9 9900X in hand. (ORDERED)
OS Drive: SAMSUNG 990 EVO Plus SSD 2TB in hand. (ORDERED)
Data Drive: Silicon Power 2TB UD90 NVMe 4.0 Gen4 in hand. (ORDERED)

SFX PSU: Corsair SP750, Lian LI SP750, Thermaltake Toughpower 750, Cool Master V850.

These PSUs range in price from $122 to $200. My current Corsair has lasted 9 years and is still going. But are the other brands equally as good?

Questions:
In a previous discussion I was advised that a 750W PSU would be fine for this build, but that was with the 65W 7900. Does that still hold if I go up to the 9900x at 120 TDP?

I've seen discussions regarding cooler CPU blocks not fitting. Anyone used this same Kraken in an A4-Lian Li and it fit fine?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BY3HNXMS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[criccio]

Memory: Corsair Vengence DDR5 64GB 6400MHz CL32 (Already have)

Only red flag for me is this. Attempting to run EXPO at 6400 may kick you out of 1:1 automatically (some boards like to do this) and lowering performance all around. This is why 6000CL30 is still the base recommendation for people that aren't familiar with manual RAM tuning when building with Zen4/5.

In a previous discussion I was advised that a 750W PSU would be fine. Does that still hold if I go up to the 9900x at 120 TDP?

More than enough.

 

[KaisoArt]

Only red flag for me is this. Attempting to run EXPO at 6400 may kick you out of 1:1 automatically (some boards like to do this) and lowering performance all around. This is why 6000CL30 is still the base recommendation for people that aren't familiar with manual RAM tuning when building with Zen4/5.


More than enough.

Damn. I got this RAM pretty much free. Is there something that can be done to use it?

 

[criccio]

Damn. I got this RAM pretty much free. Is there something that can be done to use it?

Absolutely. When you enable XMP/EXPO, just ensure it didn't also set your memory controller to half speed (some boards will call this UCLK = MCLK/2)

However, 6400 1:1 will likely require some manual tuning anyway unless you get lucky. It would just be safer to also set the clockspeed to 6000 after enabling XMP/EXPO.

 

[pendragon1]

Damn. I got this RAM pretty much free. Is there something that can be done to use it?

run it at 6000 with tighter timings and cas

 

[KaisoArt]

Thanks guys, any thoughts on the Ryzen 9 7900 vs 9900X (or other processors) for this build? Looking to purchase Mobo and processor in the next few days.

 

[shleepy]

Given the RTX 3050, I'm guessing that this wouldn't be a gaming-dedicated PC? If it IS, and you plan on eventually upgrading that 3050, then maybe it's worth getting an x3d CPU.
Besides that, given that you have a 240mm AIO cooler, I probably wouldn't worry about the higher TDP rating of the 7900X. But the 9900X would be faster, in any case.

 

[toast0]

Thanks guys, any thoughts on the Ryzen 9 7900 vs 9900X (or other processors) for this build? Looking to purchase Mobo and processor in the next few days.

Given that you said the 9900X costs less, I'd get that. You can limit TDP with bios settings, and a 9900X should perform better than a 7900 if they're at the same TDP.

 

[KaisoArt]

Given the RTX 3050, I'm guessing that this wouldn't be a gaming-dedicated PC? If it IS, and you plan on eventually upgrading that 3050, then maybe it's worth getting an x3d CPU.
Besides that, given that you have a 240mm AIO cooler, I probably wouldn't worry about the higher TDP rating of the 7900X. But the 9900X would be faster, in any case.

Correct, not a gaming PC. Work. Main software packages are Rhino3D v8, Reaper DAW, and Libreoffice. The 3050 is brand new. I expect I'll upgrade it next year, but I don't need top of the line GPUs. I think base on responses and price I'm going to go with the 9900X.

 

[Dreamerbydesign]

Damn. I got this RAM pretty much free. Is there something that can be done to use it?

Run it at 6000 instead of 6400 and make sure it’s set to properly.

 

[KaisoArt]

This youtube builder did his build in the same case and intended to use the KRACKEN 240 that I also intend to use. However, he ran into a problem, saying that his motherboard did not have the "USB 2.0 header" that the Kraken requires. (At 1:12 and 6:00 in the video) I'm not sure what he is talking about. I just assumed the mobos had what was necessary as have the ones I assembled in the past.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4IBNKYRfPk

 

[pendragon1]

This youtube builder did his build in the same case and intended to use the KRACKEN 240 that I also intend to use. However, he ran into a problem, saying that his motherboard did not have the "USB 2.0 header" that the Kraken requires. (At 1:12 and 6:00 in the video) I'm not sure what he is talking about. I just assumed the mobos had what was necessary as have the ones I assembled in the past.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4IBNKYRfPk

that one board doesnt have it but he coulda adapted the usb3 header or just used an adapter to plug it into a normal usb port.

 

[KaisoArt]

that one board doesnt have it but he coulda adapted the usb3 header or just used an adapter to plug it into a normal usb port.

Thanks. I'm pretty behind on my knowledge as I relearn it every few years when I do a build. I ordered the ASUS Rog Strix B850-I and I'm going to assume it will have the necessary header, and from your response, if it doesn't there are ways to work around it.

 

[pendragon1]

Thanks. I'm pretty behind on my knowledge as I relearn it every few years when I do a build. I ordered the ASUS Rog Strix B850-I and I'm going to assume it will have the necessary header, and from your response, if it doesn't there are ways to work around it.

that board has it, right above the sata ports, so youll be good.

 

[KaisoArt]

Run it at 6000 instead of 6400 and make sure it’s set to properly.

So my free 6400 ram has not shipped yet and I expect I'm looking at at least a week before it would arrive. I'm thinking of cancelling the order and getting something else quicker. However, I'm only familiar with Corsair memory. Any thoughts on other brands for the ROG B850-I?

If I'm correct this is ASUS' list of compatible memory? I need at least 64gb, as fast as possible. I don't need RGB lights, but it seems lighting is almost standard now.

Oops. Forgot to add this link.
https://rog.asus.com/us/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-b850-i-gaming-wifi/helpdesk_qvl_memory/

 

[pendragon1]

So my free 6400 ram has not shipped yet and I expect I'm looking at at least a week before it would arrive. I'm thinking of cancelling the order and getting something else quicker. However, I'm only familiar with Corsair memory. Any thoughts on other brands for the ROG B850-I?

If I'm correct this is ASUS' list of compatible memory? I need at least 64gb, as fast as possible. I don't need RGB lights, but it seems lighting is almost standard now.

gskill is good, ive had zero issue with patriot too.

 

[KaisoArt]

gskill is good, ive had zero issue with patriot too.

So went with G.Skill FlareX5 DDR5 6000 64GB CL-30-40-40-96 1.40v
I'm going to take my time on this and probably ask questions here, like this. The Kraken AIO has two fans and videos show people using a a splitter which I don't have.

My question is, on my MOBO I have headers for CPU-Fan, AIO_PUMP, CHA_Fan, EF_Fan. Can I use the CPU_Fan and CHA_Fan (Chassis fan ?) for this? What is EF_Fan?

 

[pendragon1]

So went with G.Skill FlareX5 DDR5 6000 64GB CL-30-40-40-96 1.40v
I'm going to take my time on this and probably ask questions here, like this. The Kraken AIO has two fans and videos show people using a a splitter which I don't have. My question is, on my MOBO I have headers for CPU-Fan, AIO_PUMP, CHA_Fan, EF_Fan. Can I use the CPU_Fan and CHA_Fan (Chassis fan ?) for this? What is EF_Fan?

View attachment 717084

thats from a z790 board. it looks like its just a normal fan header and fully controllable

 

[KaisoArt]

View attachment 717086
thats from a z790 board. it looks like its just a normal fan header and fully controllable

I'm not sure if you mean your pic or mine? Mine is from my AM5 mobo manual. Thanks for explaining EF-Fan. Do you think I should order a fan splitter, or can I use the CPU_Fan and CHA_Fan to power the Kraken's fans?

Also, A video I watched showed the guy plugging the case power switch into the two pin header, T_Sensor, near the bottom of the memory (2). I'm confused as the manual says that is a Thermal Sensor. My Previous (old) Mobos all had a power header labeled as such.

By the way, thanks for all your time and courteous responses. These are a lot of expensive parts and I'm extra cautious to the point of being a moron.

 

[pendragon1]

i meant the pic i posted was from a different board, your manual didnt explain what "EF" meant, it did.
yeah, you can do that, just match the curves you set.
yeah, he fucked up. follow the manual.
not a prob! lol