Question Building a new Rig Guidance

[James Foo]

Hi All Sifus/Gurus,

I am currently rocking the following from my old rig since 2014 (just changed my GPU to a 2070):

Asking For Guidance

I am really interested in buying a new rig after using my dell comp for 5-6 years....it had served me quite well, a mid-spec comp that has 8gb(quad) of ram... but showing it's age. I am wondering whether can anyone see this new rig is comfortable with each other? Case: Cooler Master Haf XM...

forums.tomshardware.com

Almost 9 years with this, I have no issues with it with the exception of the stupid TPM 2.0 requirement for Windows 11, causing me needing to upgrade to a new rig. (And it's probably time)
Appreciate all your help to check whether the following parts are suitable for this new rig (will do custom water loop), thanks a lot!

*P.S I have also put the pricing in Ringgit Malaysia, and if anyone has a better value/component you would recommend, please do tell!*

Main PC Components

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D => RM 2119

Motherboard: Asrock X670E Taichi => RM 2708

RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB (2 x 16GB) => RM 1257

Power Supply: Asus ROG-THOR-1000P2 Eva Edition => RM 1800
Or
Asus ROG-THOR-1000P2 => RM 1670

Computer Case: Fractal Design Define 7 White TG Clear Tint=> RM 829
Or
Cooler Master Cosmos C700M White => RM 2299

Graphic Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX™ 2070 GAMING OC 8G White => Old Transfer

Water Cooling Kit: Corsair HYDRO X SERIES iCUE XH305i RGB PRO Custom Cooling Kit — White => RM 2379

M.2 SSD Water Cooling Block: Corsair HYDRO X SERIES XM2 M.2 SSD Water Block (2280) — White => RM 177.48

GPU Water Cooling Block: Bykski N-GV2080SWF-X GPU Water Cooling Block For Gigabyte RTX2080 Super Windforce OC 8G / RTX2070 Super Gaming OC 8G => RM 541.33

RGB Fans: Lian Li SL120 V2 => RM 139

RGB Cables: Lian li Strimer Plus V2 24-PIN => RM 245
Lian li Strimer Plus V2 8-PIN => RM 215

RGB LED Strips: PHANTEKS NEON DIGITAL-RGB => RM 62

NVME SSD: Samsung 990 Pro PCIE M.2 NVMe 4.0 1 TB => RM 748.88
Or
Samsung 990 Pro PCIE M.2 NVMe 4.0 2 TB => RM 1268

2.5 Inch Sata SSD: Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB => Old Transfer

3.5 Inch Hard Disk Drive: WD Black 2 TB => RM 625
And
WD Blue 4 TB => Old Transfer
And
Seagate Barracuda 4 TB => Old Transfer

5.25 Inch DVD Drive: Asus Generic DVD Drive => Old Transfer

 

[Lucky_SLS]

Few thoughts on your custom loop setup choices:

As you can see, the mobo is costing more than the CPU. You might not require such an overkill mobo?

The MSI X670 Carbon has a EK monoblock if you fancy. But i dont know about the availability in your region. Same for the Asus X670 Crosshair.

Or you could just get a mid range mobo like the Asus B650 Prime A or MSI B650 tomahawk and a CPU block. Does the job just fine if you ask me and is cheaper.

BTW checkout Derbauer's CPU block for Ryzen 7000 series. its custom built and has better performance.

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


The SSD definitely does not need custom cooling. but if you want to, go ahead. I would suggest spending on other parts to make your loop look better like a Bitspower Hexagonal rad or a flow meter or a digital temp sensor...

Ryzen currently does not support more than 6000mhz speed rams. or the support maybe finicky. So think twice about spending the extra premium on fast rams.

With a 2070 and a 7800X3D, a 850W is more than sufficient. 1000W PSU needed only if you plan on getting a 400W+ GPU like the 4090 or 7900XTX. The case C700P or the define 7 does not have a PSU cutout i believe to showcase the PSU.

The case could be too big to fill with those limited components. A full tower case might not be needed. A case like the Corsair 5000D or somethin could make the loop look to fill out the case better. Especially if you just plan on using the single 360 rad with that corsair kit.

You might want to think before about your RGB eco system. You might have to deal with multiple softwares and a huge cable mess. A hub would come in handy in this scenario.

The uni fans and have proprietary connections. the Hydro X might also be the same. so research and think ahead for the connection and controls.

 

[James Foo]

Few thoughts on your custom loop setup choices:

As you can see, the mobo is costing more than the CPU. You might not require such an overkill mobo?

The MSI X670 Carbon has a EK monoblock if you fancy. But i dont know about the availability in your region. Same for the Asus X670 Crosshair.

Or you could just get a mid range mobo like the Asus B650 Prime A or MSI B650 tomahawk and a CPU block. Does the job just fine if you ask me and is cheaper.

BTW checkout Derbauer's CPU block for Ryzen 7000 series. its custom built and has better performance.

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


The SSD definitely does not need custom cooling. but if you want to, go ahead. I would suggest spending on other parts to make your loop look better like a Bitspower Hexagonal rad or a flow meter or a digital temp sensor...

Ryzen currently does not support more than 6000mhz speed rams. or the support maybe finicky. So think twice about spending the extra premium on fast rams.

With a 2070 and a 7800X3D, a 850W is more than sufficient. 1000W PSU needed only if you plan on getting a 400W+ GPU like the 4090 or 7900XTX. The case C700P or the define 7 does not have a PSU cutout i believe to showcase the PSU.

The case could be too big to fill with those limited components. A full tower case might not be needed. A case like the Corsair 5000D or somethin could make the loop look to fill out the case better. Especially if you just plan on using the single 360 rad with that corsair kit.

You might want to think before about your RGB eco system. You might have to deal with multiple softwares and a huge cable mess. A hub would come in handy in this scenario.

The uni fans and have proprietary connections. the Hydro X might also be the same. so research and think ahead for the connection and controls.

Very very valid points Lucky_SLS~

1) The motherboard is kinda overkill most probably because there are only a few motherboards that have 2 x PCIE 5 slots (which will be beneficial for my future GPU upgrade and another slot for future add ones) and also PCIE 5 M.2 slots (for upcoming storage).

The only other board with almost similar specs is the Asus X670E Hero / Extreme which is even more expensive here and with the recent events in Asus, I have instead omitted it.

I have originally thought about getting the more powerful 79xx series chips (X and X-3D versions) but saw the performance to ratio is not great as I am mostly 70% gaming and 30% editing etc. So, has chosen the cheaper chip compared to my initial thought regarding the build in terms of the motherboard.

2) The only easier* way instead of getting each and every one of the water cooling components I saw are from Corsair as a full kit (and online reviews are not bad for the price), so i did not have the hassle of choosing from different brands.

3) The ram I have included the speed (6000 Mhz) from the seller, so there's that. Should be fine as per your suggestion of not going over 6000.

4) I have been thinking of maybe making my machine (at most 4 x 3.5 inch HDDs, 2 x 2.5 inch SSDs and 2 x M.2 SSDs), with these storages (I have a 4 Bay NAS which 2 slots are still vacant, this is irrelevant TBH, so I can make do with just 2/3 HDDs in the build) and a 5.25 inch drive for the DVD drive (which I might not wanna throw away and use it occasionally).

With these criteria, I only able to find these 2 cases. But if you got any more Mid-Tower cases with these (and preferably with faster speeds USB C and etc). I'm all about it!
[If the Mid-towers have all these features minus just the 5.25 inch bay, then I might just throw the DVD drive]

5) For the RGB software, I'm currently running almost 4 softwares (Razer, Logitech, Corsair, Gigabyte) with additional potential Steelseries stuff in the future. So, might be thinking of installing Signal RGB or similar 1 software solutions.

6) For the fans, I see that some of my water cooling components (Corsair and Phanteks) have RGB controllers included. I will see if either I can just use one of these if they are compatible for the whole build. Will see along when building.

 

[Lucky_SLS]

for the case, look at lian li lancool III - https://pcpartpicker.com/product/bmstt6/lian-li-lancool-iii-atx-mid-tower-case-lancool-3-w

Drive Bays​

• 4 x Internal 3.5"
• 8 x Internal 2.5"

As for the PCIE 5.0 x16 slots: You might not need the 5.0! pcie 4.0 still has a long road ahead.

The same goes for SSD. The microsoft direct storage works with top of the line pcie 3.0 SSDs! The B650 boards have pcie 5.0 M.2 slot for future upgrade options. Just trying to point out the overkill and top of the line novelties that comes with those costly X670E mobo which wont be fully utilised in the near future.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2SuyiHs-O4


And as for custom loop parts cost - Thermaltake has good copper radiators, fittings and tubings for competitive price in your region if i am not wrong. I might be wrong, but check it out before deciding. And they are updated with current gen cool looking products:

Pump Res - https://www.thermaltake.com/pacific-pr32-d5.html or https://www.thermaltake.com/pacific-dp100-d5-plus.html
Radiator: https://www.thermaltake.com/pacific-clm360-radiator.html or https://www.thermaltake.com/pacific-cl360-plus-rgb-radiator.html

or a full kit like this: https://www.thermaltake.com/pacific-clm360-ultra-hard-tube-liquid-cooling-kit.html

 

[James Foo]

for the case, look at lian li lancool III - https://pcpartpicker.com/product/bmstt6/lian-li-lancool-iii-atx-mid-tower-case-lancool-3-w

Drive Bays​

• 4 x Internal 3.5"
• 8 x Internal 2.5"

As for the PCIE 5.0 x16 slots: You might not need the 5.0! pcie 4.0 still has a long road ahead.

The same goes for SSD. The microsoft direct storage works with top of the line pcie 3.0 SSDs! The B650 boards have pcie 5.0 M.2 slot for future upgrade options. Just trying to point out the overkill and top of the line novelties that comes with those costly X670E mobo which wont be fully utilised in the near future.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2SuyiHs-O4


And as for custom loop parts cost - Thermaltake has good copper radiators, fittings and tubings for competitive price in your region if i am not wrong. I might be wrong, but check it out before deciding. And they are updated with current gen cool looking products:

Pump Res - https://www.thermaltake.com/pacific-pr32-d5.html or https://www.thermaltake.com/pacific-dp100-d5-plus.html
Radiator: https://www.thermaltake.com/pacific-clm360-radiator.html or https://www.thermaltake.com/pacific-cl360-plus-rgb-radiator.html

or a full kit like this: https://www.thermaltake.com/pacific-clm360-ultra-hard-tube-liquid-cooling-kit.html

1) For the Mid-Tower Cases, these are the ones I have found (all without 5.25 inch Bay, welp need to throw the DVD Drive lol), Descending Order from most desirable to least with 3-4 3.5 inch HDD as benchmark:

a) https://www.msi.com/PC-Case/MPG-SEKIRA-500X/Specification [Seems like best as it provides 4 HDDs and overall best USB ports]

b) https://www.bequiet.com/en/case/1203
[Very modular and kinda simplistic design, but has the most and very good storage mods]

c) https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/vector/vector-rs-tempered-glass/blackout/
[Same as Bequiet! but with better design, sad still having USB 3.0]

d) https://lian-li.com/product/o11-dynamic-evo/
[Square design and has the most optional accessories mods with extra IO ports option as well, but USB 3.0 and no indication of gen regarding the type c]

e) https://lian-li.com/product/lancool-iii/
[You recommended but I kinda like 011 dynamic evo better , but also same issues with USB3.0 and type C, overall less mods as well]

g) https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/define/define-7/black-tg-dark-tint/
[Just throwing it in as I saw in PCPartPicker, it indicates as Mid-Tower, so I'm a little confused as the size seems like Mid-Full Tower, and after seeing the previous ones, this might be my last choice]

2) The PC Shop did have Thermaltake kit [https://www.thermaltake.com/thermaltake-pacific-c360-ddc-hard-tube-water-cooling-kit.html], this kit which costs around RM 1600. I can do a comparison but if the Corsair is overall better performance, I will choose it instead of the Thermaltake.

 

[Lucky_SLS]

The other cases you have mentioned are not airflow focused apart from o11 and lancool iii.

The tt liquid cooling kit you have listed is the old design. I would not recommended it.

I was just giving you options to see if you bought the parts individually you could be about equal or slightly more than the kit in terms of costing.

Cuz the cpu block as shown by derbauer is definitely a better performing design than the Corsair xc7.

BTW, if you plan on o11 dynamic I would definitely recommend the distro plate for res pump combo.

Can you tell me which website you use to see the parts available in your region?

 

[James Foo]

The other cases you have mentioned are not airflow focused apart from o11 and lancool iii.

The tt liquid cooling kit you have listed is the old design. I would not recommended it.

I was just giving you options to see if you bought the parts individually you could be about equal or slightly more than the kit in terms of costing.

Cuz the cpu block as shown by derbauer is definitely a better performing design than the Corsair xc7.

BTW, if you plan on o11 dynamic I would definitely recommend the distro plate for res pump combo.

Can you tell me which website you use to see the parts available in your region?

I'm using this seller as a overall to check if components are available in my region since he is kind of like the top seller in Malaysia and with lists prices:

https://build.idealtech.com.my/builder/index.php

But I'm also using Lazada/Shopee (online sales platform like Amazon) also to see if any components are available and the pricing on them.

As for the case, I think my heart is set on the MSI and BeQuiet Case for my first 2 choices and 3rd choice as LianLi O11 Dynamic one. With the components I have listed, it might* be sufficient space ain't it for either these 3 options (3/4 x HDDs, 2 x Sata SSDs, 2 x M.2 SSDs)?

Do correct me if I'm wrong.

Regarding the watercool, not everything is concrete so maybe the local PC shop guy might recommend me either Thermaltake or Corsair and I might change my options. Other components if checked with you no issue, I will go with them.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

I'm going to suggest yu go witha B650 motherboard and Air cooling.

You aren't going to be overclocking any of the X3D CPUs, so why pay extra for water cooling that is wholly unnecessary, and add the risk of leaks and pump failures? A Cheap 120mm air cooler like a Thermalright Assassin or Vetroo V5 is plenty for a 7800X3D. You also really don't need water cooling for an SSD.

You have a LOT of old 2.5"/3.5" hard drives, which you might want to consolidate into a single high-volume drive (a 14, 16, or 20GB model), as most cases these days don't have huge amounts of HDD slots

 

[Lucky_SLS]

^ while that is true, we can do our best in supporting the OP's hobby if he wants it XD

I'm using this seller as a overall to check if components are available in my region since he is kind of like the top seller in Malaysia and with lists prices:

https://build.idealtech.com.my/builder/index.php

But I'm also using Lazada/Shopee (online sales platform like Amazon) also to see if any components are available and the pricing on them.

As for the case, I think my heart is set on the MSI and BeQuiet Case for my first 2 choices and 3rd choice as LianLi O11 Dynamic one. With the components I have listed, it might* be sufficient space ain't it for either these 3 options (3/4 x HDDs, 2 x Sata SSDs, 2 x M.2 SSDs)?

Do correct me if I'm wrong.

Regarding the watercool, not everything is concrete so maybe the local PC shop guy might recommend me either Thermaltake or Corsair and I might change my options. Other components if checked with you no issue, I will go with them.

From the website you have listed, i am seeing the following case options that fit your needs:

Corsair 7000D

Fractal Design Pop Air XL

Lian Li Lancool 216

Lian Li O11 dynamic

And i would say its worth the small premium over the corsair: https://www.lazada.com.my/products/thermaltake-pacific-clm360-ultra-hard-tube-liquid-cooling-kit-i3586405034-s20180551785.html?channelLpJumpArgs=&clickTrackInfo=query%3Athermaltake%2Bultra%3Bnid%3A3586405034%3Bsrc%3ALazadaMainSrp%3Brn%3A906c1a015590933bd969fce0271b2221%3Bregion%3Amy%3Bsku%3A3586405034_MY%3Bprice%3A2998%3Bclient%3Adesktop%3Bsupplier_id%3A27823%3Bpromotion_biz%3A%3Basc_category_id%3A10002908%3Bitem_id%3A3586405034%3Bsku_id%3A20180551785%3Bshop_id%3A2267&fastshipping=0&freeshipping=0&fs_ab=2&fuse_fs=0&lang=en&location=Selangor&price=2998&priceCompare=&ratingscore=0&request_id=906c1a015590933bd969fce0271b2221&review=&sale=0&search=1&source=search&spm=a2o4k.searchlist.list.6&stock=1

 

[James Foo]

After painfully deciding and price fighting with a shop which I am quite familiar with, have decided on the following:

	Part Number / Description	Qty	Remarks
Computer Case	MSI MPG Sekira 500X (Mid-Tower)	1
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D	1
Motherboard	Asrock X670E Taichi	1
RAM	G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB (2 x 16GB) DDR5 6000Mhz [F5-6000J3636F16GX2-TZ5NR] (AMD EXPO)	1
Power Supply	Asus ROG THOR 1000W PLATINUM II / 80+ PLAT / FULL MODULAR (ROG-THOR-1000P2)	1
Graphic Card	Gigabyte GeForce RTX™ 2070 GAMING OC 8G White	1	Old Transfer
Water Cooling Kit	Thermaltake Pacific CLM360 Ultra Hard Tube Liquid Cooling Kit	1
M.2 SSD Water Cooling Block	Corsair HYDRO X SERIES XM2 M.2 SSD Water Block (2280) — White	1
GPU Water Cooling Block	Bykski N-GV2080SWF-X GPU Water Cooling Block For Gigabyte RTX2080 Super Windforce OC 8G / RTX2070 Super Gaming OC 8G	1
RGB Fans	Lian Li SL120 V2	1
RGB Cables	Lian li Strimer Plus V2 24-PIN	1
	Lian li Strimer Plus V2 8-PIN	1
RGB LED Strips	PHANTEKS NEON DIGITAL-RGB	1
NVME SSD	Western Digital Black SN850X NVMe 4.0 (1 TB)	1
2.5 Inch Sata SSD	Samsung 860 Evo (500 GB)	1	Old Transfer
3.5 Inch Hard Disk Drive	Western Digital Black (2 TB)	1
	Western Digital Blue (4 TB)	1	Old Transfer
	Seagate Barracuda (4 TB)	1	Old Transfer
5.25 Inch DVD Drive	Asus Generic DVD Drive	1	Old Transfer

Kindly please check if these are all compatible with each other and no issue with size and storage within the MSI case.
Thanks a lot guys!

 

[Lucky_SLS]

the mobo is compatible and when you put a waterblock, its gonna be a little bit more than the length of the PCB.

with the 40mm thick radiator, i think gpu + res + rad + fans is not gonna fit in the front.

I dont know if a 40mm thiccc rad and fans will fit in the top without interfere with the rams.

and that MSI case is not airflow optimised. with custom loop, you are dependent on that 360 rad.

This was why i was suggesting the lan cool 216. which got a 3.5" bay in the bottom as you requested. And you have 435mm clearance for gpu + res + fans in the front. rad in the top

 

[Zerk2012]

Almost 9 years with this, I have no issues with it with the exception of the stupid TPM 2.0 requirement for Windows 11

If it still does everything you need windows 10 is supported for 2 more years so why buy now.

 

[James Foo]

the other case I'm thinking of the Be Quiet! Dark Base 700 (Mid-Tower), since this is also the only other case with plenty of newer USB ports

Or else, the only 3rd case I'm interested in is the LianLi O11 Dynamic EVO and 4th choice is LianLi LANCOOL III.

 

[Lucky_SLS]

a single rad loop would look quiet empty in the o11. dark base 700 and lancool III are much better options. the lancool 216 is just the updated version of the lancool III

 

[James Foo]

a single rad loop would look quiet empty in the o11. dark base 700 and lancool III are much better options. the lancool 216 is just the updated version of the lancool III

After the actual realization of what the MSI's [4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5Gbps)] is actually just USB 3.0.

I think I will just go with the Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO (most probably wait abit just for the RGB version launched in Computex).
If seeing the same as the Evo, it should have an add-on for another set of I/O ports which making 2 x USB C (10Gb) and 4 x USB A (5Gb). which makes it the only case which have at least 2 x 10Gb ports.
[Sadly no cases is using the 20Gb ports with 3/4 storages, so far i see is only the MSI newer cases which only have 2 x 3.5 inch]

Beside, I will surely upgrade my GPU (targeting the 5080/5080 Ti, the clearance should be a bit bigger needed) in the future, it seems to be the case with high storage, large space and lots of I/Os. which ticks all boxes.