Build Advice New PC build, would like some advice.

[demidemon]

I've posted a couple times around here but finally looking to see if any tweaks need to be made to these two builds. I was originally going to upgrade my PSU, RAM and GPU from my current build, but after testing a few games that I'd like to stream, my CPU seems to not be able to handle both. Some games take up the CPU to 80-90 and the RAM about the same. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War was one of them, I'm not sure if that update broke it but I do know other games have the same issue.

Just as a reference, here is the build I'm upgrading from: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/VVVCRT
I'm trying to stream and game from one single PC, I'd love to have two but I don't really have the room for that.

Here are the other two builds I'm toying with, they are the exact same build outside of the case and RAM choices. The reason I am posting both is if anyone has any information on those cases as well, I'd love to hear it. I'm trying to find a case that one of my cats won't reset the button on, which is why I am leaning towards that Phantek case, I'd love to get the corsair but I know full well she will step on that button. I've found some button covers I want to get and test on this PC just to see how well the adhesive sticks to the case. I've had suggestions for buttons that are outside of the case or by remote, my only issue with that is if those break, that build is unusable until I can get someone to repair or replace that button. The RAM is different on both builds but depending on what is said about that, I will be putting them into the final build.

Phanteks: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/LyKPgb
Corsair: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/CYkxbK

I've already got the card coming in the mail, I found one on Amazon during the sale still so grabbed it while I had a chance. I'm also pretty set on AIO cooling over air as I'm on the side of the house that gets the hottest. No trees for shade, two windows, near the kitchen and washer/drier so it can get very hot. As for the GPU, I've heard that runs hot, how true is this? I do not intend to OC and my monitors are going to be 1080p 144hz x2 and 1440p 144hz. I'm considering getting the AIO hybrid cooler from EVGA to help with temps. My PC will be over towards the AC, at least closer than where mine is currently. Was going to put it up on the desk but that will just push all the heat out onto one of the monitors instead. Going to be picking up a stand to set it on so it's up off the floor.

 

[King Dranzer]

I've posted a couple times around here but finally looking to see if any tweaks need to be made to these two builds. I was originally going to upgrade my PSU, RAM and GPU from my current build, but after testing a few games that I'd like to stream, my CPU seems to not be able to handle both. Some games take up the CPU to 80-90 and the RAM about the same. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War was one of them, I'm not sure if that update broke it but I do know other games have the same issue.

Just as a reference, here is the build I'm upgrading from: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/VVVCRT
I'm trying to stream and game from one single PC, I'd love to have two but I don't really have the room for that.

Here are the other two builds I'm toying with, they are the exact same build outside of the case and RAM choices. The reason I am posting both is if anyone has any information on those cases as well, I'd love to hear it. I'm trying to find a case that one of my cats won't reset the button on, which is why I am leaning towards that Phantek case, I'd love to get the corsair but I know full well she will step on that button. I've found some button covers I want to get and test on this PC just to see how well the adhesive sticks to the case. I've had suggestions for buttons that are outside of the case or by remote, my only issue with that is if those break, that build is unusable until I can get someone to repair or replace that button. The RAM is different on both builds but depending on what is said about that, I will be putting them into the final build.

Phanteks: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/LyKPgb
Corsair: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/CYkxbK

I've already got the card coming in the mail, I found one on Amazon during the sale still so grabbed it while I had a chance. I'm also pretty set on AIO cooling over air as I'm on the side of the house that gets the hottest. No trees for shade, two windows, near the kitchen and washer/drier so it can get very hot. As for the GPU, I've heard that runs hot, how true is this? I do not intend to OC and my monitors are going to be 1080p 144hz x2 and 1440p 144hz. I'm considering getting the AIO hybrid cooler from EVGA to help with temps. My PC will be over towards the AC, at least closer than where mine is currently. Was going to put it up on the desk but that will just push all the heat out onto one of the monitors instead. Going to be picking up a stand to set it on so it's up off the floor.

No need to upgrade all that. The CPU + Motherboard + RAM are good.

You can that 4TB SSD for secondary storage.

What PSU do you have in that previous PC. Please let us know. That is very important part of PC.

Drop second 2 x 8GB Kit of RAM. It will work.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTDEYHU?tag=pcpapi-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

Depending on the PSU you can directly drop in RTX3080 into that PC. Do let us know which PSU you purchased back then.

 

[demidemon]

No need to upgrade all that. The CPU + Motherboard + RAM are good.

You can that 4TB SSD for secondary storage.

What PSU do you have in that previous PC. Please let us know. That is very important part of PC.

Drop second 2 x 8GB Kit of RAM. It will work.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTDEYHU?tag=pcpapi-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

Depending on the PSU you can directly drop in RTX3080 into that PC. Do let us know which PSU you purchased back then.

Sadly, the CPU and motherboard will be needing replaced. The motherboard can't upgrade to any other as it 's a z390 and the core I have currently on some games can be at 70%+. I'll have to go through all the games again to see if anything got changed but last I looked earlier this year, especially with CoD Black Ops Cold War, that game alone was taking up 80-90% of my CPU and about the same as my RAM. I cannot stream on that or it will crash.

I have a 6TB in this machine currently, when I have my new net, I wont need to worry about storing every single game anymore due to slow download speeds.

It's GAMDIAS ASTRAPE P1 G 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply, or at least as close to I can find online. I can't get that from the old parts list, will have to try digging for that again but I believe it is that model.

Some of my games are starting to push 16GB when I'm on them, so that will be updated to 32 no matter what. I'm more worried on if I should go to 4 x 8 sticks for 2 x 16GB sticks. Also, the set you linked is literally the set in this PC currently. -lol- My original PC is in the above link unless I copied the wrong one.

 

[Why_Me]

You want 2x16GB and not 4x8 for an Intel build so it doesn't stress the controller. Since you don't plan on overclocking then the 12700F would be the cpu to look at imo. Also I'd look at a board that comes with two M.2 heatsinks so that you can run dual M.2 SSD's without messing with an overpriced SSD that comes with a heatsink. As far as the case .. I'd give a good look at the new Lian Li Lancool 3 that just came out.

Here's a few ideas.

This cpu uses less power and runs a lot cooler than the 12700K yet nets you similar results. A 240mm AIO is more than enough for this cpu.

https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i7-12700f-core-i7-12th-gen/p/N82E16819118359
Intel Core i7-12700F $312.96

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...2700f-processor-25m-cache-up-to-4-90-ghz.html

This board comes with dual M.2 heatsinks.

https://www.newegg.com/gigabyte-aorus-z690-gaming-x-ddr4/p/N82E16813145347
GIGABYTE Z690 GAMING X DDR4 $209.99

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z690-GAMING-X-DDR4-rev-10

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WRJ5MQW
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB AIO $111.99

O/S (Windows) SSD

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7Q21N7
SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus 500GB M.2 NVMe Internal SSD $59.99

Storage SSD #1 (games, apps, etc ..)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MFZXR1B
SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus 2TB M.2 NVMe Internal SSD $179.99

Storage SSD #2 (save your streams to)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QB93S6R/
Samsung Electronics 870 EVO 2TB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD $189.99

Lian Li Lancool 3 (no need for extra case fans with this case)

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/lian-li-lancool-iii-rgb

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/lian-li-lancool-3/

LANCOOL III

<ul> <li aria-level="1">Mid-tower modular chassis for all kinds of configurations</li> <li aria-level="1">Equipped with 4 × 140 PWM fans (ARGB or non-RGB)</li> <li aria-level="1">Featured airflow optimized mesh structure and hinged side panels</li> <li aria-level="1">Supports up to 420...

lian-li.com

i7 12700 / 12700F gaming benchmarks.

 

[demidemon]

You want 2x16GB and not 4x8 for an Intel build so it doesn't stress the controller. Since you don't plan on overclocking then the 12700F would be the cpu to look at imo. Also I'd look at a board that comes with two M.2 heatsinks so that you can run dual M.2 SSD's without messing with an overpriced SSD that comes with a heatsink. As far as the case .. I'd give a good look at the new Lian Li Lancool 3 that just came out.

Here's a few ideas.

This cpu uses less power and runs a lot cooler than the 12700K yet nets you similar result. A 240mm AIO is more than enough for this cpu.
https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i7-12700f-core-i7-12th-gen/p/N82E16819118359
Intel Core i7-12700F $312.96

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...2700f-processor-25m-cache-up-to-4-90-ghz.html

This board comes with dual M.2 heatsinks.

https://www.newegg.com/gigabyte-aorus-z690-gaming-x-ddr4/p/N82E16813145347
GIGABYTE Z690 GAMING X DDR4 $209.99

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z690-GAMING-X-DDR4-rev-10

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WRJ5MQW
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB AIO $111.99

O/S (Windows) SSD

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7Q21N7
SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus 500GB M.2 NVMe Internal SSD $59.99

Storage SSD #1 (games, apps, etc ..)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MFZXR1B
SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus 2TB M.2 NVMe Internal SSD $179.99

Storage SSD #2 (save your streams to)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QB93S6R/
Samsung Electronics 870 EVO 2TB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD $189.99

Lian Li Lancool 3 (no need for extra case fans with this case)

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/lian-li-lancool-iii-rgb

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/lian-li-lancool-3/

i7 12700 / 12700F gaming benchmarks.

-Snipped the image out so it wasn't expanding the page more-

Someone suggested that CPU before, the reason I didn't go with it is, wouldn't it run way slower at 2.1 cuz the CPU I have is 3.6, wouldn't I notice a difference in speeds even with all those cores? I went with the bigger cooler mainly cuz I have a 240 in this PC as is for AIO , the one is a place holder in the current build link, mine was one that the website itself offered instead of some other brand named one, so I just stuck a 360 in it cuz I know for a fact mine isn't gonna be mounted up top on the build. The place I want to get to put this together tends to stick theirs on the back of the front fans.

The only reason I have that MSI is the original board was a Asus ROG Strix B660-A and someone said I could pay that much for a Z690 board, then suggested a MSI that I never got a reply from on if it was a good choice or not. Will take a look at that Gigabyte board in a few.

Went with the 1TB as I intend to put my music and pictures on it this time around, I still have several CDs I never got to rip cuz half of them are in the bottom of my closet I can't get into. I can drop the heatsink if the Gigabyte board has the heatsinks. Is there any reviews saying the Gigabyte board has a better one than what comes with the Western Digital?

I don't intend to save my streams, I've got no idea how to edit them down to post anywhere. I just wanted to play my games and stream'em at the same time. Maybe try that later but I'd have to fix my YT accounts as the one I used to use mainly is on an e-mail that may or may not be gone or inaccessible, I have no idea if I can switch it to another Google Account without losing it entirely.

Is there any mid-tower cases you can suggest as well? As stated above, I've heard good things about that Phanteks case, along with it having that front panel to cover the buttons away from cat paws. I've been working to just keep her off my desk and she still gets up here. Hoping if I get a cat tower for my room she'll stop getting on my desk. I'll give that one a look over too, just in case. I hate and love PCs cuz there is so many options. Dx

Also, as a note, fan noise does not bother me at all, I sleep with a fan and AC on all the time. I barely if ever hear a PC fan unless it's winter and my floor heater is on as it's way quieter.

 

[Why_Me]

Someone suggested that CPU before, the reason I didn't go with it is, wouldn't it run way slower at 2.1 cuz the CPU I have is 3.6, wouldn't I notice a difference in speeds even with all those cores? I went with the bigger cooler mainly cuz I have a 240 in this PC as is for AIO , the one is a place holder in the current build link, mine was one that the website itself offered instead of some other brand named one, so I just stuck a 360 in it cuz I know for a fact mine isn't gonna be mounted up top on the build. The place I want to get to put this together tends to stick theirs on the back of the front fans.

The only reason I have that MSI is the original board was a Asus ROG Strix B660-A and someone said I could pay that much for a Z690 board, then suggested a MSI that I never got a reply from on if it was a good choice or not. Will take a look at that Gigabyte board in a few.

Went with the 1TB as I intend to put my music and pictures on it this time around, I still have several CDs I never got to rip cuz half of them are in the bottom of my closet I can't get into. I can drop the heatsink if the Gigabyte board has the heatsinks. Is there any reviews saying the Gigabyte board has a better one than what comes with the Western Digital?

I don't intend to save my streams, I've got no idea how to edit them down to post anywhere. I just wanted to play my games and stream'em at the same time. Maybe try that later but I'd have to fix my YT accounts as the one I used to use mainly is on an e-mail that may or may not be gone or inaccessible, I have no idea if I can switch it to another Google Account without losing it entirely.

Is there any mid-tower cases you can suggest as well? As stated above, I've heard good things about that Phanteks case, along with it having that front panel to cover the buttons away from cat paws. I've been working to just keep her off my desk and she still gets up here. Hoping if I get a cat tower for my room she'll stop getting on my desk. I'll give that one a look over too, just in case. I hate and love PCs cuz there is so many options. Dx

Both cases you chose are solid ^^. All you need for either of those cases is a single 120mm rear exhaust fan seeing how both cases have excellent airflow. As far as the 12700F ... I posted the benchmarks.

 

[demidemon]

Both cases you chose are solid ^^. All you need for either of those cases is a single 120mm rear exhaust fan seeing how both cases have excellent airflow. As far as the 12700F ... I posted the benchmarks.

I guess I should say I meant in a more ordinary day to day. I can see what the performance says, but I'm just worried it will still be slower.

 

[Why_Me]

I guess I should say I meant in a more ordinary day to day. I can see what the performance says, but I'm just worried it will still be slower.

Intel Core i7-12700 + Intel B660 Review

Today we have a combo review of all-new Intel hardware, our first look at the affordable Intel B660 platform, the non-K Core i7-12700 and Intel's latest box...

www.techspot.com

 

[Lafong]

I guess I should say I meant in a more ordinary day to day. I can see what the performance says, but I'm just worried it will still be slower.

If you did not know which processor you had, I'd think you could very rarely if ever detect the difference in "ordinary day to day".

They all have 4 Efficiency cores; the 12600K has 6 Performance cores; the others have 8; the 12700 is a 65 watt processor; the other 2 are 125 watts.

Price difference is about 100 dollars, with the 12700 being in the middle. If tight on budget, I'd lean toward 12600K and spend the difference on upgrading something else....drives, monitor, cooler. Maybe even DDR 5 rather than DDR 4.

Passmark benchmarks; first number is all cores, second number is single core

12600K; 26914, 3968

12700; 31510, 3848

12700K; 33308; 4015

Base clock speeds for Performance cores and Efficiency cores:

12600K; P: 3.7; E: 2.8

12700; P: 2.1; E: 1.6

12700K; P: 3.6; E: 2.7


Maximum turbo speeds for Performance cores and Efficiency cores

12600K; P: 4.9; E: 3.6

12700; P: 4.9; E: 3.6

12700K; P: 5.0; E: 3.8

 

[demidemon]

Intel Core i7-12700 + Intel B660 Review

Today we have a combo review of all-new Intel hardware, our first look at the affordable Intel B660 platform, the non-K Core i7-12700 and Intel's latest box...

www.techspot.com

Thank you!

@Lafong

The problem with that is the price for the board and RAM is high currently. That, and from what I saw, some of the speeds I could afford wasn't any better than the DDR4 that's already out. At that time, I also had a lot of issues even finding much reviews about it, so if you can explain DDR5 ram to me, that'd be great.

 

[Lafong]

Thank you!

@Lafong

The problem with that is the price for the board and RAM is high currently. That, and from what I saw, some of the speeds I could afford wasn't any better than the DDR4 that's already out. At that time, I also had a lot of issues even finding much reviews about it, so if you can explain DDR5 ram to me, that'd be great.

What is "that" in your first sentence?

Not sure what you want explained.

DDR 5 is out there. Some want it, some don't. For various reasons.

Some would want it because it's the newest tech. Some are indifferent to that.

People differ in why they buy stuff. I hear references to "bragging rights", but I'm not clear on how that is determined.

Some just gotta have RGB stuff, yet complain they can't afford parts that actually affect performance. I don't know where you are on that spectrum.

As far as I know, mainstream DDR 4 is faster than the currently available DDR 5, but what percentage of users could tell what type RAM they had if a gremlin sneaked into their PC at night and swapped "fast" RAM for the same amount of "not so fast" RAM?

Conversely, only a blind person wouldn't know if their RGB stuff wasn't working.

Monitor improvements or more storage are likely more obviously beneficial to a typical user than the finer points of RAM (rather than the sheer amount).

You probably should buy whatever has the lowest likelihood of disappointing you, but I have no idea how your disappointment meter is calibrated......exactly what you would find disappointing. You are the authority on that.

 

[demidemon]

What is "that" in your first sentence?

Not sure what you want explained.

DDR 5 is out there. Some want it, some don't. For various reasons.

Some would want it because it's the newest tech. Some are indifferent to that.

People differ in why they buy stuff. I hear references to "bragging rights", but I'm not clear on how that is determined.

Some just gotta have RGB stuff, yet complain they can't afford parts that actually affect performance. I don't know where you are on that spectrum.

As far as I know, mainstream DDR 4 is faster than the currently available DDR 5, but what percentage of users could tell what type RAM they had if a gremlin sneaked into their PC at night and swapped "fast" RAM for the same amount of "not so fast" RAM?

Conversely, only a blind person wouldn't know if their RGB stuff wasn't working.

Monitor improvements or more storage are likely more obviously beneficial to a typical user than the finer points of RAM (rather than the sheer amount).

You probably should buy whatever has the lowest likelihood of disappointing you, but I have no idea how your disappointment meter is calibrated......exactly what you would find disappointing. You are the authority on that.

The price being a problem, or at least was.

As for RGB, yes I like it, mainly cuz I can at least look at my PC and see it's on and working. There was a problem with this PC a long time ago when I first got it, it would start up by itself and kick on/off. I'd literally hear it doing that while sleeping and it would wake me up. Sometimes the only way I'd notice it even happening was seeing the RGB flash and then I'd hear the fans.

The monitor I have chosen is a MSI Optix MAG274QRF for my 1440p 165hz monitor. (Said 144hz earlier by mistake), which is one of several recommended monitors and I'm not looking for anything above 27" or 1440p. I have two monitors I intend to carry over to my new PC, so I'll have 3 in the end.

I'm playing with builds as we speak, but may try seeing what a non-rgb build would look like for fun, outside of potentially case fans.

 

[Lafong]

Are you locked into a Z690 motherboard?

Are you locked into a liquid cooler?

 

[demidemon]

Are you locked into a Z690 motherboard?

Are you locked into a liquid cooler?

I definitely want a AIO liquid cooler, from what I understand, that will help reduce heat the best.

As for the z690 board, I just found a Asus ROG STRIX Z690-A board I'm kind of interested in getting. Apparently the Gigabyte suggested above has poor audio on it. Still playing around on PC part picker, mainly trying to keep the rest of the PC build at 2,500 or less, obviously allowances will be made if needed but that is the goal.

This is all on the Corsair build link, mind you, if I did this with that Phanteks build, I'd be in the 3k range. I do have an all air cooled Phanteks build with a Deepcool AK620 on it, dunno how I feel about it.

 

[geofelt]

Are you budget restricted?

From a case cooling point of view, I like the Phanteks case better.
The Corsair would force you to abandon the supplied front fans to mount the 360 radiator there.

It can support 3 140mm intakes that can supply all of the airflow you might ever want. You can, indeed mount a 360 aio on top.
On you phanteks build you have three 120mm three packs for a total of 9 fans.
I think you would do better with three 140mm fans.
140mm fans run slower, quieter and move more air per rpm.

While you are focused on liquid cooling, and have experience with it, do consider air.
The cpu is not the only thing that needs cooling.
You have a hot graphics card that needs airflow.
But, also, the motherboard vrm's and any m.2 ssd devices will want good airflow for cooling.

The Deepcool AK620 is an interesting option.
But not best. The volume of the twin radiator stacks looks to be much smaller than good air coolers like the Noctua NH-D15s with 140mm fans.
Such coolers will cool as effectively as a 280 AIO.
No need for as5, supplied paste works just as well.

Since your use is for gaming, I would not be overly worried about cpu cooling.
You will only be heavily using a few cores, not like you would with a multithreaded app that can load all cores.
The default turbo mechanism is what most gamers will use.
The 12th gen processors will have a spectrum of max turbos.
12700K is at 5.0.
A 12600K will be 4.9.

On ram, the ram sticks are pretty.
There is no plus for 4 sticks vs. two.
Intel is dual channel only, and 4 sticks is more expensive.
Functionally, the same performance with lpx is half the price:
https://www.newegg.com/corsair-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820236758?quicklink=true

On the m.2 ssd, do not chase specs.
A simple sansung 970 evo plus will serve just as well.
These guys could not tell the difference:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DKLA7w9eeA

 

[demidemon]

Are you budget restricted?

From a case cooling point of view, I like the Phanteks case better.
The Corsair would force you to abandon the supplied front fans to mount the 360 radiator there.

It can support 3 140mm intakes that can supply all of the airflow you might ever want. You can, indeed mount a 360 aio on top.
On you phanteks build you have three 120mm three packs for a total of 9 fans.
I think you would do better with three 140mm fans.
140mm fans run slower, quieter and move more air per rpm.

While you are focused on liquid cooling, and have experience with it, do consider air.
The cpu is not the only thing that needs cooling.
You have a hot graphics card that needs airflow.
But, also, the motherboard vrm's and any m.2 ssd devices will want good airflow for cooling.

The Deepcool AK620 is an interesting option.
But not best. The volume of the twin radiator stacks looks to be much smaller than good air coolers like the Noctua NH-D15s with 140mm fans.
Such coolers will cool as effectively as a 280 AIO.
No need for as5, supplied paste works just as well.

Since your use is for gaming, I would not be overly worried about cpu cooling.
You will only be heavily using a few cores, not like you would with a multithreaded app that can load all cores.
The default turbo mechanism is what most gamers will use.
The 12th gen processors will have a spectrum of max turbos.
12700K is at 5.0.
A 12600K will be 4.9.

On ram, the ram sticks are pretty.
There is no plus for 4 sticks vs. two.
Intel is dual channel only, and 4 sticks is more expensive.
Functionally, the same performance with lpx is half the price:
https://www.newegg.com/corsair-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820236758?quicklink=true

On the m.2 ssd, do not chase specs.
A simple sansung 970 evo plus will serve just as well.
These guys could not tell the difference:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DKLA7w9eeA

Actually the AIO would not force me to abandon the front fans on the Corsair case. I have a Corsair iCUE 220T and have the 240 AIO mounted behind the front case fans. So it is still very possible to keep those front fans and have the 3 fan AIO from what I can read. I'm kind of leaning towards this case solely cuz I can find a PC stand for it that has sides on it so it wont tip over. Going to continue searching though.

Originally though, the case I had was Gamdias Talos P1 (never again!) and had three front fans, the AIO mounted to the top, obviously the radiator fan. Then that case started to cause severe issues, so it got changed to this. I have 3 front fans, the AIO mounted behind the front fans, one 120mm on top and the radiator out the back of it. Technically 2 can fit on top but sadly the AIO pipes twist up to far for the second one to be installed and not have interference.

For the Phanteks case, I can actually put 4 120mm fans in front, 3 up top, 3 in the bottom, so going to need to stick one more on that list, I totally miscalculated. I'm also not worried about it being quiet, I have an AC and fan running at all times during summer anyway, I rarely if ever hear any other fans. Winter is about the only time I hear them so it doesn't bother me one bit on noise level. So wouldn't the extra front case fan move just as much if not more air as the 3 140mms? I'd also probably be mounting the AIO behind the front air fans just like I did with this case, this all depends on what the people who are going to be putting this together do.

How would a air cooler help with the GPU in the Phanteks case? I don't think I'd mount the card vertically like in the pictures suggest, I've seen it mounted like normal with that case. Wouldn't the 3 case fans at the bottom help regulate the air flow on the card by itself? A thought I had, is if the AIO gets mounted in the front, I technically could put the 140mm fans on top of it as well. So that could help as well.

It's what a couple people recommended for an air cooler over the Noctua, so I just went with it. I had other suggestions but after seeing some reviews and temps, I tossed those out too.

It's not just for gaming, I do intend to stream from it if possible. I do need to see about a few more things before I get dead set on that part, but I'm hoping so. I really do not want temps on my CPU to be around/above 70, my current CPU is around 60s when playing most games on a AIO, which is mainly why I want to stick with it. On the Phanteks build, I've just left those in as place holders, I've actually found even better G.Skill sticks. 2 x 16 4000 CL18s

Not overly chasing specs, mainly looking at what would work for my PC and what would keep said m.2 cooled off. I noticed in my current PC, where the M.2 is, it tends to get hotter when I'm gaming cuz I think the GPU and it are very close to each other. Afterwards, the temps tend to drop and I highly doubt it's being read all that much considering that is the boot drive and all my games are on my 6TB HDD. The only thing that M.2 has is apps and some downloads that I never removed.

I will put all this into consideration though, I'm still toying with things and this case will be like 1-2 feet from my AC, so it will be pulling in all that cold air at the same time.