Build Advice Planning to build a PC for the first time in 10 years, is there anything I should tweak with this build config? + Advice about RGB please

Mxhawthy

Distinguished
Hi there,

As the title says, I am looking for advice about any tweaks I should make to the below build configuration, but please note that I cannot stretch my budget any higher.

I'm particularly looking for help making sure that my RGB setup will work well, and will be easily configurable. I have never used RGB in a PC before, and I have no idea how it works. I've gone for all-corsair where possible as I thought this would help make things easier.

Does my motherboard have enough RGB sockets for the AIO + 4 case fans, etc? I'm assuming the RAM is just plug and play, but again, I haven't built a PC since 2014 and even then it had zero RGB so wasn't something I had to think about. I know there's software called iCue, but do I simply just download this software and it will automatically detect any Corsair fans that are plugged into my motherboard and allow me to change their colours? My case says it's an iCue case on the Corsair website, but I don't know what that means (does it just mean it's a normal case but comes with iCue fans?)

This PC will be used for casual gaming + web browsing. Will it be able to play games like Forza Horizon 5 and Call of duty in 4k at 60 FPS with high-ish settings? I can get a free 4k monitor with 60hz refresh rate from my boss, he doesn't want it. If it won't reach 60fps in 4k then would I be better off buying a 1440p monitor instead, or should I just take the 4k monitor and change the in-game settings to a lower resolution to bump up the fps?

I appreciate kindness and any help you legends can provide me. Build below. P.S There is an extra case fan at the bottom of the build list, because I thought it's best to balance out the 3 intakes at the front by having the 2 AIO fans + 1 extra exhaust fan. Is that wise?
Cheers,
Max

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor (£187.00 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Corsair iCUE H100i ELITE CAPELLIX XT 65.57 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (£109.98 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Asus PRIME B650M-A WIFI II Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard (£129.97 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory (£160.05 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (£148.41 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: PowerColor Fighter OC Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card (£449.99 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB AIRFLOW ATX Mid Tower Case (£131.99 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: Corsair RM850x (2021) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£109.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Case Fan: Corsair iCUE AR120 Digital RGB 59 CFM 120 mm Fan (£12.95 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £1439.34
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-08-21 12:40 BST+0100
 
Last edited:
This saves you some money all while getting a better motherboard and upgrading to an ATX 3.0 PSU.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor (£187.00 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III A-RGB 48.82 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (£63.90 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650 GAMING X AX V2 ATX AM5 Motherboard (£149.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory (£113.24 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: SK Hynix Platinum P41 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (£137.99 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: PowerColor Fighter OC Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card (£449.99 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB AIRFLOW ATX Mid Tower Case (£131.99 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS GX-850 ATX 3.0 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£138.99 @ AWD-IT)
Case Fan: Corsair iCUE AR120 Digital RGB 59 CFM 120 mm Fan (£12.95 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £1385.05
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-08-21 13:30 BST+0100
 

Ralston18

Titan
Moderator
I would set aside tweaking for the time being.

The first objective is to ensure that the resulting build performs well and remains stable.

Unless there are specific requirements for RGB then I would not bother with RGB at all. However, that is just me.

The important thing to do is to ensure that you carefully read the full documentation for every installed component.

Starting with the motherboard.

Verify that the motherboard does indeed support the listed components. Even the case (air flows).

Details matter.

Pay attention to configuration settings - especially BIOS.

Read the fine print, pay attention to all caveats/warnings and details. Many documents include wording to the effect that you should visit the manufacturer's website for more up-to-date information. Be sure to do that.

You mentioned RAM: Some motherboards require that the first physically installed RAM be placed in a specific slot. Commonly DIMMA2. Be sure to check.

Install only the C: drive. No other drives are immediately necessary and, if present, may cause problems. All the more so if they happen to have an OS installed.

Very likely there will be conflicts and confusion - especially with RGB etc.. Resolve those conflicts before plugging any thing in or going to the next step.

Be sure that you use only the cables that come with the PSU.

Plan your build carefully; step by step. Work in a clean, well-lit area, with the proper tools. If any problems are encountered then stop. Do not work when rushed, tired, distracted etc..

Nothing needs be forced, Be wary of using any adapters or converters. Pay attention to the pinouts for any given connection.

Once the build is up and running and remains so allow some time for updates etc.. Do not immediately start loading apps, utilities, games, etc..

If you make too many changes at one time it may be difficult to identify potential culprits when problems occur.

Slow and steady. Keep your own notes and records. Especially regarding "tweaks": What was changed, where it was changed, original setting, new "tweak" setting.
 

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
To be frank, you are overspending on things, at the cost of performance. You can keep your color theme, get a better CPU, without being tied to Corsair. Your motherboard will have RGB software to control everything too.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor (£324.06 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III A-RGB 48.82 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (£76.98 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX ICE ATX AM5 Motherboard (£189.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory (£113.24 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: SK Hynix Platinum P41 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (£137.99 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: Sapphire PURE Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card (£439.59 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case (£65.47 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: Corsair RM850e (2023) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£119.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Total: £1465.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-08-21 13:29 BST+0100
 
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Here is a non RGB alternative.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor (£323.06 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 6 Dual Fan 60.29 CFM CPU Cooler (£59.22 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650M AORUS ELITE AX ICE Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard (£167.49 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory (£100.85 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: SK Hynix Platinum P41 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (£137.99 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: PowerColor Fighter OC Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card (£449.99 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact ATX Mid Tower Case (£80.99 @ Ebuyer)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS GX-850 ATX 3.0 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£138.99 @ AWD-IT)
Total: £1458.58
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-08-21 13:42 BST+0100
 
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PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor (£174.99 @ AWD-IT)
CPU Cooler: *Deepcool AG620 WH ARGB 67.88 CFM CPU Cooler (£49.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Motherboard: *Asus PRIME B650-PLUS ATX AM5 Motherboard (£133.98 @ Ebuyer)
Memory: *TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory (£106.68 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: *Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (£99.99 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: *Sapphire PURE Radeon RX 7900 GRE 16 GB Video Card (£556.79 @ Newegg UK)
Case: *Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case (£65.47 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£121.06 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £1307.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-08-21 15:27 BST+0100
 
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Mar 10, 2020
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From what you wrote you want RGB. iCue works well. I had a problem updating the firmware on a H100 AIO, my friendly PC store replaced it with no questions asked.

I pay a little more than buying off the page by supporting a local shop. I also buy a complete new build from the same place as it makes warranty easier should a part fail. Retailers can’t play you off against another retailer..

There doesn’t appear to be anything inconsistent in your build list. Reading from your initial post the parts you suggested will work well.

Tweaks, get the PC up and running first. Once done, in bios turn on Smart Access Memory. I don’t know the ASUS nomenclature for the process.
Gigabyte
-> enable above 4G Decoding.
-> enable resize BAR.

When you are happy all is working, enable Expo/XMP to let your memory work up to its rated speed.

Optional

Enable PBO, in winter it will reduce your heating bill. /jk. It may increase your processor clocks a little.