Help with Motherboard / Power supply

P

PadForce

Bronze Level Poster
Hi all, previous PCS order (2012) is about to give out (fan and voltage warnings!) so would appreciate any help on the below, but specifically:
1) are there material differences between the "gaming" motherboards? The info provided about audio codecs and various slots gets beyond my passing comprehension unfortunately.
2) same query for power supplies. 850 seems to be enough.. but semi modular vs modular?

This is a gaming rig for Cyberpunk.. ideally a 3080ti to be added to at some point (obviously not now given what is going on in the world).. currently just with my 1070ti. Screen is 34" widescreen 3440x1440.

Cheers

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 465X RGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Six Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.6GHz/35MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® STRIX B550-F GAMING (DDR4, USB 3.2, 6Gb/s) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3200MHz (4 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NONE, I ALREADY HAVE A GRAPHICS CARD
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 7000MB/R, 5000MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 100 RGB V3 Series High Performance CPU Cooler (AMD)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 2,400Mbps/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Google Chrome™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 15 to 18 working days
Price: £1,325.00 including VAT and Delivery
 
T

Tom_P

Bronze Level Poster
As a general rule, no, "gaming" motherboards aren't worth it - I think you'd be better off with a standard X570 than the Strix B550, or a standard B550 (e.g. TUF gaming rather than Strix) would be fine for the 5600 CPU. I've seen some commentary recently that some of the e.g. heat sinks on "gaming" motherboard VRMs are designed for form-over-function - there's a reason that e.g. server unit boards, designed to run 24/7/365, don't have streamlined heatsinks with LED lights and go-faster stripes.

For the power supplies, the difference between modular vs semi-modular is that with a "fully"modular PSU you can pick and choose all cables, while a semi-modular has some of the common cables permanently attached. This can make for easier cable management and tidier case internals. On top of that, the fully-modular PSUs are generally a more premium product and generally higher quality, so if you can afford it, I'd go for the fully modular. I think there have been some issues with the TXm power supplies recently as well, although I could be wrong.

As a few other thoughts:
  • 32GB is a lot of RAM for gaming - 16GB is fine for most things, with a few exceptions of e.g. MS flight simulator or running a load of mods in e.g. Cities Skylines. Personally I'd go 2x8GB, then you can easily add an additional 2x8GB further down the line if needed. Faster RAM (3600MHz) would be better if you can stretch to it as well, although I don't know how noticeable the difference would be in terms of using the system.
  • The 3080Ti will be overkill for 1440p widescreen - a 3070 would likely do - but it's entirely up to you if you want to go that high.
  • I'm not super up-to-speed on CPU cooling options, but the stock cooler on the 5600X is generally fine for gaming use. Otherwise the Corsair H-series AiOs are well respected, or for air cooling the Noctua is a good unit.
  • Do you need the Windows licence? Can you transfer it from your old computer instead?
  • More a personal preference thing - but I'd want to swap that HDD for an SSD, I'm too impatient with loading times.
Hope that helps!
 
AgentCooper

AgentCooper

At Least I Have Chicken
Moderator
Above points are all correct. For the same net spend you could get a system that is better optimised (the cooler isn't a necessity but it fits the look of the system perfectly if you like a little indulgence!)

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 465X RGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Six Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.6GHz/35MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3600MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NONE, I ALREADY HAVE A GRAPHICS CARD
1st Storage Drive
1TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 15 to 18 working days
Price: £1,322.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/5PwpngZWcH/
 
P

PadForce

Bronze Level Poster
Thank you both for your detailed replies, I appreciate it and lots to consider!

Only additional question is that the adapted build above has two m.2 SSDs; is that for a specific reason? Is the second to be a gaming drive although it has 1/3 the Read speed?
 
S

Steveyg

MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
PadForce said:
Thank you both for your detailed replies, I appreciate it and lots to consider!

Only additional question is that the adapted build above has two m.2 SSDs; is that for a specific reason? Is the second to be a gaming drive although it has 1/3 the Read speed?
Click to expand...
Yes one is the for the OS (the much faster one) and one for gaming. It's exceptionally fast for an gaming SSD as well even though it's a third of the speed of the other
 
AgentCooper

AgentCooper

At Least I Have Chicken
Moderator
It will also have the bonus of being separate from the OS, so if the unthinkable happens, you get a virus and need to do a complete reinstall of Windows, your games remain safe on the second drive. None of the heartbreak of losing everything and having to download them all over again.
 
AgentCooper

AgentCooper

At Least I Have Chicken
Moderator
MrWilson said:
And before you hit the order button, just noticed that @AgentCooper forgot to remove Bullguard from the build (otherwise very solid) that he specced for you. Bullguard has been known to cause issues and Windows Defender is solid, so we would recommend that you remove it from the build.
Click to expand...
0679859B-57F8-49BD-AFE1-539AF0F500C3.gif


Naming and shaming me there! 😮
 
MrWilson

MrWilson

Godlike
AgentCooper said:
That’s a little unfair, I don’t bear grudges. Just ask @ProEnigma... 😶
Click to expand...
That was a fun read. Happened before my time but does remind me not to mess with Dale... That being said you left Silver Warranty out too...
1613147220121.png

In all seriousness though OP, before we derail this thread too far, the build by AC is great, just needs removing of Bullguard and adding silver warranty (only a fiver) and you'll be good to go.
 
AgentCooper

AgentCooper

At Least I Have Chicken
Moderator
MrWilson said:
That was a fun read. Happened before my time but does remind me not to mess with Dale... That being said you left Silver Warranty out too...
View attachment 22274
In all seriousness though OP, before we derail this thread too far, the build by AC is great, just needs removing of Bullguard and adding silver warranty (only a fiver) and you'll be good to go.
Click to expand...
My esteemed colleague @MrWilson calls it correctly there, I rushed through that spec and I was doing it on my phone so missed the two relevant bits. And I was at work. Employee of the month 👍
 
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