Is there anything I could change?

[KarlAggo]

Scott I noticed you used Ryzen 7 Eight Core 5800X on pre order is there any merit in getting the Ryzen 9 Twelve Core 3900X which is available? is it a lower spec processor? or just older?

Also, could I change to the 'aerocool bolt case' for a bit of colour from the front, my PC sits with the left hand side against the wall, the best compromise would be to have a case with a viewable right hand side or just settle with colour on the front, its not a massive factor but if I can have it looking good also, bonus.

Having 4x16gb @ 3000Mhz?

Not sure on stock levels and waiting time for the 240 RGB Liquid cooler from what I can see same as the 240 but not lights lol.

I lowered the power as per recommendations by PCS and managed to get it in budget.

By no way am I countering what you have recommended, I'm more than happy to go with your config but just wanted to toy with the ideas I have put forward if they are any good?

Here is the link:

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/dYUVUZrgVT/

As ever, thanks again.

 

[Scott]

I wouldn't recommend those changes in particular.

I selected the lowest case that I would recommend. The options are very limited at the moment, the next case to consider would be the 680X (value wise) with RGB. There aren't any RGB budget options that are any good right now.

The 3900X will offer more throughput overall but it's a generational step backwards which I would never recommend. The 5900X would be the choice if the budget was available.

I wouldn't go with 4x16GB unless you categorically know that you need it. Buying RAM without understanding your actual needs is never a good idea. It's a money pit.

The 240 Coolermaster is the one I would recommend. I would stay away from the Frostflow. If you want RGB, and are willing to pay for it, the H100i RGB platinum is the best choice by a mile. I stuck with the Coolermaster with the budget in mind.

I wouldn't lower the power. You very much limit your upgrade potential then. The model of the PSU is also far lower which is not a good idea for high end operation (professional).

Unfortunately, to have it all, you would need to increase your budget a fair bit.

 

[Scott]

You motherboard supports dual channel but not quad channel*. You'll notice (when you get it!) that there are two banks of RAM, labelled A and B - so you have slots A1 and A2 and B1 and B2.

Each RAM bank uses a 64 bit address bus (that's why the architecture is called 64 bit) but with a matched RAM card in both an A and B slot, the memory controller on the motherboard will access both RAM cards at the same time when reading and writing to RAM, giving you an effective 128 bit wide memory bus (2 x 64 bit). This wider bus allows for greater throughput and a corresponding performance gain. That's called dual channel - each RAM bank uses a separate channel and both channels are used at the same time.

The caveat here is that you can only utilise the 128 bit wide bus if the program (more correctly, the thread) running on the CPU uses memory in such a way that the 128 bit wide bus can be effectively utilised, and most programs don't. So although dual channel gives a performance gain it doesn't provide that gain for all programs. AFAIK most games do benefit greatly from dual channel mode.

Thus it's always more sensible to spec RAM cards in pairs and populate both the A and B slots so that you get the benefit of dual channel for those programs that can make use of it. ( So for 16GB get 2 x 8GB cards, for 32GB get 2 x 16GB cards etc.)


*Quad channel is similar except that there are four banks of RAM and the memory controller can read/write to all four banks at the same time, thus giving you an effective 256 bit wide data bas (4 x 64 bit). You do find some motherboards supporting triple-channel, that of course uses three banks and an effective 192 bit wide data bus (3 x 64 bit).

Great post that. I had always been under the impression that it was the paired slots that were the channels. That makes much more sense

 

[KarlAggo]

I wouldn't recommend those changes in particular. I won't buy anything you guys don't recommend

I selected the lowest case that I would recommend. The options are very limited at the moment, the next case to consider would be the 680X (value wise) with RGB. There aren't any RGB budget options that are any good right now. I will stick with the recommended case as I cant warrant spending double on it to get some lights on the front.

The 3900X will offer more throughput overall but it's a generational step backwards which I would never recommend. The 5900X would be the choice if the budget was available. Understood, so its a step backwards but more powerful?

I wouldn't go with 4x16GB unless you categorically know that you need it. Buying RAM without understanding your actual needs is never a good idea. It's a money pit. I can't see me wanting to upgrade anytime soon, so was more of, if I can double the ram and much the same cost, that was my thinking?

The 240 Coolermaster is the one I would recommend. I would stay away from the Frostflow. If you want RGB, and are willing to pay for it, the H100i RGB platinum is the best choice by a mile. I stuck with the Coolermaster with the budget in mind. Ok noted, stay away from FrostFlow, if I cant showcase the right side of the machine it wont need any RGB internal as it is against the wall.

I wouldn't lower the power. You very much limit your upgrade potential then. The model of the PSU is also far lower which is not a good idea for high end operation (professional). Again not really fussed about upgrades just would like to see may be 5 years out of it, but I will stick with the higher model spec you suggested.

Unfortunately, to have it all, you would need to increase your budget a fair bit. Understood.

Please see notes in red.

Again thank you for your time on this.

 

[Scott]

The 3900X will do more in a multithreaded situation than the 5800X. It's not the route I would recommend, I would recommend saving for a bit longer and just opting for the 5900X. If you do go for the 12 core chip you will want the H100i RGB platinum cooler as a minimum though, I would personally be opting for the H115i RGB platinum. The Coolermaster only really covers you for the 5800X for high end use.

With the RAM, I would stick with the 2x16GB for now. You can always add more if you need it.

 

[KarlAggo]

Thanks Scott, its not really a matter of saving, it is work that are paying for it so just want to get the best for both.

I was in a queue of 30 people on the phone that dropped to 29 in 10 mins to ask PCS on their pre-order situation as could do with the PC ASAP really, I don't want to order it and wait until June to see it 😂

Thanks again, on a final note 2 more questions please.

if there were 1 item on that build you suggested that you would upgrade given the budget, what would it be?

if you had more to play with would you consider having more RAM?

Thanks again.

 

[Scott]

There isn't any spare budget.

For me, all I would want is the 5900X and the H115i RGB platinum. RAM is a waste.

 

[KarlAggo]

Sorry I didn't ask the question right but your answer was what I was after, thank you.

 

[Scott]

And the Strix motherboard if going for the 5900x? Especially given the heavy design use the OP will use it for and the demands on the CPU (well, assuming heavy design entails high levels of CPU use of course!)?

Would be a very nice addition for sure