discussion Build for my niece. Anything glaring I'm missing?

[Lysrin]

If all of the components will fit, maybe a lancool 217?

Well golly... now I want one! lol

EDIT: Hmmm seems to out-of-stock at all the pcpartpicker locations :/

Oh haha, more akin to my age group, I was thinking mid-teens. That being said though, I built a system for my brother's employee, and she managed to somehow break the glass too. Thus my aversion now to these glass cases, especially if she isn't concerned how it looks.

Most B850 boards seem to have a 5.0 PCIe x16 slot + NVMe slot. Just as an example, the B850 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 is roughly the same price point and has a 14 phase VRM setup along with beefier heatsinks compared to the X870 GAMING WIFI6 with only 8 phases.

Thanks! I will check that out. I suppose that would get her WIFI7 too. I'll admit she isn't likely to overclock so I didn't dig too deeply into VRMs... I know... I should be ashamed of myself...

 

[Lysrin]

So a potential change based on suggestions. Need to do some more research on Photoshop and Sony Vegas benefits from more cores. Those are her non gaming tools. Videos more than photos these days. Still might bump the RAM to 64, and I may have to take a chance on the Gigabyte GPU just given the price. Upped the CPU cooler to the one I use.

PCPartPicker Part List: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/MGYpJn

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X 4.4 GHz 12-Core Processor ($546.41 @ Amazon Canada)
• CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit EVO 69 CFM CPU Cooler ($62.90 @ Amazon Canada)
• Motherboard: Gigabyte B850 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ATX AM5 Motherboard ($299.00 @ Newegg Canada)
• Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($124.99 @ Canada Computers)
• Storage: Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($401.99 @ PC-Canada)
• Video Card: Gigabyte GAMING OC GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB Video Card ($1299.00 @ Canada Computers)
• Case: Lian Li LANCOOL 216 RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.05 @ Vuugo)
• Power Supply: SeaSonic VERTEX GX-850 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($228.89 @ Vuugo)

Total: $3112.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-05-15 08:00 EDT-0400

EDIT: I was considering the Lian Li 207 too, but although I like the idea of the alternative power supply orientation, it seems like it may make the build more complicated than I'd like to deal with.

Question - with the B850 and 9900X or 9800X3D, am I likely to have to update the BIOS before first boot to support those CPUs, or would it be new enough?

 

[djbrad]

Hi,

the board support Q-Flash, so when building, simply update the bios with an usb flash drive to the latest stable.

You will get the most recent bug fixes and be sure that the board will boot.

 

[Caldezar]

Too bad you're in NS, as I'm likely going to have a Lian Li Lancool iii and an ASUS Rog X670E-A Gaming WiFi up for sale soon. :/

I definitely like the switch to the 9900x. Saves a bit of money, and is a big boost in productivity or multitasking.

I can't say enough good about that MB choice. I have the mATX version and it's amazing. Also super easy to work on with the new quick release features for parts.

I'm sure you're aware, but make sure you're checking the MB support page to confirm that RAM is on the compatibility list. DDR5 is very finicky when it comes to stability. If it's not on the list, it may boot and run, but sustained operation over hours or days can lead to memory errors. The EXACT model of the RAM needs to be on the list to ensure operation. Even minor changes down to the color of RAM can affect this since they may have different firmware.

The 8xx series should all be compatible right out of the gate with those CPU's. I'm sure there's updates available, but they should be fine to get you booted. Either way, the Q-Flash feature will give you an option if there's any issues.

 

[JD]

PSU, you could consider the Corsair RM850x ATX 3.1/2024 model. Better availability I'd say.

And agree with others, I always do Q-Flash (or equivalent) before first boot of any board. Might as well be on the latest BIOS out of the gate.

 

[Lysrin]

Too bad you're in NS, as I'm likely going to have a Lian Li Lancool iii and an ASUS Rog X670E-A Gaming WiFi up for sale soon. :/

I definitely like the switch to the 9900x. Saves a bit of money, and is a big boost in productivity or multitasking.

I can't say enough good about that MB choice. I have the mATX version and it's amazing. Also super easy to work on with the new quick release features for parts.

I'm sure you're aware, but make sure you're checking the MB support page to confirm that RAM is on the compatibility list. DDR5 is very finicky when it comes to stability. If it's not on the list, it may boot and run, but sustained operation over hours or days can lead to memory errors. The EXACT model of the RAM needs to be on the list to ensure operation. Even minor changes down to the color of RAM can affect this since they may have different firmware.

The 8xx series should all be compatible right out of the gate with those CPU's. I'm sure there's updates available, but they should be fine to get you booted. Either way, the Q-Flash feature will give you an option if there's any issues.

I better check the compatibility... I didn't for my 5900X, it was a bundle from Canada Computers, but that was still only DDR4. Okay so I'm not finished tweaking the build yet! lol I was just going for speed, timings, and cheapest on that list.

Good news on the motherboard feedback though.

@JD I though the Corsair PSUs weren't as reliable these days? I've heard good things at least in this group about the new GPU power and the SeaSonic PSUs. That is why I went with the SeaSonic.

 

[JD]

@JD I though the Corsair PSUs weren't as reliable these days? I've heard good things at least in this group about the new GPU power and the SeaSonic PSUs. That is why I went with the SeaSonic.

Has a higher score in the Cybenetics list

Vertex GX-850 - 84.3906
RM850x (ATX v3.1) - 87.3286

I think the RMx models are the top-end of the RM series of Corsair, but they really have too many variants. I have the RM1000x and no issues with my 4080 and the 12V-2x6 cable it came with.

I better check the compatibility... I didn't for my 5900X, it was a bundle from Canada Computers, but that was still only DDR4. Okay so I'm not finished tweaking the build yet! lol I was just going for speed, timings, and cheapest on that list.

I think BIOS's are mature enough now that it shouldn't matter really. It's only 2 DIMMs at 6000MHz, that's easy to run anyhow.

 

[Lysrin]

Has a higher score in the Cybenetics list

Vertex GX-850 - 84.3906
RM850x (ATX v3.1) - 87.3286

I think the RMx models are the top-end of the RM series of Corsair, but they really have too many variants. I have the RM1000x and no issues with my 4080 and the 12V-2x6 cable it came with.


I think BIOS's are mature enough now that it shouldn't matter really. It's only 2 DIMMs at 6000MHz, that's easy to run anyhow.

Okay. About the RAM, I can get a 64GB 2 stick kit from Silicon Power that is on the compatibility list, not much different in price. I've never used Silicon Power before, but on the compatibility list isn't a bad checkbox to check I suppose.

I'll have to consider that PSU. It is cheaper than the Seasonic.

 

[Lysrin]

Okay, I've sent this off to her for final consideration Any last minute recommendations still welcome, but I think I'd be pretty happy with it!

• 9900X because it'll be plenty fast for gaming but will give her a boost in Sony Vegas.
• Updated the RAM to compatibility list one and 64GB. 64GB for future makes me more comfortable.
• Switched to the Corsair PSU. Saves a bit and as @JD said seems very good.
• I'm okay with that case, it's well reviewed, not crazy pricey. Not amazing, but good.
• As I said, taking my chances on the Gigabyte GPU given the price. Researched the thermal pad slipping issue, and Gigabyte has stated if it does happen it doesn't impact performance or damage anything. They have modified the amount of thermal pad material applied in newer models, so perhaps she'll get a newer one.

PCPartPicker Part List: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/c7zy74

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X 4.4 GHz 12-Core Processor ($546.41 @ Amazon Canada)
• CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit EVO 69 CFM CPU Cooler ($62.90 @ Amazon Canada)
• Motherboard: Gigabyte B850 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ATX AM5 Motherboard ($299.00 @ Newegg Canada)
• Memory: Silicon Power XPOWER Zenith Gaming 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($239.99 @ Amazon Canada)
• Storage: Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($400.99 @ PC-Canada)
• Video Card: Gigabyte GAMING OC GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB Video Card ($1299.00 @ Canada Computers)
• Case: Lian Li LANCOOL 216 RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.05 @ Vuugo)
• Power Supply: Corsair RM850x (2024) 850 W Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($190.30 @ Vuugo)

Total: $3187.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-05-15 22:09 EDT-0400

 

[sswilson]

EDIT: I was considering the Lian Li 207 too, but although I like the idea of the alternative power supply orientation, it seems like it may make the build more complicated than I'd like to deal with.

Yeah, for whatever reason, this line of Lian li cases stayed off of my radar. The 011 line was pretty much all I noticed from them over the last decade or so. My first non-beige case was a budget aluminum Lian Li and the 2xx line strikes me as a modern day equivalent.