Starting new PC build

[Midway]

It has been 8 years since my last PC build and it is too slow for some editing with the larger files and processing power AI and current software require.

A lot has changed and I have forgotten a lot but it is slowly coming back. I bought the new generation Cooler Master HAF case since I liked the HAF X so much but it is a very different and huge case. I have some configuration decisions to make but at least I am underway.

I have always enjoyed building PCs; I hope I enjoy this one and don't have too many problems. Motherboard, memory, CPU, one M.2 SSD so far, CPU cooler radiator and fans, bottom fans and Power supply installed so far. Now to complete the CPU cooling installation and figure out how to route wires and figure our all the RGB/LCD bling. Once assembled I'll update the MB bios, install the OS, and install the additional drives. Installing the OS with only a single drive connected is my preference but it will be a pain. My CPU doesn't have graphics so I need to install the GPU, load the OS, take the GPU out in order to install the other M.2 SSD's, put the GPU back in, and start to wrap up the build. I expect Murphy to show his ugly face a few times.

Intel Core i9-14900KF 1700 Processor, ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard, Corsair iCUE H170i ELITE CAPELLIX XT Liquid CPU Cooler, ASUS GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER TUF Graphics Card, G.SKILL Trident Z5 Royal Series (Intel XMP 3.0) DDR5 RAM 96GB (2x48GB) 6400MT/s CL32-39-39-102 1.35V, Samsung 4TB 990 PRO PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 Internal SSD and a number of other drives. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro (64-Bit, USB Flash Drive)

 

[David Berry]

How very different from life on Planet MacBook Pro (on which quite a few of us reside) — but it sounds like fun!

 

[Midway]

How very different from life on Planet MacBook Pro (on which quite a few of us reside) — but it sounds like fun!

I have always used a MacBook Pro in the field for editing, captioning and transmitting to wire services. I'm not shooting professionally anymore but still go back and forth between a Mac laptop and Windows desktop.

 

[Charles Loy]

Lots of top notch goodies there. Should hold you another 8 years, or more.

 

[Johan Schmidt]

It has been 8 years since my last PC build and it is too slow for some editing with the larger files and processing power AI and current software require.

A lot has changed and I have forgotten a lot but it is slowly coming back. I bought the new generation Cooler Master HAF case since I liked the HAF X so much but it is a very different and huge case. I have some configuration decisions to make but at least I am underway.

I have always enjoyed building PCs; I hope I enjoy this one and don't have too many problems. Motherboard, memory, CPU, one M.2 SSD so far, CPU cooler radiator and fans, bottom fans and Power supply installed so far. Now to complete the CPU cooling installation and figure out how to route wires and figure our all the RGB/LCD bling. Once assembled I'll update the MB bios, install the OS, and install the additional drives. Installing the OS with only a single drive connected is my preference but it will be a pain. My CPU doesn't have graphics so I need to install the GPU, load the OS, take the GPU out in order to install the other M.2 SSD's, put the GPU back in, and start to wrap up the build. I expect Murphy to show his ugly face a few times.

Intel Core i9-14900KF 1700 Processor, ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard, Corsair iCUE H170i ELITE CAPELLIX XT Liquid CPU Cooler, ASUS GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER TUF Graphics Card, G.SKILL Trident Z5 Royal Series (Intel XMP 3.0) DDR5 RAM 96GB (2x48GB) 6400MT/s CL32-39-39-102 1.35V, Samsung 4TB 990 PRO PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 Internal SSD and a number of other drives. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro (64-Bit, USB Flash Drive)


View attachment 104447

I've just bought the Samsung 4TB 990 Evo Plus for external storage on my Mac - looking fwd to seeing the speed.

 

[TomRC]

Nice build, looks like a sweet machine. Make sure to do all motherboard / microcode firmware updates. The Intel Core i9-14900K is a fast chip but lots of documented issues and a fair amount of upset people. From all I’ve read it apparently (most seem to think) has to do with the pretty stiff power draw of the chip and heat build up. You can Google the issue to learn more. I believe there was a recent Intel microcode update to the chip and most motherboard mfg’s should have updates for their boards to address this issue.

 

[Midway]

Nice build, looks like a sweet machine. Make sure to do all motherboard / microcode firmware updates. The Intel Core i9-14900K is a fast chip but lots of documented issues and a fair amount of upset people. From all I’ve read it apparently (most seem to think) has to do with the pretty stiff power draw of the chip and heat build up. You can Google the issue to learn more. I believe there was a recent Intel microcode update to the chip and most motherboard mfg’s should have updates for their boards to address this issue.

Yes, I learned of the issues after I bought the Intel 14th generation CPU. I've been following the Bios and microcode updates closely and plan on updating to the latest Bios before installing the OS, currently 1801. Asus seems to be up to date and along with Intel, claim the instability and degradation issues have been resolved. I suppose I will find out. Thanks.

 

[TomRC]

Not sure if the exact cause has been identified and apparently its not always just a "it suddenly quits" type of a thing. Maybe degradation over time. Sound like the main thing to do is just watch the temperature. Looks like they've "cooled down" these latest Core Ultra Chips. Otherwise your chip supposed to be quite the performer. Been about 5 years since I built my last PC and using Macs currently but I really enjoy building them. Nervous as all get out when you first power up but every PC I've built has always way outperformed pre-built PC's.

 

[soundbyte]

I would add that the power supply capacity is also critical for any PC, check your maximum power needs carefully.
Check the air flow inside the case carefully as well, more fans does not necessarily mean better cooling.

 

[Unscript]

Nice configuration!

When I see the cost and, more importantly, the power new PCs require, I'm not in a hurry to replace mine. I'm hoping they'll stop the race to better ray tracing and AI nonsense, and with the help of new technology nodes, that it'll get back to something more reasonable. I'm afraid it's a lost cause, though.

 

[Nimi]

This rabbit hole is not on my list to go into, but I love to watch! Good luck, have fun.

 

[Midway]

I would add that the power supply capacity is also critical for any PC, check your maximum power needs carefully.
Check the air flow inside the case carefully as well, more fans does not necessarily mean better cooling.

My power supply is about as powerful as they get so I am good there. Air flow is more complicated since there are so many permutations.

Currently I am using the pre-installed front and rear fans and adding bottom fans and top fans with the CPU cooler radiator. The blue arrows show where I am at which results in 820mm in and 660mm exhaust. Fan speed and size is not considered yet.

The case is huge with plenty of vents that allow the positive internal pressure to exhaust. I had dust accumulate in my last build and think a positive internal pressure would help. I can add 120mm or 140mm fans on the side for additional exhaust but I’m not sure it is needed and it might even disrupt the air flow. I am no wind tunnel expert though.

Thanks.

 

[soundbyte]

I try to use as few fans as possible, at present in a tower case I have 7 fans in various places - it works but there is no option for top or bottom fans only front and rear, not ideal.

My new case has fan locations on 5 sides similar to yours, I bought 4 after market 140mm fans with 119.6 CFM and 3.57mm-H20 rating for all case fans - 2 on the front panel (with dust screen) - 1 on the rear panel, 1 - back top panel.
If needed (maybe for GPU cooling) I can add either top (2 120 or 140mm) or bottom (2 120 or 140mm) fans or a side fan (120 or 140mm) on the case cover.
CPU cooler has 1x 135mm and 1x 120mm Mobius fans.

Another consideration is how your fans will be controlled, BIOS or another option?
I use Fan control which provides high definition individual or group fan control, ability to add plugins with many other extra settings which can provide a LOT of options to control fans and is well worth a look. See Youtube Review.

 

[PhilcTx]

A sometimes not-so-obvious help for image/video editing is use of a dedicated fast storage device only as a cache/scratch drive.

When I built my current system I dedicated one of the motherboard's PCIe slots as a M.2 SSD cache/scratch drive. Then set editing s/w configuration to use it.

 

[Midway]

I try to use as few fans as possible, at present in a tower case I have 7 fans in various places - it works but there is no option for top or bottom fans only front and rear, not ideal.

My new case has fan locations on 5 sides similar to yours, I bought 4 after market 140mm fans with 119.6 CFM and 3.57mm-H20 rating for all case fans - 2 on the front panel (with dust screen) - 1 on the rear panel, 1 - back top panel.
If needed (maybe for GPU cooling) I can add either top (2 120 or 140mm) or bottom (2 120 or 140mm) fans or a side fan (120 or 140mm) on the case cover.
CPU cooler has 1x 135mm and 1x 120mm Mobius fans.

Another consideration is how your fans will be controlled, BIOS or another option?
I use Fan control which provides high definition individual or group fan control, ability to add plugins with many other extra settings which can provide a LOT of options to control fans and is well worth a look. See Youtube Review.

I will have both the Corsair iCUE COMMANDER CORE RGB lighting and fan speed controller that comes with my iCUE H170i ELITE CAPELLIX XT Liquid CPU Cooler and the Cooler Master Integrated 7x PWM & 5x ARGB Hub that comes with my HAF 700 EVO case. It would be nice to have just one program but I don’t think I will be doing much if anything with the lighting options. It doesn't help that the Corsair is RGB while the Cooler Master is ARGB.

The Corsair cooler will connect to the CPU_FAN header on the motherboard. I’m deciding on if to connect the case fans to the CHA_FAN header or CPU_OPT. CPU_OPT would have the case fans ramping up or slowing down in sync with the radiator fans depending on CPU temperatures.

 

[Midway]

A sometimes not-so-obvious help for image/video editing is use of a dedicated fast storage device only as a cache/scratch drive.

When I built my current system I dedicated one of the motherboard's PCIe slots as a M.2 SSD cache/scratch drive. Then set editing s/w configuration to use it.

Thanks. I have always done that with traditional SATA drives. I'm looking forward to even better performance in this build using multiple M.2 SSD drives.

 

[Unscript]

For the fans, take them as large as possible, since they're quieter than smaller ones - all other things being equal, so that depends on the brand. I had 200 mm fans in my previous PC, and I really miss them now that I'm stuck with relatively noisier 140 mm ones. It's not dramatically different, but if you have the choice...

Having a filter in front of the ones sucking the air in also helps with dust, so they'll remain silent longer. I'd definitely avoid bottom intake fans; that's what I have for the power unit, and it's the best way to pour dust into your case (not mentioning it's such a cumbersome place for the air flow). Unfortunately, I had no choice when I bought my current PC, and they did a lot of things wrong when they designed it.

I think you're right about lateral fans, but I'm no airflow expert, either.

 

[Midway]

For the fans, take them as large as possible, since they're quieter than smaller ones - all other things being equal, so that depends on the brand. I had 200 mm fans in my previous PC, and I really miss them now that I'm stuck with relatively noisier 140 mm ones. It's not dramatically different, but if you have the choice...

Having a filter in front of the ones sucking the air in also helps with dust, so they'll remain silent longer. I'd definitely avoid bottom intake fans; that's what I have for the power unit, and it's the best way to pour dust into your case (not mentioning it's such a cumbersome place for the air flow). Unfortunately, I had no choice when I bought my current PC, and they did a lot of things wrong when they designed it.

I think you're right about lateral fans, but I'm no airflow expert, either.

The fan ship has sailed. I'm tired of noodling options. I have a pair of 200mm fans that were pre-installed in the front for input and I replaced the single 120mm fan in the bottom with 3 ea. 140mm fans, also for input. There are dust filters on the bottom, front and sides. The bottom is a drawer style that is very simple to remove and clean. I need to pop off the front and side panels to clean those filters but that looks straightforward as well. The side will only have a power supply input. The positive internal case air pressure should also minimize dust coming in from other gaps in the case. I'm not sure about the funky mirror on the side. Debating on if I will keep it in but will probably remove the protective film and give it a try. Much more bling in this case than I anticipated. Thanks.

 

[Dave Stargazer]

Thanks. I have always done that with traditional SATA drives. I'm looking forward to even better performance in this build using multiple M.2 SSD drives.

Hi Midway - I did an *extremely* similar build last year after my prev build in 2013, which still worked well, but couldn't upgrade to Win11. I'd say the only big difference came from the upgrade from SSDs to M.2 - FastRawViewer went from slower-than-I'd-like to go through raw files to "animation" speed - 20 fps BiF sequences look kind of like movies. So that's a great thing for me.

For much of what photographers do, the applications are single threaded, so the CPU clock speed is the critical variable - not the number of cores. E.g. Photoshop is not faster than the 2013 build for most operations. Saving is faster though, since that uses the M.2 buss speed, which is nice.

Cheers!

 

[PhilcTx]

Thats a lot fans - be curious about the sound levels from the system when its complete and pulling a CPU/GPU load.

My case has 3 fans, plus 1 in p.s., 2 on GPU, and the i7 CPU air-cooler fan. I was surprised how much fan sound reduction technology had progressed when I built my box 3 yrs ago.

When rendering 4K video with all fans running the sound level from system is just barely audible with the case in front of me behind the monitor. CPU core temps quite reasonable. My old Dell i7 desktop sounded like a 737 winding up for takeoff and the excessive fan noise was a prime motivation to build my own.

 

[Midway]

Thats a lot fans - be curious about the sound levels from the system when its complete and pulling a CPU/GPU load.

My case has 3 fans, plus 1 in p.s., 2 on GPU, and the i7 CPU air-cooler fan. I was surprised how much fan sound reduction technology had progressed when I built my box 3 yrs ago.

When rendering 4K video with all fans running the sound level from system is just barely audible with the case in front of me behind the monitor. CPU core temps quite reasonable. My old Dell i7 desktop sounded like a 737 winding up for takeoff and the excessive fan noise was a prime motivation to build my own.

I will find out. My hope is, more fans can run at slower speeds and make less noise than less fans ramped up to high speeds while moving the same amount of cool air.

 

[Midway]

Question for anyone that has done a recent install of Windows 11 Pro on a new build.

On every previous build using SATA drives, I always wait to connect all but the OS drive until after installation. This prevents windows from making drive and partition decisions I don’t want and minimizes potential problems even if minor.

With the ASUS motherboard and the option to install up to five M.2 SSD’s this isn’t as convenient. First, my CPU does not have graphics and I need to install the GPU in order to first upgrade the BIOS and second to install the OS.

The five M.2 slots have a cover that I need to remove to install the M.2 SSDs. I plan on installing three. The GPU once installed blocks the M.2 slots.

To install Windows OS my preferred plan is installing a single M.2 SSD, leave the M.2 slot cover off, install the GPU, upgrade the Bios, install Windows, remove the GPU, install the other two M.2 SSDs, put the M.2 cover back on, re-install the GPU, turn system on and initialize the additional SSDs.

Unless, Windows 11 Pro is now smart enough to allow safe installation of all SSDs with the ability to only initialize the single M.2 SSD in my desired M.2_2 slot. I would then initialize the additional drives after Windows is successfully installed on the desired C drive. (M2_1 will be left empty since it is shared with the two PCIx16 slots which I don’t want to do).

Thanks.

 

[Unscript]

Yes, the NVMe interface for SSDs has considerably increased the memory bandwidth. I can't imagine going back to a SATA interface for the main disk, even though SATA SSDs were already a great improvement over the old rotating harddisks (that I'm still using for slower storage, believe it or not).

I love the modularity and those drawers to clean filters up. I suppose you could also argue that bottom fans will damp the noise somewhat, something I hadn't thought about.

I'm curious to hear your first impressions once that beast started working under stress, but it looks like you're all set for a while!

 

[TomRC]

What a fun project. Need to stick a 10Gbe Ethernet card in and hook up to a Synology or QNAP NAS. Fast enough to directly edit even video and enough safe RAID storage to backup for years!!!

 

[Midway]

What a fun project. Need to stick a 10Gbe Ethernet card in and hook up to a Synology or QNAP NAS. Fast enough to directly edit even video and enough safe RAID storage to backup for years!!!

If the Synology E10G22-T1-Mini RG45 10GbE Network Upgrade Module is ever back in stock I can consider that. I should have opted for a Motherboard with a 10GB ethernet port, mine is 2.5 GB. I have a PCIe slot available to add a 10GB network card if needed. I would also need to buy a 10GB switch. Once I get the Synology module, I’ll at least get 2.5GB speeds since I have a 2.5GB switch.

I will also have LOTS of onboard storage so editing off of the NAS is not needed; I use it primarily for redundant file copies that will also still be on the PC I am replacing as my main workstation. For my use DAS would have worked for me better than NAS.

Thanks.