Hi, I'm looking for constructive criticism and advice on my planned mATX PC build. I'm not seeking specific purchase offers, I just need help deciding on the components.
Format: mATX
Budget for PC: Around 6000–7500 PLN (maybe more if necessary). Translates to around 1400–1800 USD, or more (hard to convert exactly due to cross-border price differences).
CPU and GPU: A good setup at a lower price. Later this year I want to upgrade to RTX 5070 Ti + AMD Ryzen 9 9950X (buying some better AIO now with this upgrade in mind).
Country: Poland
Purpose:
- Games: Examples like RDR2, Alan Wake 2, Hitman 3. Maybe Minecraft RTX (not required). Recording gameplay with OBS.
- Creative work: Definitely Photoshop. Additionally, maybe learning modeling in ZBrush and Blender (simple projects). I might try some AI video upscaling in Topaz or DaVinci Resolve.
Components:
- Case: Lian Li A3-mATX wood (370 PLN)
- One rear exhaust fan: Arctic P12 PWM PST (26 PLN). No obstructions – priority is low noise level and decent airflow.
- Power supply: Corsair SF850 Platinum ATX 3.1 SFX (809 PLN)
- SSD: Crucial T500 Heatsink 1TB (420 PLN)
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance 6000MHz CL30 (504 PLN)
- Motherboard: ASUS TUF GAMING B650M-PLUS WiFi (750 PLN) + Expansion card ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 (470 PLN)
^ ThunderboltEX 4 list directly includes TUF B650M-PLUS WiFi
^ Expansion card is added because I want a port that allows video/touch/power transmission via a single cable. I use Wacom Movink 13 with stylus and another portable OLED.
Variants:
1. CPU:
- A. Ryzen 5 9600X (900 PLN) + RAM: Corsair Vengeance 2x16GB 6400MHz CL32 (558 PLN)
- B. Ryzen 7 7700X (1179 PLN) + RAM: Corsair Vengeance 6000MHz CL30 (504 PLN)
^ The 9600X offers about 7% better single-core performance, whereas the 7700X delivers roughly 12–17% higher multi-core performance.
^ Ryzen 7 7700 (830 PLN) works too, but it is a bit slower.
2. 2-slot GPU:
- 3 fans: Palit GeForce RTX 5070 Infinity 3 OC 292×117×41mm (2841 PLN) or Gainward GeForce RTX 5070 Python III OC 292×117×41mm (2500 PLN).
- 2 fans: INNO3D RTX 5070 Twin X2 OC 250×116×41mm (2700 PLN), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Founders Edition 245×115×40mm (2775 PLN) or ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 Twin Edge OC 242×120×41mm (2730 PLN)
^ Narrow 2 slot GPUs should always clear with that extension card.
^ Future GPU upgrade - Zotac GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Solid OC SFF or other SFF.
3. AIO (top mounted):
- Be Quiet! Light Loop 360 (572 PLN).
- Thermalright Frozen Warframe Pro 360 (490 PLN).
- Iceberg Thermal IceFLOE 360 (378–420 PLN).
^ Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 doesn't fit this case according to many reports.
4. Three bottom intake fans:
- A: Arctic P12 Max (135 PLN/3 fans): Airflow 81.04 CFM, static pressure 4.35 mm H₂O, noise ~10–42 dBA.
- B: Arctic P12 PWM PST CO (120 PLN/3 fans): Airflow 56.3 CFM, static pressure 2.2 mm H₂O, noise ~10.65 dBA.
- C: Arctic BioniX P120 PST (156 PLN/3 fans): Airflow 67.56 CFM, static pressure 2.75 mm H₂O, noise ~23 dBA.
- D: XPG Vento Pro 120 PWM (153 PLN/3 fans): Airflow 75 CFM, static pressure 3.15 mm H₂O, noise ~10–28 dBA.
^ bottom intake fans on one PWM header and the rear exhaust on another. This ensures each group follows its own fan curve tuned for its role.
Format: mATX
Budget for PC: Around 6000–7500 PLN (maybe more if necessary). Translates to around 1400–1800 USD, or more (hard to convert exactly due to cross-border price differences).
CPU and GPU: A good setup at a lower price. Later this year I want to upgrade to RTX 5070 Ti + AMD Ryzen 9 9950X (buying some better AIO now with this upgrade in mind).
Country: Poland
Purpose:
- Games: Examples like RDR2, Alan Wake 2, Hitman 3. Maybe Minecraft RTX (not required). Recording gameplay with OBS.
- Creative work: Definitely Photoshop. Additionally, maybe learning modeling in ZBrush and Blender (simple projects). I might try some AI video upscaling in Topaz or DaVinci Resolve.
Components:
- Case: Lian Li A3-mATX wood (370 PLN)
- One rear exhaust fan: Arctic P12 PWM PST (26 PLN). No obstructions – priority is low noise level and decent airflow.
- Power supply: Corsair SF850 Platinum ATX 3.1 SFX (809 PLN)
- SSD: Crucial T500 Heatsink 1TB (420 PLN)
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance 6000MHz CL30 (504 PLN)
- Motherboard: ASUS TUF GAMING B650M-PLUS WiFi (750 PLN) + Expansion card ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 (470 PLN)
^ ThunderboltEX 4 list directly includes TUF B650M-PLUS WiFi
^ Expansion card is added because I want a port that allows video/touch/power transmission via a single cable. I use Wacom Movink 13 with stylus and another portable OLED.
Variants:
1. CPU:
- A. Ryzen 5 9600X (900 PLN) + RAM: Corsair Vengeance 2x16GB 6400MHz CL32 (558 PLN)
- B. Ryzen 7 7700X (1179 PLN) + RAM: Corsair Vengeance 6000MHz CL30 (504 PLN)
^ The 9600X offers about 7% better single-core performance, whereas the 7700X delivers roughly 12–17% higher multi-core performance.
^ Ryzen 7 7700 (830 PLN) works too, but it is a bit slower.
2. 2-slot GPU:
- 3 fans: Palit GeForce RTX 5070 Infinity 3 OC 292×117×41mm (2841 PLN) or Gainward GeForce RTX 5070 Python III OC 292×117×41mm (2500 PLN).
- 2 fans: INNO3D RTX 5070 Twin X2 OC 250×116×41mm (2700 PLN), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Founders Edition 245×115×40mm (2775 PLN) or ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 Twin Edge OC 242×120×41mm (2730 PLN)
^ Narrow 2 slot GPUs should always clear with that extension card.
^ Future GPU upgrade - Zotac GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Solid OC SFF or other SFF.
3. AIO (top mounted):
- Be Quiet! Light Loop 360 (572 PLN).
- Thermalright Frozen Warframe Pro 360 (490 PLN).
- Iceberg Thermal IceFLOE 360 (378–420 PLN).
^ Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 doesn't fit this case according to many reports.
4. Three bottom intake fans:
- A: Arctic P12 Max (135 PLN/3 fans): Airflow 81.04 CFM, static pressure 4.35 mm H₂O, noise ~10–42 dBA.
- B: Arctic P12 PWM PST CO (120 PLN/3 fans): Airflow 56.3 CFM, static pressure 2.2 mm H₂O, noise ~10.65 dBA.
- C: Arctic BioniX P120 PST (156 PLN/3 fans): Airflow 67.56 CFM, static pressure 2.75 mm H₂O, noise ~23 dBA.
- D: XPG Vento Pro 120 PWM (153 PLN/3 fans): Airflow 75 CFM, static pressure 3.15 mm H₂O, noise ~10–28 dBA.
^ bottom intake fans on one PWM header and the rear exhaust on another. This ensures each group follows its own fan curve tuned for its role.
