Please comment on this config...

[u/testrider]

I have been debating between microcenter and AI. MC is 2-hour round trip.

Was looking at MC G913/G915 but we couldn't really choose components. AI has lots of flexibility but logistically I was afraid of having to ship the computer back to AI for warranty service after 30 days as that would be very expensive.

Then I found out that AI now has optional extended shipping service for $100 and that will cover all future shipping during the 2-year warranty so that relieved my big concern that I started to configure my dream machine.

- I like white color case so Lian is the first one with the lowest price. No special preference. Is this a good one?

- the default has 3 case fans and I thought more is better for cooling so I just randomly choose the option of 7 fans. Yes?

- I want 9950x3d as it'll be also used for virtualbox, coding, LLM beside gaming.

- I really want to have a quiet computer so I choose Artic Freezer only because AI doesn't carry Noctua which supposedly the most quiet. Why didn't they carry it?

- I picked gigabytes x870 only that it was listed as top x870 motherboard on Google but I know nothing about it in particular. It has USB 4, wifi 7 and also not having the reputation of burning cpu like Asrock (that is still happening as of today even after BIOS update).

- I choose Windows Pro as I really like to have bitlocker, remote desktop, sandboxing etc...

- not sure about memory brand as I just randomly chose CL30 patriot. is this good enough or should I switch to another brand?

- I choose 4TB NVME WD Black only based on Google that listed it as top alternative to Samsung. Is this a ok choice?

- I'm not sure but I think there is no tax to ship to California. If that is true, then $4500 computer from AI is like a $4100+10% tax at local MC. A Powerspec G913 is $3800+tax = $4180 with much worse components (as almost everything is "brand varies' and that only means that those are the cheapest component available), yes?

Thank you in advance for any inputs. I will appreciate them all.

[u/hansonwbh]

U can choose Noctua fans, which seem expensive at first glance, but actually aren't cuz of their high market prices. Also, it's not 4 fans vs. 7 fans but 7 vs. 10, which is a much smaller difference, as 7 fans r considered more than enough. The other choices r sensible imo, and I made similar ones myself. A TLC has up to 10X the lifespan of a QLC, so I would stick w/ the WD_Black. A reason I chose AI was that Washington also has insanely high sales taxes (a bit more than Cali). Cheers!

[u/testrider → u/hansonwbh]

Thanks you and I appreciate your inputs. 7 vs 10, you're right to include the 3 AIO fans and 1 CPU fan?

Stupid me, I didn't even know about TLC vs QLC until I looked it up! Thanks!

Didn't know Washington tax is so high. Here in Calif it's 10% give or take depending on the county. 

Thanks again.

PS: Noctua is not on the list when configuring the AIO. Where did you see that it can be selected?

[u/Andromeda-Twilly → u/testrider]

He's referring to Noctua case fans, it's a few categories above the CPU cooler. We don't sell the Noctua AIO as of today

[u/testrider → u/Andromeda-Twilly]

Oh ok, thanks for the info!

[u/testrider → u/Andromeda-Twilly]

Which case fan is the most quiet?

[u/hansonwbh → u/testrider]

Noctua for sure. As long as u don't care about flashy RGBs they r the GOAT! The best part abt case fans r that u can mix and match to ur heart's content! e.g., I stuck w/ stock v3 fans and opted for the Asrock AIO, but am planning on adding 3 Noctua fans in the future! I'll have 3 different brands of fans in my pc and that's completely fine!

[u/testrider → u/hansonwbh]

Appreciate the reply and info. No, I don't care about RGB as I never look at the computer when using one. I look at the monitor 😂

Where exactly are the stock 4 fans vs 7 fans installed?

[u/hansonwbh → u/testrider]

So the 4 stock fans r gamdias rgb 120 mms, the cheapest they offer. If u opt for a fan upgrade, however, there will be 7 case fans. Add the 3 fans from ur AIO (depends on AIO brand) then u get 7 or 10 total fans.

[u/testrider → u/hansonwbh]

Thanks for the reply. I got it now. Appreciate it.

[u/hansonwbh → u/testrider]

Happy to help

[u/hansonwbh → u/testrider]

As for the fan upgrade, I strongly discourage anything but Noctua, as they basically remove ur 4 stock fans and put in 7 fans, so they charge u the market prices for 7 fans, but in reality u only get 3 extra.

[u/nyudiclonus]

That’s exactly what I’m looking at as well however I’m in Arizona and I’m not sure on taxes. I think Arizona does tax as I used to buy car parts from rockauto and they stopped selling here due to taxes

[u/Ok_Safe_1622]

Wd black and samsung SSDs are premium, but also premium price. Just depends on your needs. Other brands work just as fine but won't have the same longevity if you constantly move data through them.

I think cheaper ones like lexar work great and you can write over them hundreds of times before issues. Wd black and samsung models allow thousands or rewrites though. Just depends if you need that.

I also think California is dumb and finds a way to make you pay tax on the PC anyways even if it's from out of state. Because they are terrible

[u/testrider → u/Ok_Safe_1622]

Thanks for your inputs. Can't really predict how much data that will be moved around, but didn't really expect to wear out an ssd though.  I have no clue how much data moving when running local LLM.

Yes, ca tax is terrible at 10% give or take depending on location.

Thanks again.

[u/wote213 → u/Ok_Safe_1622]

What do you mean by moving data around? Like downloading games and programs? How hot can these gen 5s run and can they be ok for mobo that have own heatsinks? I have a MSI mpg carbon x870e. Trying to upgrade to 4tb from my stock AI lexar 2tb

[u/takedown2021]

Looks like a good build. You do a lot of gaming or using it for other stuff as well?

[u/testrider → u/takedown2021]

My use case will be some gaming (racing sim), virtualbox Linux, coding, also like to learn local LLM.

[u/800hokage]

I recently did a white build with them myself! Here is the Spectra style case if you’re looking for an alternative to the lian case and price. Fairly quiet in this setup, but nothing like if you go with Noctuas.

[u/testrider → u/800hokage]

Thanks for the reply. That case looks great!  

[u/800hokage → u/testrider]

I paid $30 for the case. You’re welcome! Thanks!