So I finally grabbed the two most difficult pieces of hardware for my new Flight Sim 2020 rig, but I'm still unsure on which to go for on RAM, PSU & cooler, here's what I have lined up so far:

- Case: NZXT H200i

- MOBO: Asus ROG Strix B550i ITX

- CPU: Ryzen 5600X

- RAM: I'm leaning towards 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) but not sure whether 3200 Mhz CL18 is enough or if I should get 3600 Mhz CL16, I could just get 16 GB to save cost but it seems 32 GB does give an edge

- SSD: Whatever PCI gen 3 or 4 I can grab at a decent price

- GPU: 3070 FE

- Cooler: Corsair Hydro h100i Platinum RGB

- PSU: I want to get an SFX format for its cooling optimization in ITX cases but I'm not sure whether I should go for 500 ,550, 600, or 650W, the calculators I used make it seem like 550W would be enough but not sure

 

This is the kind of look I'm aiming for:

duhitstyler's Completed Build - Ryzen 9 5900X 3.7 GHz 12-Core, GeForce RTX 3070 8 GB Founders Edition, H200i Mini ITX Tower - PCPartPicker

 

Thanks for your help 🙂

System is practically the same spec as my mini-atx system.  Ryzen 5xxx loves fast memory, 3600 being the sweetspot.  Crucial Ballistix 3600 c16 is what I'm running.  Peformance is excellent.

I'd go for the CL16 memory also.

I would also use the 650 psu if possible.

I like your setup.  I run a NZXT case also -- S340 Elite in White.  It's almost a shame it is hidden under my desk.

18 hours ago, canadiantree said:

 

- PSU: I want to get an SFX format for its cooling optimization in ITX cases but I'm not sure whether I should go for 500 ,550, 600, or 650W, the calculators I used make it seem like 550W would be enough but not sure

 

Thanks for your help 🙂

 

With a10900K Nvidia recomend 650 as minimum. And personally I would never opt for the minimum. Your CPU is less power hungry so I'm sure 550 is probably the advised minimum.

However, if ever you change your CPU to a more demanding chip 650 Watt would have you covered. And as I say, my advise is to spec above the minimum. 

The other point, as it's a Mini ITX build, is that PSU's are at their most efficient at around 50% load. So a higher wattage PSU would not be working as hard and thus generate less heat. And heat needs to be managed with a small ITX build.

If it were me, I'd go further, and install a 750 watt SFX PSU. Something like the Corsair SF750 Platinum. Platinum efficiency would generate even less heat, thus the PSU fan would be running at lower RPM thus quieter. And the wattage above your minimum requirement would do the same.

28 minutes ago, martin-w said:

 

With a10900K Nvidia recomend 650 as minimum. And personally I would never opt for the minimum. Your CPU is less power hungry so I'm sure 550 is probably the advised minimum.

However, if ever you change your CPU to a more demanding chip 650 Watt would have you covered. And as I say, my advise is to spec above the minimum. 

The other point, as it's a Mini ITX build, is that PSU's are at their most efficient at around 50% load. So a higher wattage PSU would not be working as hard and thus generate less heat. And heat needs to be managed with a small ITX build.

If it were me, I'd go further, and install a 750 watt SFX PSU. Something like the Corsair SF750 Platinum. Platinum efficiency would generate even less heat, thus the PSU fan would be running at lower RPM thus quieter. And the wattage above your minimum requirement would do the same.

Thanks Martin

Unfortinately SFX PSU's are very rare here, all out of stock, I found a unit for 600W from Be Quiet, I went for that & I will undervolt my GPU to see if Power draw decreases. I am not planning a CPU upgrade. I will rebuild a new system after this one runs its time.

So here's my final parts list:

https://fr.pcpartpicker.com/list/MYdgNP

Oerall pretty happy, the total cost of the parts was just under €1,500. I might need to buy extension cables for the PSU & replace the stock fans from the case, we'll see what the noise levels will be like. Now all I need to hope for is managing to build the PC lol, my last PC build is from 2015.

Edited February 15, 20215 yr by canadiantree

Anything above 850 Watts for ATX is non existent in the UK. So it doesn't suprise me that there's difficulty sourcing an SFX where you are. Seems common ATX Wattage 850 or below is around but nothing else.

Just out of interest, I was looking at 1200 Watt Corsair PSU's on Amazon. Was stunned to see £1500 being asked. Utterly bonkers.

When I built my daughters Mini ITX system a few years ago, I opted for custom cables. By having them made up to the exact lengths I needed I was able to cut right down on cable clutter and improve airflow. I used Cablemod.

I'm not a fan of extensions to be honest, had issues with one some years ago.

Edited February 15, 20215 yr by martin-w

4 minutes ago, martin-w said:

Anything above 850 Watts for ATX is non existent in the UK. So it doesn't suprise me that there's difficulty sourcing an SFX where you are. Seems common ATX Wattage 850 or below is around but nothing else.

Just out of interest, I was looking at 1200 Watt Corsair PSU's on Amazon. Was stunned to see £1500 being asked. Utterly bonkers.

When I built my daughters Mini ITX system a few years ago, I opted for custom cables too. By having them made up to the exact lengths I needed I was able to cut right down on cable clutter and improve airflow. I used Cablemod.

I found my unit for 100€, it's still new in box but bought it from a second hand website.It retails for over 145€

7 minutes ago, canadiantree said:

I found my unit for 100€, it's still new in box but bought it from a second hand website.It retails for over 145€

 

A sealed box? Not used at all?

1 minute ago, martin-w said:

 

A sealed box? Not used at all?

Yes absolutely, sealed in box.

Sounds like a good find! 👍

If you do opt fort extension cables, I'd make sure you get a quality make. I had all kinds of issues some years ago, turned out a defective extension was arching out. Dodgy connector. I've always kept away from them since. 

Edited February 15, 20215 yr by martin-w

19 minutes ago, martin-w said:

Sounds like a good find! 👍

If you do opt fort extension cables, I'd make sure you get a quality make. I had all kinds of issues some years ago, turned out a defective extension was arching out. Dodgy connector. I've always kept away from them since. 

Thanks, if I do I'd be looking for white ones as I'm shooting for a black & white build. My case is white on the outside, black on the inside.

Cablemod are great, replacement custom cables in any length, or just extensions. Not sure if they do replacement cables for BeQuiet PSU's, but I believe if you ask them they will research the correct pin outs and make them up. 

 

https://store.cablemod.com/configurator/

Edited February 15, 20215 yr by martin-w

On 2/15/2021 at 5:47 AM, martin-w said:

Just out of interest, I was looking at 1200 Watt Corsair PSU's on Amazon. Was stunned to see £1500 being asked. Utterly bonkers.

Look at this little jim-dandy:  A Dell 125 watt PSU for $2,205.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-125-watt-power-supply/apd/331-5719/computer-chassis-components?gacd=9646510-1025-5761040-266794296-0&dgc=st&ds_rl=1282786&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv9qPzI3y7gIVUlXVCh1u6ARmEAQYAiABEgJeDvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Granted this Dell unit is probably the only psu that'll fit some particular Dell model, but -- $2+ grand IS indeed utterly bonkers.

Sounds like nearly the perfect value for money build for MSFS.  Nice choices. 

Was a good idea to go for 3600 Mhz CL16 32GB RAM. The new Ryzen CPUs love that fast RAM and it will cope with the photogrammetry over the cities much better. 

SSD, shame you didn't go for a Gen 4.0 to utilise your motherboard fully, but it wont affect MSFS at all. 

And as per ASUS recommendation it would have been better to go for a 650W as a minimum  , and as Martin said above better to go higher if you can for efficiency/future proofing.  My PC builders friend works at Coolermaster and allegedly said the new generation GPU cards need a new stable powerful PSU , the old PSUs can cause issues. 

 

 

What monitor are you going to run?

Personally... given the reported power spikes from the RTX3090, I'm happy I went for a 1000 watt PSU for my 3090 and 10900K build. 

What we don't see mentioned much is amps, as in amps on the 12 Volt rail. Important too. 

The above chart, also doesn't take into account HOW the system is to be used, if its overclocked, or what will be run. If you run something like Blender, plus Furmark simultaneously, plus overclock the 10900K to 5.2... you could well be nudging up beyond that 850 Watt recommendation. 

Edited February 18, 20215 yr by martin-w