Discussion Experienced builders, thoughts?

[Kaiso]

I haven't built a machine since 2020, and that was just a cpu and Memory upgrade to the machine I built in 2018. Things have moved on considerably, and I've decided to do a new SFF box. I'm starting this thread to ask questions from all the knowledgeable people here. I have some components already but still need to buy others.

Originally I was thinking of using a Ryzen 9 7900 for the TDP of 65W. However, that processor is currently $402, while a 9900x is $378, with a TDP of 120W. The 7900X is cheaper but with a TDP of 170W. (to high for this box me thinks) Since this is a SFF in a Lian Li a4-H20, (Already have the case) I'm leaning towards the 9900x. Here is my current components list. Does anything jump out as incompatible?

EDITED: 03/22/25

Case: Lian Li A4-H20 (Already have)
Mobo: ASUS ROG Strix B850-I gaming (Still to buy)
Processor: Ryzen 9 9900X (Still to buy)
Cooler: NZXT Kraken 240. (Already have)
Memory: Corsair Vengence DDR5 64GB 6400MHz CL32 (Already have)
G.SKILL Flare X5 DDR5 64GB 6000 CL30-40-40-96
Video: Gigabyte Windforce 3050 6gb (Already have)
SFX PSU: Corsair SP750. Lian LI SP750, Thermaltake Toughpower 750, Cool Master V850.

These PSUs range in price from $122 to $200. My current Corsair has lasted 9 years and is still going. But are the other brands equally as good?

Questions:
In a previous discussion I was advised that a 750W PSU would be fine for this build, but that was with the 65W 7900. Does that still hold if I go up to the 9900x at 120 TDP?

I've seen discussions regarding cooler CPU blocks not fitting. Anyone used this same Kraken and it fit fine?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BY3HNXMS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[Gidilo]

my thoughts:
just get the 7900X and limit the power (even though you don't need to with that cooler and PSU)
750W is plenty for the system.
Corsair SF PSUs are the best (quitest) atm.
not all chips can run 6400 in 1:1:1. so you might need to drop that to 6000 or 6200 and try tighter timings.

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

For what it's worth, I'm running that exact motherboard, the Asus B850-I, with a 9700X and Kingston 64GB DDR5-6000 CL30-36-36-80 and had zero issue so far. Wifi7 and BT worked out of the box with both Windows 11 and Archlinux, both installed from their latest available ISO.

You should be more than fine with the PSU. I went with a 850W Silverstone EX850R, to stay within the quiet zone of the PSU fan (somewhere around 50% of its max rating) but I have a higher TDP GPU (AMD RX 7800 XT). 750 watts is more than enough for the system you're planning and the Corsair ones are a popular and fine choice (stock cables are super flexible too, unlike those that came with my Silverstone that required an optional silicon cable set )

As @Gidilo stated, not all chips can run DDR5-6400 1:1:1.

 

[Kaiso]

For what it's worth, I'm running that exact motherboard, the Asus B850-I, with a 9700X and Kingston 64GB DDR5-6000 CL30-36-36-80 and had zero issue so far. Wifi7 and BT worked out of the box with both Windows 11 and Archlinux, both installed from their latest available ISO.

You should be more than fine with the PSU. I went with a 850W Silverstone EX850R, to stay within the quiet zone of the PSU fan (somewhere around 50% of its max rating) but I have a higher TDP GPU (AMD RX 7800 XT). 750 watts is more than enough for the system you're planning and the Corsair ones are a popular and fine choice (stock cables are super flexible too, unlike those that came with my Silverstone that required an optional silicon cable set )

As @Gidilo stated, not all chips can run DDR5-6400 1:1:1.

Thanks. Really glad to hear about your experience with the Mobo. I had seen many complaints and am nervous. I ordered all my parts yesterday and went with a 9900x as it was cheaper than both the others and a claimed TDP of 120. I've been very happy with my Corsair products! However, it seems there a shortage of parts and prices fluctuating daily, including SFX PSUs. I got a Thermaltake Toughpower SFX 750W 80Plus Platinium ATX 3.1 because I could get it immediately. Here's hoping it's ok.

I've heard the same from others about the memory so I'll have to learn how to set it to 6000. Well, I'll have to learn a lot of things as there are so many more variables than when I did my last build.

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

Thanks. Really glad to hear about your experience with the Mobo. I had seen many complaints and am nervous.

There are complaints about everything honestly. Also had a bad experience with my previous Asus board but decided to give them another chance and so far it's been flawless, not even coilwhine

I've been very happy with my Corsair products! However, it seems there a shortage of parts and prices fluctuating daily, including SFX PSUs.

I was going for the SF1000 at first, because there was a price cut and it was cheaper than the SF750. Ordered been cancelled by amazon and then price went up, with delivery date in April.

I got a Thermaltake Toughpower SFX 750W 80Plus Platinium ATX 3.1 because I could get it immediately. Here's hoping it's ok.

Same reason why I got the Silverstone ... it was in stock. Just had to buy a few silicon cables (official ones from Silverstone) as I had read the stock one were super stiff ... and for sure they are

I've heard the same from others about the memory so I'll have to learn how to set it to 6000. Well, I'll have to learn a lot of things as there are so many more variables than when I did my last build.

There should be a sub-menu to pick from a list of presets. I can look into that if you want.

 

[Kaiso]

So my free 6400 ram has not shipped yet and I expect I'm looking at at least a week before it would arrive. I'm thinking of cancelling the order and getting something else quicker. However, I'm only familiar with Corsair memory. Any thoughts on other brands for the ROG B850-I?

If I'm correct this is ASUS' list of compatible memory? I need at least 64gb, as fast as possible. I don't need RGB lights, but it seems lighting is almost standard now.

ROG STRIX B850-I GAMING WIFI | Gaming motherboards｜ROG - Republic of Gamers｜ROG USA

ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi offers AMD Ryzen 9000 support, PCIe 5.0, DDR5, WiFi 7, USB 20Gbps, ASUS AI Advisor and powerful cooling for top gaming performance.

rog.asus.com

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

So my free 6400 ram has not shipped yet and I expect I'm looking at at least a week before it would arrive. I'm thinking of cancelling the order and getting something else quicker. However, I'm only familiar with Corsair memory. Any thoughts on other brands for the ROG B850-I?

If I'm correct this is ASUS' list of compatible memory? I need at least 64gb, as fast as possible. I don't need RGB lights, but it seems lighting is almost standard now.

ROG STRIX B850-I GAMING WIFI | Gaming motherboards｜ROG - Republic of Gamers｜ROG USA

ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi offers AMD Ryzen 9000 support, PCIe 5.0, DDR5, WiFi 7, USB 20Gbps, ASUS AI Advisor and powerful cooling for top gaming performance.

rog.asus.com

I got the Kingtson Fury Beast 64GB DDR5-6000 CL30-36-36-80 (KF560C30BBEK2-64) from the QVL and it worked out-of-the-box at advertised speed. They use SK-Hynix A-die chips.

Just had to enable EXPO profile 1 and voilà