williamd5
Description
I run Fedora Linux and use this PC primarily for software development. I occasionally play Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
I built this system with the intention of upgrading to 128GB RAM in the future if needed. However, even with the memory-demanding IDEs I work with (IntelliJ & Webstorm mostly), 64GB RAM has been more than enough to have several IDEs, browsers, version control software, etc. and even games all open at once across several Gnome virtual workspaces. Max. RAM usage I have encountered thus far is 20GB, so 32GB would most likely have been sufficient.
Fan Controller
The motherboard only has 2 system fan headers, and due to the varying specs of my fans, I decided to buy a Corsair Commander Pro to allow me to control my fans individually. There are other cheaper alternatives, such as the Aqua Computer Quadro, but I chose the Commander Pro due its compatibility with Linux. I use liquidctl to control each fan via CLI and am (not actively) developing a GUI/fan curve software: https://github.com/liquid-gui/
The x2 Nzxt 140mm fans are front intake, the x2 Noctua 120mm are top exhaust and the x2 stock 120mm fans are unchanged. Setting all fans to 40% makes them virtually inaudible, definitely so when there is music or something like street noise. 100% speed is also inaudible when I am using ANC headphones (Skullcandy Hesh ANC) with music playing. The CPU cooler is extremely silent. The GPU's 0-RPM mode (in which it comes by default) starts up the fans when it reaches about 60° and they are fairly audible and there is a certain bit of coil whine as well. The GPU fans only start up when gaming. Overall, dead quiet when I am working/coding (not when playing MSFS though).
BIOS
BIOS flashback of course needed to be performed. This was very easy.
Best CPU benchmark score was achieved with stock BIOS settings, just XMP (or whatever the Asus calls it) enabled. The "performance" or "boost" (or whatever they are called) profiles by Asus actually significantly decreased CPU performance.
Benchmarks
CPU
My CPU benchmark scores appear to be slightly higher than the average for this CPU.
Results:
CPU max temps during benchmark (k10temp, Tccd1):
- Ambient/room temperature: 18–20° C
- Max: 50° C
- Min: 39° C
- Average: 45–46° C (my estimation, as I only see the temps live).
GPU
If you know how to benchmark the GPU on Fedora Workstation 38, please let me know. When playing MSFS 2020 on a single 1080p monitor, everything on ULTRA there is no lag at all as far as I can tell (and this is through Steam Proton / Wine).
Part Reviews
CPU
Fantastic CPU. Great price/performance, and also a very nice TDP of 65W for this performance. Here's my benchmark https://www.passmark.com/baselines/V11/display.php?id=504064732551
CPU Cooler
Insanely quiet. Keeps my 65W R7 5700X at 50°C under load.
Motherboard
Works perfectly, however, it only has 2 case fan headers, which was insufficient for me. The "performance" profile in the Asus BIOS (not talking about memory OC/XMP) actually decreased my CPU performance significantly. Otherwise with the stock options (but with XMP enabled of course), on R7 5700X with NH-U14S I'm getting ~6% higher score in benchmarks than the average submitted by others. I bought this discounted for €120 and that's a great price for a mobo with these specs imo.
Storage
Really fast drive and very cheap too. The only better option would perhaps be an MSI Spatium M450 which is gen4 and faster and somehow also cheaper (~$35), however, that drive does not seem to be available in the EU at the time of writing this.
Video Card
It's a very capable GPU and in the €600 price range this is certainly the best performance you can get at the time of writing this. However, there are a few small problems:
- It's 2-slot when it actually occupies 3 slots. As 3-slot it would probably help with the sag as this GPU is quite big and heavy.
- When the fans start up, they are quite loud. And there is also coil wine. The 0-RPM mode however is quite nice and the fans only switch on when gaming.
- Uses a lot of electrical power.
You probably can't ray-trace on this as well as on a 4070 or a 7900XT, which for the former also has a lower TDP by over 100W. At the time of buying, however, the 4070s were in a much higher price range.
Ideally, I wanted a build with no lights at all as I keep my PC on mostly 24/7. I don't like RGB/lights but the logo lighting does not otherwise bother me as it's quite nice.
Case
Great case. Stock fans are not PWM so that's a bit of a shame. The airflow is good. Removing the front cover requires a bit of force to pop out so the first time it might look as if it can't be removed at all as there are no screws or anything like that. The tempered glass warning sticker is glued directly on the glass (not e.g. on the easily removable protective plastic) and it leaves significant glue residue when you remove it, requiring the use of some sort of alcohol.
Included screw packs weren't really labelled very intuitively, but that mostly wasn't really an issue for me.
Power Supply
Have had no issues with it. Great value. Gold B-tier on cultist.network. Quiet.
Case Fan
I don't know why Noctua didn't just make a white or black model and instead went for this weird grey. I didn't care much about aesthetics though and I don't think this sticks out on my white NZXT H5 Flow case, especially as I have it mounted on the top.
Comments