DON'T do these if you want to build PC

fezbeed (25)in #technology • 6 years ago (edited)

DISCLAIMER
This article was wrote by me. If you want to share this article, please give me a credit.

1. Apply thermal paste this much
Regardless applying this much thermal paste can cause VRM failure if you use liquid metal which will end up with broken motherboard. In addition to, the dot method is enough for regular CPU except you are using Threadripper/Opteron/Xeon Platinum, you need to use line or X method. The average heat from DIE of Threadripper is at the center of CPU, so you don't have to buy massive cooler if you will not going to overclock much.

WARNING!
Try to avoid using liquid metal on IHS to prevent corrosion with copper heatsink except you will delid and apply it on DIE.

2. Choosing motherboard without looking at chipset
For example, Z370. For 8700K or 8086K, you can't put these in Z290, it will not post or boot. It is not just that. Don't go with cheap board for high end CPU to cut the budget, the VRM temperature will be ridiculously high. For example, 2700X pair with A320.

What is different between X370 and X470?
1) reduce VRM for SOC voltage because it is useless for CPU except you will use Reaven Ridge.
2) StoreMI Combining SSD and HHD for faster write and read speed, which is not as same as Intel Optane memory.
3) More accurate voltage measuring for DIE Sense

3. Never check QVL in motherbaord websites
DDR4? That must be compatible with my X470 board! Think again, it is not simple as that. QVL (Qualified Vendor Lists) is the must read if you don't want your RAM end up with 2133MHz CL14 instead of 3200MHz CL14. There are 2 typical types of RAM, B-DIE and E-DIE which manufactured by Samsung, representing 8GB and 4GB. On AM4 platform, I recommend using B-DIE instead of Hynix or E-DIE. Keep in mind that DUAL kit is way more better than single ram stick. For example, Asus Crosshair VII can support F4-3200C14D-16GTZR (G.Skill TridantZ RGB 16GB 3200MHz C14) up to 3200MHz without any problem. There you can do simple calculate by using Frequency/Cas Latancy, which will be in nano second (Higher is better).

WARNING!
If you can't find the code of RAM you are looking for in QVL, you can use it if it is similar to the list. For example, X470 Taichi (Ultimate) supports F4-3200C14D-32GTZR but not 16 GB version, you don't need to worry about that. It's the exact same DIE.

4. Moar cores!!
For content creator, please do not end up with 16 core 1950X or 18 core 7980XE. You will have a bad time aspecially for After Effects. Absolutely not worth your money at all. I had already discussed this in my another article. 8 core is the perfect spot for streamer and content creator, even gamer.

5. IPC? Can it run Crysis?
This is the reason why Intel CPU is better in gaming. Most of us will say that clock speed is the key. No, it is not just that. Head to head in the same clock speed can compare the IPC performance, higher score represent better IPC. For example, take a look at these banchmarks.

Source: Hardware Unboxed

Soure: OptimumTech

6. Bronze Silver Gold Platinum
Please don't end up with crap PSU. No one want the explosion. 80+ certificated is the most popular rating, which contains Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. I recommend you to go with 750 W Gold. Most PSU are compatible with ATX board, you don't need to worry about that if you has 5 years old PSU laying around.

WARNING!
There are some advertising in motherboard website, claims that you can use 8+6 pin connector to maximize to CPU performance. Don't trust that, you are fine with 24-pin ATX Power connector.

This is 2018 PSU rating which represent in 80+ certification