Parts check for max CPU / zero GPU small PC

Mortah · 8 Nov 2024 at 14:56

I'm building out a PC for work. I'm a software engineer and I want to max out CPU to reduce compile times, tests, etc as much as possible. As there'll be zero games I have no need for a GPU. I've also got a separate gaming rig.

Ideally, it'd be as quiet as possible.

Need this to support 2x monitors. To support 2 monitors I've chosen this specific motherboard as it looks to be the only one with a HDMI *and* a DP output. So, no GPU needed. More space in case, better thermels.

The extra kicker: running Linux.

Below is what I'm thinking. I'd love any feedback on it.

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X 4.3 GHz 16-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Loop 2 Liquid CPU Cooler (240mm)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650I AORUS ULTRA
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
Video Card: None (and this really hurts me given what I threw in my gaming PC)
Case: Lian Li A4-H20 X4 Mini ITX Desktop Case
Power Supply: Corsair SF750 (2024) 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply

Tetras · 8 Nov 2024 at 15:17

I'd be very tempted to get the A3 instead, because it supports:
- MATX motherboards
- ATX PSUs

Which could save you a fair chunk of dosh.

Are those compilers all decently multithreaded? If they're not, you could get a 9700X instead.

My basket at OcUK:

1 x AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Eight Core 5.50GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: PRO-AMD-02676) = £308.99
1 x Gigabyte B650M D3HP AX (Socket AM5) DDR5 Micro-ATX Motherboard (SKU: MOT-GIG-03566) = £104.99
1 x Corsair Vengeance EXPO 64GB (2X32GB) DDR5 PC5-44800C40 5600MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (CMK64GX5M2B5600Z40) (SKU: MY-4DL-CS) = £158.98
1 x Crucial T500 2TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 M.2 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-CRU-01090) = £133.99
1 x Lian Li A3 mATX Black (SKU: CAS-LIA-02350) = £69.95
1 x Phanteks AMP GH 750W 80PLUS Gold ATX Power Supply Modular - Black (SKU: POW-PHK-02517) = £84.95
1 x Arctic Freezer 36 120m Black CPU Cooler - 2x 120mm (SKU: COO-ARC-02420) = £22.99

Total: £896.83 (includes delivery: £11.98)

Mortah · 8 Nov 2024 at 15:41

Tetras said:
I'd be very tempted to get the A3 instead, because it supports:
- MATX motherboards
- ATX PSUs

Which could save you a fair chunk of dosh.

Are those compilers all decently multithreaded? If they're not, you could get a 9700X instead.

My basket at OcUK:

1 x AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Eight Core 5.50GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: PRO-AMD-02676) = £308.99

1 x Gigabyte B650M D3HP AX (Socket AM5) DDR5 Micro-ATX Motherboard (SKU: MOT-GIG-03566) = £104.99

1 x Corsair Vengeance EXPO 64GB (2X32GB) DDR5 PC5-44800C40 5600MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (CMK64GX5M2B5600Z40) (SKU: MY-4DL-CS) = £158.98

1 x Crucial T500 2TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 M.2 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-CRU-01090) = £133.99

1 x Lian Li A3 mATX Black (SKU: CAS-LIA-02350) = £69.95

1 x Phanteks AMP GH 750W 80PLUS Gold ATX Power Supply Modular - Black (SKU: POW-PHK-02517) = £84.95

1 x Arctic Freezer 36 120m Black CPU Cooler - 2x 120mm (SKU: COO-ARC-02420) = £22.99

Total: £896.83 (includes delivery: £11.98)

I was looking at the A3 too. Thing is I'm going to end up with two computers under my desk and one of them is the Meshify 2 which is fairly chonky. With the A4 I won't notice it under there, and I could potentially mount it on the underside of my desk or something.

I'm not footing the bill for this, I've got a budget and I'm under it so not too fussed about trying to make a few savings (within reason!).
Curious as to why you switched up the Cooler & SSD on that. Can you share reasoning please?

Tetras · 8 Nov 2024 at 15:51

Mortah said:
Curious as to why you switched up the Cooler

It fits fairly comfy in the A3 from what I remember of the layout configs on Lian Li's website, it is cheap and sufficient for 8-core CPUs including the X3D.

Mortah said:
& SSD

The T500 is a higher-end PCI-E 4.0 drive with DRAM and currently a competitive price against other similar drives. The Fury Renegade has been available cheaper, but at OCUK they're the same price.

If the 990 Pro isn't a big difference then that's fine, but I certainly would not pay £200 for one.

Mortah · 8 Nov 2024 at 15:53

Tetras said:
If the 990 Pro isn't a big difference then that's fine, but I certainly would not pay £200 for one.

They seem to be on offer every other week anyway

I'll take a detailed look at that T500 too!

Thank you!

SilentGameTestR · 11 Nov 2024 at 20:03

probably cost too much, but its pretty much the smallest case OC is selling, so potentially the smallest system you could build and it would be ideal on the desk if theres space or depending how tall the other computer is then you could sit it on top

They also dont list the 9950x and while i dont know anything about compiler, as you are wanting to max cpu then i figured 16 cores should do the trick.

My basket at OcUK:

1 x Asrock B650E PG-ITX WIFI (Socket AM5) DDR5 ITX Motherboard (SKU: MB-18Z-AK) = £274.75
1 x AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D Sixteen Core 5.70GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DR-AM) = £599.99
1 x Kingston FURY Beast EXPO 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 PC5-44800C36 5600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KF556C36BBEK2-32) (SKU: MY-29U-KS) = £89.99
1 x Crucial P3 PLUS 2TB M.2 2280 PCI-e 4.0 NVMe Solid State Drive (SKU: HD-07B-CR) = £100.99
1 x Lazer3D LZX-8 mini-itx PC case - Tek Grey (SKU: CA-06X-LZ) = £144.95
1 x be quiet! SFX-L Power 500W 80 Plus Gold Modular Power Supply (SKU: CA-139-BQ) = £89.99
1 x be quiet! Pure Loop 2 120mm AIO CPU Water Cooler (SKU: COO-BEQ-00974) = £82.99

Total: £1,383.65 (includes delivery: £0.00)