Build AdviceNew PC build
Build AdviceNew PC build
Hello everyone
I’ve chosen to invest in a new PC and here are the components I’m considering:
Be Quiet 500 Case
Asus Tuf Gaming X670E Motherboard
Ryzen 7800x3D
Be quiet pure power 12 (1000W)
2TB Crucial t700 PCI-5
2 x 4TB Samsung 990Pro PCI-4
4TB Samsung 870 SATA (storage not excessive)
64 GB (two 32GB units) – Corsair Vengeance DDR5 6000, Trident Z5 Neo or Kingston Fury beast depending on the seller I choose
RTX4090 (options: MSI RTX 4090 Suprim X, Gigabyte 4090Gaming OC, Asus RTX4090 Strix OC)
Be quiet Pure loop 2 240 AIO
Regarding the AIO, this is my first build using one but I’m a bit unsure – do you need the radiator fans connected via the Y cable or can I link one to the CPU fan and another to the CPU? Also, the Asus board includes an AIO header. The manual for the Pure Loop 2 doesn’t clearly detail the connections.
Additionally, how long are the pipes from the radiator to the pump? Should they be sufficient to fit the radiator in front with fans pushing from the front? Ideally, I’d prefer a setup that looks better in a cupboard or shelf under my desk, as shown in the Be Quiet video for the pure base 500.
As for NVME drives – with or without heatsinks?
On another thought, as an older gamer around 58, what’s this fascination with RGB lighting on everything if it’s hidden behind a desk?
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Thank you in advance
Trev
The Y cable can eliminate the need for a header on another device. CPU_OPT follows CPU_FAN, meaning the fan speed it controls will match the other one, so mixing different fans in those two headers isn't recommended if you're considering that option.
The AIO header is designed for a 100% profile, which sets it apart from other headers. You can adjust the settings in BIOS to match other headers if needed. It seems like a straightforward guide for beginners, similar to a beginner's book series.
The manual doesn't provide a clear explanation due to the flexibility involved; most headers are hybrids, except for the connection between CPU_FAN and CPU_OPT.
Check images of Pure Loop 2 units—their pumps are integrated directly into the hoses, not in the radiator or CPU block.
Solid or semi-solid panels aren't ideal for placing an AIO pump with fans. It would likely perform worse than a traditional air cooler.
Generations 4 and above require heatsinks.
Motherboards with M.2 slots above the GPU aren't optimal from a design perspective. Airflow isn't sufficient there, and heat buildup from the GPU is a concern.
For a card as strong as the RTX 4090, it's usually better to use clean air from the intake instead of forcing air through the radiator into the case. This allows the CPU to benefit from warmer air rather than cooler GPU air, which is especially useful for less powerful models like the 7800X3D.
I considered placing the radiator inside the case and positioning the fans on the opposite side to draw cool air in from outside and push it through. I remember the air speed boost from the fans would lower the temperature of the air passing through the radiator. This setup was shown in the Be Quiet video for the pure base 500 case. I’m not sure if 400mm pipes will allow them to be at the bottom instead of the top.
So if one of the rad fans connected to the CPU fan and another Rad fan was linked to the CPU Opt, both would operate at identical speeds, eliminating the necessity for the Y cable.
I wasn't aware that the funny lump on the pipes was actually the pump—it makes more sense now.
The manual doesn't detail how the pump or fans are connected to the motherboard at all.
It seems the pump runs at full capacity continuously; this makes sense if you view it as the opposite of a heating system rather than cooling.
The base 500 features a solid panel in front with an air intake around it. I'm curious about how placing a rad fan on top could aid cooling, since the air being pushed through it is already warm and rises.
Looking at other X670 boards, most seem to have M2 slots that would eventually be covered by a GPU.
Regarding the RGB lights, I know they can be turned off—they work well as temperature indicators with green for normal, amber for warnings, and red for shutdown. It's a waste of good LEDs to hide them inside a case if they're functional.
They don't appear clearly because they produce very little current relative to the rest of the system
Thank you for the input thus far, all advice will be considered.
Continue to follow the guidance.
I also have a similar blocked case, and my setup includes one exhaust fan at the back, a radiator at the top with fans directing air through it, and two high-pressure/high-airflow fans in front to maximize clean air intake. This isn't as effective as a better airflow case, but it's the best option I can manage with a mostly obstructed intake.
Yes, you could connect them to the Y cable and a case fan in CPU_OPT if the motherboard had limited header space. You might also opt for other fans since the design isn't exclusive. The pump will operate according to the standard curve set for the header you connect it to.
AIO_PUMP is set to 100% by default, though it can be adjusted. CPU_OPT aligns with CPU_FAN settings. I believe CPU_FAN and similar system fan connections typically have general low-to-high curves. You can tailor these settings in BIOS or via third-party tools.
The front vents on the Pure Base 500 are relatively small. Fans usually intake air in a cone shape, not outward like this. As air is forced, its strength diminishes; more turning means greater loss. The radiator also contributes to air restriction.
Not much air enters through the front opening. Although AIOs contain more liquid than air coolers, they still require airflow to work effectively. AIOs allow you to decide where heat exchange occurs, unlike fixed positions in air coolers.
If airflow becomes restricted, an air cooler might be a better choice; it’s positioned farther from solid components, offering more space for ventilation. The Pure Base 500 is designed with negative pressure, meaning exhaust air exceeds incoming air. Placing a radiator on the roof could worsen this effect and reduce performance. And if it’s placed on the floor or near it, it risks drawing in dust through every possible gap.
Oops! That point was overlooked:
Strix wouldn’t fit well with a front radiator—it would be too long.
Pure Base 500 supports cards up to 369mm in length.
Pure Loop 2 features a 27mm long radiator.
New clearance allows for cards up to 342mm.
4090 Strix measures 358mm.
Gigabyte Gaming offers 340mm.
Suprim X is 336mm.