Compare Build AdviceIntel Core Ultra 7 265KF and Ryzen 9 9900X for gaming and virtualization needs.
Compare Build AdviceIntel Core Ultra 7 265KF and Ryzen 9 9900X for gaming and virtualization needs.
i would invest my money in AM5 just because the core ultra is a risky move (in the sense of next-gen socket changes in true Intel style), while AMD still has another generation in its AM5 platform !
Some reflections:
The €25 amount is hardly noticeable when compared to the 1400€ cost.
If you encounter any GPU problems or failures, integrated graphics can still keep things running.
It actually prevented a PSU failure for me.
How could I explain this?
My PSU stopped working and I had a low-power 550w replacement ready, but it wouldn’t power the GPU.
But integrated graphics ran fine and performed surprisingly well.
Additionally, integrated graphics provide quick synchronization.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Quick_Sync_Video
For the PSU, consider upgrading to a more robust model.
The price difference between a 650w and a 750w or 850w PSU is usually minimal.
Modern graphics cards can experience significant power spikes; a stronger PSU can manage them better.
Your CPU is quite powerful. The typical upgrade involves switching to a more capable graphics card, which may require higher power.
A solid PSU will only draw the power it needs, staying within its efficient operating range and running quieter.
Search for a quality PSU with a 10-year warranty.
Your case is ideal for air cooling. Three front 140mm fans should provide ample cooling airflow for the CPU or GPU.
Ultra processors are very efficient and don’t need excessive cooling.
I hope you’re not planning extreme overclocking, which would require more power.
Your CPU cooling requirements can be met with a good twin-tower air cooler such as the Peerless Assassin or Noctua NH-D15.
These models are especially quiet, reaching up to 1500 RPM.
AIO coolers aren’t permanent; the mechanical pump will eventually fail or air may leak in.
Plan for about five years before considering a replacement.
Here’s the revised version maintaining the original structure and details:
All the replies were appreciated. My usage is quite diverse. I won’t be engaging in heavy gaming, and I prefer Full HD resolution; I’m not really aiming for higher settings.
The most challenging tasks will involve virtualization, typically just one Windows VM at a time, and occasionally I might run it in the background while playing.
Also, to address your question: I’m based in Italy.
In another forum, someone suggested that the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 may not be ideal for the Phanteks XT Pro Ultra. They pointed out that its 63 mm radiator thickness could create clearance problems if installed on top, particularly with the motherboard.
They noted that while the Arctic is definitely more powerful and quieter, it requires a case with extra space at the top or specific mounting options such as side mounting (as seen in the NZXT H6 Flow) or a larger top clearance (as in the H7 Flow).
For the Phanteks, the only viable option would be to mount it frontally, but they cautioned against that for airflow reasons.
So I’m feeling a bit uncertain now, and honestly, if the temperature difference between the two coolers isn’t significant, I might stick with the Thermalright model.
Interesting point—originally I was thinking about a Ryzen 9 9900X, but I discovered that the Core Ultra 7 265KF is actually much more capable, and also around €100 cheaper (possibly even less).
That’s why I ultimately chose Intel.
Would you mind if I ask for some good PSU calculators?
The person who assisted me with the build told me that a 650 W power supply is more than sufficient for this configuration, even with a bit of margin.
Also, I won’t be overclocking anything.
Concerning AIOs, what exactly did you mean by “plan for 5 years before replacement”?
Do they simply cease to function after 4–5 years? How would you know it’s time to replace them?
And if that happens, would I need to swap out the entire cooler?
Most AIOs are carrying 5 or 6 year warranties now so they're going to generally last that long. There's no guarantee when/if one will stop working (anecdotally I have a first generation Cooler Master still working 9 years later).
The failure point is typically going to be the pump or clogs neither one of which can end users really do anything about. In the case of the former the CPU will overheat very quickly and there would be reduced performance with the latter would be more gradual increasing temperatures over time.
When it fails the whole unit has to be replaced. If you happen to have just the fans fail (this happened to me on my CM AIO) those can just be replaced by themselves.
As I see it there are really only handful of reasons to get an AIO over good air cooler:
using a high power consumption video card and want to remove additional heat from around it and lower the amount of video card heat the CPU cooler absorbs
have a high power consumption CPU and want maximum performance over a long period of time
using a case designed for it (typically SFF)
prefer how it looks
Besides pump failure, (it is a mechanical device) the pump may become blocked.
Additionally, the flexible tubes will gradually allow air to pass through them.
Most AIO coolers are not repairable and must be replaced.
Regarding PSU calculators, they provide extremely precise measurements.
IF... you understand the inputs.
What influences capacitor aging?
What temperature peaks might the GPU or CPU experience?
What are your future requirements?
Because overprovisioning a PSU only incurs costs for additional capacity, there are no operational drawbacks.
In reality, you benefit from operating within the optimal range, which will also result in quieter performance.
AIO cooling is essentially air cooling.
The distinction lies in where the radiator heat exchange occurs.
The cooling ability depends on the size of the radiator fins, not their placement.
A twin tower air cooler offers roughly the same cooling capacity as a 240 AIO unit.
I'm curious about the actual distinctions between these three options. My reasoning is that if the gap between them isn't significant, I'd prefer the Thermalright. However, if the Thermalright doesn't provide much better performance than a reliable air cooler, perhaps opting for air cooling could be more practical in the long run? Since my PC runs continuously, any added strain on the AIO's pump or potential failure risks might make it less worthwhile. What do you think about this comparison?
For me, the key factor is how frequently the CPU reaches full usage (around 250W). If it stays consistently at that level, the Arctic AIO stands out as the best option since any 360 radiator will offer more thermal capacity than a dual tower air cooler, and its thicker design surpasses what you'd typically expect. Beyond that, because you're not expecting a high-power graphics card, a dual tower air cooler seems more suitable for a continuous setup.
I've just placed my order and ended up choosing the Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360. In case anything goes wrong, I might replace it later.
The only issue I have is with installing it in the Phanteks XT Pro Ultra case—some forums say it doesn’t work, but others, like this one, think it does.
I’ll just have to wait and see what arrives.
The official specs indicate it won't fit in that scenario. The top radiator is restricted to 60mm, while the Arctic model measures 63mm. It seems to be offset, possibly influenced by the motherboard VRM and heatsink design.
If the Arctic doesn’t fit well, it would cause a major issue :/ I have a few potential solutions:
- Switch to an air cooler
- Pick a different case
- Install this AIO in the existing case still
Q1:
If I change the case to something like the NZXT H7, it adds about €75 just to make the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro work instead of using the Thermalright Frozen Edge 360 Black or even a regular air cooler. Should I really consider this extra expense?
Q2:
Which air cooler would you suggest as a first choice if I go that way?
Q3:
Are there any other cases that could pair well with a 360 AIO and offer good airflow and space, without being too big or too small?
Q4:
Is it worth trying to fit the Arctic in my current case (Phanteks XT Pro Ultra), or should I expect problems?
I’m not planning to overclock, and my CPU is a Core Ultra 7 265KF. The system runs nonstop, but I’m unsure how often it will be under full load. Overall, I need something quiet, reliable, and able to handle long sessions without trouble.