Provide guidance on assembling an mATX build.
Provide guidance on assembling an mATX build.
Hi, I'm looking for constructive criticism and advice on my PC build. I'm not seeking specific purchase offers, I just need help deciding on the components.
Format: mATX or mid tower
Budget for PC: Around 6000–7500 PLN (maybe more if necessary). Translates to around 1400–1800 USD, or more (hard to convert exactly due to cross-border price differences).
CPU and GPU: A good setup at a lower price. Later this year I want to upgrade to RTX 5070 Ti + AMD Ryzen 9 9950X (buying some better AIO now with this upgrade in mind).
Country: Poland
Purpose:
- Games: Rasterized, light ray tracing (maybe). Recording gameplay.
- Creative work: Definitely Photoshop. Additionally, maybe learning modeling in ZBrush and Blender (simple projects). I might try some AI video upscaling in Topaz or DaVinci Resolve.
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A. Micro ATX:
- Case: Lian Li A3-mATX wood (370 PLN)
- CPU ooling: ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports DUO (200 PLN)
- One rear exhaust fan: Arctic P12 PWM PST (26 PLN). No obstructions – priority is low noise level and decent airflow.
- Bottom slim fans: SilverStone Air Slimmer 120 (200 PLN za 3 sztuki). It has higher static pressure than other slim options, which helps push air through the mesh. It's a bit louder, but I can accept that trade-off.
- Power supply: Corsair RM850e 850 W (530 PLN)
- SSD: Crucial T500 1TB (380 PLN). Avoid picking up an SSD with a heatsink from the factory as removing that may void warranty. Motherboard comes with heat spreaders for M.2 SSD's
- Motherboard with USB4: ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi (1650-1900 PLN)|
^ USB4/Thunderbolt is added because I want a port that allows video/touch/power transmission via a single cable. I use Wacom Movink 13 with stylus and another portable OLED.
- GPU: ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 5070 OC (2800-3000 PLN) or MSI GeForce RTX 5070 12G Gaming Trio OC (2800-3000 PLN)
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance 6000MHz CL30 (504 PLN)
- AMD Ryzen 7 7700 OEM (830 PLN) - 830 PLN
^ Out of the box, the Ryzen 7 7700 trails the 7700X by roughly 3–7% in multi-threaded tests, but enabling Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) auto closes nearly all of that gap, bringing performance within 1–3% of the 7700X. Applying a –30 mV offset via the Curve Optimizer can yield an additional ~3–4% improvement in multi-threaded workloads while cutting peak temperatures by up to 15 °C, making the non-X model a cost-effective alternative to the 7700X.
Total = ~7490 PLN
Future upgrades (later this year):
- Cooling: Be Quiet! Light Loop 360 (572 PLN). Generally has to be strong enough to sustain things like Blender rendering (sustained high average, and very high peaks).
- GPU: RTX 5070 Ti, something stronger from AMD or maybe RTX 5080 (last one probably unlikely).
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
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B. Mid Tower sized:
- Case: Lian Li LANCOOL 207 (423 PLN)
- CPU cooler: ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports DUO (200 PLN) or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE (190 PLN). Arctic has much better warranty.
- Top fans: 2 × Arctic P14 PWM PST (64 PLN for 2)
- Rear fan: 1 × Arctic P12 PWM PST (26 PLN)
- Power supply: Corsair RM850e 850 W (530 PLN)
- SSD: Crucial T500 1TB (380 PLN). Avoid picking up an SSD with a heatsink from the factory as removing that may void warranty. Motherboard comes with heat spreaders for M.2 SSD's
- GPU: ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 5070 OC (2800-3000 PLN) or MSI GeForce RTX 5070 12G Gaming Trio OC (2800-3000 PLN)
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance 6000MHz CL30 (504 PLN)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700 OEM (830 PLN)
^ Out of the box, the Ryzen 7 7700 trails the 7700X by roughly 3–7% in multi-threaded tests, but enabling Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) auto closes nearly all of that gap, bringing performance within 1–3% of the 7700X. Applying a –30 mV offset via the Curve Optimizer can yield an additional ~3–4% improvement in multi-threaded workloads while cutting peak temperatures by up to 15 °C, making the non-X model a cost-effective alternative to the 7700X.
- Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi (1471 PLN) or Gigabyte X870E AORUS PRO ICE (1500 PLN).
^ B850-E is more recent and has some AI fireworks. Both have USB4 ports 40 Gbps (Asus has 1, Gigabyte has 2).
^ USB4/Thunderbolt is added because I want a port that allows video/touch/power transmission via a single cable. I use Wacom Movink 13 with stylus and another portable OLED.
Totals = ~7228 PLN
Future upgrades (later this year):
- Cooling: Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360mm (430 PLN). Generally has to be strong enough to sustain things like Blender rendering (sustained high average, and very high peaks).
- GPU: RTX 5070 Ti, something stronger from AMD or maybe RTX 5080 (last one probably unlikely).
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!
1| 7700x. You might choose the 9600x, but you'll need to flash the BIOS on your motherboard first.
2| Either option
3| Arctic Liquid Freezer III
4| I’d skip the fans entirely. Check the case design with an AIO, then add fans for improved temperatures.
Tip: Don’t buy an SSD with a heatsink included from the box—it might cancel your warranty. Your motherboard already has heat spreaders for M.2 SSDs.
Moved this thread from the Components section to the Systems section.
I believe an ATX motherboard and case would serve you better. The case should provide strong airflow from front to back. Maybe a lian li lancool 216 with two front 160mm intake fans would work well. This setup would let you use a high-quality twin tower air cooler, making it quieter and more dependable. Adding an in-card module inside a MATX case is quite close to the graphics card, and the bottom intake could block the GPU fans—the part that requires the most cooling.
The details you mentioned brought back a project I completed for a friend's friend. It was the second one listed in this article.
A local tech service provider mentioned that installing this card with a GPU might be challenging. They noted that a 2.5-slot GPU wouldn’t fit, which is why I chose only 2-slot models such as the INNO3D RTX 5070 Twin X2 OC 250×116×41 mm. I believe both options have good chances of fitting this type of GPU. A slimmer GPU should also ease my cooling concerns. From what I observed, people successfully fit slim 15 mm fans with standard GPUs, so my choice should work for 25 mm fans as well.
The ThunderboltEX 4 uses slot 3, leaving enough space for the two-slot RTX 5070. It might replace one vented slot cover, which could raise GPU temperatures by about 2–4 °C—still within acceptable limits. The bottom fans remain unblocked and could even assist if kept at low speeds; I’ll need to check reviews further. Overall, the add-in card shouldn’t limit GPU performance, and the overall build should stay within requirements.
Looking at ATX cases and motherboards, I noticed that compatible ATX boards tend to be more expensive. Therefore, I plan to use a mATX board with it. I’m also considering a larger build, possibly a mid-tower configuration, just to compare costs and performance. In terms of price, good components generally keep it around 7400 or higher for mid-towers, 7900 for mATX builds, with similar specifications. A mid-tower would likely include a larger GPU, a full-size ATX power supply, and a reliable air cooler—potentially saving a bit on the overall cost. I’m aiming for a well-built mATX system in the long run, ensuring everything fits snugly, so I’m sticking with it now while keeping a mid-tower option as a backup. For bigger cases, models like Fractal Design North, Lian Li Lancool 207, and Fractal Meshify 3 stood out.
Thank you for your feedback. I understand the concerns, except for the Arctic Liquid Freezer III. I prefer this AIO, but according to online reports and videos, the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 may not be compatible in this situation. Most issues with 360 mm AIOs seem to relate specifically to the Arctic Liquid Freezer III.
I’m unsure whether the bottom fans would assist or cause problems. I plan to consult a local tech specialist or store for their insights.
For a peaceful environment I’d consider Be Quiet or Noctua case fans instead of the P12 Max. Also keep in mind you don’t have to maintain components at 70 degrees. If it’s quiet, using the correct clocks and staying slightly below TJmax is acceptable—the parts are built to handle that temperature.
I'm still weighing your advice, as a local tech service representative has highlighted a possible concern.
I was wondering if another mATX case could be a more suitable choice here. For instance, the Montech Heritage Micro ATX provides a bit more room.
Alternatively, the Lian Li A3 seems to fit my current setup, though it involves some trade-offs. I found this information: "Real-world A3 builds indicate it only blocks the middle bottom-fan slot, leaving at least one, often two, fans operational." If this is correct, I might explore switching to another case—preferring to avoid such compromises, even if the effect is minor. I just want everything to be clean and reliable—a solid machine.