Select motherboard and case options for optimal performance.
Select motherboard and case options for optimal performance.
Hello everyone, I’m working on assembling a new PC and need some guidance on choosing a motherboard and case. My CPU will be a Ryzen 7 5800X and the GPU is an RTX 3070 Ti. I’m particularly interested in a motherboard with plenty of USB connections. Since I do music production and art, I have a lot of gear that requires multiple ports. Right now I have eight devices connected and still need more space. Most boards I’ve seen only offer four to six USB ports, which isn’t enough for my needs. Ideally, I’d want around twelve USB ports, with eight being the maximum I can afford. Not all ports need to be USB 3.0. Choosing a case feels overwhelming, but I’m mainly looking for something quiet—essential for my audio work. My current case is a Corsair Carbide Series 100R Silent Edition, which has performed well for me. I’d prefer a case that’s quiet and allows easy cable management while providing good airflow for my components. Expansion slots are important for gaming and media playback. I’d rather avoid cases with glass panels. Lastly, I plan to add more internal drives for my audio software. This brings up another question: should I use SATA SSDs or M.2 SSDs? From what I’ve heard, there’s no significant performance difference between the two. With VSTs, loading large audio files is a challenge. For example, a 140GB piano library took five minutes on an HDD, but that dropped to 30 seconds after switching to a Samsung 970 Evo. A VST plugin would stutter on the HDD and improved to smooth operation on an SSD. I’m planning to add about four TB of storage, so I need a motherboard that supports multiple drives easily. My case budget is $150, and the motherboard should cost around $400. Thanks in advance. Edited May 31, 2022 by Galactic_Cheeseburger
Selecting a motherboard based on I/O options can be costly. What you’re seeking is an independently powered USB hub. Since the board won’t supply much power to connected devices, my partner and I use this setup to give our Oculus cameras the energy they require. https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Anker-Su...376&sr=8-5 There are numerous quiet choices, but the biggest source of noise is air movement. I’d opt for a case with a smokestack design to reduce fan speed. My Coolermaster SL600M stays quiet, though it’s pricier now. Consider cases that pull air in from below and release it upward. Some models include two 200mm intake fans that move significant air at low RPMs. Begin with a large M.2 SSD; add a hard drive if you need extra storage. A decent NVMe M.2 drive is available for around $150, making the SATA discount negligible—especially if it saves you cables.
I suggest exploring pcpartpicker.com for a streamlined approach to selecting components. It consolidates all necessary details in one place.
Regarding motherboards, I found two affordable options that match your needs. The ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming 4 ATX AM4 board offers 8 USB ports and solid PCI-E support for existing hardware at around $150 USD. The Gigabyte X570 AORUS ELITE ATX AM4 is similar but includes an extra USB port, bringing the total to 10 ports, and comes with a more appealing design for about $160 USD.
For USB expansion, you might consider purchasing an external hub from Amazon for a cleaner setup. Adding one or two PCI-E expansion cards can enhance functionality without overwhelming your build.
When choosing a case, look for quiet operation, straightforward assembly, good airflow, ample expansion slots, and no side panels if silence is key. The Fractal Design Meshify C fits these criteria perfectly. It operates silently, is simple to assemble, features plenty of cable management options, boasts excellent airflow, includes two HDD bays plus three SSD slots, and has a sleek design without side panels.
Storage planning can be tricky. Researching differences between HDDs, SSDs, and NVMe drives will help. For large storage needs, starting with a 2TB NVMe SSD (around $200) is wise, then adding more as required. Motherboards support up to two M.2 slots, but NVMe M.2 cards are recommended for speed. Once PCIe slots are filled, moving to 2TB 2.5-inch SSDs makes sense. Overall, expect to spend at least around $500 on components.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Hey, I meant to say no glass panels, okay? I've been using pcpartpicker, but it doesn't seem to let me filter by the total number of USB ports. Looking through all the options on that site was really overwhelming. Wow, M.2 drives are now half what I paid for two years ago! I'd definitely choose that path again. I think a USB hub should work for my setup. Many of my devices warn against using a hub, but I believe it will fit some of them. Still, I'll need the eight USB ports on the motherboard. The reason I'm so focused on SSD storage is because VST developers have really strict DRM rules. A lot of my programs depend on the hard drive, so I can't just switch to another drive without more space. With thousands of dollars invested in software over the years, I'm stuck with this setup. As time passes, my collection keeps growing, which is why I want more storage upfront. Now I have clearer criteria for choosing a motherboard. The Fractal Design Meshify C fits everything I need and comes without glass panels. Nice! I'm surprised how much these components have dropped in price. I built my PC in 2017 when everything was costly. I spent $180 for a 16GB RAM kit now that sells for $60. As I wrote this, my 3070ti arrived. I'm thrilled!! Thanks a lot!