5.4 KiB
+++ categories = ["build"] tags = ["pc", "computer", "hardware"] date = 2024-11-15T17:43:08Z description = "Selecting components and assembling a desktop PC for faster software development, photo editing, and video work." draft = false slug = "pc-build" title = "🖥️ PC Build" author = "nicholas" +++
Among its more-than-enough problems, my laptop is slow, and has terrible I/O: (two USB C ports, one of which is almost always occupied by a cable for an external monitor, the other a power cable).I want to be able to do work on my computer, not just consume web content. I am frequently making contact with the limitations of this machine when I try to edit videos or photos. It is sluggish and painful, and sometimes even software development is unpleasant. I need not complain too much, or justify myself any more here. I will build a new PC.
Components
| Type | Item |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 265K 3.9 GHz 20-Core Processor |
| CPU Cooler | Noctua NH-D12L 60.09 CFM CPU Cooler |
| Motherboard | ASRock Z890 Pro-A ATX LGA1851 Motherboard |
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-5600 CL40 Memory |
| Storage | Crucial P3 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive |
| Power Supply | Corsair RM650 (2023) 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply |
| Case | Rosewill RSV-R4000U 4U Server Chassis |
| Mount | iStarUSA TC-RAIL-20 20" Sliding Rail Kit |
| Case Fans | ARCTIC P8 PWM PST 80 mm Case Fan |
New Parts
Every component of this build will be new to me. The last time I purchased a desktop PC was in 2013 (Dell XPS 8500 with i7-3770 and 16GB RAM) – it has been a decade since I have enjoyed the superior performance of a new-spec'd desktop computer.
- CPU – Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
- If I were to take a snapshot of this moment in time that captures the general reaction by tech reviewers to the release of this CPU and show it to you, it would seem like I made a huge mistake in my CPU selection. If one heeds only to the sunken and dispirited moaning of mainstream tech reviewers, one comes away with the sense that this is simply a bad CPU, but this sense can be misleading. As far as I can tell, nearly all of the sad noises are being made because of disappointing performance in gaming, an activity for which I am blessed to have no desire.
- Opinions in the desktop hardware space tend to revolve around gaming benchmarks, and I think gamers must account for a huge share of their readership, so it only makes sense. It is unwise to base my opinion on the supposed wisdom of these particular masses.
- The good news is that for non-gaming use cases such as software development, productivity tasks, and multi-threaded workloads, this CPU is strong, power efficient, and easy to cool.
- Motherboard - ASRock Z890 Pro A Wifi
- At this time I am forced to select a Z series motherboard – cheaper, budget motherboards in the B series are not to be released until 2025. Life is too short to wait.
- There were no special considerations, I selected the cheapest board.
- Memory - Corsair Vengeance 64 GB DDR5-5600 CL40
- This leaves 2 memory slots available if I manage to need more.
- I may end up turning the machine into a virtualization host.
- Storage - Crucial P3 Plus 1 TB
- I have modest capacity and speed requirements for my OS storage drive. 1 TB is plenty – most of my files live on my NAS and NVME gen 4 is fast enough. It was inexpensive.
- Power Supply - Corsair RM650 650W
- According to PCPARTPICKER tool, the total power consumption of the unit will be < 400 w. This gives me headroom for additional components. I have no plans to add a graphics card, but if I did I expect it would not be so powerful as demand power that increases total power consumption beyond 650 watts.
- Case - Rosewill RSV-R4000U
- I chose to use a rack mounted case entirely because it can be fastened to a server rack on wheels.
- Case Fans - ARCTIC P8 PWM
- The stock fans that are included with the case are noisy and run at full RPM when the computer is powered on. It is unnecessary to blow such a large volume of air during light workloads, and the noise is annoying. Now the CPU fans can run at whatever RPM is appropriate to keep the CPU cool.
Assembly
The process of assembly was straightforward. I simply followed the instructions included on each component. I do not mean to denigrate the hobby of PC-building, or lego-building but the reality is that the process truly felt like lego for adults. There is no "creativity" or problem-solving involved, I become an Ikea furniture assemblyman. It was pleasant for everything to go according to plan, though, and to have no real obstacles or issues along the way. Everything worked! PC building is a solved problem.
Results
{{< image src="images/pc-assembled.jpg" caption="PC components assembled inside case" >}} {{< image src="images/pc-assembled-drawer.jpg" caption="Computer in a drawer" >}} Done.