Simple Questions - July 08, 2025
Posted by AutoModerator@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 47 comments
This thread is for simple questions that don't warrant their own thread (although we strongly suggest checking the sidebar and the wiki before posting!). Please don't post involved questions that are better suited to a [Build Help], [Build Ready] or [Build Complete] post.
Examples of questions suitable for here:
- Is this RAM compatible with my motherboard?
- I'm thinking of getting a ≤$300 graphics card. Which one should I get?
- I'm on a very tight budget and I'm looking for a case ≤$50
Important: Downvotes are strongly discouraged in this thread. Sorting by new is strongly encouraged.
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To easily find previous simple questions posts, use this link.
BlackJimmy88@reddit
My PC has died, and I've been told by two people smarter than me to replace the CMOS battery. I tried that, but it doesn't seem to have worked. Would the "Harmful to Swallow" sticker on the bottom of my new Duracell batteries interfere with it, or do I need to start assuming the problem is something else?
rich18144@reddit
If the sticker is between the motherboard contacts and the battery (and what you've described would suggest it is), then yes
BlackJimmy88@reddit
Awesome, thanks. Do I need to be especially careful when taking it off?
rich18144@reddit
Just had a quick look to check and it looks like it's just a safety sticker
BlackJimmy88@reddit
So removing it shouldn't make a difference?
rich18144@reddit
Sorry, that wasn't clear - removing it should be easy, but it does need to come off, assuming it's something like this one:
https://www.duracell-me.com/upload/sites/23/2021/10/duracell_battery_safety_tu_it_3.png
BlackJimmy88@reddit
Yeah, that's one. I took it off, but it doesn't seem to have made a difference, unfortunately. Thanks, though.
rich18144@reddit
I have a Gigabyte B550M DS3H and picked up Sapphire 9060XT Nitro+ that is now covering the eSATA ports at the bottom left of this picture: https://digitalpromo.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1024x780/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/g/i/gig_b550m_ds3h_2.jpg
Are there any options for getting low form factor SATA cables that are not the usual 90 degree bend? I'm struggling to fit in the cables beneath the GPU
KneeOver8838@reddit
Is there anything better then the Asus tuff 34in VG34VQL3B for under 300$. I'm a amateur trying to decide things above my pay grade here, but for what I'm wanting at my price range this seems my best bet I've found. Anything better out there?
Mediocre_Warning_459@reddit
How bad is it to lift the cooler a little after applying the thermal paste and placing it back without cleaning and reapplying?
i.e. i apply thermal paste, put the cooler down, lift it up and adjust it and then put it back on and screw it in. There would be air bubbles and that’s very bad or is it not the end of the world?
n7_trekkie@reddit
it's not the end of the world
Mediocre_Warning_459@reddit
Well do I need to reapply the paste?
Protonion@reddit
Typically coolers get screwed down hard enough that any air bubbles would get squeezed out. But this is one of those "the only way to know for sure is to try it" type of questions. If your temperatures are fine then it's fine. If you're running hot then maybe there is a bubble.
n7_trekkie@reddit
Nah
Arcueid-no-Mikoto@reddit
Should I go for Lian-Li O11 Vision Compact or O11D EVO RGB?
If I went for Vision I'd have the fans of top. I like the EVO but it doesn't have an smaller version, not sure if it'll be too big, I think in general I see more people getting the smaller versions but maybe I'm wrong. I don't mind details like the rubber parts being gray instead of white, but any inconvenience going either bigger or smaller?
Otherwise-Access-803@reddit
Anyone know why OCUK have suddenly listed a Sapphire Pulse RX 9070XT for £559.99 (£100 discount)???
The cheapest cards I've seen on OCUK & SCAN over the past few weeks have been between £609.99-619.99, is there any reason why this model in particular has such a crazy discount?
n7_trekkie@reddit
The boat carrying America's 9070XT's has unloaded in the UK instead
/s kind of.
shadylocko@reddit
Which of these two PSUs should I use for my PC? Thanks.
https://www.newegg.com/be-quiet-atx3-1-atx3-0-compatible-850-w-80-plus-gold-certified-power-supplies-black/p/1HU-004H-000S2?item=1HU-004H-000S2
https://www.newegg.com/montech-atx-1050-w-80-plus-gold-certified-power-supply-silver-century-ii-1050/p/N82E16817959009
Both are tier A, and although the 850W one has enough wattage for my build anyway, the 1050W one is cheaper.
My parts list for reference: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/9Y7wfd
hamburgerc00l@reddit
Go for the cheaper one, you'll have more upgradability and it's cheaper!
cavestoryguy@reddit
Can someone recommend a 24 inch monitor. It won't be for gaming so it doesn't need a high refresh rate. I need color accuracy for picture editing.
jamvanderloeff@reddit
I generally wouldn't recommend 24 inch if you're buying new, if you're going cheap 1920x1080 the more sensible size is 21.5", and if you're going up to 2560x1440 the sensible size is 27"
Editing for what kind of output / accurate to what spec?
cavestoryguy@reddit
21.5 is fine then. 27 may be too big. It's just photo editing for my photography hobby. It won't be going anywhere commercial.
mlgpro1234321@reddit
Should I upgrade my 3060 now?
Current CPU is r5 5600 and I play at 1440p. Budget is 500 USD, can stretch a little. I want this setup to last another 2 years at the least.
n7_trekkie@reddit
I recommend waiting until you have $600, then get a 9070
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/KXkqqs/asrock-challenger-radeon-rx-9070-16-gb-video-card-rx9070-cl-16g
https://tpucdn.com/review/asrock-radeon-rx-9070-steel-legend-oc/images/average-fps-2560-1440.png
SoFarSoGood-WM@reddit
I'm working in a Lian-Li O11 Vision, and I bought white RGB case fans for all locations only to realize that I might have needed reverse blade fans :(
My question is whether I can run the "side" intake fans as exhaust instead of the usual intake so that I can keep the fans forward facing for aesthetics? There's no front fans (dual chamber case) and there's no top as the top is glass.
jamvanderloeff@reddit
May not be ideal for cooling but yes you could set it up for all "backwards" airflow if you want
SoFarSoGood-WM@reddit
I have intake on bottom and back, exhaust on the “side” fans, and my CPU tower will need to point the opposite way so it’s not blowing directly on the rear intake (which is usually exhaust).
Thanks! I’ll give it a try, I’ll be undervolting my 9070 xt, so hopefully that can help to keep my temps down.
speedx77@reddit
Thoughts on getting a 7900xtx instead of a 5070ti?
Trying my hardest to snipe a 4090 for around $1k on the used market, but for now these other two are my main options.
n7_trekkie@reddit
Pretty sure there's 0 hope of a $1000 4090 in the next year. The 5090 is still $2500 and the 4090 is only ~20% slower
speedx77@reddit
You'd be surprised what you can bargin on Facebook marketplace lol
LostTheElectrons@reddit
For the same price, I would go with the 5070Ti for sure. If you can get a good deal on a 7900XTX it might be worthwhile, but keep in mind you won't have FSR4/DLSS.
speedx77@reddit
Even though the 7900xtx is $800 at microcenter?
Sinroo@reddit
I need a recommendation for a new am4 motherboard that's full-size - I have the b450m ds3h, and put a 2060 super in it - it crushed my sata ports which was fine they still worked but I moved and now they do not work.
So ideally a new am4 motherboard that's full-size and will not have that issue and a new case to go with it. Thank you for any help.
jamvanderloeff@reddit
Cheap solution there would be just drop in a PCIe SATA card if it's not a triple slot thick GPU or an M.2 SATA card if you're not using the M.2 slot or get low profile SATA cables if your ports aren't actually broken, investing in a new AM4 board now is kind of a waste if you don't absolutely have to
Sinroo@reddit
SATA ports themselves are completely broken at this point, I have no option unfortunately.
jamvanderloeff@reddit
Then SATA card is your easy option if it'll fit.
What else does would the new board need to connect to?
TokageLife@reddit
Trying to help a friend do a budget upgrade with the prime day sales and they're coming from a 9700K Intel system. I'm thinking of recommending a 7700x for $230, whatever B850 ends up being around $200, and $90 for 32GB of 6000 CL30 ram. The catch is that they do play MMO and games like BG3 / Civ 7 so I'm wondering if it's going to be worth it to pay the extra $110 for the move up to a 7800x3d at $340.
MajesticMango212@reddit
AMD Ryzen™ 5 9600X 6-Core or the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D paired with a RTX 5070 ti, is the 9600 x too weak or is the trade off of $200 cheaper worth it for me?
djGLCKR@reddit
Depends on the resolution and games you play. At 4K, a 7600/7600X would even be enough.
MajesticMango212@reddit
Ok I gotcha, Thanks!
Staffchief@reddit
Not sure if this qualifies here, but here we go:
I’ve got an NZXT H5 case and I plan on using a Phantom Spirit 120 air cooler for a 9800x3d. GPU is a 4070 Super.
So my question is, what kind of additional fans and placement should I have? The case came with just two and I was thinking that’s likely insufficient. I was therefore going to get the Thermalright 120 mm 3 pack and add them but I’m not 100% sure what would be the best placement.
djGLCKR@reddit
Move the front intake fan to the rear top as exhaust, install the new Thermalright fans on the front as intake, done.
Staffchief@reddit
So two on the front as intake, and one each on rear and top as exhaust?
djGLCKR@reddit
Again, 3 intake, 2 exhaust. By default the case has one front fan as intake and one rear fan as exhaust. You'll be moving the intake fan from the front to the top as exhaust (pretty side facing inside the case), that makes two fans working as exhaust. The three Thermalright fans will go on the front as your new intake fans (ugly side facing inside the case).
Staffchief@reddit
Thanks. After re-reading your initial post again, I don’t know how I didn’t get it the first time.
MajesticMango212@reddit
I'm new to pc building so take my advise with a grain of salt, but I'm assuming the 2 are in front, so put one at the back as exhaust and 2 up top, the one closest to the back being exhaust and the one next to that in the middle of the pc being intake. IDK if that helps but that's what I would do
Staffchief@reddit
No the two that came with the case is one each on front and rear (presumably intake and exhaust).