Simple Questions - September 03, 2025
Posted by AutoModerator@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 42 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
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Turnabo@reddit
I don't under all the abbreviation on the motherboard. There is M, non M, E, Pro, Plus, A etc etc. I just don't know what to choose for my chip.
For context, I'm building using AMD 9600X. The PC is for general day to day usage.
kaje@reddit
M generally means that the mobo is m-ATX. E for B650 or X670 means the mobo supports PCIe 5.0. The other ones are just the mobo's name, they don't have any other significance.
Turnabo@reddit
Thank you.
TemptedTemplar@reddit
And I mean ITX
but that is it in terms of important distinctions.
n7_trekkie@reddit
Just look at them as names, like car names. You wouldn't judge a car based on just the name GT or SE, so you shouldn't for motherboards either. They'll all come with different features, you need to look individually for what's best suited to you
Turnabo@reddit
Thank you.
Protonion@reddit
The motherboard names are sort of half-standard. There's no actual standard for them but everyone names them in essentially the same way:
Somewhere in the middle of the name is the AMD/Intel chipset that's used (e.g. B650 or Z790). If it's a MicroATX or mini-ITX board then that's usually followed by M. If there's WiFi on the board then the name usually has WiFi or AX/AC (As in 802.11ac/ax WiFi standard).
After or before that is often the product line, like TUF, Aorus, ROG, etc. This roughly tells you how high-end the board is, but it doesn't directly tell you anything about the board.
Everything else about the name is essentially just random marketing words. Pro, Plus, A, K etc has absolutely no direct meaning, you'll just have to look at the actual features.
Turnabo@reddit
Thank you.
How do you determine a board is high or mid end? I'm just looking for a low to mid board that is compatible to 9600X.
NewAd9523@reddit
Do any part sites in the UK (amazon, overclockers, scan, awdit, orbit, newegg etc) offer student discounts at all? Like, would there be some sort of way to claim its for student work?
Bit of a silly question, i'm aware. But it could save some big bucks.
Thanks in advance :\^)
deliesek@reddit
for my hyte y70 case fans, I am planning bottom (3&wont be really seen), front (3 reverse blade&radiator) intake and rear (1) top (3) exhaust. (all 120mm).
I am getting a gigabyte aorus 360 Waterforce X II. I think its fans come as exhaust fans, can I use those fans on bottom and place reverse blade fans on the radiator? this would make the case look better
If its fans are already intake I wouldnt bother
Powerful_Elephant_40@reddit
Which should I pick Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming 16GB vs Gigabyte Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 16GB ?
I want to buy 9060xt but dont know what is best variant of it friend told me Gigabyte will be more quiet but Pulse is partner of AMD and will have better firmware what is your opinion guys.
Thank you in advance.
TemptedTemplar@reddit
There's not a big difference between them.
The pulse offers a TDP a whole whopping TEN watts higher than the gigabyte models. That's it.
It's not going to make a huge performance difference unless you're into overclocking.
Powerful_Elephant_40@reddit
and how about noise / coil whine any model is know to have it less so or both are ok
TemptedTemplar@reddit
You'd need to look at reviews for that kind of info.
ThuroAwai@reddit
If I were to buy an Antec C8 and had a 5 pack 140mm fans, what would be the best positions for them to be put in?
TemptedTemplar@reddit
More intake than exhaust. 4:1 or 3:2 would work just fine.
InsertFloppy11@reddit
2 intake on the bottom
2 intake on the side
1 exhaust on the top (rear, so behind the cpu cooler)
OutpostThirty1@reddit
Only ever built a PC from scratch. Just ordered a new GPU, going from a 6700XT to a 9070 (so both AMD) is there anything in particular I need to do before installing? Do I need to use DDU or will AMD installer suffice? Anything need doing in the BIOS?
TemptedTemplar@reddit
You should do a clean install of the latest drivers, but you don't need to resort to ddu if you don't want to.
djGLCKR@reddit
No need to do anything, just shut down, replace the cards, and turn the system back on. If anything just reinstall the Adrenalin drivers if you're already on the latest version.
deliesek@reddit
is DDR5-8000MHZ 2x16 Expo compatible with AM5 ATX X870 AORUS ELITE and Ryzen 7 7800X3D?
djGLCKR@reddit
Zen 4/5 CPUs (especially their infinity fabric) don't really like stuff past 6000-6400 MT/s. The odds of that kit running at 8000 are almost non-existent without some silicon lottery luck and manual tuning.
deliesek@reddit
8000MHZ 2x16 Expo was somehow cheaper than 6400MHZ 2x16 Expo so I went with the 8000MHZ. Would it run at ideal mhz byitself or would I need to set it on bios settings?
djGLCKR@reddit
If there are cheaper 6000 kits (CL30-36) then that's the one to get, especially with X3D chips not being so dependent on high-speed memory because of the extra cache.
By default the memory will run at 4800 MT/s, anything faster will require activating EXPO in the BIOS to overclock the memory's frequency to what's listed on the box, but then again, anything past EXPO 6400 is a wild guess, and the higher the frequency the more likely to be a no - it'll bootloop while memory training because it's too high of a frequency at 4000MHz.
You can manually adjust the settings in the BIOS and set the frequency to 3000MHz and either leave the subtimings set to auto or experiment with them until you get a stable system (there are guides out there for RAM tuning, check buildzoid on YouTube).
deliesek@reddit
thanks
ziptofaf@reddit
It's not. CUDIMM is somewhat compatible with 9000 series Ryzens (in pass through mode aka it still won't work at these speeds) but with 7000 series your PC won't even boot.
deliesek@reddit
I think it is UDIMM. this is the product code: F5-8000J3848H16GX2-TR5NS.
I prolly got a real nice deal.
ziptofaf@reddit
Oh, it's not CUDIMM fortunately.
So if you want 8000MT/s you can by going 1:2 IF ratio. It tends to work, at least on 9000 series:
https://youtu.be/Fr7Bfr-wPYw?t=315
In theory it outperforms 6000 even. I say in theory because you still need to be able to get it to run stable which isn't guaranteed.
deliesek@reddit
thanks, I think I'll just run it at 6000.
kaje@reddit
Sure, the RAM would be compatible. It's probably not going to work at 8000MHz though.
MisawaMahoKodomo@reddit
Whats the difference between Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut and Thermal Grizzly Duronaut
No_Spare1827@reddit
Well, Kryonout is more of a thermal grease, not really a paste, and well, I guess Duronout isn't a paste in the traditional sense.
I have used both. My PC currently has Kryonaut on my 9950x and its great. It was easier to apply than when I use Duronuat. But with Duronaut, u will see slightly better temps. Im not sure why, but besides a PTM sheet, Duronaut is the best available paste on the market right now.
Either way paste dry out isn't really a thing with either one but I have seen Duronaut bring the temps of a 14700k back down to what a normal CPU should look like which is a miracle in itself.
As for the Technical differences id just go to the product page
Cer_Visia@reddit
Duronaut is more durable, but harder to apply.
InsertFloppy11@reddit
if you just need a thermal paste, buy whatever.
TrynaSleep@reddit
I'm thinking about updating my old GPU ( Build Link ) so I can comfortably play newer titles on high settings in 1440. My current rig becomes a jet engine whenever I play any games that are demanding, so I really want something quieter and cooler.
n7_trekkie@reddit
I recommend something like a 9060xt 16gb. Faster than that GPU and you'll run into more CPU bottlenecks
https://www.techspot.com/articles-info/2996/bench/1440-p.webp
https://www.techspot.com/review/2996-amd-radeon-9060-xt/
TrynaSleep@reddit
Well if I go the AMD route I’d probably go the extra mile and get the 9070xt since that’s a more direct competitor to 5070ti
n7_trekkie@reddit
That's what I'm sayin, it's too much for your old CPU. The 9060xt or 5060ti is about as far as I'd recommend if youdont want to change cpus
TrynaSleep@reddit
Gotcha. Not opposed to a cpu upgrade, just haven’t thought that far ahead yet
spazzo246@reddit
I currently have an i7 9700k and a 7800XT. Im looking to upgrade my CPU for 1440P Gaming.
Would a 7800x3d be okay? If anyone has any other suggestions that would be great. If I do this Ill need a new motherboard and DDR5 Ram also
Thanks
n7_trekkie@reddit
7800x3d is a great choice
ziptofaf@reddit
7800X3D is the 2nd fastest gaming CPU available pretty much so... yeah, it's a very solid option. And general recommendation for board + DDR5 would be something like this:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/cgfkMC
(B850 so you get most of the latest features, 6000MT/s CL30 RAM as it's about as good as you can put on AM5)