Building Alder Lake based PC

[Epee]

I'm thinking of putting together an Alder Lake based PC. I have put together some components and hope to get some comments. Objective is to replace my Sandy Bridge PC (i7-2600K based) so while I have been building PCs, the last of which is about 9 years ago. I do not need extreme performance, just a decent setup probably to run some VMs to satisfy my own curiosity.

CPU : Intel i5-12600/K (The non-K parts are not out yet so I don't know how they fare against the K parts.)
Mobo : MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi
Case : Fractal Design Define 7 Solid Black (I needed the extra HDD slots and hate see through panels)
Cooler : Noctua NH-D15S (Need confirmation if the latest packaging came with the LGA-1700 mount)
PSU : CM MWE 750W V2 80+ Gold. Honestly I haven't done any in-depth read up on PSU so appreciate comments. It needs to be able to support at least 10x HDDs (both SATA and SAS). I don't rule out getting a discrete GFX in the future.
Memory : TeamGroup T-Force Zeus DDR4 64GB Kit CL20 PC4-25600

Reason for going DDR4 is obvious. The prices of DDR5 is ridiculous at this point and assuming you can even get hold of them. Will be re-using some NVME drives I have. Monitor is a Dell U2421E.

 

[86technie]

I'm thinking of putting together an Alder Lake based PC. I have put together some components and hope to get some comments. Objective is to replace my Sandy Bridge PC (i7-2600K based) so while I have been building PCs, the last of which is about 9 years ago. I do not need extreme performance, just a decent setup probably to run some VMs to satisfy my own curiosity.

CPU : Intel i5-12600/K (The non-K parts are not out yet so I don't know how they fare against the K parts.)
Mobo : MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi
Case : Fractal Design Define 7 Solid Black (I needed the extra HDD slots and hate see through panels)
Cooler : Noctua NH-D15S (Need confirmation if the latest packaging came with the LGA-1700 mount)
PSU : CM MWE 750W V2 80+ Gold. Honestly I haven't done any in-depth read up on PSU so appreciate comments. It needs to be able to support at least 10x HDDs (both SATA and SAS). I don't rule out getting a discrete GFX in the future.
Memory : TeamGroup T-Force Zeus DDR4 64GB Kit CL20 PC4-25600

Reason for going DDR4 is obvious. The prices of DDR5 is ridiculous at this point and assuming you can even get hold of them. Will be re-using some NVME drives I have. Monitor is a Dell U2421E.

1) Take note recommend for new system, if you have existing SSD/Hard disk.
Recommend to do a clean install of Windows.
2) PSU go or Seasonic Focus GX-750 or Corsair
3) Memory wise you can go for Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200 or Vengeance RGB

 

[Yongkit]

I'm thinking of putting together an Alder Lake based PC. I have put together some components and hope to get some comments. Objective is to replace my Sandy Bridge PC (i7-2600K based) so while I have been building PCs, the last of which is about 9 years ago. I do not need extreme performance, just a decent setup probably to run some VMs to satisfy my own curiosity.

CPU : Intel i5-12600/K (The non-K parts are not out yet so I don't know how they fare against the K parts.)
Mobo : MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi
Case : Fractal Design Define 7 Solid Black (I needed the extra HDD slots and hate see through panels)
Cooler : Noctua NH-D15S (Need confirmation if the latest packaging came with the LGA-1700 mount)
PSU : CM MWE 750W V2 80+ Gold. Honestly I haven't done any in-depth read up on PSU so appreciate comments. It needs to be able to support at least 10x HDDs (both SATA and SAS). I don't rule out getting a discrete GFX in the future.
Memory : TeamGroup T-Force Zeus DDR4 64GB Kit CL20 PC4-25600

Reason for going DDR4 is obvious. The prices of DDR5 is ridiculous at this point and assuming you can even get hold of them. Will be re-using some NVME drives I have. Monitor is a Dell U2421E.

you may want to double check the mobo RAM specification again as in MSI website this is DDR5 mobo.

 

[Epee]

you may want to double check the mobo RAM specification again as in MSI website this is DDR5 mobo.

View attachment 30217

Oops yes I meant the DDR4 version. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Epee]

1) Take note recommend for new system, if you have existing SSD/Hard disk.
Recommend to do a clean install of Windows.
2) PSU go or Seasonic Focus GX-750 or Corsair
3) Memory wise you can go for Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200 or Vengeance RGB

Will check out the PSUs. The Vengeance LPX is CL16 rated IIRC and cost about $50-$60 more (Amazon price last I checked). I did considered that but just not sure if realistically I can see the difference in performance. Thanks for the comments.

 

[yusoffb01]

Good choice. alder lake beats amd 5000 series while using less power
https://www.igorslab.de/en/intel-co...ng-in-really-fast-and-really-frugal-part-1/9/

 

[Epee]

Good choice. alder lake beats amd 5000 series while using less power
https://www.igorslab.de/en/intel-co...ng-in-really-fast-and-really-frugal-part-1/9/

I wanted to build based on the 5600X since beginning of the year. But the problem is I cannot find any decently priced GFX to go with it. So it got delayed till now and now Intel announced Alder Lake.

 

[TanKianW]

I'm thinking of putting together an Alder Lake based PC. I have put together some components and hope to get some comments. Objective is to replace my Sandy Bridge PC (i7-2600K based) so while I have been building PCs, the last of which is about 9 years ago. I do not need extreme performance, just a decent setup probably to run some VMs to satisfy my own curiosity.

CPU : Intel i5-12600/K (The non-K parts are not out yet so I don't know how they fare against the K parts.)
Mobo : MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi
Case : Fractal Design Define 7 Solid Black (I needed the extra HDD slots and hate see through panels)
Cooler : Noctua NH-D15S (Need confirmation if the latest packaging came with the LGA-1700 mount)
PSU : CM MWE 750W V2 80+ Gold. Honestly I haven't done any in-depth read up on PSU so appreciate comments. It needs to be able to support at least 10x HDDs (both SATA and SAS). I don't rule out getting a discrete GFX in the future.
Memory : TeamGroup T-Force Zeus DDR4 64GB Kit CL20 PC4-25600

Reason for going DDR4 is obvious. The prices of DDR5 is ridiculous at this point and assuming you can even get hold of them. Will be re-using some NVME drives I have. Monitor is a Dell U2421E.

My feedback/suggestion:

1. CPU: I will get as many cores as I can afford if I am using it to explore VMs
2. Mobo: Do you really need the Wifi? Normally I will skip the wifi and get a mobo without wifi which is cheaper. Maybe can take a look at Asrock and Asus too.
3. Chassis: Define 7 is damn big. Actually the cooling is not fantastic. I will prefer Meshify for better air flow (do check if fit your cooler)
4. Cooler: Good choice. Actually you can fit another Noctua 12x25 PWM fan at the memory slot side. Not sure if you can get the fan clip separately though.
5. PSU: I will go with Seasonic or Silverstone. Rated Gold and above is ok
6. Memory: do check that the board support DDR4
7. NICs: do consider Intel's

In the long run, when you get serious on the hypervisor/VMs, do consider server hardware.

 

[Epee]

My feedback/suggestion:

1. CPU: I will get as many cores as I can afford if I am using it to explore VMs
2. Mobo: Do you really need the Wifi? Normally I will skip the wifi and get a mobo without wifi which is cheaper. Maybe can take a look at Asrock and Asus too.
3. Chassis: Define 7 is damn big. Actually the cooling is not fantastic. I will prefer Meshify for better air flow (do check if fit your cooler)
4. Cooler: Good choice. Actually you can fit another Noctua 12x25 PWM fan at the memory slot side. Not sure if you can get the fan clip separately though.
5. PSU: I will go with Seasonic or Silverstone. Rated Gold and above is ok
6. Memory: do check that the board support DDR4
7. NICs: do consider Intel's

In the long run, when you get serious on the hypervisor/VMs, do consider server hardware.

Thanks. I can consider the i7-12700/K. Just need to see the difference in price. VMs probably need more memory than cores for my case. Just a hobby, not serious work.

WiFi generally is for 'insurance'. The MSI mobo has a non-WiFi version for maybe $20 less. Might also add a PCIe Intel NIC. The x1 slot is useful for this.

I'll check out the Seasonic. In fact, my current one is a Seasonic and it last like forever. The Meshify looks good. I'll check it out. If the filters can reduce the amount of dust in the case, it'll be a winner. The Noctua should fit, according to the specs.