CanyonRIf anyone is interested I’ll be … live tooting (is that what we’re calling it?) my PC upgrade tonight. I’ll be using the #PCUpgrade and #PCHardware hashtags if you want to follow or filter it out. #LiveToot #BigThread #Tech #Computer #IntelToAMD
Background: I’m currently on an #Intel 9700k CPU and #nvidia 3070 founders GPU. I felt that cpu is a bottleneck for the gpu. I got a good deal on an #AMD 5800x3d so it’s time to install. I have a #Asus TUF gaming B550 Plus WiFi 2 MB and 2x16gb 3600 CL16 Corsair RAM. Also moving to a Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB NVME SSD. All purchased at my local #CentralComputers store #ShopLocal #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
This is the system pre-upgrade with the case sides and front removed. I’ve upgraded parts regularly since it was originally purchased on #BlackFriday of 2018 from #CyberPower PC. This includes the GPU, cooler, and case. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
Removing the GPU and starting to unplug cables, preparing to remove the #MotherBoard #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
Note, #USB3 motherboard headers are notoriously hard to deal with. The fact that this is under the AIO hoses is making it even more so. You must be careful to not damage the plug itself on the board when detaching the stiff cables. #BadDesign #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
The #Intel 9700k is freed from the CPU cooler. Looks like my thermal paste was pretty evenly applied. We’ll get into applying fresh paste soon. #PCHardware #PCUpgrade
The z370 #MotherBoard is out and ready for its second life as a home server. But that’s a project for another time. This is made harder by the fact that I’m trying to avoid taking everything else out of the case. I’m leaving the cooler, fans (if possible), power supply, and SATA drives in since none of them are changing yet. I have new fans on order but they won’t be here till tomorrow.
For future reference, here’s the back of the original show the cable management. Let’s hope the finished build looks even nicer. #PCHardware #PCUpgrade
I’m sure people who have experience in PC building are wondering why I started with dismantling the existing system instead of assembling the new components out of the case. I have 2 reasons. 1: it seemed more appropriate for the purpose of the #LiveToot thread. 2: this makes sure that I’m going to finish tonight, one way or another. Please don’t try this at home. I am a (kinda) professional. #DoAsISay #NotAsIDo #PCHardware #PCUpgrade
Now to move on to the main event! Starting with the #Asus TUF Gaming B550-Plus WiFi II #MotherBoard. The rest of the build will be done, as generations before have done, on the box that the MB came in. #PCHardware #PCUpgrade
In the box with the #MotherBoard are a WI-FI antenna, 2 SATA cables, a back panel cover (always install first!), the obligatory pile of paperwork and manual, and 2 very small pads that I’m not yet sure what they are for. Guess that’s why they include the manual. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
And here’s the star of the show, AMD’s very impressive #5800X3D which has an amazing 96MB of cache. This allows it to keep pace with the latest generation of CPUs in most games while actually being slightly slower than last generation’s 5800X. #PCHardware #PCUpgrade
Next up is 2x16 GB of #Corsair‘s Vengeance RGB RT DDR4 3600 at CL16. This isn’t the fastest ram I could have found. It’s only #SingleRank, which is different than Single or Dual channel that others may be familiar with. Single Rank means it only has chips on one side of the RAM. Dual Rank ram (chips on both sides) is faster, sometimes by several percent but also more expensive. I didn’t feel paying 60% more for a 5% to 15% performance increase. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
The money I didn’t spend on faster RAM instead went to this Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB NVME SSD. The current build has a 500 GB 970 Evo that I’ve been very happy with. I felt that upgrading to PCIe Gen 4 storage would help in getting the most longevity out of the system. I’m excited to see what Resizable BAR does for gaming perform on this drive. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
Note: Installing a #Ryzen5000 series AMD processor is a delicate process because of the pins on the bottom of the chip that could be damaged if dropped or inserted incorrectly. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
Here it is installed, safe and sound, in the socket. Most import here is making sure the orientation matches the socket. I did consult the manual, just to be sure. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
When installing the memory you have to be sure it is both in the socket correctly (ie the notch lines up) and correctly interleaved (in the right sockets). Check the manual again for both. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
Turns out the previously mentioned “little pads” are for single sided NVME drives to make them fit snugly into the space below the included heat sink. My 980 Pro is single sided so that’s helpful. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
Note: I have been assured by multiple online sources that I don’t need to remove the labels from my SSD before installing the heat sink. I did remember to remove the plastic from the heat sink itself. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
So what’s more exciting than installing an M.2 drive? Doing it again! I’m moving the 970 Evo over as well. This is for two reasons. 1: the new use for the previous board doesn’t need an NVME boot drive. 2: it will make cloning the existing windows install to the 980 Pro much easier. The 970 Evo will become my data drive in the new system. The 970 definitely doesn’t need the heat sink but since it here I might as well use it. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
This is the point where, if this was being built by a sane person, they would do a test boot to ensure it’s all working before installing into the case. Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, I don’t want to remove the cooler, power supply, or other cables from the case. So I’m going to have to get it all installed before testing it. Again, don’t ever do this, it is a #BadIdea #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
And #Always install the back panel cover first. You will forget, and it will make you cry. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
Next is cleaning the copper plate of the AIO cooler and swapping the Intel bracket for the AM4 bracket. How do you clean the existing thermal compound? Isopropyl Alcohol! #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
Side note: How do I keep all the screws strait as I remove them? I have a 7 day pill case from the drug store that I use, filling each day in order and the working backward as I reassemble things. Shown here with my vintage #Compaq #screwdriver. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
The #MotherBoard is now in, which was somehow the difficult part. Now onto plugging in all the bits. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
And now the most delicate part of the build process. Applying the thermal paste. A friend who does this much more frequently than I said “Just buy the Kryonaut” So, I did. And he also recommended an X patten for applying it. The is you don’t really know if it’s right till you start measuring thermal performance. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
After much referencing to the diagrams in the manual, and finally just downloading it to my laptop so I could zoom in, I have the half dozen other cables attached and the GPU plugged in. Now it’s time for the first test boot. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
First problem: only one RAM stick appears in BIOS and only one has lights on. Hopefully just not seated well. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
RAM reseated and now both have lights and show up in BIOS! Everything looks functional! #Winning #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
Looks like the bios doesn’t like where I have my fans connected, ie nothing on CPU fan headers, only on case fan headers. I think this is working enough to reroute the fan cables and put in the rest of the screws. #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
Well it’s not looking good for the rerouting of fan cables. I’m going to need to remove and reposition all the fans to make it work. Given that new ARGB fans will be here tomorrow I’m not going to fight with moving them all now. I’m just going to plug the top exhaust fan into the cpu header and let it be ok for tonight. Tomorrow I’ll get it reconfigured properly. #TrickIt #PCUpgrade #PCHardware
Fallon Stone@canyonr no spreading after the x? Ive seen that suggestion, wasn't sure if it's necessary for full contact. Good luck!
@FallonStone I’ve tried it both ways. This time I’m following the advice of someone who does this more than once every 3 years. 🫣
@canyonr lucky to have someone with so much experience providing feedback. I hope all goes well!
@FallonStone I have been building PCs myself for 25 years. (Wow I feel old now) I just don’t do it as much as I used to. My friend is an electrical engineer who designs and solders his own circuit boards. I know when to bow to the superior experience.
Cuz 
@canyonr brilliant idea!