How I Built My Computer (Z790)

A chill session going over why I upgraded, how I selected the parts and installation tips.
00:00 Intro
03:25 Why Upgrade?
07:43 My Selection Process
22:55 Installation Process and Tips
38:44 Outro

[@ModIcore]

These are my specs. Booted up without issues. Motherboard: Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX 1700 CPU: Intel 12700KF CPU Cooler: Fuma 2 Rev B RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 Series 16gbx2 DDR5 6400 (F5-6400J3239G16GX2-TZ5K) GPU: Power Color 7800XT Red Devil PSU: be quiet! Pure Power 12M 850w Storage. Samsung 840 Pro 500gb M.2

[@mass-1128]

I have the same specs, besides I have a Z690 Aorus Ultra and cannot in my life get 6400hz ram speed at all on my board, as I'm capped at 6200hz on my Kingston Fury (4x16gb). I also run the latest bios. Do you perhaps know if this is a Gigabyte or Kingston limitation/problem?

[@ModIcore]

@@mass-1128 I haven't heard anything about this unfortunately. Is it XMP RAM? May need to turn that on. It may be that Gigabyte found that RAM isn't stable at 6400 and reduced it. I'm sorry that I'm not of any help! Hope you figure it out.

[@mass-1128]

@@ModIcore Yes, it's XMP ram. I'll check it out on the forums.

[@hardmurakami]

Happy Birthday to dear Synthitate once again🎂✨

[@ModIcore]

Thank you! 😄What happened to your other comments? I feel like things are disappearing.

[@ReflectingMe2024]

Oooh nice one Ena, when I suggested doing this recently I had no idea you'd already done it. It's Sunday morning here and need to take grandson to football training, will watch when back home. 👍

[@AdAsteris]

Cool!

[@dutchymcdutchface9974]

Great video! And you upgraded from 4th gen Intel just in time if you ever want to try and use Ableton again. I just found out that my 4th gen Intel won't support Ableton 12, which was released recently, because that's compiled with a CPU instruction set that 4th gen Intel does not support. The program just won't start.

[@ModIcore]

Thank you! That is shame about Ableton and your CPU. It seems like the programmers are redesigning from the ground up with these new processors. Cubase 13's vsts that I had in Cubase 5 sound different and believe it is because of the same reason. I do like Ableton and will give it a shot again, but it will be some time as I have a lot of new things to learn!

[@dutchymcdutchface9974]

Ableton came with the midi keyboard I bought many years ago, but I have yet to get into it. I started watching your Ableton Adrift video and I might finally start using it for real. So thank you for that video as well! :)

[@ModIcore]

@@dutchymcdutchface9974 Awesome! Glad it was helpful. What DAW do you use now?

[@GoingOrbit]

My computer was a pain in the butt to build. I had to cut out the optical disk bay to make room for the new motherboard.

[@ModIcore]

Wow haha did you create your own standoffs too? Sounds like a cool project.

[@Jennifur68]

I don't want Windows 11 either so I went into my motherboard BIOS and disabled the firmware TPM. Windows stopped bugging me and trying to "upgrade" to Windows 11 since my PC no longer meets the requirements. 🙂

[@ModIcore]

Wow this is brilliant! Thank you! I will look into this with my board. They have been so annoying that I was thinking of jumping off the internet even sooner.

[@outlet6989]

Hi Synthitate.I hope that's your name. My comment is very long, so bear with me. When a noob asks me for help when building a PC, I ask a few questions: How is this PC going to be used. Once I know this, I can let the new PC builder understand the components needed and the approximate cost. Once I know their budget, I can better select the components for the PC. Next, I will go to the MB maker to see what CPU and memory are compatible with the MB; this step is crucial. After all the parts are purchased, I assemble them using a test bench. This shows how the parts are installed on the MB without the constraints found in a case. My test bench has a PSU, AIO, fans, and a small pre-installed monitor. After all the PC parts are installed, the PC is ready for testing. The MB BIOS and graphics card driver will be updated after connecting the Ethernet cable. If everything checks out, the MB is removed from the test bench and placed in the case. I hope my comment gives you a new twist on building a PC.

[@ModIcore]

Very cool. Like a breadboard setup! It is nice to have it out of the case to install things. Have you tried the Cooler Master HAF XB EVO? That is a great horizontal motherboard case that can fit ATX and makes it easier to install - best of all, you won't have to reinstall it. Thanks for sharing your process! Sounds like you build a lot of PCs

[@outlet6989]

@@ModIcore Thank you so much for your reply. I read all that I have received. Yes, I have built so many PCs. I started building PCs when the first PC Clones arrived in the late 1980s. I prefer to make my new ones using a test bench. Building one inside a case is akin to building in a dark cave. Another advantage of using a test bench is that it allows you to have a place to diagnose problems you might have.

[@ModIcore]

@@outlet6989 That's great! What a great time to get into computers. I find getting started in computers in the early 90s benefited my intellectual growth. Using DOS for example helped me understand the basics of how the Windows OS works.

[@outlet6989]

@@ModIcore Thanks for your reply. DOS was great to use, if you bought the DOS for Dummies guidebook. I still have mine, just in case.

[@jasonsnell708]

Love the build, nice parts.. but please.. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!... get that PC off of the floor lol. You can make a simple riser with something like 2" - 3" 2x4 feet, and a plank of plywood that's long/wide enough for the tower to sit on. I did that with a PC that was sitting on my cabinet next to my desk which gave me room underneath the PC. Dust is more prevalent when it's on the floor. Plus, you would want to showcase that badboy :)

[@ModIcore]

Doesn't help that I lost the PSU dust filter in my last move huh? I was wondering if keeping it on the carpet was a good idea. I played with the idea of getting a new case that could fit on the glass shelf of my desk, but ended up going with a ATX instead of mATX so kept my old case. Thanks for the rec! I'll let you know what I end up doing.

[@outlet6989]

A wide variety of small tables are available at furniture stores and online. I use one for my PC. The most significant advantage of using a separate table is that it can be placed wherever you want to place the case. I also placed my case on a Lazy Susan. This allows me to rotate the case without picking it up manually. I also mounted wheels on the table, which allows me to easily move the table.

[@ModIcore]

@@outlet6989 A Lazy Susan? Cool! How do you manage the wires?

[@outlet6989]

@@ModIcore Thank you for your reply. Wire management is not a problem. I connect extra-length wires if needed, allowing me to rotate the case up to 180 degrees to see the rear and one side of the case. I rotate the case in the opposite direction to see the other side. AMAZON sells many brands and sizes of Lazy Susans. I'm using one with a 21-inch diameter, which easily holds my full tower PC.

[@ModIcore]

@@outlet6989 Got it. Smart! Nice to see those Susans handling the weight well.

[@floatycorn2491]

Cool build. Careful with gigabyte! Make sure you are aware of the stupid bios issues Intel has been having regarding wattage. I dont think it effects the 12700KF but ya never know. Also dont forget to enable XMP ( Ram speed overclock ) To get the full bang for your buck!

[@ModIcore]

Thank you! I was wondering about my board with the new statement by Intel. That is kind of scary and sounds like a warranty nightmare. I have not overclocked or messed with voltages for many years, but will do my research and set the levels. I appreciate the advice! It is a beautiful build and want to keep it going for a long time.

[@Ti___ny_______]

Read Intel warranty even over clocking memory (xmp) can void your warranty. its not 2010 parts are more than fast enough not to need to over clock

[@ModIcore]

@@Ti___ny_______ Interesting. Didn't realize overclocking ram could void warranty. Makes sense though. I believe DDR5 has integrated power management now. Figured that may trip itself before setting off the cpu. I'm blown away by how fast the new parts operate and agree I don't need to overclock!

[@floatycorn2491]

​@@Ti___ny_______ Yes XMP is considered an overclock and most ram sticks advertise speeds with XMP enabled. I just want them to get the most for their buck! It's literally a drop-down menu in the bios. One of the easiest ways to get performance. Especially for ram which controls ur studio software plugins. Also Despite these official policies, both Intel and AMD often enforce a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach.

[@ModIcore]

​@@floatycorn2491Interesting. Tech relationships are funny. The first thing I did during my first boot was go into bios to check settings and to change to XMP since my ram has it. I have not checked to make sure my timings are set the way they are supposed to though! I should prioritize that. Thanks for your help!

[@kamertonaudiophileplayer847]

You can do a video editing. It's like a magic, sure I know how to use a phone and record a video, but nothing above. I watch all videos hoe people build computers, but still hesitate to try.

[@ModIcore]

That's okay! I can understand that it's stressful. I believe in you though!

[@MrRazer1978]

Intel is not better, intel hasn't been better for ages, unless you need a space heater, Ryzen is the reconning Intel deserves for sitting on their hands churning out the same old garbage year after year The only thing Intel are better at is marketing and dodgy back room deals mainly for the Athlon days when they were again the 2nd best option, also the 12th get chips are cheap because the are old stock and 2 gens behind and even less efficient

[@ModIcore]

You are probably right, but everything I read said Intel is better optimized for Adobe. I doubt it matters anymore though. We'll see how their new plant turns out. Maybe they will innovate again?

[@swashed.]

wow what a terrible video

[@ModIcore]

Awwww

[@AA-ge4uj]

If a computer makes too much noise, put it in the adjacent room, punch a hole in the wall & run your keyboard, mouse & monitor cables through the hole, voila! Car batteries are easy, it's all about the water levels in the cells. Make sure it is topped-up to the Level Markers or it you can't see properly, use a torch & make sure the water is just covering the cells you can see down the hole (I use a syringe). Use Distilled Water from the Auto Shop or boiled water out of the kettle that has cooled down. If the battery has gone flat already, put it on a charger overnight & you should be good to go. If you've allowed the battery to die like that (not topping up the water), you get 2 or 3 "saves" like this before you have "cooked" your battery (the cells) to death. Lastly, make sure there's no crap on the Battery Terminal Posts & the Clamps that go to them. Clean them shiny & then cover/drown in Petroleum Gel/Vaseline, NOT Grease, Vaseline conducts, Grease doesn't. If the battery has "Maintenance Free" printed on it, that's a scam to stop you from topping up the levels, eventually cooking it & ensuring that you have to replace it, Chi-Ching for them. The battery has to "breathe" so check out the top, there should be a way to pry off the scam-cover & reveal the rubber bungs to remove & top-up. Oh yeah, your new computer. Fuuuuuuuuuck, Niiiiiiice, Wooooow. I would definitely not challenge that thing to a game of Chess. I wonder if it can predict next weeks Powerball numbers? What happened, the Computer Shop ran out of Cable Ties? Is that why there's a Rat's Nest hanging out the back of your new computer? Imagine how fast your old Cubase would run on that thing. Anyhoo, enjoy.

[@ModIcore]

I don't have another room but I have my car! Just park it outside the wall and route it in. Then I can wire the battery to outlet and have backup when the power goes out! It sounds like it is safer to buy Distilled Water than boiled water as that came first. I'm guessing because who knows what's coming out of the tap? I bet the metals may interact with the battery's chemistry. I will have to try keeping the battery topped and look inside. I've never done that before. I always felt that it is a cheap enough part to replace every five years. I haven't had a dead one yet (though my alternator is on 19 years and I'm worried about parasitic drain). I use baking soda and a wire brush to clean the terminals. The last battery I bought they gave me some gel, but I didn't use it. What about dialectic grease instead or Petroleum Gel? I use that on ignition coils and has a similar purpose I think. Thanks for the tips! I don't know, your computer can handle all those programs and may be up to the challenge! You trained it to think faster than it was designed for. My cables are a mess and look terrible. I see them every time I turn and look when I'm at the dinner table. If I had a bigger space it would be different haha. I DO USE TIES. Just, not in 10cm increments. Cubase 5 Cubase 5....I bet it would run the same haha. You know, my export time from Cubase 13 is similar to Cubase 5. Haven't tried massive projects, but seems the same. Have you looked at the Cubase 13 manual? It's 1,500 pages! I have certain section picked out to research. Sampler tracks is one.

[@AA-ge4uj]

The companies selling the batteries want you to believe that it's cheaper to purchase a new battery, when all you have to do is a little maintenance & you're good. No biggie, just keep those levels topped up, you'll notice that some cells are thirstier than the others, that's normal. You should also know that a bad alternator can kill a good battery, the same as a bad battery can kill a good alternator. 1500 page manual, can't wait for the day when we can just plug in to a jack in the side of our head & just upload that shit while drinking your morning coffee.