Insane Watercooled 9950X3D Build: "Gold Member" PC Build

Project "Gold Member" Kickoff

• 🚀 The year's first custom PC build is underway for friend Kris, focusing on a fun, water-cooled gaming rig after a hiatus from such projects.
• 💡 The build aims to be overkill and powerful, fulfilling Kris's desire for a high-end gaming experience, especially given his demanding job in the movie industry.
• 📅 The goal is to complete this complex build in two videos, with the graphics card already on hand to minimize downtime for Kris.

Component Selection and Rationale

• 💡 The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D was chosen for its gaming prowess combined with the versatility of eight additional cores and sixteen threads for high-speed performance.
• ⚠️ A 4090 GPU was selected over a 5090 due to current trust issues with the latter, its exorbitant price, and the fact that the 4090 offers sufficient performance for Kris's gaming needs, including an ultrawide monitor.
• 🧰 The Phanteks NV9 case was chosen for its immense size, ample airflow, and extensive room for custom water cooling components like multiple radiators and tubing.
• 🥶 Two 420mm Black Ice Nemesis GTR radiators are planned for the top and bottom, with a potential third 280mm radiator for the back, emphasizing a comprehensive cooling solution.

Water Cooling and Aesthetics

• 💧 Optimus water blocks for the CPU and GPU are featured, noted for their sleek, black cerakote finish.
• 🌟 The build's aesthetic is dubbed "Gold Member," incorporating black and gold accents to match the ASRock X670E Taichi motherboard's theme.
• 🎛️ A Singularity Computers distribution plate will serve as the pump and reservoir, with interchangeable gold and black panels to customize the look.
• 🛠️ An EK water blocks gold valve is being repurposed from a previous build for easy system draining and servicing.

Assembly and Planning

• ⚙️ Initial assembly involves installing the CPU, RAM, and M.2 storage onto the motherboard, followed by the Optimus water blocks.
• ⚠️ Pre-testing components is crucial to avoid draining and disassembling a fully built rigid loop for troubleshooting.
• 🧐 The thermal paste application on the 4090 was noted as potentially uneven, suggesting the water block installation is timely for optimal thermal performance.
• 💡 Be Quiet! Light Wings fans were chosen for their subtle lighting and good performance, though the lack of reverse blade options means the prominent light rings will be on the exterior of the radiators.

Loop Configuration and Future Steps

• 🗺️ Loop planning involves routing tubes through multiple radiators (two 420mm and one 280mm), CPU, and GPU, with careful consideration for fitting placement and flow direction.
• 🔌 A fill port at the top of the case will facilitate easier filling and bleeding of the custom loop.
• 🎨 Decisions on gold splatter on tubing and the final aesthetic of the build, including lighting colors to complement the gold accents, are pending.
• 🌟 The builder expresses enjoyment in returning to passionate PC building projects, despite current market conditions, and anticipates more builds throughout the year.