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4 Best Alternatives to Dan Case A4-SFX & Ghost S1 SFF Cases

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best dancase a4-sfx louqe ghost s1 alternative itx cases

The Dancase A4-SFX and LOUQUE Ghost S1 MKII cases are two of the most solid, and even iconic, ITX cases for SFF enthusiasts. They allow for high-end PC builds at only a fraction of the normal-sized, full-ATX cases, ranging from only 7.25 to 8.2 liters of space. Despite their small size, they can holster full-sized GPUs, and top-of-the-line CPUs such as the Intel i9-9900K or the Ryzen 9 3950X.

That being said, these cases are not terribly easy to get a hold of, even if one were willing to dish out the over-$250 price tags that accompany these cases. Fortunately, the A4-SFX and Ghost S1 have shown that SFF cases do have demand, and more companies were quick to jump upon this bandwagon of growing popularity. Now, new cases are constantly being released, with quality that matches, and arguably even exceeds, that of these two cases.

Also, depending on your needs, these alternatives do come in varying size of up to 13.6 liters, meaning that if the Dancase A4-SFX or the Ghost S1 are slightly smaller than what you need, you can find some great cases in this list to fit your needs. These alternatives are in the same price range, and will have the same quality of build, of the two flagship cases, though they may allow a bit more flexibility in regards to customizations for your SFF setup.

Without further ado, here are the four best alternatives to the Dancase A4-SFX v4.1 and LOUQE Ghost S1 MKII cases.

Best Dancase A4-AFX & LOUQE Ghost S1 Alternative Cases – My Recommendations

1. NZXT H1 (13.6L)

NZXT H1

The NZXT H1 is a worthy opponent for any of its high-end SFF case competitors. First off, the case has an incredibly stylish design, featuring a tempered glass front panel, and a dual-chamber airflow which allows both positive and negative pressures to be applied to the case, offering better heat dispersion for the encased hardware. Also, it has a unique I/O slot which actually faces downward, routing all cables through the bottom of the case. An extra plus is that it comes with an integrated 650W 80+ Gold PSU, so you don’t have to worry about finding a compatible PSU. Also included are a PCIe x16 Gen3 high-speed riser for vertical GPU mounting, as well as an NZXT AIO 140mm liquid cooler with pre-routed cables.

It can hold full-sized GPUs of up to 2.5 slots, and it comes with a pre-installed, toolless, SSD tray. The top of the case has USB Type-C and Type-A slots, as well as an audio jack. If you’re looking to build an SFF setup without having to worry about all the hassle and planning that comes with making such builds, this is the case for you. Both for gaming and for workstations, the NZXT H1 is a great choice. That being said, all the added hardware it comes with do add to the price, as the case does currently sell for $349, though it is arguably worth the extra cost for the integrated components and quality of build this case includes.

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2. Thor Mjolnir (9.7L)

Thor Mjolnir ITX case

Whether it be for a workstation or for a gaming build, the Thor Mjolnir is a case worthy of its legendary name. This case features 5mm thick 6061 aluminum walls, which can be purchased in three different finishes: steel, dark, and stealth. 

Don’t let its small 9.7L size fool you; this case can hold full-sized, high-end, GPUs like Nvidia’s RTX 2080 Ti. In fact, it can hold GPUs of up to 322mm in length (w/o bracket) and 159mm tall. The riser that is included is PCIe x16 Gen4 compatible, and is armored, as well as EMI shielded. In terms of cooling, it can hold 51mm thick air coolers, and up to 240mm AIOs, given that they are used with only one 120mm fan under the PSU. In fact, even custom loops are possible, allowing for high-end builds to take advantage of CPU overclocking capabilities. In addition, it can also hold two case fans, one 120x25mm and one 120x15mm. In regards to storage, it can hold up to two 2.5” SSDs, and of course M.2 SSDs mounted on the motherboard as well. Depending on what kind of build you are looking to make, some customizations are also possible. The side panel can either be airflow optimized, or tempered glass – if you are willing to sacrifice some airflow to display your RGB compatible hardware. The case itself also can come with additional RGB lighting, for an extra $100. That being said, for a $299 case, this is definitely an enthusiast-level, high-end optimized case, that has great looks and is top of the line for its size.  

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3. NCase M1 V6.1 (12.6L)

NCase m1 v6.1

The original crowdsourced SFF case: the NCase M1 is a small enclosure with a large amount of compatibility. Featuring a brushed, anodized, all-aluminum 1.5mm thick frame, and 2mm top panel, this case is built strong. It has a front-panel I/O with a dual-color LED backlight power button, two USB Type A and one USB Type C ports, and of course 3.5mm headphone/mic jacks.

In regards to compatibility, it can hold a dual-slot, 317mm GPU, or a triple slot 290mm GPU (if I/O ports are removed, otherwise 280mm support). Even more impressive is the cooling support. It can hold a 130mm CPU cooler, a 240mm radiator for liquid cooling, and up to five (!) cooling fans. Two 120mm fans on the side, two 120mm fans on the bottom, and one 92mm fan on the rear. More than enough cooling for even the most demanding hardware setups.

For its incredibly small size, and only two-kg weight, this is a premium SFF case for high-end setups; and given its current price of $210, it is a great deal for SFF-build enthusiasts that want a small setup that can pack a punch.

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4. Sliger SM550 (9.7L)

Sliger SM550 ITX Case

Another highly customizable SFF case, the Sliger SM550 comes with a plethora of options to choose from to make it fit your style. This case can support dual slot GPUs of up to 305mm length, as well as two 120mm fans, or a 92mm AIO cooler. It has a front panel I/O with USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C, Type A, and audio jacks as well.

It comes in three distinct colors to choose from, and allows you to choose whether you would like the side panel to be windowed, vented, or unvented – both on the GPU as well as the motherboard side. It also allows you to choose the front panel board connectors, whether or not you’d like a single PCIe 3.0 x16 riser, or a bifurcated 2x PCIe x16, and it even allows you to choose whether you’d like a standard flush mount or a pigtail style power cord for the power supply cable – or both, at a slight extra cost of $8. Additionally, at an extra $90 cost, you can choose a preset AIO 645LT kit, for either AMD AM4 or Intel 115X. Finally, you can also purchase magnetic dust filters or SSD brackets to complete your build.

Given that this case comes at a competitive base price of $219, it gives you the freedom to add a few extras options to make the case uniquely your own. A worthy competitor for the Dancase A4-SFX and Ghost S1 cases.

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6 Best Mini-ITX Cases for Small Form Factor Builds

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Best mini ITX cases

The Small Form Factor (SFF) trend is a bandwagon worthy of hopping upon, as it combines high-end, state-of-the-art hardware compatibility, in a case that is only a fraction of the size of traditional desktop computers. With an SFF build, one can utilize the full power of a workstation, with the ability to easily transfer the device between studios or offices; with limited desk space being no issue at all. Gamers also have the opportunity to make a high-end gaming device which they can install in their leaving room, or take to their friends’ houses for LAN parties, as SFF cases can even be smaller than current-generation consoles. This, paired with the fact that most cases can holster a full-sized GPU, one can be assured that no sacrifices will be made in regards to their overall gaming, or working, PC experience.

Finding the right case for the right purpose is no easy task, as SFF cases (as well as all hardware components therein) must be planned to the letter, to ensure that all components will fit and work harmoniously within, and though the space is limited, the possibilities are nearly endless in regards to the combinations of hardware you can assemble to tightly pack within these cases. A PC case, and the cooling within, are very underrated in terms of their importance to the overall PC-build. As hardware components come and go, cases and cooling will potentially stay, even when upgrading, so it is good to invest in them properly.

To assist you in this journey of creating the perfect low-profile build for your needs, we have prepared a list of the best SFF cases currently available in the market for your consideration. In this list we will have two, a bit more expensive, high-end models, and two entry-to-mid end models with respective low-to-mid end budgets – together with one HTPC-optimized option.

Best Mini-ITX Cases – My Recommendations

1. Dancase A4-SFX v4.1 (7.25L)

Dancase A4-SFX V4.1

First introduced via a highly successful Kickstarter campaign, the Dancase A4-SFX is perhaps the best SFX case one can buy for its price. With dimensions of 115W x 100H x 317D millimetres, this case has a volume of just 7.25 liters, and can still hold a full-sized GPU of up to 295mm in length. In other words, you can have the full power of a desktop PC, at only the size of a standard shoebox. The case is assembled using 1.5mm thick aluminum, manufactured by Lian Li in Taiwan.

In regards to its thermal design, it relies on having the hot air generated from the hardware components move to the top and outside of the case, without the need for extra, and excessive, fans. It uses round air holes over a large surface area in unison with elongated holes on the bottom of the case to ensure the resupply of fresh air. That being said, it does allow for 92mm fans: one being on the bottom of the case (under the motherboard) to assist with this thermal concept; while even a 120mm AIO radiator setup is possible. This all depends, of course, on the other hardware components, as each piece will significantly affect the overall setup, and therefore needs to be carefully planned to fit within the SFF build.

Now, what’s also great with the Dancase A4 are the regular updates to its model. The current 2020 model is the A4-SFX V4.1, which comes with some significant upgrades to the A4-SFX V4 model. Firstly, the front panel of the case now features a USB 3.2 gen2 Type-C with an internal Key-A connector. Next, and more importantly, it features Gen4 PCIe x16 support via the use of a PCIe extender manufactured by 3M. With this extender, one can connect their GPU behind the motherboard, allowing for a hardware “sandwich” type build. Also, depending on the power supply (the case can hold SFX or SFX-L), two 2.5” HDD or SSDs can be mounted in the drive bay; with even a third 2.5” drive possibly being mounted behind the front cover.

The case itself is not inexpensive, as it does come at around the $250-range, but for a high-end SFF build, this case is second-to-none, and is well worth the investment. 

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2. LOUQE Ghost S1 MkII (8.2L)

LOUQE ghost S1 MKii

Another favorite of SFF enthusiasts and also launched via a successful crowdfunding campaign, the LOUQE Ghost S1 is a highly customizable, sturdy, and quality-focused case that is a bit larger than the aforementioned Dancase A4, coming in at 8.2 liters, but it allows for more creative setups.

Its key feature is the stand-alone “spine” it features, running down the middle of the case, allowing for open component access from multiple angles, while giving the case extra flexibility and rigidity. In terms of the quality of the case, it features glass blasted anodized aluminum milled from solid blocks, ensuring a high standard of quality.

In terms of airflow, it features a similar design with the Dancase, though its slightly larger size allows for a 240mm AIO radiation of 31.5 thickness, and a CPU heatsink of up to 66 millimeters. It can also hold a total of three 2.5” SSDs, together with an M.2 SSD. The case also includes an armored, and shielded, Twin-Axial 300mm PCIe x16 rise, though currently, this is a Gen3 and not Gen4 riser.

The Ghost S1 also offers “top hats” which come in three sizes, ranging from small to large, allowing for additional components depending on the extra size these top hats would give; including extra storage, larger case fans, or anything else one would like to apply onto their setup. You can currently find the LOUQE Ghost S1 MKII case for $269, which again is not cheap, but with the customizability it allows, and the quality of its build, it is definitely worth the extra cost.

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3. Fractal Design Node 202 (10.2L)

Fractal Design Node 202 (2)

Probably the most fit design for an HTPC, the Fractal Design Node 202 both looks, and fits, the role.

This case has a thermal design which separates motherboard and GPU chambers while including well-places dust filters. It also includes an Integra SFX 450W PSU, so you don’t have to worry about finding a PSU to fit the case. In addition, you can add 120mm x 56mm fans for the extra airflow.

For the graphics card, you can fit a 3-slot, 310mm GPU, so pretty much most full-sized GPUs will fit. The front panel comes with two USB 3.0 slots, as well as audio jacks, and the case can lay either flat, or upright.

Given that you can find this case in the $80 range, it is a great value option for living-room gaming setups or HTPCs.

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4. Cougar QBX

Cougar QBX

Coming in at just under the 20L requirement to be called an SFF case, the Cougar QBX is a great budget-level case that can hold a ton of hardware.

It can hold a GPU of up to 350mm in length, a full sized PS2 ATX PSU, and up to five storage devices: one 3.5” HDD, and four 2.5” HDD/SDDs. In regards to cooling, it can hold up to seven fans: it can hold one 80mm fan in the front, two 120mm on the top, one 90mm on the rear (which is preinstalled) and one 120mm on the left side. In terms of water cooling, it can hold a 240mm radiator with a 120mm fan on the left. It also comes with two filters, one on the front, one on the bottom (preinstalled), and can additionally carry a CPU cooler of up to 105mm height.

 All this for only $55 may seem too good to be true… and in some respect it is. The case is made of plastic, instead of aluminum, and when you pair this with the fact that the overall ventilation design is not the greatest as there is plenty of material covering the fan slots, this case can get overheated quick. It is recommended more-so as an entry-level, low-to-mid end SFF build, as mid-to-high-end will likely face temperature issues. That being said, for an introductory, or budget, SFF case, it is a great deal for its $55 price.

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5. NZXT H200i

NZXT H200I

If you’re a fan of NZXT but aren’t looking to allocate much of your budget on the case (see NZXT H1), then the NZXT H200i is a great middle-ground for ITX enthusiasts; and even more so for gamers. Mind you, that this case is not technically considered an SFF case, as it does come at a volume of 26.1 liters (20L being the cutoff), but it is still an ITX case, and definitely worth mentioning despite its slightly larger size.

Though not aluminum, it is not plastic either. This case has an all-steel construction, which is a good middle-ground between the two.  It also has a full tempered glass side panel, and built-in channels and straps for easy cable management. Also included, this case comes with two preinstalled Aer F120 case-fans, RGB LED strips, and an RGB and digital fan controller, which is powered by NZCT’s CAM software, enabling HUE+ and GRID+ V3 digital controllers. Its I/O includes two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, and an audio-mic jack combo. In terms of hardware, it can hold a GPU of 325mm length, a CPU cooler of up to 165mm, a PSU of 311mm length, and up to four fans for cooling: two 120/140mm in the front, one 120mm on top and one 120mm in the rear, both of which of the former being included with the purchase. If you want to go for liquid cooling, it can hold a 240mm radiator, and custom loops are also available. For storage, it can hold three 2.5” drives, as well as one 3.5” HDD/SSD.

If you don’t mind the slightly larger size, this case is a great option that you can find for only $99, and it comes in four different colors for you to choose from. Definitely a great case to look into, especially for gamers that enjoy RGB lighting displays.

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6. NZXT H1

NZXT H1

The newest entry to the list, and one that took many ITX builders by surprise, is the NZXT H1. A premium, enthusiast-grade SFF enclosure set to take on the likes of the Ghost S1 and the A4-SFX, this mITX chassis is equipped with an onboard 650W SFX modular PSU, as well as built-in 140mm AIO cooling – streamlining the process for many builders and offering a compact, almost do-it-all solution. Priced at $349, yes, the NZXT H1 isn’t cheap, but when you factor in its insane level to detail, build quality, design and its included PSU and AIO cooler, it starts to become quite the deal for those looking to build with an ITX enclosure in 2020.

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4 Best CPUs for RTX 2080 Super Builds

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best cpus for rtx 2080 super

The RTX 2080 Super is one of the newest members of the RTX Turing lineup by NVidia, as well as being one of the most welcome.

Acting as a significant stop gap between the RTX 2080 and the RTX 2080 Ti, this is the GPU for those RTX fans that don’t want to shell out the extra money to afford a Ti, but still want a good amount of the same processing power.

Thanks to the newer architecture and even better speeds, there is basically no reason now to buy an RTX 2080 over the RTX 2080 Super unless you find it monstrously cheaper.

However, picking out an RTX 2080 Super is really only the first step to the process; you might have found the perfect GPU for your setup, but what about your CPU? What is the best CPU to pair with your new RTX 2080 Super?

Here are some of the very best CPUs for 2020 that will work best with the RTX 2080 Super, whether through build effectiveness or just their price similarities.

Best CPUs for RTX 2080 Super – My Recommendations

1. Ryzen 7 3700x

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X

When it comes to finding the right CPU for your newfound GPU, you need to consider the balance of both price and value. It is all well and good finding the most powerful CPU possible, but what does it matter if you can’t afford it? After all, though the RTX 2080 Super is certainly well priced for its effectiveness, you still might find yourself with not quite enough money left over for a monster of a CPU.

However, you still need to make sure you get one that can work effectively and utilize the computational might of your GPU.

For those looking for a cheaper, but still powerful enough CPU, then you should consider the Ryzen 7 3700x. While it is more expensive than the Ryzen 5 3600x, it more than makes up for its increased price for its extended computational power.

With a decent boost clock potential of 4.4 GHz and a standard core clock of 3.6, this CPU will be able to handle the power of your new RTX 2080 Super without leaving it waiting.

Perhaps one of the best reasons to consider this CPU is because of its low TDP; needing only 65 watts means that this processor is not only cheaper than the others on this list, but it requires less power to run efficiently as well.

But what about if you want something with a bit more cores and threads, and are willing to spend a bit more money to get it?

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2. Ryzen 9 3900x

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

While the smaller, less powerful Ryzen 7 3700x might be good enough for most people, if you are looking for a stronger performance, you should move up to the Ryzen 9 3900x. This 12 core, 24 thread CPU is able to handle just about anything you can throw it. It can certainly handle the RTX 2080 Super, and more expensive GPUs besides.

The key advantage with this CPU is its 24 threads, allowing you to be able to utterly annihilate any competition when it comes to handing multithreaded programs. For those that plan on editing or rendering videos, this is the CPU for you.

With its boost clock of 4.6 GHz and its multitude of threads, this is the CPU for anyone planning on working with video or perhaps has aspirations as a full time streamer.

Sadly, it is the price that usually stops most people short of picking one up, as this CPU can set you back upwards of $450 if you aren’t looking for bargains.

Still, it is capable of beating out any other CPU available on the regular market, as long as you are making sure to stick to programs that can make use of its hyper threading.

But what about for those Intel fans? Which Intel CPUs work best with the RTX 2080 Super?

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3. Intel i7 9700K

Intel Core i7-9700KF

The Intel i7 9700K is the CPU that you should definitely consider as being the beginner Intel CPU for any serious PC builders. While you can certainly get all manner of lighter, less powerful Intel CPUs, it is really only the 9700 K, at a minimum, that will allow you to fully utilize the power of your RTX 2080 Super.

While it only is able to work with 8 cores, it is still able to deliver incredible performance with your RTX 2080 Super, as well as operating well when supporting 1080p gaming.

The main thing to consider with this Intel CPU is its somewhat lacking cooling capacity. Instead of being able to operate at a super cool temperature like many other CPUs, this one lacks some of the useful cooling architecture that allows it to really shine.

So, you either need to pair it with a really expensive cooler / fan setup, or you can spend a bit more to get the next tier of Intel CPUs.

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4. Intel i9-9900K

Intel Core i9-9900K

If you really like the base architecture of the 9700 K, but feel like it is really missing out on additional threads, then this is the CPU for you.

With built in hyper threading capability, this CPU can work with up to sixteen threads, giving it great multicore performance.

While not as incredibly potent as the Ryzen 9 3900x when it comes to hyper threading, it is still an excellent choice for those looking to use their PC for video editing or recording.

The main problem with this CPU is its increased price point – costing up to 50% more than the previous Intel iteration, this CPU might future proof you for a good few years, but it might also bankrupt you as well.

While the cooling infrastructure is still better than the 9700 K, you would do well to pair the Intel i9 9900 K with a pretty decent cooling system all the same. It won’t be as at risk of overheating, but if you really start putting those threads to work, you might find it starting to burn out without you realizing.

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4 Best Motherboards for Ryzen 3700X & 3800X Builds

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best motherboards for ryzen 7 3700x 3800x

Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast or building a PC purely for work, the Ryzen 3000 series processors will get the job done, and even futureproof your build. These 8-core, 16-thread, processors can handle current-generation (and soon-to-arrive next generation) games with ease, all while having enough octa-core speeds to handle multi-layer rendering applications, and so much more.

Making the choice to build your PC around the Ryzen 3000 series is an easy one to make, but choosing the proper motherboard to house the processor may prove to be a bit trickier. Currently there are three series of motherboards that can handle the Ryzen 7 3700X, and Ryzen 7 3800x, just fine: the B450, X470, and X570 chipset motherboards.

Depending on your budget, and of course the intended use of the device, each of these motherboard chipsets will have viable options. For gaming, all three options can work just fine, so it will ultimately depend on your budget, and whether or not you want to futureproof your PC for the next generation of games. Workstations would be better suited for the X570, as it has compatibility with PCIe 4.0, giving you the ability to use the blazingly-fast 4.0 M.2 SSDs. In terms of ITX cases, both the B450 and X570 motherboards have viable options, again, the budget being the deciding factor.

Other than the price, there are several other aspects that one would have to take into account when shopping for a motherboard; the slightest of details making all the difference. Are you looking to overclock your CPU consistently? Then VRMs are most important. Are you looking to use your computer mainly for gaming? Then 16 GB of RAM will suffice, whereas a workstation would need upwards of 32 GB of RAM support. Also, for workstations, the more the ROM (M.2 and SATA) slots, the better.

Related: Best RAM & Memory Timings for Ryzen 3000 Processors

To help you choose the best motherboard for your Ryzen 7 3700X or 3800X build in 2020, we’ve listed the best money-for-value options for each chipset, including the best motherboard optimized for ITX, SFF builds.

Best Motherboards for Ryzen 7 3700X & 3800X Builds – My Recommendations

Best Budget B450 Motherboard for Ryzen 7 3700X & 3800X

ASRock B450 Fatal1ty Gaming K4

If you’re looking for a B450 motherboard, then you most likely want a motherboard on a budget; one that can handle desktop use and current generation games, including competitive online multiplayers. If that’s the case, and you’re looking to build with the Ryzen 7 3700X / 3800X, then the ASRock B450 Fatal1ty Gaming K4 is the B450 motherboard for you.

At under $100, this motherboard has great value. Firstly, despite the price, it is a full-sized ATX board with a respectable VRM solution. It has a virtual 9-phase (6 true) VRM, using SM4337 and SM4336 55A/65A MOSFETs. The heatsink on these VRMs isn’t the greatest, so don’t expect to overclock your processors too much and too often – not that you’ll need to, though, for most tasks.

In terms of RAM, it can hold up to 64 GBs of DDR4 RAM, with up to 3200 MHz OC speeds; more than enough for its intended use. In terms of storage, it has two M.2 PCIe slots: one with up to 2280 support, the other with up to 22110 support. Unfortunately, neither of the two M.2 slots have covers, and using the M.2 slots will disable certain parts of the motherboard. One slot will disable the PCIe x4, while the other will disable two SATA slots. Fortunately, it does come with six SATA 6 GB/s SSD ports (four of which are in 90-degree angles) so you’ll have more than enough slots for storage. It also does have USB 3.1 Gen1 and USB Gen2 Type-A and Type-C ports, so worry not about limited connectivity.

In terms of audio, it comes equipped with a Realtek ALC892 chipset, for 7.1 Channel HD audio; an overall great audio solution for the price.

In fact, its best feature is its price, as this motherboard will only cost you $85; an amazing price for a motherboard that can run Ryzen 3000 series CPUs straight out of the box. A great deal if you’re looking for a motherboard on a budget for the 3700X and 3800X.

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Best Value X470 Motherboard for Ryzen 7 3700X & 3800X

crosshair-VII-hero-x470-mobo

The ASUS Crosshair Hero VII is perfect for any overall mid-end Ryzen 7 3700X/3800X setups, be it gaming, workstation or otherwise. It has a 12-phase VRM via an IR35201 PWM controller, using 7 IR3555, 60-amp PowlRstage MOSFETs, and an IR3599 doubler for the 5 CPU VCCs. Overall, this motherboard is great for overclocking either the Ryzen 7 3700X or the Ryzen 7 3800X, as it supplies sufficient voltage and has a respectable heatsink to keep the VRMs from overheating.

It can hold up to 64 GB of DDR4 memory in four slots, with speeds of up to 3600 MHz – sufficient enough for the vast majority of setups, as speeds over 3200 MHz will have diminishing returns, and 64 GB of RAM is more than enough for even most workstation builds – let alone gaming. The ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero also has three PCIe slots, two of which are 3.0, and one of which is 2.0. Note that the PCIe x8 will downgrade to x4 if the second M.2 socket is used. Speaking of which, this motherboard can carry up to two M.2 drives (though only one has a heatsink cover) and six SATA SSDs, all being situated in 90-degree angles.

For audio, it comes equipped with the SupremeFX S1220 Codec, with 133dB signal-to-noise ratio on the line-in connection., and includes an ESS Sabre Hi-Fi ES9023P converter and a TI RC4580 op amp for high gain with low distortion. It also includes the Sonic Studio III software interface for audio customization.

In terms of software, the Hero VII includes Gamefirst IV, software built for optimizing network traffic in order to enhance gaming internet bandwidth, RAMCache II, which automatically caches your storage devices in order to minimize in-game load times, and of course, Aura Sync, for customizable RGB lighting displays with all ASUS-branded PC gear.

You can currently find the Crosshair VII Hero for $199, which is a great deal for its overall value, be it more than capable of tapping into the Ryzen 7’s 3700X and 3800X power, for high speed gaming setups, and more.

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Best Overall X570 Motherboard for Ryzen 7 3700X & 3800X

ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero Wifi

ASUS took it a step further, and once again released a motherboard worthy of its title of “best overall-value” for its chipset. The ASUS Crosshair Hero VIII, has a 14+2 International Rectifier 3555 PowlRstages, each handling 60 amps of current, accompanied by high-permeability alloy chokes designed to handle up to 45 amps. These VRMs are situated onto a heatsink, which itself connects to an IO via an embedded heatpipe, for overall better heat dispersion. It is clearly designed for giving you all the freedom you need to overclock your CPU as you see fit.

Upping the ante from the AMD Hero VII, this motherboard holds up to 128 GB of DDR4 RAM, and can run speeds of up 4600 MHz. Of course, this upgrade means little for gamers, as 16-32 GBs of RAM, and speeds of 3000-3200 MHz, will more than suffice. Like its predecessor, it comes with two M.2 NVMe slots, though this motherboard supports PCIe 4.0. Also, both M.2s are equipped with aluminum heatsinks this time around. Furthermore, it has eight SATA 6 GB/s SSDs – up two from the Hero VII.

Though having upgraded in terms of VRMs, memory, and storage, the two motherboards have the exact same audio configuration.  Same goes for the RGB displays on the faceplate, which are very similar, and, of course, both come equipped with the same software options.

Though the upgrades from the Hero VII to the Hero VIII are quite significant, they do come at a price: an increase of $179.99 to be exact; the Crosshair Hero VIII being priced at $379.99. If you’re looking to build a high-end gaming setup, then it is well worth the investment, otherwise the Hero VII should work just fine. If you’re looking to build a workstation and want a X570 for the PCIe 4.0 support, check our article here where we analyze the MSI Meg X570 Unify.

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Best Budget ITX Motherboard for Ryzen 7 3700X & 3800X

MSI B450I Gaming Plus AC

If you’re going for an ITX build, two are our suggestions: one is the above mentioned MSI B450I Gaming Plus AC, the other being Gigabyte’s X570I AORUS Pro WIFI. The latter has similar VRMs, but much better cooling, connectivity, and audio – though it does come at a $55 price increase. If you’re looking for taking full advantage of your CPU, the Gigabyte option would be the way to go. You can read a detailed breakdown of this motherboard in our Ryzen 9 3950X article here.

For its price, the MSI B450I Gaming Plus is the best mITX option for situating a Ryzen 7 3700X or 3800X processor. It uses an Infineon IR35201 PWM controller with a configuration of eight (6 + 2), all-true-phase, Infineon IR3555 60-amp MOSFETs. While this is a powerful VRM solution, the heatsink and general thermal design is not that great, so you will need to have good airflow to prevent overheating, especially if you are looking to overclock the CPU regularly. Same goes for the M.2 slot, which does not have a heatsink/cover.  

The MSI B450I Gaming Plus comes with one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and one M.2 NVMe SSD. It can also hold four SATA III SSDs, though note that none of these SSD slots are at 90-degree angles. In regards to RAM it holds up to 64 GB, separated into two slots, of speeds of up to 3466 MHz.

For audio it uses a Realtek ALC887 Codec for 7.1 channel HD audio, with separate PCB layers for left and right audio channels. The audio operates via a dedicated soundcard, being isolated from surrounding circuitry to avoid signal interference.

In regards to software, it comes with MSI’s X-Boost (storage device speed tuning), Command Center (system management), and Live Update which automatically downloads and installs the latest drivers and BIOS updates.

Despite its minor drawbacks, the MSI B450I Gaming Plus AC is the best mITX in the B450 and X470 range, and you can currently find for $165; a great deal if you’re looking for an ITX motherboard on a budget. 

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3 Best Motherboards for Ryzen 9 3950X Builds

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best motherboards for ryzen 9 3950x (1)

AMD’s high-end Zen 2 processor, the Ryzen 9 3950X, is the most powerful desktop processor currently available in the market. With its 16 cores and 32 threads, this processor is optimized for workstations, but can handle gaming and desktop tasks with ease. Especially for streaming, and content production, this processor is second to none. But a processor is only as good as the motherboard it lays in, for this is the component which gives the CPU the necessary supply power it will need in order to function to its full capacity.

Therefore, to make the most out of the $700+ Ryzen 9 3950X, an X570 motherboard is certainly a must, as anything less would be selling the processor short. Depending on your intended use, there are different key elements to look for when purchasing a motherboard. Firstly, you will want to purchase a motherboard with a VRM solution that covers your overclocking needs, especially if you intend to overclock your CPU often and for extended periods of time.

Next, you’ll want to make sure that the motherboard has enough memory slots for both RAM and ROM, as capacity for RAM, M.2, and SATA SSDs are increasingly important; depending, of course, on your occupation. A great element inherent in X570 motherboards is that they are PCIe 4.0 compatible, meaning you can make use of the newer, blazingly-fast, M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSDs, such as the Sabrent Rocket 4.0. In terms of RAM, if you’re looking to use your computer for production, then you will want upwards of 32 GB of RAM, while if you’re looking to game, stream, and perhaps do some light editing on the side, 16 to 32 GB of RAM will suffice.

Finally, you will want to make sure that the motherboard fits your case, as there are different options out there for EATX, ATX, mATX, and ITX sized motherboards. 

To help you choose your future X570 motherboard, we will present you with the best options depending on intended functionality. Our first choice will be the motherboard best optimized for a gaming setup, next, a motherboard best for workstations, and finally the best motherboard for a small form factor build (mITX); all of which will meet criteria chosen to best maximize the processing power of the strongest AMD CPU: the Ryzen 9 3950X.

Best Motherboards for Ryzen 9 3950X – My Recommendations

Best Gaming Motherboard for Ryzen 9 3950X

ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero Wifi

If you’re looking to make a beast of a gaming machine using the Ryzen 9 3950X, then the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero is the best motherboard for you. It has a 14+2 International Rectifier 3555 PowlRstages, each handling 60 amps of current, accompanied by high-permeability alloy chokes designed to handle up to 45 amps. These VRMs are situated onto a heatsink which itself connects to an IO via an embedded heatpipe, further increasing the surface area, translating to better heat dispersion. What does all this mean in terms of practicality? It can take high amounts of overclocking, for extended periods of time, giving you the freedom to overclock your CPU as you see fit.

In terms of memory, the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero can support up to 128 GB of DDR4 RAM in four slots, with supported speeds of up to 4600 MHz. That being said, you wouldn’t need more than 16-32 GBs of RAM – and speeds of 3000-3200 MHz will suffice for gaming – though it’s still good to have the option to upgrade later down the line. In terms of ROM, it comes with two M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots, one up to 22110, the other 2280 – both equipped with aluminum heatsinks. Furthermore, it has eight SATA 6 GB/s SSD slots, so it can hold plenty of storage units.

In regards to audio, the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero comes equipped with a SupremeFX S1220 codec, an ESS ES9023P converter, and a TI RC4580 OP AMP, delivery 113dB of signal-to-noise ratio on the line-in connection. This all brings forth a neutral sound signature that is detailed enough for you to hear footsteps from max distance, or listen to the smallest of details for enhanced VR emersion.  

Finally, if you’re going to be spending $700 for a processor of a gaming setup, you’re going to want this gaming setup to look stunning. For this intended purpose, the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero comes equipped with Aura Sync, and two customizable RGB displays on the faceplate, as well as support for two addressable lighting strips. In terms of software, the ROG Crosshair VIII Hero also comes with Gamefirst, software built for optimizing network traffic in order to enhance gaming internet bandwidth, Sonic Studio III, for finding an ideal audio equalizer or preset, RAMCache, which automatically caches your storage devices in order to minimize in-game load times, and finally the Armory Crate, made as a control center for all products ASUS.

All this will, of course, does come at a price: $359 to be exact, which isn’t cheap, but for a high-end gaming setup, and with all the connectivity and features it provides, it is well worth the investment for the perfect gaming motherboard to holster AMD’s Ryzen 9 3950X.

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Best Workstation Motherboard for Ryzen 3950X

MSI Meg X570 Unify

If you’re looking to build a workstation, then what you really want is functionality. RGB lighting and any related nonessential fluff must be replaced with enhanced performance, in order to fully take advantage of the 16 cores and 32 threads the Ryzen 9 3950X provides – which may currently be overkill for gaming, but is extremely useful for editing videos, images, and other production related workloads. For this intended purpose, the MSI Meg X570 Unify is the perfect match (especially for its price).

The MSI Meg Unify features a 12+2+1 VRM design, with an Infineon IR35201 Digital PWM Controller (6x IR3599, 12x IR3555), and 60-amp power stages on a Dr. MOS design with 12 titanium chokes; ultimately designed for high-power delivery and sustained overclocking. It has a large, all-metal, aluminum extended heatsink cover, which enlarges the surface area and allows for better heat dispersion. In terms of cooling, it also has MSI’s M.2 shield FROZR, for the three M.2 slots it contains, and a FROZR heatsink thermal solution with a built-in fan and AI tuning technology for auto-adjusted fan speeds, all in accordance with the chipset’s temperature fluctuations. It also has a server-grade PCB and a pre-installed I/O cover shield.

In terms of memory, it can hold up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM with up to 5000 (overclocked) MHz speeds. It has three M.2 slots, 2 of which are 2280s, and the other being 22110, and four SATA 6 Gb/s slots.

It uses a 7.1 channel Realtek ALC1220 audio, and an ESS audio DAC, with separated audio layers for left and right channels. What’s really great about this motherboard, in terms of audio, is the dedicated headphone amplifier which auto-detects impedance. This means you can use headphones with up to 600 Ohms of impedance without having to purchase an amplifier.

In terms of other connectivity, is has three PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, two 3.2 Gen 1 (can support up to four) and one 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C USB ports, as well as two USB 2.0 connectors, though it can support up to four.

Considering its $299 price tag, the MSI Meg X570 Unify is an amazingly powerful motherboard with a myriad of features, software options, and convenient work-oriented designs, making it the perfect choice to house the Ryzen 9 3950X at an affordable price. 

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Best ITX Motherboard for Ryzen 9 3950X

Gigabyte X570I AORUS Pro WIFI

If you, too, have jumped on the SFF bandwagon, we can’t blame you. It’s great to have such a powerful PC with only a fraction of the footprint, providing you with additional options in regards to displaying your build. The fact that a CPU as powerful as the Ryzen 9 3950X can fit in such a small case, and not lack the ability to overclock to the standards of larger desktop-builds, is a marvel to behold.

For the X570 chipset, two are the mITX motherboards that are in contention: the Gigabyte X570I AORUS Pro WIFI, and the ASUS ROG Strix X570I. Both motherboards have similar VRM performance, similar memory slots, and similar audio output. The ASUS X570I does have a couple of extra USB slots, and an added fan header, though it is questionable whether these are worth the $30-$40 increase in price – hence our choice of Gigabyte’s X570I AORUS Pro WIFI.

This motherboard uses a Direct, all-true, 8-Phase IR35201 PWM controller, with IR3553 40A PowlRstage and Infineon TDA21472, 70-amp, MOSFETs, with no added use of doublers or parallels. This translates to better precision in delivering power to the CPU, in-turn creating better overclocking power and sustainability conditions. Despite its small size, it uses a multilayered extended heatsink, with a LAIRD 1.5mm thick, and 5W/mK thermal conductivity pads – using Fins-Array and direct touch heatpipes to dissipate the heat. It also has an active thermal guard for the M.2 slots; heatsink and fan included in the multilayer deisgn.

In terms of RAM, it can hold up to 64 GBs, separated into two RAM slots, which is standard for its size. It has two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, and can hold up to four SATA 6 Gb/s SSDs (all at 90-degree angles).

It uses a Realtek ALC1220-VB codec for 7.1-channel audio, with DSD audio support in the back-panel line out-jack. Similar to the MSI Meg Unify, it can also detect the impedance of your headset to prevent low volumes or distortions in higher impedance headsets.

If you enjoy RGB pizzazz, it does have RGB Fusion 2.0 Software, which you can also use via an app you can install on your phone. It also has Smart Fan 5 software, which limits the use of your fans when the computer is not under heavy loads, a Gigabyte App Center, a portal from where you can choose different utilities such as VTuner, Smart Backup, or SIV, and System Information Viewer, a central location which gives you access to your system’s status. It also has in-Windows apps for fine-tuning your setup, such as EasyTune, allowing you to tweak memory clocks and one-click overclocking, and @BIOS, a tool for updating your BIOS through your operating system.

You can currently find this mITX motherboard for only $219.99, and considering its plethora of features, software, and VRM capabilities, it is certainly a great price to pay for a motherboard that is small in size, but big in performance.

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4 Best Motherboards for i9-9900K Builds in 2020

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best motherboards for i9-9900k

The upper-mid range Intel i9-9900K is currently Intel’s best 8-core, 16-thread option for desktop computers. In fact, it is the best option currently available for gaming, as it avoids throttling, and bottlenecking, issues which are inherent in AMD processors. With all the processing power available in the i9-9900K, there comes equivalently high demands for any connecting hardware components, so that they synergize properly with the processor. To make the most use of its inherent capabilities, one has to make sure that the CPU isn’t inhibited by the peculiarities of the board from which it will lay in its pouch.

A good motherboard will allow a user to use overclock their CPU to the maximum of its effective ability without any unwanted interference, all while keeping temperatures as low as possible. For the Intel i9-9900K, one would best need a Z390 motherboard, and though there are many options available, the right choice ultimately depends on the intended use of the PC, as well as its size. A workstation will have more demands from both the processor’s speeds, as well the motherboards available slots. 16 GB of RAM is great for a computer meant for gaming, whereas 32 GB of RAM would be the bare minimum for editing and rendering high-resolution videos. Also, depending on the size of your case (whether you’re going for a traditional ATX build, of a small-form-factor PC) you are going to want the best motherboard for its size.

In this article, we will provide you with the best Z390 motherboards depending on your intended use. Whether you’re on a budget, want to make a dedicated gaming build, or whether you’re looking to make a workstation, you will find the best options for your needs. We will and also provide you with the best micro-ATX motherboard option for the Intel i9-9900K as well.

Best Motherboards for i9-9900K Builds – My Recommendations

Best Gaming Motherboard for i9-9900K – Gigabyte Z390 AORUS Master

Gigabyte Z390 AORUS Master

This motherboard has everything a gamer could ask for. With a 12-phase, 40A VRM solution, the processor is guaranteed to receive a sufficient amount of power it will need for overclocking. The motherboard achieves this feat using an all IR-digital CPU power design, including a digital PWM and PowlRstage MOSFET. In terms of thermal design, it has a Fins-Array heat sink with a direct-touch heat pipe and thermal conductivity pad. In practical terms, what does all this mean? It means lower MOSFET temperatures, which itself translates to more freedom to overclock your CPU consistently.

With regards to memory, this motherboard supports up to 128GB 4266 MHz DDR4, XMP compatible, RAM. Of course, on a gaming computer you shouldn’t need more that 16 GBs of 3200 MHz RAM, but the fact that it allows you the freedom to reach this capacity is a great addition, further futureproofing your build. Accordingly, for ROM, it allows for three M.2 hard drives, with Gigabyte’s integrated thermal guard for added heat dispersion. More specifically it allows for 2 PCIe Gen3 x4 type 22110 M.2s, and one PCIe Gen3 x4 type 2280 M.2. It also has six slots for 6 GB/s SATA drives.

In terms of audio, it features a Realtek ALC1220 120dB(A) SNR HD audio chipset which automatically detects the impedance of your head-worn audio device, preventing issues relating to low-volumes or distortion – effectively relieving you of the need to buy an amplifier for your 250 Ohm headset, while at the time automatically adjusting impedance to your Bluetooth earplugs.

Lest we forget, it also has a, customizable, RGB lighting panel on the front face of the motherboard, which you can adjust to fit your build through the RGB Fusion 2.0 application included within. This motherboard has applications for everything: from increasing your internet speeds, to adjusting fans-speeds and system metrics, to even software which removes the background from your camera feed, so you can effectively feature a green screen on your stream, without actually having a green screen.

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Best Budget Motherboard for i9-9900K – Gigabyte Z390 AORUS Pro WiFi

Gigabyte-Z390-Aorus-Pro

Speaking of a great deal, have you seen the Gigabyte’s AORUS Pro WIFI? For under $200, this motherboard has many similar features to the AORUS Master, and will cost you close to $100 cheaper.

The differences are minor, but the devil is in the details. Whether or not this is the better option for you depends on what you’re looking for, in terms of use, from your build. The VRMs on this motherboard are SiC634, versus the International Rectifier MOSFETs (IR3553) of the AORUS Master – IR MOSFETs being the superior VRMs. The effect that this will have on your CPU is little-to-none if you don’t plan on extreme overclocking your CPU regularly.

While the two motherboards can hold the same amount of RAM (128GB), the AORUS Master can support up to 4266 MHz, while the Pro WIFI supports up to 4133 MHz – though more than 3200 MHz on RAM is where diminishing returns start to kick in. In terms of ROM, this motherboard is down one slot: the 22110 socket – though it holds the same amount (six) of SATA 6 Gb/s HDs.

Other than that, and of course its slightly more basic appearance, the Pro WIFI has little to envy from its 50%-more-expensive AORUS Master sibling. Whether or not this motherboard will fit your needs depends entirely on your overclocking demands from your i9-9900K. If you don’t plan on using it to its limits, but rather just want to plug and play, then this is the motherboard for you.

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Best Micro ATX Motherboard for i9-9900K – Asus ROG Maximus XI Gene

ASUS ROG Maximus XI Gene (1)

If you’re looking for a small form factor build, but don’t want to compromise in terms of the overclocking capabilities of your CPU, then the ASUS ROG Maximus XI Gene is the perfect choice. Of all the Z390 motherboards build for mATX (or even ITX) this is by far the superior. It features a 10 phase IR3555 VRM solution, so it is top-tier in regards to the amount of overclocking that it allows – even in comparison to full ATX builds.

What may be a turn-off for many is the fact that it has only two RAM slots, though with the use of Double-Capacity DIMM support it can reach up to 64GB of RAM. Of course, that would mean having to find respectable single-rank 32GB cards, definitely not an easy task. Depending on your intended use, two 8 GB cards should work just fine. What it lacks in RAM slots, it makes up in ROM slots, holding up to an impressive four PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSDS, 2 of which can fit type 22110 models, and the other two 2280s. It can also hold up to four SATA 6 Gb/s SSDs.

For audio it uses SupremeFX audio technology, with a 1220A codec. It features a Sonic Radar III for audio detail at low volumes, and Sonic Studio III for EQ options and one-click presets.

For its $399 price, it may seem a bit expensive for an mATX motherboard, but it is by far the best option for an SFF build using the i9-9900K, and it comes with a ton of useful software and features, so it is worth the extra cost.

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Best Overall (Price/Performance) Motherboard for i9-9900K – EVGA Z390 Dark

EVGA Z390 Dark

This motherboard is a beast in its overclocking capabilities, as well as a saint in its quality of build. It has a 17-phase digital VRM, sitting on a large, passive, heatsink which allows for chassis airflow to go right across the CPU and memory, and straight through the rear-panel heatsink. With such a large heatsink, you can have low temperatures even when overclocking the CPU beyond 5 GHz. To ensure better power delivery to the CPU, EVGA also provided the CPU socket with a higher volume (150% over competitors) of gold – which means less contact resistance and better conductivity. The overall build features a 10-layer E-ATX PCBA with a gold-plated, shielded, edge.

The only area where this motherboard disappoints, is the amount of RAM it can hold – only 32 GBs divided into two slots; but 32 GB is more than enough RAM for most intended purposes, including workstations. It has two M.2 Key-M 110mm slots, and a M.2 Key-E 32mm slot, as well as six SATA 6 Gb/s Intel PCH SSD slots, and two ASMedia ASM1061 slots, for a total of eight SATA 6 GB/s SSD slots. It also has seven USB 3.1 ports, 5 of which are Gen2, and even includes a U.2 NVMe port.

In terms of audio, it uses a Creative 5.1 Channel Audio with EVGA’s NU Audio, which is made available through the front-panel header.

Though it may not have much in terms of extra fluff, like RGB lighting for example, what it does have is a ton of great, useful, features that are many times overlooked prior to purchasing a motherboard. For starters, it has the best designed BIOS of any brand, even featuring in-BIOS stress testing. In fact, it has 3 different BIOS ROM profiles that you can choose from, so you can boot depending on your needs. It also has a SW slow-mode switch, which changes the CPU ratio back to the minimum, when stability or heat issues arrise in long, high load sessions. This can be life-saving.

If the limited RAM is not an issue for you, then this motherboard is the best that money can buy – especially for its current $399 price, as it can perform at the level of other motherboards that are double its price.

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Best RAM for Intel Core i7-9700K & i9-9900K Builds

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best ram for core i7 9700k i9 9900k

When building a PC setup, you will always want to link each individual piece of hardware together the same way you’d do a well-built chain, or an artistic puzzle. You want that chain to be strong, and that puzzle be beautiful, the same way you need all your hardware pieces to work together in harmony.

To avoid bottlenecking your PC, you’ll want the specifications of your hardware to maximize the capabilities of your main components. This way, your computer will function in an effortless symphony of maximized output; an optimization of its intended purpose.

The relationship between random access memory (RAM) and your core processor is what enhances the overall performance of your build. RAM is what enables your CPU to properly engage in running software, transferring data, avoid slowdowns, freezes, and crashes.

How much RAM for my 9700K/9900K build?

If you’re looking to purchase Intel’s mid-range i7-9700K, or upper-mid-range i9-9900K, then there will be certain key elements you will need from your RAM, depending on the intended purpose of your computer.

First, let’s speak of RAM size. If you’re looking to make a computer for browsing, low-intensive work-related programs, or even for modern-generation popular online multiplayer gaming, you will want a minimum of 8GB of RAM. This will be sufficient for these low-demanding games, programs such as Microsoft Suite, web-browsing, and so forth. If you’re looking to build a gaming setup, then 16 GB RAM is the way to go. This amount of RAM is more than enough to play even the most demanding of games; and if you’re looking to future-proof your build for the new generation set to appear with the next-gen consoles, it has been announced that both Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X will feature 16GB of RAM, so you will be safe no matter what. Now, if you’re looking to stream, edit raw-file photographs, and render high-resolution videos, then there really is no limit in how much RAM would be best – but 32GB of RAM would a sufficient standard to start. The more RAM you have, the easier (and faster) it will be for your computer to render together multiple stacks of high-resolution videos – and with 8K just around the corner, it would be best to future-proof your PC by buying sufficient amounts of RAM. Of course, you can always upgrade as you go.

What RAM speed for Intel 9700K/9900K?

Next, you will want to choose the speed of the RAM you are to purchase (which is measured in MHz) depending, of course, on your needs. For a budget build, 2400-2666 MHz will work sufficiently, while for gaming speeds of 3000-3200 MHz are best. Anything above these speeds will bring you diminishing returns, and are generally not worth the cost. The same applies for workstations, though if cost is not an issue, the higher the speeds the better.

Best CAS Latency for Intel Core i7-9700K & 9900K builds?

Depending on the speed of the RAM, what is also very important is their inherent latency, measured in CAS (Column Address Strobe/Signal). This latency figure relates to the cycles it takes for the RAM to access data in one of it’s column addresses, in contrast to the speed which refers to how many transfers are conducted per second. The lower the CAS latency, the better. Having high-latency RAM will also bottleneck its speed and overall performance. Let’s take for example two identical G.Skill Trident Z DDR4 RAMs, one with a speed of 3600 MHz and latency of C16, versus the same RAM with a speed of 3200 MHz and latency of C15. The benchmarks between the two sets of RAM show a difference in overall, effective, speed in favor of the 3200 MHz C15 RAM, as opposed to the 3600 MHz C16 RAM. For both gaming and workstation, the CAS measure is highly important.

With all this in mind, we will provide you with the best 2020 RAM options for all three of the aforementioned types of builds – a budget build, a gaming build, and a workstation build.

Best RAM for i7-9700K & i9-9900K Builds – My Recommendations

Best RAM for Budget i7-9700K/i9-9900K Builds

Crucial 8GB Single DDR4 2666

Crucial is just an overall great brand for RAM and ROM alike when shopping on a budget. They make high quality components at just a fraction of the cost of their competitors. Here, too, they’ve made a single-rank 8 GB DDR4 SDRAM card that has respectable speeds of 2666 MHz, and is low-profile enough to fit in cases where the CPU cooler/heatsinks take up considerable amounts of case-relative space. It does have a high latency of 19 CAS, though if you aren’t looking to play demanding (mostly single-player) games, or running hardware-intensive programs, the 2666 MHz speed is more than enough to perform sufficiently for your build.

The best part of this RAM card is its extremely-low current $36 price. Given the fact that the 8GB of RAM comes in a single-rank, means that you will also have available slots in your motherboard for upgrades, so you can buy multiple units of this RAM depending on how your needs evolve with time. Overall, a great investment for its money.

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Best RAM for i7-9700K/i9-9900K Gaming Builds

Corsair-Vengeance-RGB-PRO-16GB

Let’s face it, if you’re going to make a gaming setup, you’re going to want some RGB pizazz – the more the components that have it, the better. Despite the existence of some components where the RGB lighting seems to have a negative effect on the overall performance of the unit (such as for case-fans for example), when it comes to the Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro, there is no compromise to be made. These have both style and substance, as they come in high speed, low latency variations, and have top-of-the-line performance to match their looks. These RAM units have dynamic multi-zone RGB lighting that can be controlled via Corsair’s iCue software interface, while also being compatible with MSI, Gigabyte, and ASUS’s different light-syncing software.

We recommend going for the 3000 MHz, C15, 16 GB (2x8GB) option, as this will be optimal for any gaming setup, and is currently selling at a very low price of $90. Of course, there is also the 3200 MHz, C14, option, though the price increases significantly (more than double the cost) for this variation, and is most likely going to be overkill for most gaming setups. For its looks, price, and performance, it’s hard not to recommend this RAM for any type of setup.

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Best RAM for i7-9700K & i9-9900K Workstation Builds

TeamGroup T-Force Dark Pro

The T-Force Dark Pro series are the absolute best RAM units you can buy for their price, in regards to speed and latency. This model is incredible fast, has great heat dissipation, and is optimized for the Intel’s XMP technology. XMP allows you to change multiple memory settings via the use of different profiles, so that you don’t have to worry about changing frequencies, voltages, or timings when you’re overclocking.

To dissipate heat resulting from these overclocking speeds, the T-Force Dark Pro has a five-piece heat sink with a unique trench design and an aluminum heat spreader. In regards to transmitting performance, these use a JEDEC RC 2.0 customized circuit board, which increases the distance between the power and signal layers. The lower the interference between power and signal, the higher the stability when overclocking, and the better the overall performance.

In regards to speed, this model has 3200 MHz, and an ultra-low CL 14-14-14-31 (C14) latencies. Effectively, it can transfer 25.6 GB/s. At its $130 price range for 16GB of memory, and a lifetime warranty, it faces no competition for its price. Buying four 8GB ranks – for an all-together 32GB RAM setup ($262.72 total) – is recommended for most workstations, though depending on the line of work to be produced more RAM may be necessary. The more the RAM the better, and for using the i9-9900K to its maximum overclocking capabilities, the TeamGroup T-Force Dark Pro is the best RAM money can buy.

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4 Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 5 3600 Builds

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best cpu coolers for ryzen 5 3600 builds

AMD’s third generation Ryzen 5 3600 CPU has been quite the popular processing unit, and for good reason. With its 6 cores and 12 threads it’ll easily run the most demanding of games, while also having enough power to be used as a workstation for designing or editing projects. Not only that, but it also comes at a great price-range of just $180, so its easily one of the smartest options for a mid-end CPU, currently available for purchase in 2020.

Despite its low price, it does still include a cooling device… though it’s not the greatest. And when we say it’s not the greatest, we mean it’s pretty terrible. The CPU comes with AMD’s Wraith Stealth, which was tested by the fine folks over at Techspot, finding it reached temperatures as high as 87 degrees Celsius when overclocking the Ryzen 5 2600. Having your PCU’s temperatures rise over 70 degrees for prolonged periods of time is not recommended, as it will cause damage to your processor, and will, therefore, not allow you to use its overclocking power consistently.

The good news is that there are some great coolers in the market for very reasonable prices, both for ATX cases, as well as low-profile builds. Here, we will list the best coolers you can find on a budget, for low-profile cases, best gaming (RGB) coolers, as well as the best overall cooler for your Ryzen 5 3600 processor.  

Related: Best motherboards to pair with the Ryzen 5 3600

Best CPU Coolers for the Ryzen 5 3600 – My Recommendations

Best Budget Cooler for Ryzen 5 3600

Arctic Freezer 7X

If you don’t care much about constantly overclocking your CPU, the looks inside your case, or don’t worry too much about futureproofing your build, then what you’re going want is a cooler that will do its job at a low cost. For that, we’ve chosen the Arctic Freezer 7X.

The Arctic Freezer 7X comes with a 92mm fan, two double-sided, direct-touch, copper heatpipes, a pre-applied Arctic MX-2 thermal compound, and a six-year warranty. When put up against the Wraith Stealth, in benchmarks run by ponchato, we see that the Arctic Freezer 7X will run at temperatures up to almost 20 degrees less than the AMD Wraith Stealth at 1.35V. In fact, at 40 dB noise-levels, the Arctic Freezer 7X ran at 44.5 degrees, whereas the AMD Wraith Stealth ran at 65.3 degrees; this time an over 20-degree difference. To sum things up, this cooler is much better than the stock cooler provided with the Ryzen 5 3600, and despite its smaller size and price, it will give you the opportunity to overclock your CPU when you need to, and keep temperatures low on a regular basis. Now you may be wondering, all this is great, but at what cost?

Well, currently you can find the Arctic Freezer 7X for just under $20, which is an amazing price-point for its overall performance and quality. If you’re looking to replace the stock cooler on a budget, this is the choice for you.

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Best Gaming/RGB CPU Cooler for Ryzen 5 3600

Corsair H100I RGB Platinum AIO Cooler

If you’re a gaming enthusiast, and enjoy panoramic light-shows emanating from your computer case, then you’re going to want a CPU cooler that will provide some of that visual RGB beauty. For this case, we have the perfect option: the Corsair H100i RGB Platinum AIO CPU Cooler.

We all know and love the Corsair ML Pro fans, as they are both visually appealing, and produce good amounts of air flow. Not only that, but with their magnetic levitation ball bearings, resulting noise levels are low, while their endurance is high.  Now two of these fans, paired with dual 240mm radiators included in this cooler, means high levels of cooling performance whilst maintaining the most stylish visual appeal.

Speaking of style, these fans have 16 individually addressable RGB LED’s split between two light loops (middle and outer rings), as well as an RGB display on the face of the pump head. The pump itself has a thermally optimized cold plate and a low-noise pump design – though the noise levels can reach upwards of 40 dB, so if you’re looking for a quiet build, AIO coolers may not be the best for you. Beauty does come with a price, not only due to the aforementioned noise levels, but also in its actual money cost.

The Corsair H100i RGB Platinum AIO cooler is currently valued at $160, which may seem quite expensive for a CPU cooler, but it will keep your Ryzen 5 3600’s temperatures low, and provide you with a glamorous light-show you can enjoy around the clock. 

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Best Low Profile CPU Cooler for Ryzen 5 3600 ITX Builds

Noctua NH-L12S

Given that the Ryzen 5 3600’s included Wraith Stealth cooler is not optimized for an SFF case, you will want a low-profile cooler that will do the job, and there is none better than the Noctua NH-L12S.

Measuring only 70mm tall, the Noctua NH-L12S is as small, as it is silent. Featuring a Low-Noise Adaptor with automatic speed controls means that it outputs only 21.4 dB of sound at low loads, making it the quietest low-profile CPU available.

In regards to cooling, it uses an NF-A12x15 slim 120mm fan, which can be mounted either on top, or under, the fin stack, to match the airflow direction of the case it is installed in. In addition, it comes with Noctua’s top-of-the-line NT-H1 thermal compound. As a total package, it easily outperforms similarly priced low-profile coolers, even when overclocking the CPU.

Of course, Noctua does not recommend overclocking your CPU with this cooler, but given that OptimumTech was able to test this cooler using an overclocked 95W i7-8700K at 4.8GHz (1.3V) for 15 minutes, and the cooler was still able to maintain a 73.2 degree temperature, it should be able to easily handle overclocking a 65W Ryzen 5 3600.

You can currently find the Noctua NH-L12S for a modest $50, including an incredible 6-year warranty.

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Best Overall (Price/Performance) CPU Cooler for Ryzen 5 3600

Noctus NH-D15

Now, for the best overall, regularly sized, cooler which not only features enough cooling power to handle overclocking AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600, but also comes at a reasonable price, and maintains incredibly silent noise-levels while doing so.

The best airflow, dual-fan, CPU cooler money can buy, the Noctua NH-D15 comes with a six-heatpipe design which features two 140mm NF-A15 fans that include low-noise adaptors and PWM support. This means that these fans have automatic speed control so they will only run when necessary, resulting in much quieter operation. In fact, the Noctua NH-D15, as measured by benchmarks run at Tweaktown, is the quietest cooler of all 27 coolers tested, operating at only 24 dB with 7.5V supplied (1100 RPM), and only 35 dB at 12V supplied. This cooler is barely audible, even on high loads.

The design of the Noctua NH-D15 is what ultimately provides the best cooling available for its price. As with the aforementioned benchmarks, it was able to maintain temperatures that only a few, double-priced, AIO coolers were able to maintain. The increased surface area, provided by the six-heatpipe design, allows for better heat-distribution, and heat-dissipation. This design, paired with the two, top-of-the-line, 144mm A15s Noctua fans which chill this dissipated heat, makes the cooling produced by the NH-D15 more than enough to keep your Ryzen 5 3600’s temperatures low, even at high loads and overclocking.

Currently, the Noctua NH-D15 is priced at $89, and though it may seem steep, it is well worth its price for the quality, and performance, of this cooler. Remember, that even if you decide to upgrade your CPU you will still be able to keep this cooler, meaning you will also be futureproofing your setup with this purchase. If you believe this fan to be overkill for your needs, check out the single-120mm fan Noctua NH-U12S which will only cost you $64.99.

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4 Best CPUs for RTX 2070 Super Builds

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Best CPUs for RTX 2070 Super

Nvidia’s RTX 2070 Super is probably the best mid-range GPU currently in the market. It’s great for gaming, and for mid-range workstations alike, without being too much of a hinderance to your finances.

To enable the RTX 2070 Super to reach its graphical processing potential, it will need the power of a proper CPU – and depending on what type of build you’re making, the word “proper” has a different meaning. If you’re focusing on gaming, you need to ask: what kind of games are you looking forward to playing? Do you play single player games, or just multiplayer? Do you plan to stream, and perhaps edit said streams to increase your viewership on different platforms? These questions all play toward your potential budget, which, in-turn, will impact the end-result of your build.

To maximize your investment, and help you find the best value for your money when it comes to CPUs, we will take each of these scenarios and find the best matching processor for your build; both in regards to Intel, and AMD processors.

Best Budget CPUs for RTX 2070 Super

So, you don’t care too much about single player games, or next-gen consoles, but would rather make sure that when you’re playing online competitive games, such as DotA 2 or Counter Strike: Global Offensive, you don’t have frame-rates dropping under 120 FPS, especially when using a 1440p, 144Hz, monitor. In that case, there are several CPU’s that will do the job, at only a fraction of the cost of higher-end processors, which would only give you a 5-10% speed boost anyway. 

Best Budget Intel CPU for RTX 2070 Super

Intel Core i5-9600KF

The midrange, Intel Core i5-9600KF, currently has almost nothing to envy from its higher-priced competitors. In fact, when comparing it to AMD’s Ryzen 7 3700X (which is 50% more expensive) one can see the i5-9600KF outperforming it in regards to framerates, while using the Nvidia 2070 Super to run many of the most popular online competitive games.

The i5-9600KF comes with 6 cores and 6 threads (most games will only use up to 4 cores currently, and rarely make use of additional threads) while reaching base speeds of 3.7 GHz, and over-clocking speeds of 4.6 GHz. It also has DDR4 2666 memory types, and will support 64-bit operating systems. 

 In regards to its thermal design, it has a TDP of 95W, which is pretty high for a mid-range CPU, so make sure you invest in a CPU good cooler given that no fan or heatsink is included with its purchase. 

Given that the i5-9600KF currently only costs $198.65 (though you’d also have to account for a cooler), it is the best option for online competitive gaming, and makes an amazing pair with the Nvidia’s RTX 2070 Super, as it avoids any unnecessary bottlenecking unfortunately found in AMD CPUs. 

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Best Budget AMD CPU for RTX 2070 Super

AMD Ryzen 5 3600

If you love online competitive games, and want to show off your skills while playing them, then we recommend the AMD Ryzen 5 3600. 

In comparison to the aforementioned Intel processor, it will run most games at a 3-23% deficit in terms of effective FPS, when paired with the RTX 2070 Super, but since it can readily play any of these games at over 120 FPS, it hardly matters. What you gain in comparison to the i5-9600KF is the ability to multithread, and a 25-38% multi-core mixed speed boost. This means your processor will run your streaming software in unison with your game of choice much smoother, and with minimal-to-no frame drops.

A great value for its price, the Ryzen 5 3600 has 6-cores and 12 threads, operating at 3.6 GHz, and 4.2 GHz when overclocked. It has AMD’s 7nm structure, DDR4 3200 memory types, and, of course, it supports 64-bit operating systems. It has a significantly lower TDP compared to the i5-9600KF, of 65W, so it will run at cooler temperatures and is more energy efficient. It also includes a Wraith Stealth fan and heatsink, though, according Techspot’s benchmarks, it isn’t that great a cooling unit. Still, $12-$50 will get you a much better cooler, allowing you to be able to consistently overclock your CPU, without the worry of overheating it. 

At a $175 pricetag, AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 is one of the smartest options you can get for playing current generation, perhaps early next-gen, as well as competitive online games; all while also having the ability to steam, edit, and multi-task, quickly and efficiently.

Related: Best motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600 builds

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Best Performance CPUs for RTX 2070 Super (& Futureproof)

The next generation of consoles and games are just around the corner, and the RTX 2070 Super has more than enough graphic processing power to run their games at the same (and probably higher) FPS rates, so you’re going to need to pair it with a CPU that can handle these more demanding specifications. 

Current-gen games may only use 4 cores, and 8 threads at best, but the upcoming Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X will include 8-core AMD Zen 2 processors, meaning that we can expect to see next-gen games make use of this improved hardware structure. Having an equivalently strong CPU means that you’ll be able to enjoy these games as they arrive, not just at launch, but also later on in the life-cycle of the new consoles. 

Also, if you plan on streaming, editing, or other general content creation, then octa-core multi-threading processors will make these tasks much smoother and quicker in 2020 and beyond.

Best Futureproof Intel CPU for RTX 2070 Super

Intel Core i7-9700KF

Similar to the i5-9600KF, the biggest brother – the i7-9700KF – when paired with the Nvidia RTX 2070 Super, will run games to the GPU’s full potential, without any bottlenecking issues. This means it can run current-generation games much faster than any equivalent AMD processor. In fact, the lost performance can be so significant, that using the similarly priced Ryzen 7 3700X will result in effective FPS rates that will make you feel like you just downgraded to a 2060 Super. Of course, this may differ come the next-generation (or improved VR) games, since this Intel processor does not have any hyperthreading capabilities.

With 8 cores, and 8 threads, it does run at a base 3.6 GHz operating frequency, and overclocks at up to an impressive 4.9 GHz. It has a 14nm structure, and a 12MB cache. Once again, as with the i5-9600KF, this CPU also has a TDP of 95W, and also does not include a fan or heatsink. For its $379.99 price range, it is a bit expensive for its lack of cooler and hyperthreading, but that is the price you pay in order to avoid CPU-bottlenecking your Nvidia RTX 2070 Super GPU.

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Best Futureproof AMD CPU for RTX 2070 Super

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X

The main selling points of the Ryzen 7 3700X to pair with the RTX 2070 Super lie within Ryzen’s higher thread count, paired with its lower price rate compared to the 9700KF.

In addition, the Ryzen 7 3700X has a 65W TDP, which means it will run at lower temperatures, and hence it is easier to overclock it more consistently. Again, even though it has a lower price point in comparison to its Intel counterpart, it still does come with a cooling unit: namely the Wraith Prism cooler. Though not the best, it is a respectable cooler which also features some of that popular RGB lighting pizzazz. 

It may not reach Intel i7-9600KF’s 4.9 GHz max turbo speed, but it does reach 4.4 GHz when overclocked and operates at the same 3.6 GHz range. It has a 32MB L3 cache, and Ryzen’s third-generation seven-nanometer structure. But what really separates it from the aforementioned Intel processor, is its 16-thread count. Current games may not use more than 6-8 threads max, but next-gen consoles have already announced a hyperthreading function for the Xbox Series X, as well as a 16-thread count for the Playstation 5’s CPU. How long it will take for games to make use of this hardware upgrade, of course, is a different question. 

Spec-wise versus Intel’s i7-9700KH, this is the superior CPU, but the fact that Intel’s CPUs will run today’s games more efficiently leaves one to wonder how this will change in the future. Will it be to AMD’s benefit, or will next-generation games only exacerbate current bottlenecking issues? The answer is yet to be seen. 

In regards to the use of your PC as a workstation, this would be the superior CPU. If you plan on streaming or editing, it is definitely the recommended option. It is also recommended in regards to finances, as AMD’s CPU is more energy-efficient, and will currently only cost you $290 (over $80 less than the i7-9700KF) – and if one were to include the price of the cooler and heatsink, given that you decide to keep the Wraith Prism, the AMD Ryzen R7 3700X is a much better deal to be made.

Related: Best RAM Timings for Ryzen 3000 Processors

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4 Best RTX 2070 Super Aftermarket Cards for 2020

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Best RTX 2070 Super Cards

The RTX 2070 Super is NVIDIAs latest mid-lineup graphics card based on its Turing architecture, positioned between the great value RTX 2060 Super and the enthusiast-grade RTX 2080 Super. The RTX 2070 Super offers close to RTX 2080 Super levels of performance but at a more attainable price – with MSRPs of reference cards at $500. This has made the RTX 2070 Super the most popular offering from NVIDIA, with many builders opting for the RTX 2070 Super rather than build with the RTX 2080 Super.

All of NVIDIAs latest ‘Super’ range of graphics cards all offer considerable improvements in performance and value over its previous generation line of Turing-based graphics cards, such as the RTX 2070 and RTX 2080. The release of the ‘Super’ line of RTX cards comes as a response to the release of AMD’s RX 5700 & RX 5700 XT – both cards aimed at mid-range market builds with fantastic performance for the money have both proven to be quite the success.

The RTX 2070 Super features 8GB of GDDR6 memory and a boost clock speed of 1770 MHz, resulting in an impressive 9.1 Teraflops – which gives a +1.6 TF improvement over its predecessor the RTX 2070, and comes close to the RTX 2080s performance at 10 TF.

In this guide, we are going to focus on what the best RTX 2070 Super cards are in 2019, now that users have been able to get their hands on these cards, as well as plenty of hardware tests, reviews & benchmarks are now available for the RTX 2070 Super.

You have two choices when picking for a RTX 2070 Super – you can either purhase a Founders Edition RTX 2070 Super with a reference design or instead purchase an aftermarket (also known as custom, AIB or partner) RTX 2070 Super card.

Benefits of aftermarket RTX 2070 Super cards vs Reference design

Opting for an aftermarket RTX 2070 Super from a manufacturer such as MSI, Gigabyte or EVGA, often presents a range of benefits compared to building with just a reference design RTX 2070 Super card.

The main benefits are listed below:

  • Some RTX 2070 Super partner cards feature a custom PCB design which allows manufacturers to improve the VRM design of the card and thus allow for greater power delivery and more stable overclocking. In addition, a custom PCB allows manufacturers to add features not present on reference 2070S cards such as RGB lighting, custom fan speeds, dual BIOS and an increase (normally) in power connectors (such as dual 8-pin, or 8-pin, 6-pin setups). The reference RTX 2070 Super features a 6-pin and 8-pin power connector, but some AIB 2070S cards such as the Palit 2070 Super Jetstream features dual 8-pin power connectors.
  • Beefier cooling designs such as dual or triple-fan cooling setups, such as the MSI Gaming X Trio, offer quieter operation and improved cooling performance. This, in turn, allows for manufacturers to raise the factory overclock speeds in comparison to the reference design, whilst often operating cooler and quieter at the same time. For example, the ASUS Strix Super OC features a beefy triple fan setup, and has a factory boost clock of 1935 MHz, a huge +165 MHz improvement over the stock 1770 MHz boost overclock of the 2070 Super Founders Edition!
  • Form factor – due to custom PCB designs from partner 2070S cards, this allows to manufacturers to alter the form factor of the RTX 2070 Super, such as increasing the size to accomodate for beefier VRM and cooling solutions, or smaller designs to allow for the 2070S to be more compact and be more suitable for ITX/small form factor RTX 2070S Super builds. The FE (Founders Edition) comes in at 267mm length, whilst the MSI Ventus OC is 12mm shorter at 257mm length, and the MSI Gaming X Trio is far larger at 328mm length!
  • Partner cards can typically command a price premium over the Founders Edition of the RTX 2070 Super, usually, when the partner card features an improved cooling solution, factory overclock gain or improved features over its reference version. For example, of the of the most expensive RTX 2070 Super cards, the EVGA FTW3 Ultra commands a $90 premium over the FE edition, at $590.
  • On the contrary, many partner/AIB 2070S cards retail for the same price as the Founders Edition, and these often have similar factory overclocks, feature-set PCB design – they just provide better value and often better availability.

Now we’ve gone over the various benefits there are when opting for an aftermarket version of the RTX 2070 Super, let’s get onto our favorite and best performing RTX 2070S cards on offer right now in 2019.

Best RTX 2070 Super Cards – Top Picks

Best RTX 2070 Super Aftermarket CardsDesignRecommendation
Best Performance RTX 2070 Super CardEVGA RTX 2070 Super FTW3 UltraEVGA RTX 2070 Super FTW3 Ultra
Quietest RTX 2070 SuperMSI 2070S Gaming X trioMSI RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio
Best Budget RTX 2070 Super CardGigabyte RTX 2070 Super Windforce OCGigabyte RTX 2070 Super Windforce OC
Best Water Cooled RTX 2070 SuperEVGA RTX 2070 Super XC Hybrid GamingEVGA RTX 2070 Super XC Hybrid Gaming

Best Performance RTX 2070 Super Card

EVGA RTX 2070 Super FTW3 Ultra

If all-out-performance is the driving factor in your RTX 2070 Super build, then you should go for the EVGA RTX 2070 Super FTW3 Ultra – the fastest RTX 2070 Super partner card with the highest power limit and best cooling setup. With the triple fan setup of the FTW3 Ultra, thermals are super low as well as the acoustics – also being one of the quietest 2070S cards out there. In addition, with EVGAs fantastic post-purchase customer support and warranty terms, should there be any problem with this card – EVGA will have your back and be proactive in sorting it.

Retailing at $590, the FTW3 Ultra has a 2.75-slot, triple cooling fan solution, resulting in an 1815 MHz boost clock speed. If you want the fastest RTX 2070 Super out of the box, then the EVGA RTX 2070 Super FTW3 Ultra is the card to go for.

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Quietest RTX 2070 Super

MSI 2070S Gaming X trio

Aftermarket RTX 2070S cards run as a general rule of thumb far quieter than the FE variant, but if you want the absolute quietest RTX 2070 Super partner card, then the MSI RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio is the AIB card for you.

The Gaming X Trio is based on a custom 8+2 phase VRM, cooled by a massive triple TORX 3.0 fan setup, generating huge amounts of airflow and making this a well-ventilated card – with the card at load maxing at just 66 degrees Celsius. Factory overclocks only result in this card in being a 2% improvement over the FE 2070S, although it is possible to tweak this card and get further performance out of it.

Acoustics wise, the Gaming X Trio is one of the quietest cards out there, with a super silent cooling solution, no audible coil whine, and will be unnoticeable when placed into a PC enclosure.

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Best Budget RTX 2070 Super Card

Gigabyte RTX 2070 Super Windforce OC

Sometimes you don’t care about having the absolute best if it means paying a huge premium. All the cards have the same chip anyways, aside from binning and factory overclocks. With the Gigabyte RTX 2070 Super Windforce OC, you can get the RGB, USB Type C connector and triple fan configuration of the AORUS, while only spending $500 compared to $590.

It’s smaller, too, with a width of 2 PCIe slots and a length of only 280mm. Still a large card, but it covers one less PCIe slot, which might be handy for a future upgrade like an NVMe SSD or a 10gb ethernet port. It even only requires an 8 + 6 power cable.

The only notable downside is that the boost clock is 120 MHz lower at 1785 MHz. However, that’s only a 6% reduction in clockspeed. For reference, if a game’s performance changed linearly with clockspeed (Which it usually doesn’t), you would be getting 135fps instead of 144fps. Some people may be able to feel this, but to a large majority of people it will be unnoticeable enough to not warrant spending an extra $90.

And of course, you can manually OC to get it on par or better with a stock AORUS. This one still works with Gigabyte RGB Fusion, too, so paying a lower price doesn’t mean you sacrifice glowy lights. It is the recommended RTX 2070 Super card for the majority of you.

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Best Water Cooled RTX 2070 Super

EVGA RTX 2070 Super XC Hybrid Gaming

There are non-Gigabyte cards worthy of mention too, such as the EVGA RTX 2070 Super XC Hybrid Gaming. It’s relatively expensive at $590, but it’s the only card that’s water cooled out of the box. It’s usually more complicated to install a water cooler on a GPU than a CPU, thus you will get all the benefits of water cooling without the effort of putting it on yourself. The size is smaller than the other two; 266mm long and 2 PCIe slots wide, making it better if you aren’t sure the others would fit in your case. It has USB Type C and RGB, but unfortunately no RGB sync. The boost clock is a respectable 1800 MHz and it only needs an 8 + 6 pin power cable. It’s a very solid card apart from the price, so those who feel strongly about having water cooling for performance or aesthetic reasons should consider this card. Just make sure your case has a space to mount the single fan radiator.

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Best RTX 2070 Super without RGB

Lastly, for those adamantly opposed to RGB, there are two recommended options: the EVGA RTX 2070 Super Black Gaming if you care about USB Type C on your GPU, and the MSI RTX 2070 Super Ventus if you don’t. Both are dual fan, have a boost clock of 1770 MHz, are 2 PCIe slots wide, are roughly the same length, and require 8 + 6 pin cables. The only real difference is the price, with the EVGA card being $520 and the MSI card being $500. The decision just comes down to whether you want to spend $20 more for USB Type C, which really means “do you want to spend an extra $20 to make VR easier to set up”?

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Choosing Your Own Model:

If you don’t agree with the recommended choices but don’t know enough about what to look for in a GPU model, look here (Link to general buying guide) for a general GPU model choosing guide. Then, you can search the full list of GPU choices below and pick the one most suited to your needs.

ModelMSRPBase ClockBoost ClockFan DesignLength (mm)Width (Slots)Warranty (Years)PSU RequirementsUSB-CRGB?
NVIDIA RTX 2070 Super Founder Edition$5001605 MHz1770 MHzDual Fan 267218 + 6 pin1
ASUS Turbo RTX 2070 Super EvoTBC1605 MHz1770 MHzBlower Fan268238 + 60
ASUS Dual RTX 2070 Super EvoTBC1635 MHz1800 MHzDual Fan 2672.738 + 60
ASUS Dual RTX 2070 Super Evo AdvancedTBC1605 MHz1815 MHzDual Fan 2672.738 + 60
ASUS Dual RTX 2070 Super Evo OC$5301635 MHz1845 MHzDual Fan 2672.738 + 60
ASUS ROG Strix RTX 2070 SuperTBC1635 MHz1800 MHzTriple Fan3002.738 + 81Yes
ASUS ROG Strix RTX 2070 Super Advanced$5851635 MHz1830 MHzTriple Fan3002.738 + 81Yes
ASUS ROG Strix RTX 2070 Super OCTBC1635 MHz1935 MHzTriple Fan3002.738 + 81Yes
EVGA RTX 2070 Super Black Gaming$520Not given1770 MHzDual Fan 270238 + 61
EVGA RTX 2070 Super Gaming$530Not given1770 MHzBlower Fan266238 + 61Yes
EVGA RTX 2070 Super XC Gaming$540Not given1800 MHzDual Fan 270238 + 61Yes
EVGA RTX 2070 Super XC Ultra Gaming$550Not given1800 MHzDual Fan 270238 + 61Yes
EVGA RTX 2070 Super FTW3 Ultra Gaming$590Not given1815 MHzTriple Fan3012.7538 + 81Yes
EVGA RTX 2070 Super XC Hybrid Gaming$590Not given1800 MHzWatercooler266238 + 61Yes
Gigabyte RTX 2070 Super Windforce OC$500Not given1785 MHzTriple Fan280238 + 61Yes
Gigabyte RTX 2070 Super Gaming OC$550Not given1815 MHzTriple Fan28750mm48 + 61Yes
Gigabyte AORUS RTX 2070 Super $590Not given1905 MHzTriple Fan29060mm48 + 81Yes
MSI RTX 2070 Super Ventus$500Not given1770 MHzDual Fan257238 + 60
MSI RTX 2070 Super Ventus OC$510Not given1785 MHzDual Fan257238 + 60
MSI RTX 2070 Super Gaming TrioTBCNot given1770 MHzTriple Fan32857mm38 + 80Yes
MSI RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio$515Not given1800 MHzTriple Fan32857mm38 + 80Yes
Zotac RTX 2070 Super Twin Fan$500Not given1770 MHzDual Fan268238 + 60Yes
Zotac RTX 2070 Super AMPTBCNot given1800 MHzDual Fan268238 + 60Yes
Zotac RTX 2070 Super AMP ExtremeTBCNot given1830 MHzTriple Fan3082.538 + 60Yes
Palit RTX 2070 Super XTBC1605 MHz1770 MHzBlower Fan269238 + 60
Palit RTX 2070 Super JSTBC1410 MHz1815 MHzDual Fan2922.738 + 80Yes
Palit RTX 2070 Super GRTBC1605 MHz1770 MHzDual Fan2922.738 + 81Yes
Palit RTX 2070 Super GRPTBC1605 MHz1830 MHzDual Fan2922.738 + 81Yes