Review Need help & guidance on my i5 14600K & Geforce RTX 3050 6GB

PhantomNoob · Nov 10, 2024

Hey everyone!
I'm an offensive cybersecurity professional, so I work extensively with tools like VMware Workstation, VirtualBox, Burp Suite, and Metasploit, and I use a dual-boot setup. My PC is strictly for professional use, especially for penetration testing—no gaming involved.
I'm about to build my first-ever PC (previously I worked on a laptop). After doing my research, here’s the combination I’ve put together:

CPU: Intel Core i5-14600K Raptor Lake 3.5 GHz 14-Core Processor ($235.98 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI ATX LGA1700 ($189.99 @ Amazon)
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-5600 CL28 ($184.99 @ Amazon)
SSD: Western Digital Black SN850 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Graphics Card: Gigabyte OC Low Profile GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 6 GB ($171.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H7 Flow CM-H71FB-01 (2022) ATX Mid Tower ($89.99 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 - TT Premium Edition 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard & Mouse Combo: A4Tech 4200N Wireless

Total: $1146.82

Any suggestion for any part would be highly appreciated. And I would love if anyone suggest a suitable monitor (in between 24" to 27") & a UPS.

Thanks in advance.

mikeymikec · Nov 10, 2024

I'd probably skip the bugsalot Intel 13th/14th gen.

PhantomNoob · Nov 10, 2024

mikeymikec said:
I'd probably skip the bugsalot Intel 13th/14th gen.

can u explain kindly?

In2Photos · Nov 10, 2024

Intel 13/14th gen CPUs are full of instability problems.

Intel processors crashing Unreal engine games (and others)

As if we needed any more evidence that these Intel furnace monstrosities are being pushed beyond their limit just to win performance benchmarks. No wonder even 480mm rads or 1.5kg coolers aren't enough for these solar flares. These parts are being redlined because they're horrifically inferior...

forums.anandtech.com

PhantomNoob · Nov 10, 2024

In2Photos said:
Intel 13/14th gen CPUs are full of instability problems.

Intel processors crashing Unreal engine games (and others)

As if we needed any more evidence that these Intel furnace monstrosities are being pushed beyond their limit just to win performance benchmarks. No wonder even 480mm rads or 1.5kg coolers aren't enough for these solar flares. These parts are being redlined because they're horrifically inferior...

forums.anandtech.com

Ok. So, rest of my components are good?

Tech Junky · Nov 10, 2024

PhantomNoob said:
Ok. So, rest of my components are good?

Yes.

Swap the mobo/CPU to AMD and you'll be happier for pen testing.

daveybrat · Nov 10, 2024

You can pickup the Intel i7-12700KF for cheaper than the i5 you chose. I'd rather have more P cores than E cores. Plus like the others have mentioned the reliability issues with Raptor Lake.

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-i7-12700KF-Desktop-Processor-Unlocked/dp/B09FXKHN7M?crid=1DQ78ZFM8WNKX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gFM-oopmsxz4iK5MyucPqxkGN4kxjpYNpY99z6RecVyDMDgyqG2jc16vLLHAuNznOSx9hO15o08lAqdQMQOfYFXGYWWjQu5CDhecBNFUAiU5qI8uYpkg0cjJpTtO2_RS-NQ3-nx04Ezotz1WAHsey6BvMJO_qa08kxIcd090EmcA35r9fdO75zLF1QI0VAzVaRcM7AICXeJiQu4t9LCe5CKszaobwvLZvHs51HzxQkQ.MTFVXfXCVjQhps0nPwz7UIt1B6I5dVnbMZM7dg3-bfA&dib_tag=se&keywords=intel%2Bi7%2B12th%2Bgen&qid=1731256951&sprefix=intel%2Bi7%2B12%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-3&th=1

PhantomNoob · Nov 10, 2024

Tech Junky said:
Yes.

Swap the mobo/CPU to AMD and you'll be happier for pen testing.

I'm obsessed with Intel. Anyway, I appreciate your suggestion.

I'm confused a little bit. Do I actually need a GPU? I'm neither a gamer nor a editor/designer. Do my psu overkill?

Another random guy told me to swap my thermalright cooler with deepcool AK620 and my WD SSD with samsung 980 pro.

daveybrat · Nov 10, 2024

PhantomNoob said:
I'm obsessed with Intel. Anyway, I appreciate your suggestion.

I'm confused a little bit. Do I actually need a GPU? I'm neither a gamer nor a editor/designer. Do my psu overkill?

Another random guy told me to swap my thermalright cooler with deepcool AK620 and my WD SSD with samsung 980 pro.

No, that Thermalright cooler is awesome. There is no reason to change it at all.

And another NO for the SSD, the WD 850 drive is much better than the old Samsung.

PhantomNoob · Nov 10, 2024

daveybrat said:
No, that Thermalright cooler is awesome. There is no reason to change it at all.

And another NO for the SSD, the WD 850 drive is much better than the old Samsung.

Thanks. So, the GPU part?

Tech Junky · Nov 10, 2024

PhantomNoob said:
Thanks. So, the GPU part?

Not needed unless you're doing something that requires calculating or mining.

PhantomNoob · Nov 10, 2024

Tech Junky said:
Not needed unless you're doing something that requires calculating or mining.

Is the case ok or should i go for 'Lian Li Lancool II Mesh'?

mikeymikec · Nov 10, 2024

PhantomNoob said:
I'm confused a little bit. Do I actually need a GPU? I'm neither a gamer nor a editor/designer. Do my psu overkill?

You need a GPU if you buy a CPU that doesn't include an integrated GPU.

PhantomNoob · Nov 10, 2024

mikeymikec said:
You need a GPU if you buy a CPU that doesn't include an integrated GPU.

Thanks. I know that.

Tech Junky · Nov 10, 2024

PhantomNoob said:
Is the case ok or should i go for 'Lian Li Lancool II Mesh'?

It's all personal preference. I use Fractal Design cases. Currently using their Torrent but have also used their Meshify, Node 804. In the past I used Phanteks cases as well.

I tend to avoid the ones with glass side panels. One less thing to clean and break.

PhantomNoob · Nov 10, 2024

Tech Junky said:
It's all personal preference. I use Fractal Design cases. Currently using their Torrent but have also used their Meshify, Node 804. In the past I used Phanteks cases as well.

I tend to avoid the ones with glass side panels. One less thing to clean and break.

I appreciate you. I'm also avoid the ones with glass side panels. So, NZXT is fixed.

Could you suggest me a monitor accordingly please?

Tech Junky · Nov 10, 2024

PhantomNoob said:
monitor

I don't use them. Laptop for daily use and my server is hooked up to my projector as needed.

mikeymikec · Nov 11, 2024

PhantomNoob said:
Could you suggest me a monitor accordingly please?

What are your needs in this respect? What resolution and physical size screen have you been used to when using laptops? Have you increased Windows' display scaling setting?

PhantomNoob · Nov 11, 2024

mikeymikec said:
What are your needs in this respect? What resolution and physical size screen have you been used to when using laptops? Have you increased Windows' display scaling setting?

for work (especially penetration testing and other offensive cybersecurity task). size in between 24" to 27".

mikeymikec · Nov 11, 2024

PhantomNoob said:
for work (especially penetration testing and other offensive cybersecurity task). size in between 24" to 27".

A basic TN-type screen will do. IPS and VA screens have an improved colour output and can be viewed from sharper angles (e.g. if multiple people need to look at your screen). Re colour output - IMO if you haven't experienced a comparison between IPS/VA and TN colour output then you're probably not going to miss anything by going with TN. These days though, IPS/VA screens aren't priced particularly distinctly from TN screens.

Basic 24-27" screens will be 1080p resolution, it's up to you whether you want to go higher than that.

There are higher refresh rate screens too (how often the content of the screen is updated), making moving things like pointer movement smoother than the basic 60Hz. There's also the response rate of the screen (measured in ms) that determines how quickly the screen will respond to a change in display content, though this is mostly of interest to gamers.

Check the display outputs on the hardware you intend to use and make sure that the monitor you're interested in has an output in common.

I normally stick to the brand Iiyama as their stuff has been reliable, I've had one particularly good customer service experience with them over >20 years and another that was perfectly satisfactory.

Most screens these days have internal speakers but in my experience they can be relied on to go 'ding' satisfactorily but they tend not to be very powerful (e.g. good enough for listening to someone who is speaking clearly, but music would suffer). I don't know if audio output is of any importance to you.

PhantomNoob · Nov 11, 2024

mikeymikec said:
A basic TN-type screen will do. IPS and VA screens have an improved colour output and can be viewed from sharper angles (e.g. if multiple people need to look at your screen). Re colour output - IMO if you haven't experienced a comparison between IPS/VA and TN colour output then you're probably not going to miss anything by going with TN. These days though, IPS/VA screens aren't priced particularly distinctly from TN screens.

Basic 24-27" screens will be 1080p resolution, it's up to you whether you want to go higher than that.

There are higher refresh rate screens too (how often the content of the screen is updated), making moving things like pointer movement smoother than the basic 60Hz. There's also the response rate of the screen (measured in ms) that determines how quickly the screen will respond to a change in display content, though this is mostly of interest to gamers.

Check the display outputs on the hardware you intend to use and make sure that the monitor you're interested in has an output in common.

I normally stick to the brand Iiyama as their stuff has been reliable, I've had one particularly good customer service experience with them over >20 years and another that was perfectly satisfactory.

Most screens these days have internal speakers but in my experience they can be relied on to go 'ding' satisfactorily but they tend not to be very powerful (e.g. good enough for listening to someone who is speaking clearly, but music would suffer). I don't know if audio output is of any importance to you.

Thanks for the explaination. Here Liyama is not available.

mikeymikec · Nov 11, 2024

PhantomNoob said:
Thanks for the explaination. Here Liyama is not available.

Two i's. e.g.: https://iiyama.com/gl_en/

manly · Nov 11, 2024

No no, no. I'm not actually all that picky but nobody should be buying a TN panel in this day and age. IPS is too affordable already, and VA is fine also.

Just get a CPU that has iGPU, and you won't need a discrete graphics card. In which case you can downsize the PSU (even 650W would be enough). For $110, you could probably get a little better PSU than Touchpower GF A3 (Tier B). That is largely the case if you time your orders for Black Friday.

If you stick with an 850W or 750W PSU, then you'll have enough headroom to accommodate a graphics card later, but it doesn't sound like you will ever bother.

Nobody buys Iiyama these days. It's a niche brand once known for superior color accuracy for CRTs. They have no market share and that niche is irrelevant for cybersecurity applications.

PhantomNoob · Nov 12, 2024

mikeymikec said:
I'd probably skip the bugsalot Intel 13th/14th gen.

if i choose intel i7 14700K, instead of i5 14600K- it is bad then? intel haven't fix it still?

PhantomNoob · Nov 12, 2024

manly said:
No no, no. I'm not actually all that picky but nobody should be buying a TN panel in this day and age. IPS is too affordable already, and VA is fine also.

Just get a CPU that has iGPU, and you won't need a discrete graphics card. In which case you can downsize the PSU (even 650W would be enough). For $110, you could probably get a little better PSU than Touchpower GF A3 (Tier B). That is largely the case if you time your orders for Black Friday.

If you stick with an 850W or 750W PSU, then you'll have enough headroom to accommodate a graphics card later, but it doesn't sound like you will ever bother.

Nobody buys Iiyama these days. It's a niche brand once known for superior color accuracy for CRTs. They have no market share and that niche is irrelevant for cybersecurity applications.

Suggest me a Tier A PSU. Thanks in advance.

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