Zen 5 White Build – Need Advice on Motherboard, RAM & PSU Choices!

[zanatos]

Title: Zen 5 White Build – Need Advice on Motherboard, RAM & PSU Choices!
Hey everyone,
I’m planning a new Zen 5 build and have most of my components narrowed down, but I’d love some community input on a few final pieces. You’ve always been a great resource — thanks in advance!

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Some Background:​

I upgrade my main PC every 2 years. It serves as my work/gaming/media machine, and when I upgrade, it either goes to a family member or someone in my company. I’ve been loyal to ASUS for years, but honestly, I’m fed up with the price premium, especially for ROG boards, and I’m ready to jump ship.
This time around, aside from the GPU and CPU, I’m trying to get maximum value on everything else — without compromising on aesthetics or quality.

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Build Goals:​

• Color Theme: White build (except GPU)
• Style: Clean, high-performance, visually stunning
• Use Case: Work + Gaming + Media production

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Locked-In Parts:​

Component	Choice
Case	Lian Li O11D EVO XL (preferred) or Be Quiet! Dark Base 900 Light
GPU	MSI (black, not white unfortunately)
Cooling	Lian Li Galahad II LCD SL-INF (White)
Storage	2TB Gen 4 NVMe (work), 4TB Gen 4 NVMe (gaming/media)
CPU	Waiting for Ryzen 9000 (Zen 5) launch
RAM	G.Skill Trident Z ROYAL NEO – torn between 48GB vs 64GB and 2 vs 4 DIMMs

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Need Help With:​

1. Motherboard – MSI X870E EDGE vs Gigabyte X870E PRO ICE​

Normally I would go for the ROG X870E HERO, but it’s all-black and way overpriced for what it offers. I'm considering:

• MSI X870E EDGE WIFI – matches my GPU, seems reliable, but I haven’t used MSI since 2016.
• Gigabyte X870E PRO ICE – looks stunning in white, but I had to RMA a Gigabyte board in 2024, so I’m hesitant.

Which would you choose? Any recent MSI/Gigabyte users here with feedback?

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2. RAM – 48GB vs 64GB / 2 DIMMs vs 4 DIMMs​

I’m going for the G.Skill Trident Z ROYAL NEO.

• Would 48GB (2x24GB) be enough for gaming/work?
• Should I go 64GB (2x32GB), or will I run into issues with 4x16GB?
• I want to run stable AMD EXPO without downclocking.

What’s the sweet spot for RAM config on Zen 5?

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3. PSU – 1200W+ ATX 3.0 for 16-pin GPU​

This one’s extra important for me.
Last year I had some serious issues with power fluctuations/outages, and despite having basic protection, a surge ended up frying my ASUS X670E EXTREME motherboard. Since then, I’ve added better surge protection and UPS backup, but for this new build, I’m not cutting corners on the PSU.
Looking for a white PSU, 1200W+, fully ATX 3.0 compliant with native 12VHPWR support.
Shortlisted:

• MSI MPG A1200G PCIE5 – would match nicely with MSI board + GPU
• Corsair RM1200x SHIFT (White) – love the side connectors for O11D XL
• Seasonic Vertex GX-1200 (White) – top-tier quality and reliability

Which PSU would you trust most, especially in terms of surge protection, long-term stability, and cable management for the O11D EVO XL?

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Final Thoughts:​

Really appreciate your feedback! I want this to be a clean, powerful, and stable build that lasts a couple of years, without paying the "ROG tax" this time.
Would love to hear your experience if you’ve used any of these boards, RAM kits, or PSUs — and especially if you've done an all-white themed build recently.
Thanks in advance!

 

[oxrufiioxo]

umm do you mean Zen6?

Zen 5 has been out for a while.

Stick with 2dimm more than that can be a PITA you can do 96GB on 2 dimm and that is overkill for 99% of people,

I would lean towards the Corsair or Seasonic honestly whatever is cheaper.

All motherboard makers have trash CS so it really doesn't matter who you go with as far as boards dying all brands have that problem. I've had issues with every board maker and their CS so I just buy whatever I like at whatever price point I want to hit and just live with it.

The MSI looks super solid so if you got cold feet over gigabyte I would buy that board without reservation and it fits the look you are going for and the HERO is def not worth twice it's price. I am not a huge fan of it but the https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-ROG-Motherboard-Q-Release-Networking/dp/B0DF12WKQY?th=1 might work for you as well.

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[zenlessyank]

MSI motherboard, 2 DIMM's, MSI power supply. Next question.

 

[zanatos]

MSI motherboard, 2 DIMM's, MSI power supply. Next question.

I get your point of view. why though MSI power supply?

 

[zenlessyank]

I get your point of view. why though MSI power supply?

Because I own a similar one that I rolled the dice on because of price. I really don't like venturing out of my Seasonic Superflower EVGA zone but I threw caution against the wind and have been very happy with it. Great build quality, stable, and a good warranty so really not much of a risk.

 

[zanatos]

i am 90% getting the LIAN LI EDGE 1300 PSU for the dual chamber beneftis

 

[bonehead123]

FYI... you can't have or call it a "white" build unless ALL the parts are 1000% white, down to the screws, cable straps, and any other parts that can be seen from the outside, hahaha

But anyways, the giga-ice board is da bomb appearance-wise, and the last giga board I purchased was in early '24 per a client build request, and it is STILL running as well as it did on day 1 !

If you are going with a 5x series GPU (now or in the near future), then yes, a 12-1300w psu would be a nice, semi-future proof investment, but not absolutely necessary. But if going with a 4x series card, then 800-1000w should suffice.

As for the ram, with the multiple uses you listed, I would recommend the "go big, or go home" approach, as you can never have too much ram, but having too little suks wallah and will lessen your satisfaction with the rig later on...and therefore I tend to get as much as I can at the time of purchase, mainly to avoid having to upgrade too soon due to under-buying when I do a build...

Or as I like to say: "betta to have it & not need it, than need it & not have it". And I almost always stick with 2 dimms instead of 4 on any AMD builds, which have been known to have some issues with certain sticks or combos thereof...