TRYX Waterblock – Phanteks X2 – MSI X870E Project Zero – Custom Build
Conclusion and Video
This build almost didn’t happen
When we started building this PC, we almost used a different platform, but MSI sent in its MAG X870E TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI PZ in for review, and it was too perfect for this build to skip over. We had already built this PC using an MSI Z890 motherboard and had leak-checked our cooling loop. We intended to upgrade to a Project Zero motherboard later, but we wanted to get this PC build and working. The X870E Tomahawk MAX PZ changed our minds. That meant that the system needed to be stripped and rebuilt with a new platform.
Cooling
While we are using a custom liquid cooling loop, we have not installed an overly thick radiator in this system. This limits the cooling potential of this loop. However, our Ryzen 9 9950X stayed below 80 degrees at all times. Even when we ran OCCT maxed out with AVX-512 enabled, it stayed below 80 degrees. For all standard workloads, our CPU sat at temperatures far below that. For gaming, CPU thermals stayed below 60 degrees. GPU-wise, our RTX 5080 stayed below 68 degrees while gaming. Overall, our thermals were great, and our fans ran quietly at sub-1500 RPM speeds. This PC is quiet, and thermals always remain in check.
The Phanteks Evolv Series X2 sold us on Project Zero
Let’s face it, if you’ve been in the world of PC building for a while, Project Zero (PZ) and other back-connect motherboard standards will seem strange. Cables are a fact of life; they need to go somewhere. Why change your case and motherboard designs just to hide the cables? They are still there after all! It doesn’t feel like long ago that we used custom braided cables to turn your cables into a feature, not something to be hidden away. The Phanteks Evolv Series X2 has allowed us to see Project Zero at its best, and it has sold us on the concept.
This PC is SUPER clean. WE have minimised cable clutter as much as possible, and we are delighted with the results. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a set of custom braided cables. I will applaud anyone who then laces their cables to take things to the next level. That said, it can’t be denied that the “cable-free” aesthetic doesn’t have its upsides. It looks great, and it makes our PC much easier to dust.
We may mod this system further…
For the next while, this PC will be a workhorse for us. That said, I can’t say that we are finished with this case. We may need to invest in custom-length PSU cables to tidy up the back end of this case. There may also be some other mods that we may consider investing in. Perhaps we need some lighting to highlight our cable management? Maybe someone on the forums will suggest a mod that we should try out. Either way, this system is unlikely to stay as it is for long.
You can join the discussion on our custom Phanteks Evolv Series X2 PC build on the OC3D Forums.
