Intel Core Ultra 7 265 · Intel B860 · 96GB DDR5 · 8TB NVMe build
Value build — most for your money · tower build on LGA 1851 + Intel B860
cpuIntel Core Ultra 7 26520C/20T · 5.3 GHz · 65 W€376
motherboardAsus B860 PRIME B860M-A LGA1851 DDR5 Micro ATXIntel B860 · MATX · 2× M.2€185
ramTEAMGROUP T-FORCE DELTA RGB DDR5-6400 96GB (2x48GB) CL30 Black96 GB DDR5 · 6400 MT/s≈ €322
caseChieftec APEX AIR ATX Mid Tower Black with Tempered Glass Side Panel, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, and USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-AATX/MATX/ITX · 2× 3.5″€69
coolingThermaltake UX 210 Air ARGB Black / Silverair tower · 153 mm€46
psuSeaSonic G12 GC Black / Blue 550W Non-Modular 80+ Gold Certified550 W · gold€65
storageRocket Q NVMe SSDNVME · 8 TB€123
Future-proof score
Strong future-proofing83/100
Strong future-proofing (83/100) — this build should stay relevant for years without major surgery.
DIY build — the CPU, motherboard and PSU can each be upgraded independently without replacing the whole system.
Expansion headroom: 3 PCIe slot(s), 1 M.2, 4 SATA, 2 drive bay(s), 2 RAM slot(s) free.
Storage is 50% utilized with 2 free drive bay(s) and 4 free SATA port(s).
2 RAM slot(s) free; memory is 65% utilized.
Networking is 2500 Mbps, and a free PCIe slot can add a faster NIC later.
ATX form factor with standard, socketed components — most parts are easy to replace.
No GPU, but there is room (3 PCIe slot(s), PSU headroom 4.8x) to add one for AI/transcoding.
Homelab Risk Score
Moderate risk37/100
Moderate risk (37/100) — a few items are worth fixing before you commit (see checklist).
Final build audit
Audit found 1 critical and 0 warning item(s) worth fixing before you buy.
What becomes the limit
Storage growing is the most likely thing to date this build within 3-5y.
Community
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