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· 3 min read

Back on the 285K

intel nvidia cpu gpu memory ddr5 cudimm build

I built this machine back in November 2025. Used it for a while, then the Dominus pulled me away. Eventually moved back to the Dominus full time and this rig just sat there.

Then I finally came back to it.

The Parts

  • CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285K — Micro Center bundle deal with the board
  • Motherboard: MSI Z890 Tomahawk WiFi — picked up as a bundle with the 285K at Micro Center
  • RAM: 48GB G.Skill Trident Z5 CK 8800 MT/s CUDIMMs — $400 on eBay
  • GPU: Zotac RTX 5080 Solid White
  • Cooler: be quiet! Silent Loop 3 420
  • Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 Server Edition
  • Storage: 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe

White GPU in a Black Build

Yes, the GPU is white. No, that wasn’t the original plan.

I had a white build before this one. When I was putting this together I already had the Zotac 5080 Solid White on hand and I just used it. The case is all black, the rest of the build is black, and then there’s this white GPU sitting in the middle of it.

Honestly? It works. It stands out. You notice it immediately when you look through the panel and that wasn’t really an accident — I knew what I was doing when I dropped it in.

White Zotac RTX 5080 Solid White GPU in the black Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2

The RAM Situation

The CUDIMMs are the part of this build I’m most proud of. If you haven’t read the full story — I got 48GB of 9000 MT/s G.Skill Trident Z5 CK CUDIMMs for $400 on eBay. Listed at $650, countered low, seller said yes.

Running them on the Z890 Tomahawk at 8800 MT/s. The Tomahawk is a 4-slot board — not the go-to recommendation for CUDIMM builds where people tend to suggest boards with dedicated CUDIMM routing. But they trained, they’re stable, and I’m pulling bandwidth numbers that are wild for a 2-stick consumer setup.

The 285K has a strong IMC. The Tomahawk has better traces than its reputation suggests. Combination works.

I also have a side fan blowing directly on the RAM sticks. Keeps them cool and helps with stability at these speeds. Little details matter.

Side view showing the RAM sticks with purple lighting and the build interior

The Aesthetic

Going for clean and minimal. Black everything, cables managed tight, nothing extra. The 420mm AIO takes up most of the top and keeps the 285K cool without a lot of noise.

The white GPU breaks the pattern on purpose. Everything else fades into the background and the GPU just sits there glowing.

Front view of the Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 with the be quiet! Silent Loop 3 420mm AIO fans lit up

Coming Back to It

After spending time on the Dominus Extreme — 6-channel memory, W-3175X, all the insanity that comes with that platform — coming back to a consumer Z890 build felt like it should be a step down. It’s not.

The 285K is fast. The CUDIMMs make it faster. And this machine is actually pleasant to use in a way that a server-class HEDT build isn’t. It boots quickly. It stays quiet. It just runs.

Glad I came back to it.

Core Ultra 9 285K / MSI Z890 Tomahawk WiFi / 48GB G.Skill Trident Z5 CK 8800 MT/s / Zotac RTX 5080 Solid White / be quiet! Silent Loop 3 420 / Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2

From Marks Finds