Need advice on finishing this build

Swede88

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649
1) What will you be doing with this PC? - GAMING and web browsing
2) What's your budget? 2-3K, possibly a bit more
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible. Austin, TX
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? See below
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Just the mouse
6) Will you be overclocking? No
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it? See below
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Likely in the next 1-2 weeks
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Crossfire or SLI support? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? etc. None of those listed. Honestly, need opinion on what I "might" need. Otherwise, I cannot identify anything in particular
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit? See below


CPU
- Intel 8700 or Ryzen 2700 (open to suggestions here)
CPU Cooler - If Intel - I chose this - be quiet! - Dark Rock 3 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard - Need suggestions
Memory - Need suggestions - DDR4-3200???
Storage - Need suggestions - Looking for 500 GB SSD for primary. Perhaps small HDD for secondary?
Video Card - 1080Ti from Amazon most likely
Case Phanteks - ECLIPSE P400S TEMPERED GLASS ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply - Need suggestions
Operating System Microsoft - Windows 10 Home Full - USB 32/64-bit
Monitor Acer - XB271HU bmiprz 27.0" 2560x1440 165Hz Monitor
Keyboard Corsair - K68 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard
Speakers Logitech - Z623 200W 2.1ch Speakers

Thanks!
 
I'll try to help based on the research I did for my build.
Motherboard - ASUS ROG STRIX Z370 Gaming Motherboard
Memory - 16 GB (2 X 8) DDR4-3200
Storage - for booting and games samsung-500gb-970-evo-mz-v7e500bw and large HD for storage
Power Supply - seasonic-650w-focus-plus-650-gold-ssr-650fx
 
It appears the E and F versions of that Mobo would be reasonable to consider. G and I are for different form factors if I am not mistaken. Not sure what the H version is about.
 
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Not certain I see much of an advantage to the E vs. the H version. I mean, it looks like a USB 3.1 Gen 2 connection in the front, wifi and bluetooth and that's about it. Am I missing something?
 
Thanks. I just need to settle on some memory, then I should be good to go!
 
Do you want to overclock? If yes, how far do you want to overclock your processor? I ask because you can save some money by choosing different parts that aren't "optimized" for overclocking. For example, you can buy some DDR4 2666 RAM for considerably less than DDR4 3200 RAM.

While an SSD will be faster than a hard drive, there are limits to how fast it will be in gaming. You can load a game quicker on an SSD versus a hard drive, but the SSD has minimal impact on frame rates. That's why many people here don't like recommending an NVMe SSD like the Samsung 960/970 EVO for a gaming machine. With your budget, though... (Get a Crucial MX500 or a WD Blue M.2 SSD if you simply want an SSD as your primary drive. An M.2 SSD doesn't require any cables for its connection, which makes it better for those who want a cleaner look to their inside of their cases. They otherwise offer no performance benefits over their more "traditional" SATA counterparts.)

If you want a hard drive as your secondary drive, stick with the WD Blue 1TB drive. You could also buy the 2TB model for a little bit more.

For a power supply, grab the EVGA SuperNOVA v2 750 watt power supply while it's on sale this weekend. It's a great power supply (if a bit overkill) at a great price.

You need to buy some RAM with low-profile heatspreaders that will fit under the be quiet! Dark Rock 3. Corsair Vengeance LPX is the gold standard, but the DDR4 3200 RAM is considerably more expensive than the DDR4 3000 model. Again, how badly do you want to overclock?
 
Do you want to overclock? If yes, how far do you want to overclock your processor? I ask because you can save some money by choosing different parts that aren't "optimized" for overclocking. For example, you can buy some DDR4 2666 RAM for considerably less than DDR4 3200 RAM.

While an SSD will be faster than a hard drive, there are limits to how fast it will be in gaming. You can load a game quicker on an SSD versus a hard drive, but the SSD has minimal impact on frame rates. That's why many people here don't like recommending an NVMe SSD like the Samsung 960/970 EVO for a gaming machine. With your budget, though... (Get a Crucial MX500 or a WD Blue M.2 SSD if you simply want an SSD as your primary drive. An M.2 SSD doesn't require any cables for its connection, which makes it better for those who want a cleaner look to their inside of their cases. They otherwise offer no performance benefits over their more "traditional" SATA counterparts.)

If you want a hard drive as your secondary drive, stick with the WD Blue 1TB drive. You could also buy the 2TB model for a little bit more.

For a power supply, grab the EVGA SuperNOVA v2 750 watt power supply while it's on sale this weekend. It's a great power supply (if a bit overkill) at a great price.

You need to buy some RAM with low-profile heatspreaders that will fit under the be quiet! Dark Rock 3. Corsair Vengeance LPX is the gold standard, but the DDR4 3200 RAM is considerably more expensive than the DDR4 3000 model. Again, how badly do you want to overclock?


I might OC in the future. Honestly, I have never done it so I am unfamiliar with the process.

Does the Strix Z370-H pose any problems? I didn't see a reason NOT to get it, but searching around the internet it seems that there are differences of opinions, but none substantiated by multiple sources. If the mobo works like it should, what limitations does it pose?
 
theres nothing wrong with your mb choice. with a 8700k ocing will be easy as pie. asus mbs have plenty of options to simplify the process for you at first, basically push button ocing. once youve done your homework ocing manually will be very easy.
 
I might OC in the future. Honestly, I have never done it so I am unfamiliar with the process.

Does the Strix Z370-H pose any problems? I didn't see a reason NOT to get it, but searching around the internet it seems that there are differences of opinions, but none substantiated by multiple sources. If the mobo works like it should, what limitations does it pose?
Asus has the BEST and EASIEST set of OC tools around.
 
From here:
https://www.hardocp.com/article/2018/02/12/asus_rog_strix_z370i_gaming_motherboard_review/2

AI Suite III has been around for many years now. It hasn’t had any significant changes since the Z97 chipset days. A rather, it’s changes have been evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Effectively, it overclocks the same way and uses the same interface it has from that time onward. In my opinion, ASUS has the most sophisticated, and complete, software application bundles package with any motherboards on the market today. ASUS sets the bar very high in a few key areas. ASUS leads the industry in these areas, often by offering features that no other manufacturer does.
 
Honestly? If you're going to go Intel, whether or not you're overclocking, go with the 8700K instead of the 8700.
$30 for 15% faster base clock speed?

As for a board recommendation. I don't have enough experience with the current generation of boards (and lots of manufacturers seem to have...quality issues.
SSD: Samsung Evo 960 Mildly more expensive than the competition, but still one of the fastest drives on the market.
Additional Hard Drive: HGST Deskstar NAS 4GB $130-ish, big, dependable.
PSU: For what you're running? Seasonic Flagship Prime Series SSR-750PD $140 shipped. That's assuming 100% TDP, running the CPU at full overdrive speed and the GPU at a maximal overclock 24x7 with 4 memory modules, an SSD, a hard drive, an optical drive, 4x140mm fans and a 280mm liquid cooler.
Memory: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820232091 G.Skill Ripjaws. 32GB (2x16) $329
 
Do you want to overclock? If yes, how far do you want to overclock your processor? I ask because you can save some money by choosing different parts that aren't "optimized" for overclocking.

I might OC in the future. Honestly, I have never done it so I am unfamiliar with the process.

Overclocking is not difficult these days. There plenty of good overclocking guides on YouTube, not to mention the good folks here at the [H].

You can stick with the i7-8700K and the Asus Strix Z370-H. I still recommend the Corsair Vengeance LPX RAM (DDR4-3200) to prevent any clearance issues with the Dark Rock 3.

For storage, I recommend WD Blue for the SSD (500GB M.2/primary) and the HDD (1TB SATA 6Gb/s/storage). While Chas is correct in stating that the Samsung 960 EVO is the faster SSD, there is minimal impact with the gaming frame rates.

I stand by my recommendation of the EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 with the caveat that you should grab it at its current sale price.
 
If I went with the 8700k, what CPU cooler would be recommended? I am not familiar with AIO's, so I was still thinking HSF. I was going to go with a Phanteks Enthoo Pro M Tempered Glass case. If I went with the Trident Z memory, what cooler would provide clearance for this?

Edit: What about Noctua - NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler?
 
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Yeah, the question I have is can I fit that thing into the case I mentioned above with Trident Z memory? I am currently looking for builds where this might be possible.
You should use an all-in-one liquid CPU cooler like the Corsair H100i or a comparative cooler with a 240mm (2 x 120mm fans) or a 280mm (2 x 140mm fans) radiator.
 
You should use an all-in-one liquid CPU cooler like the Corsair H100i or a comparative cooler with a 240mm (2 x 120mm fans) or a 280mm (2 x 140mm fans) radiator.

So let's say I do the Corsair H100i. The case comes with 1 exhaust fan in the rear and there are 2 intake fans in the front.

Do you:
  • A) mount the AIO radiator on top, if yes, in a exhaust or intake orientation
or

  • B) mount the AIO radiator on the front, assuming an intake orientation, and then what about the two fans? Mount them on top in an exhaust or intake orientation?
 
1) What will you be doing with this PC? - GAMING and web browsing
2) What's your budget? 2-3K, possibly a bit more
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible. Austin, TX
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? See below
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Just the mouse
6) Will you be overclocking? No
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it? See below
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Likely in the next 1-2 weeks
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Crossfire or SLI support? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? etc. None of those listed. Honestly, need opinion on what I "might" need. Otherwise, I cannot identify anything in particular
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit? See below


CPU
- Intel 8700 or Ryzen 2700 (open to suggestions here)
CPU Cooler - If Intel - I chose this - be quiet! - Dark Rock 3 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard - Need suggestions
Memory - Need suggestions - DDR4-3200???
Storage - Need suggestions - Looking for 500 GB SSD for primary. Perhaps small HDD for secondary?
Video Card - 1080Ti from Amazon most likely
Case Phanteks - ECLIPSE P400S TEMPERED GLASS ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply - Need suggestions
Operating System Microsoft - Windows 10 Home Full - USB 32/64-bit
Monitor Acer - XB271HU bmiprz 27.0" 2560x1440 165Hz Monitor
Keyboard Corsair - K68 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard
Speakers Logitech - Z623 200W 2.1ch Speakers

Thanks!

Sorry I didn't read the whole thread.

Purely based on your OP. I'd consider a 2600X instead of your current choice of a 2700. The 2600x basically boosts itself as high as it will go, making OC'ing pointless. Just give it a solid cooler and you're golden. Stick with air IMO, less parts to go wrong, and just 'easier' in general. You do want to stick to 3000-3200mhz RAM though if you grab the 2600X. Note that in gaming it will beat/match the 2700/2700X, and you don't appear to require the extra cores the 2700 series provides.

Board: GIGABYTE X470 AORUS looks like a good buy (alternatively consider an older b350 board, ensuring it already has a bios-update for the new chip)
SSD: Samsung 860 Evo is always my go-to (well any Samsung evo series) + maybe a 1TB blue HDD. EDIT OR - https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...cm_re=adata_sx6000-_-0D9-0017-00074-_-Product for an entry level NVME that basically costs the same as a standard 2.5 drive..
PSU: EVGA Supernova G3 650w

My .02
 
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