Hello all: I am following the sticky thread format for how to ask for build advice (see below). But for ease of reference, here is a link to the build from PC Part Picker.
Purpose For Posting: This is my first build.. ever. I wanted to seek the advice of experts and enthusiasts to make sure I was not making some boneheaded mistake in terms of compatibility. Also appreciate advice if people see "fat" that could be trimmed while still maintaining goal of gaming at 1440p on an ultra wide monitor with good frames. I know you all get thousands of questions so I really appreciate your time in looking this over -- I'm excited but also scared, and want to make sure I'm doing this right. I've tried my best to check read the forums and reviews to hopefully avoid repetitive mistakes/questions.
Approximate Purchase Date: This week.
Budget Range: I can spend as much as I want, but I'm trying not to waste money. So I have an eye towards value.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming.
Are you buying a monitor: Yes. Alienware AW3420DW.
Parts to Upgrade: Everything. My current system is a 3770k with a GTX 1060.
Do you need to buy OS: Yes.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I used PC Part Picker (link above).
Location: Sacramento, California USA.
Parts Preferences: No preferences.
Overclocking: I would like to experiment, but my understanding is 3700x doesn't gain much, if at all, from OC.
SLI or Crossfire: No.
Your Monitor Resolution: 1440p (see monitor above).
Additional Comments: Smite, Star Citizen (this is where I waste my money), AAA games such as Witcher, Elder Scrolls...)
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: To jump up to 1440p gaming.
This is my first build... ever. It was insanely fun to research, and made me realize that I would love to learn more about computers, builds, overclocking, and all other related topics. So please, if you are so inclined, share your reasoning / thoughts about particular builds/value judgments. My goal was to build a fast gaming machine with a blend of value and performance. I had random questions about certain parts, which I've included below for those wiling to read/discuss.
10700k/9700k v. 3700x: Originally I was inclined to go with Intel. But my understanding is that the GPU becomes the main bottleneck at 1440p (where I would like to game). The gains from a 9700k over a 3700x at 1440p, even with a 2080 ti, seemed imperceptible at best. If I recall correctly, most benchmarks I saw gave the OC'd 9700k a gain of around 10 fps? I am willing to spend more for performance, but that seems like an illusory gain since you really can't tell the difference. I was still tempted to go with Intel, just because I thought it would be fun to OC, but the cost just seemed prohibitive (spending more on my cooler, mobo, cpu, etc).
CPU Cooler: I was considering the CoolerMaster ML 360r, because wow -- that looked cool. But from testimonials, it seems that no one really has a problem keeping a 3700x cooled with the Dark Rock 4 (or Noctua competitor). Since you can't really OC a 3700x (from what I saw) it seemed like an upgraded cooler was just a waste.
MOBO: I read a lot about x570 boards, and was torn on this. I've read about the next gen AMD processors set to release towards the end of the year. I considered a x570 board with an eye towards future compatibility, but it seems that the 3700x will give me everything I need to game comfortably at 1440p. I figure if I want to upgrade from a 3700x, I'd probably be doing that with 5th gen AMD processors where the x570 will no longer be supported anyways. So why pay for a x570 board with features I won't use? All the reviews I saw for the Tomahawk seemed glowing, and the price is unbeatable.
Memory: From what i read 3600/16 seemed to be the sweet spot. Faster might actually slow speeds (???) or at least be subject to very real diminishing returns. I planned on just 16gb of ram at first, but some pointed out that some games are already pushing 16gb so may as well plan with an eye towards the future (next year or two).
Storage: Tom's Hardware put the ADATA drive towards the top. I was worried this might be overkill -- as I thought it was suggested that transfer rates and such really only matter for professionals moving large video files and such, which I wont do, but I stuck with just in case it did matter. I originally had 1TB drive (for about $150) but a friend suggested I bump up my storage space.
Extras: Not sure if I needed to buy thermal paste separately? Also, I thought, based on reviews, that I did not need extra fans with the case I purchased so I did not buy any extra fans.
PSU: I checked the builds on this site for the 1500 machine, with specs similar to mine The PSU seemed to range from 550w-750w. The PSU calculator from PC Part Picker had it around 400W,but recommended an 850W unit (which I ignored). Based on similar builds, and the fact I would not be OCing the 3700x, I figured a 650W was a safe bet.
GPU: I chose the 2070 super because the gains to a 2080 Super / Ti did not seem justified with the corresponding price increase. I've also read about NVIDIA 3000 series cards towards the end of the year... so this card may be upgraded within a year or two anyways. This is probably a bit of a waste, but I have a brother I can gift the card to if I upgrade within a year or two, so I used that to justify it to myself.
Case: I'm totally lost. I just read review for cases that looked nice and had good "thermals." I originally had a Fractal Design s2 ATX Mid Tower Case. I considered going with a full sized case because I thought it would be easier to work inside, for a beginner, but those things looked massive and I moved down to a mid tower.
Monitor: If I wanted to game at 1440, I wanted the best. I know opinions vary but this monitor looked like a beast with good reviews all around.
Thanks again all, and apologies in advance if I've messed up the format/broken forum rules.
Purpose For Posting: This is my first build.. ever. I wanted to seek the advice of experts and enthusiasts to make sure I was not making some boneheaded mistake in terms of compatibility. Also appreciate advice if people see "fat" that could be trimmed while still maintaining goal of gaming at 1440p on an ultra wide monitor with good frames. I know you all get thousands of questions so I really appreciate your time in looking this over -- I'm excited but also scared, and want to make sure I'm doing this right. I've tried my best to check read the forums and reviews to hopefully avoid repetitive mistakes/questions.
Approximate Purchase Date: This week.
Budget Range: I can spend as much as I want, but I'm trying not to waste money. So I have an eye towards value.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming.
Are you buying a monitor: Yes. Alienware AW3420DW.
Parts to Upgrade: Everything. My current system is a 3770k with a GTX 1060.
Do you need to buy OS: Yes.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I used PC Part Picker (link above).
Location: Sacramento, California USA.
Parts Preferences: No preferences.
Overclocking: I would like to experiment, but my understanding is 3700x doesn't gain much, if at all, from OC.
SLI or Crossfire: No.
Your Monitor Resolution: 1440p (see monitor above).
Additional Comments: Smite, Star Citizen (this is where I waste my money), AAA games such as Witcher, Elder Scrolls...)
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: To jump up to 1440p gaming.
This is my first build... ever. It was insanely fun to research, and made me realize that I would love to learn more about computers, builds, overclocking, and all other related topics. So please, if you are so inclined, share your reasoning / thoughts about particular builds/value judgments. My goal was to build a fast gaming machine with a blend of value and performance. I had random questions about certain parts, which I've included below for those wiling to read/discuss.
10700k/9700k v. 3700x: Originally I was inclined to go with Intel. But my understanding is that the GPU becomes the main bottleneck at 1440p (where I would like to game). The gains from a 9700k over a 3700x at 1440p, even with a 2080 ti, seemed imperceptible at best. If I recall correctly, most benchmarks I saw gave the OC'd 9700k a gain of around 10 fps? I am willing to spend more for performance, but that seems like an illusory gain since you really can't tell the difference. I was still tempted to go with Intel, just because I thought it would be fun to OC, but the cost just seemed prohibitive (spending more on my cooler, mobo, cpu, etc).
CPU Cooler: I was considering the CoolerMaster ML 360r, because wow -- that looked cool. But from testimonials, it seems that no one really has a problem keeping a 3700x cooled with the Dark Rock 4 (or Noctua competitor). Since you can't really OC a 3700x (from what I saw) it seemed like an upgraded cooler was just a waste.
MOBO: I read a lot about x570 boards, and was torn on this. I've read about the next gen AMD processors set to release towards the end of the year. I considered a x570 board with an eye towards future compatibility, but it seems that the 3700x will give me everything I need to game comfortably at 1440p. I figure if I want to upgrade from a 3700x, I'd probably be doing that with 5th gen AMD processors where the x570 will no longer be supported anyways. So why pay for a x570 board with features I won't use? All the reviews I saw for the Tomahawk seemed glowing, and the price is unbeatable.
Memory: From what i read 3600/16 seemed to be the sweet spot. Faster might actually slow speeds (???) or at least be subject to very real diminishing returns. I planned on just 16gb of ram at first, but some pointed out that some games are already pushing 16gb so may as well plan with an eye towards the future (next year or two).
Storage: Tom's Hardware put the ADATA drive towards the top. I was worried this might be overkill -- as I thought it was suggested that transfer rates and such really only matter for professionals moving large video files and such, which I wont do, but I stuck with just in case it did matter. I originally had 1TB drive (for about $150) but a friend suggested I bump up my storage space.
Extras: Not sure if I needed to buy thermal paste separately? Also, I thought, based on reviews, that I did not need extra fans with the case I purchased so I did not buy any extra fans.
PSU: I checked the builds on this site for the 1500 machine, with specs similar to mine The PSU seemed to range from 550w-750w. The PSU calculator from PC Part Picker had it around 400W,but recommended an 850W unit (which I ignored). Based on similar builds, and the fact I would not be OCing the 3700x, I figured a 650W was a safe bet.
GPU: I chose the 2070 super because the gains to a 2080 Super / Ti did not seem justified with the corresponding price increase. I've also read about NVIDIA 3000 series cards towards the end of the year... so this card may be upgraded within a year or two anyways. This is probably a bit of a waste, but I have a brother I can gift the card to if I upgrade within a year or two, so I used that to justify it to myself.
Case: I'm totally lost. I just read review for cases that looked nice and had good "thermals." I originally had a Fractal Design s2 ATX Mid Tower Case. I considered going with a full sized case because I thought it would be easier to work inside, for a beginner, but those things looked massive and I moved down to a mid tower.
Monitor: If I wanted to game at 1440, I wanted the best. I know opinions vary but this monitor looked like a beast with good reviews all around.
Thanks again all, and apologies in advance if I've messed up the format/broken forum rules.