Advice 9900K all-round build needed

[robin_d_j_001]

Hi there,

I'm finally planning on building my first PC ever and I'd love to get some input to see if this build is balanced.

I'm a game developer and I'll be using it mostly for 3D modelling (Mostly Zbrush but Maya too), rendering (V-ray, Arnold, Keyshot) and gaming so I'm aiming for an all-round build.


Approximate Purchase Date: the closer the better

Budget Range: 2000-2600 euros

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: https://azerty.nl/

Country: the Netherlands
Parts Preferences: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to use an AMD CPU & Biostar mobo with a 24" LCD and full tower case)

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 2560x1440

I already did quite a bit of research and this is what I came up with:

Intel Core i9-9900K
I Picked the 9900K because I understood that AMD CPU's have some inconsistent perfomance in Pixologic's Zbrush. The software I probabaly will be using most. But at €650 it is quite pricey. I hope the price will drop a bit in the next days when the cpu will be avaliable in my country.

Fractal Design Define R6 Black

Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming

Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 Windforce
I Picked the RTX 2070 since it has the same price as the GTX 1080 in my country with slightly better performance. And I'm very interested in trying out the raytracing tech in the Unreal Engine.

Dark Rock Pro 4
I understood this cooler has AIO water cooler performance at a better price, I'm not interested in looks so I feel like this is the right choice?

Corsair Vengeance LPX CMK32GX4M2B3000C15
I might increase the RAM to 64GB in the future so I chose 2x16GB sticks. Will this be noticably slower than 4x8GB?

Corsair RM750i

Samsung 970 Evo 500GB

WD Blue SSD M.2 (3D v-nand (TLC)) 1TB

This build comes down to 2.366,50 euros from the website I'd like to order it from. I'd love to hear your opinions.

Thanks in advance!

Robin

 

[2sidedpolygon]

Looks like a pretty rock solid list. Good work, though I would worry about air-cooling a 9900K, even considering the performance of the cooler you chose.

 

[vMax]

Agreed on a solid build but would echo 2sidedpolygon's thoughts on a better cooler, AIO at least 280mm but 360mm if you can...All the reviews point it to being fairly hot, though stock settings you should be okay...Overclocking on Air might well be out of the question..

 

[bmockeg]

You might want to get a higher end motherboard as well.

 

[2sidedpolygon]

Agreed on a solid build but would echo 2sidedpolygon's thoughts on a better cooler, AIO at least 280mm but 360mm if you can...All the reviews point it to being fairly hot, though stock settings you should be okay...Overclocking on Air might well be out of the question..

Yeah, Hardware Unboxed tried overclocking with a top-of-the line Noctua air cooler and the test failed entirely, so that's basically out of the question.

 

[bmockeg]

I agree about a 280mm, EVGA has the best performing AIO.

 

[mdd1963]

If the power-limits within the BIOS are kept stock (95 watt TDP), the all core turbo will run about 4.2 GHz, and temps at 60C or so. It's only when those BIOS limits are removed that users will see all core turbos of 4.7 GHz and the resultant 150 watt TDP with accompanying 85-95C temps...

I'd suspect one could either run stock, or slowly increase the max all core synced turbo only if 4.2 GHz all core/95watt TDP is not enough performance...but stock 2 cores at 4.7 GHz (EDIT- sorry meant 5 GHz) or all cores at ~4.2 to 4.3 GHz will run nicely, effectively a pair of 6700Ks or better in one cpu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGHiRrQ2AAo

 

[robin_d_j_001]

Thanks a lot for the quick responses guys!

So based on your advice and some more research I'm thinking about the changing the following:

-The ASRock Z390 Taichi instead of the Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming. Mainly based on this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK6QTXvD59Q&t=608s

-G.Skill Sniper X F4-3600C19D-32GSXKB instead of the Corsair Vengeance LPX CMK32GX4M2B3000C15
Not sure if this will be worth it though? The G.Skill is about 12% more expensive and I'm not sure about the difference in latency.

-I'll have to do some more research to see if an AIO water cooler is something for me. The benchmarks I've seen show that most 280mm are give about the same temps as the best air coolers (noctua/dark rock pro 4). So I guess it'll have to be a 360mm then and thats quite a bump in price. And I have to say I just like the simplicity of an air-cooler so I think I'll wait for some more test results of the 9900k on air. More advice is very welcome.

Thanks again!

 

[bmockeg]

As said, a 360mm doesnt out perform a 280mm

https://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/3296-nzxt-kraken-x72-review-and-benchmark

 

[robin_d_j_001]

As said, a 360mm doesnt out perform a 280mm

https://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/3296-nzxt-kraken-x72-review-and-benchmark

Ah, sorry I thought you meant the EVGA is the best 280mm AIO. I automatically assumed a 360mm would be better. Thanks for the info!

 

[bmockeg]

No worries, 360mm unfortunately are made for quietness and,use their extra radiator space to run slower and quieter.

 

[robin_d_j_001]

Hey guys, after doing a bit I research I'm not convinced an AIO is the better option than a high end Air cooler. The results I found were within a couple of degrees.

Also, I've used my current system for 7 years and I'm planning to do the same for this one and I don't like the fact that an AIO has more points of failure.

Do you guys have any more info/opinions on this?

 

[bmockeg]

Its personal preference. High end air coolers work just fine. They are also huge, bulky and ugly looking IMO. I used an AIO for the looks as well as,the cooling. A High end air cooler like a noctua nhd15 will work.

 

[robin_d_j_001]

Its personal preference. High end air coolers work just fine. They are also huge, bulky and ugly looking IMO. I used an AIO for the looks as well as,the cooling. A High end air cooler like a noctua nhd15 will work.

Oke thanks man, I'll stick with air cooling then since I don't care about the looks (on the inside).

One other thing, after doing some more research on cases I think a case that cools a bit better then the Fractal Design R6 might be a good idea. Currently looking at the corsair 600c/q bit I'm a bit lost in all of the options to be honest.

Any advice on a good case for the 9900k with a big air cooler (that preferably looks professional and clean)?

 

[SgtScream]

Based on my research regarding the 9900k, I found this video to be informative:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh-bzFAe_s8
If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't bother with an AIO. I would purchase the best noctua cooler you could fit in that case and make sure a front intake fan is blowing directly on it, as well as an exhaust while modifying the fan curves for both the cpu and chassis.
Make sure the case you have has a mesh front for intake as that makes all the difference in air flow.

 

[robin_d_j_001]

Hey guys, another question. I found a great deal on a Corsair HX1200 v2 for 109 euros (80 plus platinum). The Corsair HX850 V2 is currently 149 euros as a comparison.

I know I won't need the 1200 Watts but is there any reason I should not get the 1200 watts version? I did notice by looking at the picture that the 1200 watts version is slightly bigger, any concerns there?

Based on my research regarding the 9900k, I found this video to be informative:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh-bzFAe_s8
If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't bother with an AIO. I would purchase the best noctua cooler you could fit in that case and make sure a front intake fan is blowing directly on it, as well as an exhaust while modifying the fan curves for both the cpu and chassis.
Make sure the case you have has a mesh front for intake as that makes all the difference in air flow.

Thanks for the info man, Currently looking at the Fractal meshify with two 140 mm noctua fans as intake.

 

[bmockeg]

Your System will typically pull about half of that, 600 watts, during load. If You really want to get a 1200 watt PSU there really isn't much issue except for a percent or two of efficiency loss.

 

[jankerson]

Agreed on a solid build but would echo 2sidedpolygon's thoughts on a better cooler, AIO at least 280mm but 360mm if you can...All the reviews point it to being fairly hot, though stock settings you should be okay...Overclocking on Air might well be out of the question..

Yeah, Hardware Unboxed tried overclocking with a top-of-the line Noctua air cooler and the test failed entirely, so that's basically out of the question.

HWU are a bunch of morons and sound like some of the biggest cry babies on the internet.

Here is my 9900K @ 5 GHz (All cores) with the Noctua NH D15 running Prime 95 Small FFT's and OCCT.

 

[SgtScream]

Corsair released the new Platinum RGB to tame the i9 beast.

 

[robin_d_j_001]

So I finally managed to get a decent price on the 9900k (555 euros, I didn't receive it yet but fingers crossed). So I'm currently looking into ordering the other parts.

-I changed the motherboard to the Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Pro based on recent reviews.
-I changed the CPu cooler to the Noctua NH-D15
-I changed the case to the fractal meshify c

I am especially unsure about the case, the meshify is a little bit too small for my tastes, I'd prefer to have more room for possible future upgrades. Also, if I were to go for the Meshify, what fans (type/brand?) could you guys recommend? If I go for the meshify I'd like to add two 140 mm fans to the front and then use one 120 mm that comes with the case as exhaust, good idea?

Other case suggestions with good airflow are very welcome too.

Your System will typically pull about half of that, 600 watts, during load. If You really want to get a 1200 watt PSU there really isn't much issue except for a percent or two of efficiency loss.

Thanks man, I eventually didn't get the 1200 one. I think i'll go with a decent 750/850 watt psu. Any models you can recommend?

Agreed on a solid build but would echo 2sidedpolygon's thoughts on a better cooler, AIO at least 280mm but 360mm if you can...All the reviews point it to being fairly hot, though stock settings you should be okay...Overclocking on Air might well be out of the question..

Yeah, Hardware Unboxed tried overclocking with a top-of-the line Noctua air cooler and the test failed entirely, so that's basically out of the question.

HWU are a bunch of morons and sound like some of the biggest cry babies on the internet.

Here is my 9900K @ 5 GHz (All cores) with the Noctua NH D15 running Prime 95 Small FFT's and OCCT.

Nice man, looks great, currently looking for a case, which one are you using and what is your fan setup if I may ask?

 

[bmockeg]

For PSU, Seasonic Focus Gold, EVGA supernova g2/g3 or Corsair Rmx series are all good