Question Advice on a Build for Music Production and Gaming

[STgalenmarek]

Hi!

I'm very new to this kind of stuff and wanted some thoughts on a build I was designing at MicroCenter - https://www.microcenter.com/site/co...spx?load=14bbe44b-31c7-43f1-90b5-96e7386efac7

In particular, the games I play are rather intensive in the processing aspect like Hearts of Iron IV and Stellaris. Basically tons of numbers that it needs to run. Other games it doesn't matter for breathtaking graphics, just that they can run fast and decently for MP games and such.

Additionally I am starting to get into making music and I know that for it you'll need something good RAM and storage wise.

Budget is flexible, though ideally I'd rather not have to splurge too much or to make any risky choices. Was thinking cause of the range I keep getting designing it on other sites to be around 3k.

Any help is welcome, just please be gentle; this is the first build I've ever done!

 

[Aeacus]

Any help is welcome, just please be gentle; this is the first build I've ever done!

You need to do a lot more research regarding PSUs, since PSU powers everything and thus, is the most important component inside the PC. So, re-evaluate your decision about the Thermaltake Smart series PSU, that you so carelessly added into your build.

You can start your PSU research here,
topic: https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...pply-discussion-thread-toms-hardware.3212332/

 

[STgalenmarek]

Update; After reading through the article and looking through other sites and what was available, I will stick with a Seasonic Focus Series PSU, deciding on wattage atm.

 

[Aeacus]

deciding on wattage atm.

750W unit is more than enough for 13700K and 4060 Ti.

Btw, RTX 4060 Ti is waste of silicone.
Review:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2b0MWGwK_U


Either get RTX 4060 or RTX 4070. But if you need the GPU that falls in-between the two, then get RTX 3070.

Oh, with RTX 3070, you'd have high transient power spikes. Due to that, better get 850W PSU for RTX 3070.
What are GPU transient power spikes? A video to explain:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnRyyCsuHFQ

 

[Lucky_SLS]

Which microcenter are you buying from?

Something like this would give you more bang for the buck:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D 4.4 GHz 12-Core Processor ($462.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK620 DIGITAL 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.54 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($227.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($204.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Intel 670p 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 670p 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial P5 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($97.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: XFX Speedster QICK 319 Core Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card ($519.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox 520 Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit ($121.98 @ Other World Computing)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 67 CFM 140 mm Fan ($9.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: MSI MAG401QR 40.0" 3440 x 1440 155 Hz Monitor ($399.99 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Keychron K10 Pro QMK/VIA RGB Bluetooth/Wired Standard Keyboard ($114.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Keychron M3 Bluetooth/Wireless/Wired Optical Mouse ($45.00)
Speakers: Creative Labs Creative Stage V2 80 W 2.1-Channel Speakers ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2681.40
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-09-26 10:28 EDT-0400

 

[geofelt]

Some good parts there.
The 13700K is as good as it gets(13900K excepting) for fast single thread processing.

CPU-Z Benchmark for Intel Core i7-13700K (1T) - CPU-Z VALIDATOR

Best CPU performance - 64-bit - September 2023

valid.x86.fr

No problem with a Z790 motherboard.

Do you really need 64gb of ram?
What you picked is good.
But, the ram is quite tall(42mm) and will conflict with the front fan on the NH-D15.
Instead, I would use the similar NH-D15s which is designed with ram compatibility in mind:

NH-D15S

Tailored to provide superior RAM and PCIe compatibility, the NH-D15S is an asymmetrical single fan version of Noctua’s award-winning flagship model, the NH-D15. Thanks to its asymmetrical design, the NH-D15S clears the top PCIe slot on most µATX and ATX motherboards. At the same time, the single...

noctua.at

4060ti is reasonable for starters.
Graphics cards are the most likely component to be upgraded in the future.

For that, buy a top quality psu of higher wattage, perhaps 850w.
The difference in price between 750w, 850w,1000w is usually not that great.
A psu will only use the power demanded of it, regardless of the max capability.
The Seasonic focus units are good as well as the corsair RMx units.
A psu warranty of 7 to 10 years will mostly assure you of good quality.
DO NOT go cheap on a psu.

Love samsung ssd quality.
I would not buy a HDD unless you were planning on using it for external backup.
The only value in a HDD is cheap cost per gb.
They are less reliable, vastly slower.
Instead of a third drive, consider a 4tb ssd for your games and such.
even 2.5" would be ok.

Do not pay extra for antivirus.
Windows defender does the job.

Cases are personal preference, the one you picked is fine

 

[Why_Me]

@STgalenmarek that Thermaltake case you have chosen has poor airflow. Look for a case with a front mesh panel.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *Intel Core i7-13700F 2.1 GHz 16-Core Processor ($346.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: *Deepcool AG620 BK ARGB 67.88 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *MSI B760 GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($159.99 @ B&H)
Memory: *G.Skill Ripjaws S5 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($125.65 @ Amazon)
Storage: *Samsung 870 Evo 4 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($221.34 @ Amazon)
Video Card: *Asus TUF GAMING GeForce RTX 4070 Ti 12 GB Video Card ($799.99 @ B&H)
Case: *Lian Li LANCOOL 216 ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: *MSI MPG A850G PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($118.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: *Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit ($121.98 @ Other World Computing)
Total: $2234.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-09-26 23:32 EDT-0400

A better look at those components.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B760-GAMING-PLUS-WIFI

https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...-30m-cache-up-to-5-20-ghz/specifications.html

https://www.deepcool.com/products/C...al-Tower-CPU-Cooler-1700-AM5/2022/16082.shtml

https://www.gskill.com/product/165/377/1649234605/F5-6000J3040G32GX2-RS5K-F5-6000J3040G32GA2-RS5K

https://www.samsung.com/us/computin.../980-pro-pcie-4-0-nvme-ssd-2tb-mz-v8p2t0b-am/

https://www.asus.com/us/motherboards-components/graphics-cards/tuf-gaming/tuf-rtx4070ti-o12g-gaming/

https://www.msi.com/Power-Supply/MPG-A850G-PCIE5

LANCOOL 216 - LIAN LI is a Leading Provider of PC Cases | Computer Cases

LANCOOL 216 AIRFLOW FOCUS The LANCOOL 216 is a mainstream case that features all-around mesh panels for optimal airflow. Thanks to its modular rear panel, it can be optimized for air cooling or water cooling. It includes 2 x 160mm and 1 x 140mm pre-installed PWM fans and an innovative rear PCIe...

lian-li.com

 

[Corwin65]

If you're getting into music production, get an audio interface at the same time as the PC. Don't waste time without one.

 

[Objektor]

If you're getting into music production, get an audio interface at the same time as the PC. Don't waste time without one.

100% agree. An external USB Audio Interface is essential for music production.