[SOLVED] build advice for a non-overclocker - Elite Dangerous

[Yarberger1]

Hi everyone

I've posted a few times before regarding my upcoming build, so please forgive me for asking yet another question.

I am preparing to build a new rig later in the year. I'm holding off only because my case of choice - the SL600M - is coming out in a swanky black version in September (according to Cooler Master), and I want to have a look at it before deciding on the black or silver.

My question concerns CPU and motherboard selection.

I have been considering the Aorus Master, in large part because of (i) very good reviews and (ii) high quality audio (I won't be using a sound card in this build). I have also been looking at the i7-8700k, again because of the good reviews.

However, further reading has me second-guessing myself. I have never overclocked, and will never overclock, any aspect of my system.

What I want is a PC which will allow me to play Elite Dangerous on ultra settings (no VR), using an Asus ROG PG279Q monitor at 1440/165Hz and a GTX 2070 GPU. The system will otherwise be used for more mundane tasks (office applications, surfing, streaming, etc). If I am not overclocking, are there more suitable motherboard/cpu combinations which will give me a fast system foundation 'out of the box'? I will also be purchasing Trident Z DDR4-3200 memory, either 16 or 32GB, and I intend to utilize a Samsung M.2 970 Pro drive which will house my OS and the game itself.

Many thanks.

 

[feelinfroggy777]

If you are not going to build till September, then you really should wait too look until then. AMD will be releasing a 7nm CPUs this summer and Intel is supposed to release their 10nm by the end of the year.

Rumors are these CPUs will be pretty good. So I would wait till we know performance and price before planning out a build.

 

[Yarberger1]

Thanks for this. See, it pays to ask the experts!

 

[Yarberger1]

One further question - if (as I suspect) the new CPUs will be extortionately priced, would you have any CPU/board guidance based on the market as it stands now?

 

[feelinfroggy777]

For price vs performance, it is hard to recommend anything other than the Ryzen 2600 and a decent b450 board. I like the MSI Tomahawk b450. Intel CPUs are a little better for gaming, but they cost a good bit more.

For example, Intel's top mainstream CPU (9900k) cost about $500 and it will get about 10% better fps in games than the 2600 which cost ($170). See the performance summary here:

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Intel/Core_i9_9900K/19.html

So it really depends on how much you want to spend on that extra 10%. Elite Dangerous is not a demanding game and at 1440p, the CPU matters even less.

 

[Yarberger1]

Thanks very much! Definitely food for thought.