[SOLVED] Building a new gamer PC, seek advice

[Mikael Bock]

Hello Everyone,

I am currently looking to build a new Gaming PC, and my build is based upon the wonderful Toms Hardware guide: https://www.tomshardware.com/best-picks/best-pc-builds-gaming
Since I wasn't sure about some of the parts, I tried to fill in the gaps from the 1500$ build.
I am not a hardcore gamer, yet I plan to build a more cutting edge system that can last for a long time, and can run the latest games on high settings.

Budget Range: 2000$ + 900$ for monitor

System Usage: Primarily a Gaming PC with Longevity

System: Windows 10

CPU: Intel Core i5-10600K (319$)

CPU Cooler: CoolerMaster MasterLiquid ML240L V2 240mm AIO (88$)

Motherboard: MSI Pro Z490-A (182$)

Memory: Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-4400 (16 GB / 156$) or Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-3200 (32 GB / 92$)

Storage: Samsung V-NAND SSD 860 QVO (already have)

GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 (703$)

PSU: Seasonic Focus Plus Platinum 650W (256$)

Case: Lian Li Lancool II (152$)

Monitor: Lenovo Legion Y27GQ

I am also looking at a Cooler Master MWE 600 PSU (80$), but I read somewhere on Nvidias homepage that their RTX 3070 card was recommended at a 650 W, so I'm not sure which to pick, or if I should go for even more watts.
For the monitor, I was looking at a Lenovo Legion Y27GQ, as it looks to be a pretty balanced choice, otherwise there was the Samsung Galaxy G7.

 

[CDDogg]

Well, I see an immediate problem. You're going to try running a 3070 on a 650W PSU, which technically can be done on paper, but it'll cause you alot of crashing problems when the card tries to draw more power for certain tasks. So I'd definitely shoot higher, 750 at least. Secondly AMD is currently leading over intel, both in performance and price. So getting a Ryzen system would be cheaper and more performative. Lastly I know you already have an SSD, but another wouldn't hurt, especially an NVME M.2 SSD. Lastly, if you do decide to switch to AMD, go for the faster ram, since Ryzen really takes advantage of the faster ram.

 

[Mikael Bock]

Well, I see an immediate problem. You're going to try running a 3070 on a 650W PSU, which technically can be done on paper, but it'll cause you alot of crashing problems when the card tries to draw more power for certain tasks. So I'd definitely shoot higher, 750 at least. Secondly AMD is currently leading over intel, both in performance and price. So getting a Ryzen system would be cheaper and more performative. Lastly I know you already have an SSD, but another wouldn't hurt, especially an NVME M.2 SSD. Lastly, if you do decide to switch to AMD, go for the faster ram, since Ryzen really takes advantage of the faster ram.

Thank you, I've found the EVGA SuperNOVA 750 P2 as an option, or go with a EVGA SuperNOVA 850 T2 if I need to go even higher than that (I dont plan to overclock).
As for the AMD system, I've been looking at the following:

Motherboard: Asus ROG Strix B550-F (228 $)

What CPU should I go for? An AMD Ryzen 5 5600X ?

 

[WIEZZY]

Interesting. I just got the parts for a new PC for my dad that has most of those same parts. Has 5800x, B550 MB, GTX 1080 (he doesn't game so I gave him mine and getting 3080 for me), and the same Lian Li case. Keep in mind the Ryzen CPUs are hard to get right now since they're all back ordered, so if you can't find one let me know and I can help. Same with the RTX graphics cards. Took me 2-3 weeks to get my 5800x. I agree with everything else he said above.

Anyway, I have a question for, CDDogg. You said:

[...]go for the faster ram, since Ryzen really takes advantage of the faster ram.

I've heard that before but didn't know if you've had any first-hand experience. I got this for my dad's build but haven't installed it yet and can therefore switch it if I find a reason to.
https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820232907
It's basically just the cheapest 3600 RAM I could find with a 16-or-better CAS latency. So it has a calculated speed of 8.888 nanoseconds. Exactly how worth it would it be to upgrade to something faster than that? I've always just kinda gotten standard RAM and not payed much attention. During what kinds of applications would it be faster? It would add a full $100 to the price to go from 3600 to 4000 (8.888 ns > 8.0 ns), which to me doesn't seem like it would make a tangible difference. Have you seen/heard anything to the contrary?

 

[geofelt]

I like most of your list.
A balanced gamer will budget about 2x the cost of the processor for the graphics card.
You are spot on there.
Your problem will be finding a 3070 at anywhere near the msrp of $500.
I5-10600K is a very good value for gaming. It will turbo or clock near 5.0
What you would get with the 10700K or 10900K would be more threads. 16 or 20 respectively. Good for batch multitasking, not so much for gaming.
Here is a review:
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i5-10600k-cpu-review/5


As to individual parts, I have some thoughts:

1. AIO coolers have a definite lifespan.
For longevity, buy an air cooler.
Noctua NH-D15 or D15s will cool just as well, be quieter,be more reliable, and will not leak.
Comes in black too.
10600K is not a particularly hot processor.

2. Intel does not benefit much with fast ram. Compromise on 3600 speed.

3. 650w is enough, but it turns out that the 750w unit with a 10 year warranty is cheaper:
https://www.newegg.com/seasonic-focus-plus-750-platinum-ssr-750px-750w/p/N82E16817151191
No problem overprovisioning. A psu will only use the power demanded of it, regardless of the max capability.


4. I like the lancooI II case.
Truns out that the black version is cheaper than the white:
https://www.newegg.com/black-lian-li-lancool-atx-mid-tower/p/2AM-000Z-00061

I see you already have a 860 QVO.
Are there any other parts that could be reused?

 

[CDDogg]

Interesting. I just got the parts for a new PC for my dad that has most of those same parts. Has 5800x, B550 MB, GTX 1080 (he doesn't game so I gave him mine and getting 3080 for me), and the same Lian Li case. Keep in mind the Ryzen CPUs are hard to get right now since they're all back ordered, so if you can't find one let me know and I can help. Same with the RTX graphics cards. Took me 2-3 weeks to get my 5800x. I agree with everything else he said above.

Anyway, I have a question for, CDDogg. You said:

I've heard that before but didn't know if you've had any first-hand experience. I got this for my dad's build but haven't installed it yet and can therefore switch it if I find a reason to.
https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820232907
It's basically just the cheapest 3600 RAM I could find with a 16-or-better CAS latency. So it has a calculated speed of 8.888 nanoseconds. Exactly how worth it would it be to upgrade to something faster than that? I've always just kinda gotten standard RAM and not payed much attention. During what kinds of applications would it be faster? It would add a full $100 to the price to go from 3600 to 4000 (8.888 ns > 8.0 ns), which to me doesn't seem like it would make a tangible difference. Have you seen/heard anything to the contrary?

If your machine is going to be doing hard multi-threaded tasks like video rendering then it's worth the difference.

However from a gaming aspect, faster than 3200 isn't much of a difference.

 

[Why_Me]

Hello Everyone,

I am currently looking to build a new Gaming PC, and my build is based upon the wonderful Toms Hardware guide: https://www.tomshardware.com/best-picks/best-pc-builds-gaming
Since I wasn't sure about some of the parts, I tried to fill in the gaps from the 1500$ build.
I am not a hardcore gamer, yet I plan to build a more cutting edge system that can last for a long time, and can run the latest games on high settings.

Budget Range: 2000$ + 900$ for monitor

System Usage: Primarily a Gaming PC with Longevity

System: Windows 10

CPU: Intel Core i5-10600K (319$)

CPU Cooler: CoolerMaster MasterLiquid ML240L V2 240mm AIO (88$)

Motherboard: MSI Pro Z490-A (182$)

Memory: Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-4400 (16 GB / 156$) or Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-3200 (32 GB / 92$)

Storage: Samsung V-NAND SSD 860 QVO (already have)

GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 (703$)

PSU: Seasonic Focus Plus Platinum 650W (256$)

Case: Lian Li Lancool II (152$)

Monitor: Lenovo Legion Y27GQ

I am also looking at a Cooler Master MWE 600 PSU (80$), but I read somewhere on Nvidias homepage that their RTX 3070 card was recommended at a 650 W, so I'm not sure which to pick, or if I should go for even more watts.
For the monitor, I was looking at a Lenovo Legion Y27GQ, as it looks to be a pretty balanced choice, otherwise there was the Samsung Galaxy G7.

Nice build.

 

[Mikael Bock]

Thank you all for the great replies.

I've tried to look up some good monitors though, and looks like a lot of the high-ranking ones are Free-sync, so I'm not sure if I'll have an easier time going for an AMD build, or if my choices so far with Intel are all good.

@geofelt the 860 QGO is really the only 'new' component I got, the rest is 4 years old.