Question Building a new PC for VR Game Dev

[cbas]

I'm building a PC for VR game development using Unreal Engine 5, and will also be playing a lot of VR games and 4K games. I'm stretching my budget to get the RTX 3090 w/ 24GB because I think it will be essential for next gen games and VR headsets.
Major questions are:

• Is this Motherboard and PSU sufficient?
• Can I get cheaper RAM or SSD? Seems expensive

I bet I could get this build for ~$3.2K by looking for deals and discount codes, but thats already over my original budget.
LMK if you have any thoughts!!

• CPU: Intel Core i9-12900K
• GPU: EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 FTW3 Ultra Gaming, 24GB GDDR6X
• Motherboard: MSI PRO Z690-A WiFi DDR4 ProSeries
• Cooler: Noctua NH-D15
• PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G5, 80 Plus Gold 1000W
• RAM: G.Skill Trident Z NEO Series 32GB (2 x 16GB)
• SSD: WD_BLACK 2TB SN850 NVMe
• Case: LIAN LI PC-O11 Dynamic Razer Edition

https://pcbuilder.net/rigs/PbxcE2/

 

[Why_Me]

A few different ways to run that build. If you go with the i9 then definitely the Noctua. If you go with the i7 either of those cpu coolers in this post will work fine. That i7 down below hangs with the i9 and for cheaper. That Gigabyte board has a better audio codec than that MSI in your build as does the B660 board further on down this post. btw that psu down below is manufactured for Phanteks by Seasonic and comes with a 10 year warranty.

https://www.amazon.com/Lian-Li-LANCOOL-MESH-Performance-X/dp/B09PFPRZSZ/

LIAN LI LANCOOL II MESH C PERFORMANCE Case $129.90

Lancool-II-Mesh-Performance

<h2>Born to push the limits</h2> LANCOOL II MESH Performance features a mesh front panel and mesh bottom left shroud panel, honeycomb vent design and built-in PWM fans, ensuring bountiful airflow delivered to your components while the system runs at peak performance. <span...

lian-li.com

https://www.newegg.com/phanteks-amp-ph-p1000g-1000w/p/N82E16817987012
Phanteks Amp PH-P1000G 1000W 80+ GOLD Modular Power Supply $159.99

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-GeForce-Graphics-DisplayPort-Bearings/dp/B08HJGNJ81/
ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 OC Edition 24GB Graphics Card $1,549.99

ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 OC Edition 24GB GDDR6X | Graphics Card | ASUS Global

TUF Gaming graphics cards add hefty 3D horsepower to the TUF Gaming ecosystem, with features like Auto-Extreme manufacturing, steel backplates, high-tech fans, and IP5X certifications. And it’s all backed by a rigorous battery of validation tests to ensure compatibility with the latest TUF...

www.asus.com

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-970-EVO-Plus-MZ-V7S2T0B/dp/B07MFZXR1B/
SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus 2TB M.2 NVMe Internal SSD $189.99

https://www.provantage.com/kingston-technology-kf552c40bbk2-32~7KIN9405.htm
Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 5200 32GB (2x16GB) CL40 $175.32

https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i9-12900-core-i9-12th-gen/p/N82E16819118366
Intel Core i9-12900 $508.99

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...12900-processor-30m-cache-up-to-5-10-ghz.html

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813145392
GIGABYTE Z690 GAMING X $219.99

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z690-GAMING-X-rev-10#kf

You can run that i7 in either of those boards ... but for an i9 you want a Z690 due to the better VRM's.

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i7-12700-Dodeca-core-Processor/dp/B09NPHHSZ1
Intel Core i7-12700 $342.98

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...12700-processor-25m-cache-up-to-4-90-ghz.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1687328-REG/msi_mag_b660m_mortar_wifi.html
MSI MAG B660M MORTAR WIFI $159.99

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B660M-MORTAR-WIFI

https://www.amazon.com/DeepCool-AK620-High-Performance-Dual-Tower-Dissipation/dp/B09CSXS3X4
DeepCool AK620 CPU Cooler $64.99

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/deepcool-ak620-review

https://global.deepcool.com/product...-High-Performance-CPU-Cooler/2021/13067.shtml

or ...

https://www.amazon.com/Rev-B-Cooler-LGA1700-LGA1151-Towers/dp/B09NZGH4RD/
Scythe Fuma 2 Rev.B CPU Cooler $65.99

https://hardwarecanucks.com/forum/t...-review-the-best-cpu-cooler-got-cooler.84709/

https://www.scytheus.com/fuma2-rev-b

 

[cbas]

Thanks for the help and links! These prices look much better. Definitely will go with the $189 Samsung SSD, and great catch on the audio codec - thats very important to me since I also produce music.

I was originally going to get the Gigabyte Z690 DDR5 board but was told DDR5 was unnecessary and could save money with DDR4. Just found a DDR4 version of the Z690 that looks pretty solid: https://www.newegg.com/gigabyte-z690-aorus-elite-ax-ddr4/p/N82E16813145350

I want to stick with the i9 bc I'll be running some machine learning programs so want more cores/multi-threading capability.

That Mesh case looks great and cheaper but I'm concerned it has too much airflow - I have 2 cats and one likes to sleep next to the tower so don't want to have to clean it out too often.

I think I'll tweak to this build:

• CPU: Intel Core i9-12900K
• GPU: ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 OC Edition
• Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS ELITE AX DDR4 LGA 1700 Intel Z690 ATX
• Cooler: Noctua NH-D15
• PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G5, 80 Plus Gold 1000W
• RAM: G.Skill Trident Z NEO Series 32GB (2 x 16GB)
• SSD: SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus 2TB
• Case: LIAN LI PC-O11 Dynamic Razer Edition

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks for the help and links! These prices look much better. Definitely will go with the $189 Samsung SSD, and great catch on the audio codec - thats very important to me since I also produce music.

I was originally going to get the Gigabyte Z690 DDR5 board but was told DDR5 was unnecessary and could save money with DDR4. Just found a DDR4 version of the Z690 that looks pretty solid: https://www.newegg.com/gigabyte-z690-aorus-elite-ax-ddr4/p/N82E16813145350

I want to stick with the i9 bc I'll be running some machine learning programs so want more cores/multi-threading capability.

That Mesh case looks great and cheaper but I'm concerned it has too much airflow - I have 2 cats and one likes to sleep next to the tower so don't want to have to clean it out too often.

I think I'll tweak to this build:

• CPU: Intel Core i9-12900K
• GPU: ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 OC Edition
• Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS ELITE AX DDR4 LGA 1700 Intel Z690 ATX
• Cooler: Noctua NH-D15
• PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G5, 80 Plus Gold 1000W
• RAM: G.Skill Trident Z NEO Series 32GB (2 x 16GB)
• SSD: SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus 2TB
• Case: LIAN LI PC-O11 Dynamic Razer Edition

For $3000 anything less than DDR5 is a sin imo. That case I linked has a built in fan speed controller along with removable dust filters so you're good there. The 12900K is unlocked and can be overclocked ... that's the only difference between that and the 12900 I posted and you don't want to even think of overclocking one of these new i9 cpu's without at least a 280mm AIO and even then the gains with that cpu are minimal at best when overclocked. In other words the unlocked i9 is a hose job vs the locked i9.

 

[cbas]

I'm glad someone is backing me up on DDR5 - I feel like 3 years from now when I need to upgrade the RAM I won't be happy stuck with DDR4.

Good point on the unlocked chip - I've always wanted the option to overclock but TBH have never done it and prob never will. Plus looks like no one recommends overclocking these 12 gen chips anyway.

Glad to know that case will be ok with dust, looks great, will save the money

• CPU: Intel Core i9-12900
• GPU: ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 OC Edition
• Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS ELITE AX (need the wifi)
• Cooler: Noctua NH-D15
• PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G5, 80 Plus Gold 1000W
• RAM: Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 5200 32GB
• SSD: SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus 2TB
• Case: Lian Li LANCOOL II MESH C

 

[King Dranzer]

Here is the list:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i9-12900 2.4 GHz 16-Core Processor ($508.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler ($109.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B660M-PLUS WIFI D4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($153.76 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce RTX 3090 24 GB TUF GAMING OC Video Card ($1549.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx (2021) 1000 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2867.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-06-06 00:09 EDT-0400

Would cut cost on K series CPU and Z series Motherboard. Would save that while getting 90-95%+ CPU performance.
With that saved money I would spend it towards swapping out GPU by the end of the Year after the release of Next gen Hardware. Sell the RTX3090 for $1000-1200 and add this save $600 and another $200-300 to get RTX4090.
That will be worthy upgrade.

 

[cbas]

Thanks for the help! The parts arrived today, hope I can get it to turn on ha