[SOLVED] Gaming PC for VR

[BunBun007]

Approximate Purchase Date: February through Summer 2020 (when/if the 3080ti is announced)

Budget Range: $3000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: VR, gaming, game development

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: All

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference

Location: Bay Area, CA

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU (but open to feedback on a Ryzen), RTX 2080ti (but open to feedback on a RTX 2080 Super)

Overclocking: Most likely not

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 3840x2160, 2880x1600 for Valve Index

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I recently bought a Valve Index and wanted to build a new PC as an upgrade to my 2012 desktop for VR and potentially 4k gaming. I'd like to maximize FPS so that the VR is smoother, and 4k@60fps gaming is a plus since I have a 4k monitor that maxes at 60hz.

Here's my first draft of the build:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($489.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X62 Rev 2 98.17 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($136.36 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MPG Z390M GAMING EDGE AC Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($179.99 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB ROG Strix Gaming OC Video Card ($1259.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: Thermaltake Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($64.00 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G3 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($132.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($139.99 @ Other World Computing)
Total: $2743.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-12-18 19:28 EST-0500

Some comments/questions:

• I went with an Intel CPU since what I read says the Ryzen 9 3900x beats it in multi-tasking but the i9-9900k beats it in gaming.
• I chose a motherboard that had good reviews, but I'm not as informed on what I should be looking for in a motherboard other than compatibility with the CPU chip sets, so any help in that area is welcome.
• I heard an i7-9700k is comparable to an i9-9900k for gaming and requires a lot less cooling, thus reducing the price of the CPU and the required cooling. Is this true?
• I'm sticking a 2080ti in this build, but I'd love to hear feedback about people's experience with 2080 Supers for VR and 4k gaming as a comparison.
• I want a mATX case (and like the Thermaltake one above in particular) because I want to be able to stick it on a mini cart and move it from my office area to the living room for room scale VR.
• I have an 850W PSU in there since I saw it in another 2080ti build that used the same Thermaltake case, but the PCPartPicker says the estimated wattage is 459W. I know there's a ratio to aim for between estimated wattage and max wattage, but do you know what it is?

Let me know if this makes sense or if you have any recommendations! Thanks in advance!

 

[WildCard999]

Part recommendations could change quite a bit between now and summer 2020. I'd recommend asking 2 weeks prior to building.

As for your current list, it would be fine for the Valve Index and game development.

 

[Hellfire13]

Since you are looking for max performance here are a couple of modifications to your build with better parts...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i9-9900KS 4 GHz 8-Core Processor | $524.99 @ Best Buy
CPU Cooler | CRYORIG R1 Ultimate 76 CFM CPU Cooler | $98.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard | MSI MPG Z390M GAMING EDGE AC Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard | $179.99 @ B&H
Memory | G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory | $159.99 @ Newegg
Storage | ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $147.99 @ Amazon
Video Card | EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB XC ULTRA GAMING Video Card | $1099.99 @ Newegg
Case | Thermaltake Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case | $64.00 @ Amazon
Power Supply | Corsair RM (2019) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $119.99 @ Amazon
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $2445.93
| Mail-in rebates | -$50.00
| Total | $2395.93
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-12-19 07:23 EST-0500 |




Comments...

• The only CPU that can beat the 9900k is the 9900ks. Its clocked faster in terms of base and boost.
• Never been a fan of AIO since a high quality air cooler can do the job equally well and last longer for years.
• Motherboard is fine even for mild overclocking if you think about it.
• RAM is better with tighter timing.
• SSD is better... https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/adata-xpg-sx8200-pro-ssd,5955-4.html
• GPU is clocked higher.
• PSU is better quality.
• And the whole build is actually cheaper.

 

[BunBun007]

@WildCard999, good point; I'll check in closer to when I commit to the build to see if there are updates to consider.

@Hellfire13, thanks for the comparison!

Never been a fan of AIO since a high quality air cooler can do the job equally well and last longer for years.

How long do air coolers last compared to AIOs?

RAM is better with tighter timing.

Just curious since this is new to me, I see both have the timing of 16-19-19-39. Are there other timing stats to consider?

 

[WildCard999]

You usually only get about 5ish years from an AIO before the pump fails although it could last longer. With air coolers they really should never fail if you keep dust out of the fans and even if a fan fails just replace it. On the AIO if the pump fails and it's out of warranty then you have to buy a new AIO (trying to fix isn't recommended).

 

[Hellfire13]

@WildCard999, good point; I'll check in closer to when I commit to the build to see if there are updates to consider.

@Hellfire13, thanks for the comparison!


How long do air coolers last compared to AIOs?


Just curious since this is new to me, I see both have the timing of 16-19-19-39. Are there other timing stats to consider?

My bad. I must have looked the timing of some other RAM unit. But its cheaper anyways.
As for the AIO, Wildcard has pretty much nailed it. The other factor is that, I once had a horrible experience with AIO leak, damaging other components. Since then I am pretty much averse to it. Its a rare occurrence, but not improbable though.

 

[BunBun007]

Thanks for your help @WildCard999 and @Hellfire13! Much appreciated.