[SOLVED] Gaming/Work with 3080

[HeavyThumper]

I have an opportunity to get a nicely priced 3080 - so I need a system to put it in. It's been almost 8 years since I last built a PC (my current one was overbuilt enough that it's lasted quite a while). So - I'm learning. This PC will be for gaming and work - my work includes CAD. My current thoughts:

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X - $550. My understanding is this is actually better for gaming than the 5950X. No inherent objection to Intel - but it seems like motherboard & RAM are more expensive for Intel.

MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS - $170. I've had good luck with MSI and this looks like a good pairing with the 5900X. I don't need crazy RGB, Wifi, or most of the other stuff I'm seeing on the pricier motherboards. I do want a board I'm not going to have to replace.

Noctua NH-D15 - $90. I like keeping the CPU cool - and I don't want to play with water. Is this too much? Is there a down-blowing model that would also help the RAM? I know this is a monster heatsink - but I'm not planning on moving this system around once it's built.

G.SKILL Trident Z Neo Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 4000 F4-4000C18D-32GTZN - $175. This is one of my biggest questions - I keep hearing Ryzen is supposed to run at 3200. Am I better getting the best clock speeds I can find at 3200 instead of this model? I do want 32GB - my current system is 16GB and...it's just barely enough for my use.

Antec Dark League DF600 FLUX - $105. I've always used Antec cases and never had a problem. This one looks like it's easy to build with good airflow including dust filters which I need.

EVGA SuperNOVA 850 P5 - $147. I'm also considering a Seasonic. But at this price point it seems silly not to go platinum. I'm thinking 850W is overkill for the current setup - but will provide plenty of spare power for upgrades including throwing in some of my old HDD's with years of old info on them.

Silicon Power M.2 2280 2TB PCI-Express 4.0 x4, NVMe - $251. This is one of the more difficult items I'm comparing. Am I going to see any real-world (gaming) benefit from this drive speed? Or do I save $$ and go with the Gen3 model for $170 - or even a Crucial P2 for $153.

Any and all insight is appreciated.

 

[Why_Me]

That Antec case has horrible airflow. Antec cases stopped being a thing almost a decade ago.

https://www.igorslab.de/en/intel-ma...ion-einsatz-und-eine-niederlage-fuer-amd-2/2/ <--- CAD benchmarks.

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-i7-12700F-2-1GHz-6xxChipset-BX8071512700F/dp/B09NPJDPVG/
Intel Core i7-12700F $312.96

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...2700f-processor-25m-cache-up-to-4-90-ghz.html

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-Mortar-Gaming-Motherboard-Socket/dp/B09PXD16F6
MSI MAG B660M Mortar WiFi DDR4 $179.99

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B660M-MORTAR-WIFI-DDR4

or ...

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-Tomahawk-Gaming-Motherboard-Socket/dp/B09PXL3ZZB
MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 $189.99

https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B660-TOMAHAWK-WIFI-DDR4

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://www.amazon.com/PNY-CS2130-Internal-Solid-State/dp/B0869C35V2/
PNY CS2130 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 Internal SSD $187.99

https://www.newegg.com/kingston-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/0RN-001J-00ZW8
Kingston Fury Renegade DDR4 3600MHz 32GB (2x16GB) CL16 $169.99

https://www.newegg.com/black-lian-li-lancool-ii-performance-atx-mid-tower/p/2AM-000Z-00086
LIAN LI LANCOOL II MESH C PERFORMANCE $119.99 + 10% off w/ promo code SCRBQ22259, limited offer

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

Review of that cpu with benchmarks.

https://www.techspot.com/review/2391-intel-core-i7-12700/

 

[KyaraM]

If I may suggest an alternate MSI mainboard:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/KK...icro-atx-lga1700-motherboard-pro-b660m-a-ddr4
This one got really good reviews and is less expensive as the rest, especially considering that tou can get lower-end Z690 boards for the price of the other options already and that's just not worth the money. Including the MSI Pro Z690-A, which I use and which is a fantastic board for even a 12700k and that can run a 12900K, too. At least in my country you can.

 

[Why_Me]

If I may suggest an alternate MSI mainboard:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/KK...icro-atx-lga1700-motherboard-pro-b660m-a-ddr4
This one got really good reviews and is less expensive as the rest, especially considering that tou can get lower-end Z690 boards for the price of the other options already and that's just not worth the money. Including the MSI Pro Z690-A, which I use and which is a fantastic board for even a 12700k and that can run a 12900K, too. At least in my country you can.

That's a very good board and I recommend it in a lot of B660 builds. I posted those two other MSI boards in my previous post due to their 14 power phase design and Realtek 1200 audio codec.

 

[HeavyThumper]

First, thank you. You gave me a lot of specific responses with backup information. That helps a lot.

Now some more questions:

That Antec case has horrible airflow. Antec cases stopped being a thing almost a decade ago.

I don't understand this part. The Antec comes with more fans (5x120 vs Lian Li 2x140+1x120) and supports more later. Why do you say the Antec has horrible airflow?

If I may suggest an alternate MSI mainboard:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/KK...icro-atx-lga1700-motherboard-pro-b660m-a-ddr4

That's a very good board and I recommend it in a lot of B660 builds. I posted those two other MSI boards in my previous post due to their 14 power phase design and Realtek 1200 audio codec.

The motherboard recommendations are greatly appreciated - both the Pro model and the original choices. The Tomahawk seems to be extremely popular - it's used on many of the pre-built configurators. Must be a reason...

I'm inferring that Gen3 SSD is sufficient - Gen4 is a waste of money?

People often have brand biases - any issues with Crucial for RAM or SSD?

I didn't see any comments on the power supply - my pick is a good one?

 

[Why_Me]

First, thank you. You gave me a lot of specific responses with backup information. That helps a lot.

Now some more questions:


I don't understand this part. The Antec comes with more fans (5x120 vs Lian Li 2x140+1x120) and supports more later. Why do you say the Antec has horrible airflow?

The motherboard recommendations are greatly appreciated - both the Pro model and the original choices. The Tomahawk seems to be extremely popular - it's used on many of the pre-built configurators. Must be a reason...

I'm inferring that Gen3 SSD is sufficient - Gen4 is a waste of money?

People often have brand biases - any issues with Crucial for RAM or SSD?

I didn't see any comments on the power supply - my pick is a good one?

PCIe Gen4 SSD's tend to run warmer than Gen3's and when those M.2 SSD's warm up they throttle down hence the reason I rarely if ever recommend a Gen4 over a Gen3. The front of that Antec case is covered in plastic which makes for horrible airflow. If you look at that Lian Li case I posted you'll notice it has a mesh front allowing for lots of air to be pulled into the case. In fact all your good gaming cases have a mesh front panel these days. It's all about airflow. Lots of fans do zero good if they can't pull in fresh air. With the RAM its much easier to set your timings via XMP with 3600mhz vs 4000mhz. Intel 12 gen set ups notice zero difference in speed between 3600 CL16 and 4000mhz CL18. Can't top the psu you posted. I could post a less expensive one but that one you've chosen is top of the line. btw all three MSI B660 boards mentioned in this thread made Hardware Unboxed list of top B660 motherboards with the Tomahawk being rated #1.

 

[KyaraM]

First, thank you. You gave me a lot of specific responses with backup information. That helps a lot.

Now some more questions:


I don't understand this part. The Antec comes with more fans (5x120 vs Lian Li 2x140+1x120) and supports more later. Why do you say the Antec has horrible airflow?



The motherboard recommendations are greatly appreciated - both the Pro model and the original choices. The Tomahawk seems to be extremely popular - it's used on many of the pre-built configurators. Must be a reason...

I'm inferring that Gen3 SSD is sufficient - Gen4 is a waste of money?

People often have brand biases - any issues with Crucial for RAM or SSD?

I didn't see any comments on the power supply - my pick is a good one?

No problem with gen4 SSDs from me, no. Also can't confirm them runnong too hot, my current WD Black SN850 never goes above 45°C, in contrast to my 5 year old Samsung M.2 that can reach 72°C easily. Despite the WD drive bwing called hot. My MB did come with a heat sink, though, so that might be the reason. I got the MSI Pro Z690-A. Got it for 194€. That might be the only brand bias I have together with Palit (and subsidiaries) GPUs, lol.