Question Help me Complete a Build - Intel i7 + Nvidia 3070

[RJabaji]

I'm building a PC for a garage golf simulator (mainly to run FSX and GSPro software) and would love some help completing the puzzle on a few things. I have a Inten i7 CPU and Nvidia 3070 GPU on the way, but need to land everything else. Should I get an AIO for this build? Should I go DDR4 or DDR5 for Ram? Thoughts on other components? Thank you for your help!

 

[Deleted member 362816]

What is your budget after what you have spent? If you can afford it there is no reason to not go the DDR5 route. As for a AIO if you can fit a large cooler like a d15 or a dark rock pro 4 I would stick with air cooling.

 

[geofelt]

Exactly what intel I7 do you have coming?
Yes, it matters for picking a motherboard.

 

[KyaraM]

Exactly what intel I7 do you have coming?
Yes, it matters for picking a motherboard.

And also if DDR5 is even possible. Though since it was mentioned, I guess a 12700(k) variant?

 

[RJabaji]

What is your budget after what you have spent? If you can afford it there is no reason to not go the DDR5 route. As for a AIO if you can fit a large cooler like a d15 or a dark rock pro 4 I would stick with air cooling.

Probably another $1000. Thanks for your help!

 

[RJabaji]

Exactly what intel I7 do you have coming?
Yes, it matters for picking a motherboard.

The i7-12700K

 

[RJabaji]

And also if DDR5 is even possible. Though since it was mentioned, I guess a 12700(k) variant?

Yes indeed!

 

[geofelt]

12700 or 12700K will require a lga1700 motherboard.
You will want a B660 or Z690 based motherboard.
If budget is an issue, B660 will be good.
The MATX boards are quite reasonable
Unless there is a big price difference, Z690 would be my choice.

They come in DDR4 and DDR5 variants.
Performance with DDR4 or DDR4 ram is comparable.
You can pick either.
I have no particular preference on brands.

DDR4 motherboards and ram are cheaper today.
A 2 x 8gb ram kit should be plenty, but many are going to 32gb since ram is not that expensive.

You have picked the two most important components, I think, well.

Look for a case to hold your parts. Pick one with looks you love.
It should have adequate front air intake capability to cool your parts.
I see no need for liquid cooling. A good twin tower air cooler will do the job equally well, be more reliable,quiet, and easier to install.

 

[KyaraM]

If you want a z690 board for your 12700k on a budget, I use that CPU on a MSI Pro Z690-A. There are four variants of the board, DDR4, DDR5, each with or without WiFi. They should all sit around the $200 mark. The one I have, for example, the DDR4 version without WiFi, only cost me 190€ and performs really well so far. Here is a VRM review of the board, it can essentially run any CPU without issues

Intel Z690 Motherboard VRM, Entry-Level Roundup

We test VRM thermal performance of 9 Intel Z690 motherboards priced between $220 and $300. If you're aiming for best value, these are budget boards to pair...

www.techspot.com

And a general review of the board:

Better than on paper. Low-cost "OC" mobo MSI Pro Z690-A DDR4 - HWCooling.net

MSI Pro Z690-A DDR4 in detailMSI’s second cheapest motherboard with the Intel Z690 chipset costs significantly less compared to the higher-end Tomahawk DDR4. The difference in features is small. And perhaps too small, as the specifications artificially downgrade some components. The power...

www.hwcooling.net

 

[RJabaji]

12700 or 12700K will require a lga1700 motherboard.
You will want a B660 or Z690 based motherboard.
If budget is an issue, B660 will be good.
The MATX boards are quite reasonable
Unless there is a big price difference, Z690 would be my choice.

They come in DDR4 and DDR5 variants.
Performance with DDR4 or DDR4 ram is comparable.
You can pick either.
I have no particular preference on brands.

DDR4 motherboards and ram are cheaper today.
A 2 x 8gb ram kit should be plenty, but many are going to 32gb since ram is not that expensive.

You have picked the two most important components, I think, well.

Look for a case to hold your parts. Pick one with looks you love.
It should have adequate front air intake capability to cool your parts.
I see no need for liquid cooling. A good twin tower air cooler will do the job equally well, be more reliable,quiet, and easier to install.

Awesome thank you. How do you feel about this motherboard?

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E168131...&ranSiteID=8BacdVP0GFs-DIrMP5UyPOTQFtsAaD9R9w

Any specific cooling block you would recommend?

 

[RJabaji]

If you want a z690 board for your 12700k on a budget, I use that CPU on a MSI Pro Z690-A. There are four variants of the board, DDR4, DDR5, each with or without WiFi. They should all sit around the $200 mark. The one I have, for example, the DDR4 version without WiFi, only cost me 190€ and performs really well so far. Here is a VRM review of the board, it can essentially run any CPU without issues

Intel Z690 Motherboard VRM, Entry-Level Roundup

We test VRM thermal performance of 9 Intel Z690 motherboards priced between $220 and $300. If you're aiming for best value, these are budget boards to pair...

www.techspot.com

And a general review of the board:

Better than on paper. Low-cost "OC" mobo MSI Pro Z690-A DDR4 - HWCooling.net

MSI Pro Z690-A DDR4 in detailMSI’s second cheapest motherboard with the Intel Z690 chipset costs significantly less compared to the higher-end Tomahawk DDR4. The difference in features is small. And perhaps too small, as the specifications artificially downgrade some components. The power...

www.hwcooling.net

Thank you! Super helpful. What do you think of this board? https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E168131...&ranSiteID=8BacdVP0GFs-DIrMP5UyPOTQFtsAaD9R9w

 

[RJabaji]

If you want a z690 board for your 12700k on a budget, I use that CPU on a MSI Pro Z690-A. There are four variants of the board, DDR4, DDR5, each with or without WiFi. They should all sit around the $200 mark. The one I have, for example, the DDR4 version without WiFi, only cost me 190€ and performs really well so far. Here is a VRM review of the board, it can essentially run any CPU without issues

Intel Z690 Motherboard VRM, Entry-Level Roundup

We test VRM thermal performance of 9 Intel Z690 motherboards priced between $220 and $300. If you're aiming for best value, these are budget boards to pair...

www.techspot.com

And a general review of the board:

Better than on paper. Low-cost "OC" mobo MSI Pro Z690-A DDR4 - HWCooling.net

MSI Pro Z690-A DDR4 in detailMSI’s second cheapest motherboard with the Intel Z690 chipset costs significantly less compared to the higher-end Tomahawk DDR4. The difference in features is small. And perhaps too small, as the specifications artificially downgrade some components. The power...

www.hwcooling.net

or this one? https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E168131...re=z690-_-13-144-512-_-Product&quicklink=true

 

[logainofhades]

The Z690 Tomahawk DDR4 is a nice board. I would avoid DDR5. Too expensive, for the capacity, right now.

 

[RJabaji]

The Z690 Tomahawk DDR4 is a nice board. I would avoid DDR5. Too expensive, for the capacity, right now.

Awesome thank you. Really appreciate it!

 

[geofelt]

Awesome thank you. How do you feel about this motherboard?

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813144487?Item=N82E16813144487&nm_mc=AFC-RAN-COM&cm_mmc=AFC-RAN-COM&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-PCPartPicker&AFFID=2558510&AFFNAME=PCPartPicker&ACRID=1&ASID=https://pcpartpicker.com/&ranMID=44583&ranEAID=2558510&ranSiteID=8BacdVP0GFs-DIrMP5UyPOTQFtsAaD9R9w

Any specific cooling block you would recommend?

I like it.
Good vrm heatainks, two 8 pin eps connectors so power should never be an issue.
Looks like no RGB "bling" which is a plus for me.

As to coolers, that will depend some on the case and how high a air cooler it can support.
I would try to get a case with at least two front 140mm intakes or better.
It should have 160mm available for a good twin tower cooler.
I like the quality of the noctua coolers, but be quiet-DRP4, thermalright macho,
scythe fuma, Phanteks TC14 and others would do very well also.

 

[RJabaji]

I like it.
Good vrm heatainks, two 8 pin eps connectors so power should never be an issue.
Looks like no RGB "bling" which is a plus for me.

As to coolers, that will depend some on the case and how high a air cooler it can support.
I would try to get a case with at least two front 140mm intakes or better.
It should have 160mm available for a good twin tower cooler.
I like the quality of the noctua coolers, but be quiet-DRP4, thermalright macho,
scythe fuma, Phanteks TC14 and others would do very well also.

Appreciate you. Super helpful. You think either DDR4 or DDR5 route is neglible performance difference at this point?

 

[geofelt]

Appreciate you. Super helpful. You think either DDR4 or DDR5 route is neglible performance difference at this point?

From all I read, performance is essentially the same.
The possible exception might be some memory intensive app.

 

[KyaraM]

Thank you! Super helpful. What do you think of this board? https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813144487?Item=N82E16813144487&nm_mc=AFC-RAN-COM&cm_mmc=AFC-RAN-COM&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-PCPartPicker&AFFID=2558510&AFFNAME=PCPartPicker&ACRID=1&ASID=https://pcpartpicker.com/&ranMID=44583&ranEAID=2558510&ranSiteID=8BacdVP0GFs-DIrMP5UyPOTQFtsAaD9R9w

Tomahawk is good, too. Not worth the additional cost to me, but else I have no objections.