The right hardware/mobo for this case?

[The Sinister Maniac]

Hi everyone, so I'm planning to build a red/black themed pc. Here is the list: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/nightwing18/saved/

Within this list, there are a few extra things such as the fans because I'm not sure which case I will be getting. Please let me know if you think the fans, the CPU cooler, and the motherboard in general is appropriate for the case I have in mind.

It is the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX Computer Case so please let me know in terms of quantity, size, and/or build convenience.

This is actually going to be my first build. Thank you!

 

[raisonjohn]

Using the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX, the major parts are compatible and good to go:

MB - ATX size - check (case supports ATX)
CPU Cooler - 166.5mm height - check (case supports up to 194mm height)
GPU - 279mm length - check (case supports up to 300mm length with the HDD brackets installed)

One particular height clearance you may wish to check is the CPU Cooler against the RAM. The V8 GTS is a large cooler taking up to 154mm in total length. There is a great chance it will go over some RAM slot/s. The Vengenace LED sticks are about 49mm in height. If I'm not mistaken, the V8 GTS has about ~50mm (not sure) clearance beneath the heatsink/fins. There's a great chance the RAM will fit under that space, but depending on the actual distance of the DIMM slots of your Maximus IX Hero from the CPU, it might look like this (note that this is not the same motherboard as you have selected):

Another particular part that I wish to suggest is replacing that initially selected PSU (EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold) with a higher quality one. The NEXG series is somewhere of a mediocre (middle-tiered category) PSU. Since you'll be building a high end rig, it is proportionate to also select a higher-tiered PSU. Note that with your i7-6700K + single GTX 1080 build, a good quality PSU supplying 520W (or 550W for a bit more headroom) is more than sufficient. You can also get a good quality 620W (or 650W) PSU if the price is right. I suggest looking into the Seasonic G series, Seasonic X series, XFX XTR Series, XFX Pro Series, EVGA SuperNova G2 or GS Series, or Corsair AX or AXi or RMx or RMi (not the RM) series, whichever fits your budget.

For the case fans, the Phanteks Enthoo Evlov already comes with 3x pre-installed 140mm high quality fans (although they don't have bling-bling LEDs). Two are pre-installed at the front while one is pre-installed at the rear, leaving you with just the top slots capable of mounting either 2x more 140mm fans or 3x more 120mm fans. It's up to you if you wish to retain the pre-installed Phanteks fans. If you do so, you will only need to buy either 2 sets of 140mm LED fans or 3 sets of 120mm LED fans. You can replace whichever pre-installed fans as you please. Note that the front fans (with the 2x pre-installed 140mm fans) can also fit 3x 120mm fans in case you wish to replace everything with LED Riings.

For the ODD (Asus DVD/CD Writer), you won't be able to install that as the Evolv does not have any external 5.25" bays. So, if need a DVD/CD writer, you should purchase an external one.

Other than that, you're good to go.

 

[The Sinister Maniac]

I truly appreciate your detailed response! So would you recommend I get this case, the corsair 780t, or do you have a another one in mind that fits my black/red theme and is atx sized? Also you said that 650 watts isn't needed? Or did you just mean that i should pick a better quality PCU and it can still be 650W?

Also i've heard that the CPU cooler is a pain in the butt to build around. Since I plan to overclock my rig, Is it a good idea to purchase this one in terms of efficiency and convenience? If not then which one would you recommend? (preferably one that fits into my black/red color scheme). Also is the 6700-k good enough for overclocking vsthe 7700-k? Thank you!

 

[raisonjohn]

I truly appreciate your detailed response! So would you recommend I get this case, the corsair 780t, or do you have a another one in mind that fits my black/red theme and is atx sized? Also you said that 650 watts isn't needed? Or did you just mean that i should pick a better quality PCU and it can still be 650W?

Also i've heard that the CPU cooler is a pain in the butt to build around. Since I plan to overclock my rig, Is it a good idea to purchase this one in terms of efficiency and convenience? If not then which one would you recommend? (preferably one that fits into my black/red color scheme). Also is the 6700-k good enough for overclocking vsthe 7700-k? Thank you!

Re: CASE
The Corsair 780T is a huge case. It was designed with custom-loop watercooling in mind. Since you will not be installing radiators, pumps, reservoirs, or tubings, you will definitely find trouble in filling up the "voids" left in that chassis after installing just a limited number of components (based on your pcpartpicker list). Note that the 780T is a Full Tower case (measuring 637mm(H) x 288mm(W) x 602mm(D)) compared to your initially-selected Enthoo Evolv (that can fit all your parts already), which is a Mid-Tower (measuring 495mm(H) x 235mm(W) x 510mm(D)).

Re: PSU
The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GAMING X 8G you selected (in your pcpartpicker link) is a very powerful card with relatively low power consumption. According to NVIDIA, the GeForce GTX 1080 has a graphics power of 180W and recommends a system power of 500W. Real-world tests made by TechPowerUp on the MSI GTX 1080 model reveals that it can consume 197W (in typical gaming) to 217W (in peak gaming) and 254W (on a stress test). Another test made by Guru3d shows similar results, where the graphics power consumes 198W (on a 100% GPU load).

Your CPU, the Intel Core i7-6700K, has a TDP of 91W. Tests here at Tom's Hardware show that the CPU can consume ~76W to ~83W (during gaming) and up to ~100W (on a torture test).

Given the data above, your GPU can consume up to ~250W (on a stress test), plus, your CPU up to ~100W (on a torture test), and add a couple more wattages for other components at ~50W, then, we can say that your total system power draw would *most likely* not exceed 400W (on a stress-torture worst case scenario). On a typical/average use, you will have more than enough room if you get a 500W PSU.

You might want to check out this oftenly-linked reference for PSU Wattage Requirements by RealHardTechX, where it shows that a system built around a single GTX 1080 is "Recommended" to have a 520W PSU.

The 650W PSU you initially selected is way too much of an overkill.

Re: CPU
There is only a slight difference in gaming performance between the i7-6700K versus the i7-7700K. TechPowerUp tests show that in FHD-resolution gaming using an GTX 1080 with an 6700K at its stock speed would give you a -3.2% performance versus the 7700K at its stock speed. But when both CPUs are OC'd at 4.5GHz, the 6700K is only -1.4% against the 7700K.

 

[The Sinister Maniac]

Re: PSU
The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GAMING X 8G you selected (in your pcpartpicker link) is a very powerful card with relatively low power consumption. According to NVIDIA, the GeForce GTX 1080 has a graphics power of 180W and recommends a system power of 500W. Real-world tests made by TechPowerUp on the MSI GTX 1080 model reveals that it can consume 197W (in typical gaming) to 217W (in peak gaming) and 254W (on a stress test). Another test made by Guru3d shows similar results, where the graphics power consumes 198W (on a 100% GPU load).

Your CPU, the Intel Core i7-6700K, has a TDP of 91W. Tests here at Tom's Hardware show that the CPU can consume ~76W to ~83W (during gaming) and up to ~100W (on a torture test).

Given the data above, your GPU can consume up to ~250W (on a stress test), plus, your CPU up to ~100W (on a torture test), and add a couple more wattages for other components at ~50W, then, we can say that your total system power draw would *most likely* not exceed 400W (on a stress-torture worst case scenario). On a typical/average use, you will have more than enough room if you get a 500W PSU.

You might want to check out this oftenly-linked reference for PSU Wattage Requirements by RealHardTechX, where it shows that a system built around a single GTX 1080 is "Recommended" to have a 520W PSU.

The 650W PSU you initially selected is way too much of an overkill.

Re: CPU
There is only a slight difference in gaming performance between the i7-6700K versus the i7-7700K. TechPowerUp tests show that in FHD-resolution gaming using an GTX 1080 with an 6700K at its stock speed would give you a -3.2% performance versus the 7700K at its stock speed. But when both CPUs are OC'd at 4.5GHz, the 6700K is only -1.4% against the 7700K.[/quotemsg]

Got it! So I'll just settle for a 550W PSU then. In terms of the cpu cooler, you mentioned that it would just block approximately two out of four RAM slots. And that being said, would you say that the Deepcool Captain 120 is a better option for me in terms of performance?

I've never built a computer from scratch before so I need to make sure that I'm not wasting money on parts.

 

[raisonjohn]

Got it! So I'll just settle for a 550W PSU then. In terms of the cpu cooler, you mentioned that it would just block approximately two out of four RAM slots. And that being said, would you say that the Deepcool Captain 120 is a better option for me in terms of performance?

I've never built a computer from scratch before so I need to make sure that I'm not wasting money on parts.

Don't get the Captain 120. I got a bad experience with the old version (not the new EX version) where there was a slight liquid build-up in the base of the transparent tube where it connects to the pump block after a year of use. Air bubbles began to appear and got larger as days went by and seemed like the liquid inside was "draining" somewhere (though there was no considerable leak). Pump got louder and noisier and I was forced to RMA the thing (thankfully, within the 2 year warranty period). Great RMA support though and was replaced with no charge with the newer EX version.

A good air cooler will beat a 120mm-size AIO. So if you are considering a 120mm AIO, might as well go with a high quality air cooler. Some recommended air coolers include Cooler Master (like your initially-selected V8 GTS) or the MasterAir Maker 8, Cryorig R1 or H7, be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3, and Noctua NH-D15 or NH-D15S (though the Noctua fans don't blend well aesthetically). Just make sure to check the heights of each of these air coolers against the height clearance of the case you will select.

If you really like the AIO liquid cooling solution, I would recommend for better cooling performance, a high-quality 240mm or 280mm AIO (not a 120mm or 140mm). I have not yet seen any air cooler beat a 240mm/280mm good-quality AIO (due to its better heat dissipation on a larger surface area than a 120/140mm rad). Some good models include Corsair H110i v2 or H115i, NZXT Kraken X52 or X62, LEPA AquaChanger 240 or the Swiftech H220 or H220-X or H240-X.

Hope these suggestions will help.