Hello PCS community!
After saving up money for quite a while now, I will now succumb to my temptations and buy a gaming PC, which I've been contemplating to do for years.
The last pre-built PC I bought in 2014 was worth 750 euros at the time and has left me in want, I have today a budget of 2500 euros and after watching hours of Youtube content from popular hardware reviewers, I have put this together and have a few questions along with it:
Case: CORSAIR OBSIDIAN SERIES™ 500D FULL TOWER CASE (This one or the Define R6? I really love how the 500D looks overall, but if the R6 has better airflow than the 500D, I will change it)
Motherboard: ASUS® ROG STRIX Z370-E GAMING: ATX, LGA1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs, WIFI - RGB Ready (Is it the best in its price bracket?)
Processor: (CPU)Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor i7-8700k (3.7GHz) 12MB Cache (Nothing to add here, I don't want anything else)
Processor Cooling: Corsair H100x Hydro Cooler w/ PCS Liquid Series Ultra Quiet Fans (This one or the H115i PRO?)
Thermal Paste: STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING (Should I add the Cooler Master thermal compound for 11€? Apparently Corsair AIO coolers already have some compound pre-applied on them)
Memory (RAM): 16GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB DDR4 3000MHz (2 x 8GB) (I know the 3200MHz version has better frequencies but would it make a noticeable difference for me? I kinda like the RGB by the way.)
Graphics Card: 11GB ASUS ROG STRIX GEFORCE GTX 1080 Ti - DVI, HDMI, DP (This card is 114€ more expensive than the "default" version of the 1080ti offered by PCS, that's quite a lot more I have to say, but it is apparently in the Top 3 best cooled 1080ti cards and I don't know what to expect from the "default" offering, could it be the FE which makes a lot of noise?)
1st Hard Disk: NOT REQUIRED (Don't need anything else than the 970 Evo M.2 I'm ordering with it for the system, as I have 2 old SSD waiting to be transferred to this PC)
1st M.2 SSD Drive: 250GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3400MB/R, 1500MB/W)
Power Supply: CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET (850W might be too much but at least it's future-proof)
Operating System: NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Total price: 2 003,33 € ex. TVA - 2 404,00 € inc. TVA
Here are some more information to help you advise me:
- This PC will only be used for gaming, not even surfing the internet or watching videos, nothing else but gaming.
- I would like this PC to run as cool as possible when gaming, I live in an apartment in Paris, France, and it's crazy hot during summer due to the pollution, that's why I'm going for a case with a high air flow (from what I saw) and liquid cooling over a fan.
- I know new cards are on the horizon but I don't really feel like waiting, when new cards are released here they are always somehow way above MSRP compared to other countries like the US (even including taxes)
- This PC will be paired with a Acer Predator XB1 G-Sync 27" WQHD (2560 x 1440) 144Hz screen that will buy shortly after, if you know one better in the same price range please share!
- My favorite games to play are GTA V, Fallout 4, The Witcher 3 and Assassin's Creed.
- Feel free to ask any other questions.
Thanks, have a good day!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edit (October 19th): It's been over 2 months since I posted this thread, and now that Nvidia and Intel has released their latest products, I'm finally ready to order a new computer.
Needless to say, I've been disappointed in their new product line-ups. Overpriced, bad value overall, very small performance gain over last generation, it feels like I've waited 2 months (more actually) for nothing.
So here is what I'm thinking about ordering next week, I'll be adding some commentary again to let you know why I chose certain components.
Case: COOLERMASTER MASTERCASE H500M GAMING CASE (I chose this case for its very high airflow and aesthetic)
Motherboard: ASUS® ROG MAXIMUS X HERO (Best Z370 motherboard apparently)
Processor: (CPU)Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor i7-8700k (3.7GHz) 12MB Cache (I know some would advise me to get the brand new 9700k instead, but according to the reviews released just a few hours ago, the performance is literally identical in every single game. Moreover, the 9700k is 70 euros more expensive than the 8700k, and generate a lot more heat despite the added solder TIM, which is very disappointing to me)
Processor Cooling: Corsair H115i PRO Cooler w/ PCS Liquid Series Ultra Quiet Fans (Just going for the best cooler PCS has to offer)
Thermal Paste: COOLER MASTER MASTERGEL MAKER THERMAL COMPOUND (Only cost 11 euros, might as well)
Memory (RAM): 4GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2400MHz (1 x 4GB) (Don't worry I'm not actually going to use it, I've found better and less expensive RAM on another web retailer)
Graphics Card: NONE, I ALREADY HAVE A GRAPHICS CARD (Going to buy an EVGA 1080 ti SC2 on that same other web retailer)
1st Hard Disk: NOT REQUIRED (Don't need anything else than the 970 Evo M.2 I'm ordering with it for the system, as I have 2 old SSD waiting to be transferred to this PC)
1st M.2 SSD Drive: 250GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3400MB/R, 1500MB/W)
Power Supply: CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET (Nothing to add here, 750W could be enough but I want the full modularity)
Operating System: NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Total price: 1 146,67 € ex TVA - 1 376,00 €inc. TVA
I've long hesitated the past few weeks between the Ryzen 2700x and the i7 8700k, both are great processors with the 2700x having the best overall value, and the 8700k having the best overall performance.
This system equivalent with the 2700x, in which the motherboard Maximus X Hero becomes the Crosshair VII Hero, only is 100 euros less expensive, so I thought to myself, since I will only be gaming, to go for the 8700k.
If you guys have any suggestions or commentary, they are welcomed, I will place my order by the end of next week.
Have a good weekend everyone!
After saving up money for quite a while now, I will now succumb to my temptations and buy a gaming PC, which I've been contemplating to do for years.
The last pre-built PC I bought in 2014 was worth 750 euros at the time and has left me in want, I have today a budget of 2500 euros and after watching hours of Youtube content from popular hardware reviewers, I have put this together and have a few questions along with it:
Case: CORSAIR OBSIDIAN SERIES™ 500D FULL TOWER CASE (This one or the Define R6? I really love how the 500D looks overall, but if the R6 has better airflow than the 500D, I will change it)
Motherboard: ASUS® ROG STRIX Z370-E GAMING: ATX, LGA1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs, WIFI - RGB Ready (Is it the best in its price bracket?)
Processor: (CPU)Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor i7-8700k (3.7GHz) 12MB Cache (Nothing to add here, I don't want anything else)
Processor Cooling: Corsair H100x Hydro Cooler w/ PCS Liquid Series Ultra Quiet Fans (This one or the H115i PRO?)
Thermal Paste: STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING (Should I add the Cooler Master thermal compound for 11€? Apparently Corsair AIO coolers already have some compound pre-applied on them)
Memory (RAM): 16GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB DDR4 3000MHz (2 x 8GB) (I know the 3200MHz version has better frequencies but would it make a noticeable difference for me? I kinda like the RGB by the way.)
Graphics Card: 11GB ASUS ROG STRIX GEFORCE GTX 1080 Ti - DVI, HDMI, DP (This card is 114€ more expensive than the "default" version of the 1080ti offered by PCS, that's quite a lot more I have to say, but it is apparently in the Top 3 best cooled 1080ti cards and I don't know what to expect from the "default" offering, could it be the FE which makes a lot of noise?)
1st Hard Disk: NOT REQUIRED (Don't need anything else than the 970 Evo M.2 I'm ordering with it for the system, as I have 2 old SSD waiting to be transferred to this PC)
1st M.2 SSD Drive: 250GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3400MB/R, 1500MB/W)
Power Supply: CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET (850W might be too much but at least it's future-proof)
Operating System: NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Total price: 2 003,33 € ex. TVA - 2 404,00 € inc. TVA
Here are some more information to help you advise me:
- This PC will only be used for gaming, not even surfing the internet or watching videos, nothing else but gaming.
- I would like this PC to run as cool as possible when gaming, I live in an apartment in Paris, France, and it's crazy hot during summer due to the pollution, that's why I'm going for a case with a high air flow (from what I saw) and liquid cooling over a fan.
- I know new cards are on the horizon but I don't really feel like waiting, when new cards are released here they are always somehow way above MSRP compared to other countries like the US (even including taxes)
- This PC will be paired with a Acer Predator XB1 G-Sync 27" WQHD (2560 x 1440) 144Hz screen that will buy shortly after, if you know one better in the same price range please share!
- My favorite games to play are GTA V, Fallout 4, The Witcher 3 and Assassin's Creed.
- Feel free to ask any other questions.
Thanks, have a good day!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edit (October 19th): It's been over 2 months since I posted this thread, and now that Nvidia and Intel has released their latest products, I'm finally ready to order a new computer.
Needless to say, I've been disappointed in their new product line-ups. Overpriced, bad value overall, very small performance gain over last generation, it feels like I've waited 2 months (more actually) for nothing.
So here is what I'm thinking about ordering next week, I'll be adding some commentary again to let you know why I chose certain components.
Case: COOLERMASTER MASTERCASE H500M GAMING CASE (I chose this case for its very high airflow and aesthetic)
Motherboard: ASUS® ROG MAXIMUS X HERO (Best Z370 motherboard apparently)
Processor: (CPU)Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor i7-8700k (3.7GHz) 12MB Cache (I know some would advise me to get the brand new 9700k instead, but according to the reviews released just a few hours ago, the performance is literally identical in every single game. Moreover, the 9700k is 70 euros more expensive than the 8700k, and generate a lot more heat despite the added solder TIM, which is very disappointing to me)
Processor Cooling: Corsair H115i PRO Cooler w/ PCS Liquid Series Ultra Quiet Fans (Just going for the best cooler PCS has to offer)
Thermal Paste: COOLER MASTER MASTERGEL MAKER THERMAL COMPOUND (Only cost 11 euros, might as well)
Memory (RAM): 4GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2400MHz (1 x 4GB) (Don't worry I'm not actually going to use it, I've found better and less expensive RAM on another web retailer)
Graphics Card: NONE, I ALREADY HAVE A GRAPHICS CARD (Going to buy an EVGA 1080 ti SC2 on that same other web retailer)
1st Hard Disk: NOT REQUIRED (Don't need anything else than the 970 Evo M.2 I'm ordering with it for the system, as I have 2 old SSD waiting to be transferred to this PC)
1st M.2 SSD Drive: 250GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3400MB/R, 1500MB/W)
Power Supply: CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET (Nothing to add here, 750W could be enough but I want the full modularity)
Operating System: NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Total price: 1 146,67 € ex TVA - 1 376,00 €inc. TVA
I've long hesitated the past few weeks between the Ryzen 2700x and the i7 8700k, both are great processors with the 2700x having the best overall value, and the 8700k having the best overall performance.
This system equivalent with the 2700x, in which the motherboard Maximus X Hero becomes the Crosshair VII Hero, only is 100 euros less expensive, so I thought to myself, since I will only be gaming, to go for the 8700k.
If you guys have any suggestions or commentary, they are welcomed, I will place my order by the end of next week.
Have a good weekend everyone!
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