High end gaming PC for RPGs & multi display streaming

Evening,
Last two PCS machines were middle of the pack workhorses that lasted years but now I want a higher end machine that I can really go to town on graphics without needing to worry. I'm holding off on Witcher 3, MEA and Fallout 4 till I get this in the next month. Will have 2 monitors so I can stream, browse whilst gaming as well as use the machine for photo editing when not.

Current thoughts on specs are:

Case = NZXT H440 MID-TOWER GAMING CASE (BLACK/RED)
Processor (CPU) = Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-7700k (4.2GHz) 8MB Cache
Motherboard = ASUS® ROG MAXIMUS IX HERO: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs - RGB Ready!
Memory (RAM) = 16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3000MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card = 11GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1080 Ti - HDMI, 3x DP GeForce - GTX VR Ready!
1st Hard Disk = NOT REQUIRED
2nd Hard Disk = 1TB WD BLACK 3.5" WD1003FZEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm)
M.2 SSD Drive = 256GB SAMSUNG PM961 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 2800MB/R, 1100MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive = NOT REQUIRED )External Blu-ray already in use)
Power Supply = CORSAIR 650W CS SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Processor Cooling = Corsair H80i V2 Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Sound Card = ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Warranty = 3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

Questions : Motherboard = I'm not looking to OC and haven't had any experience in performance MBs or their extras. Would the Strix H or Gigabyte Z270P-D3 be a possible alternative? what are the differences?
Memory = I have 8Gb and I do at times feel the pinch on my old system so 16Gb is obviously the way to go, 32Gb in a few years if there's ever a need to or get it now? Not much around that needs the extra Gb right?
Sound Card = I have always used quad speakers and the on board card so far and it's been fine. I'll be getting 5.1 Logitech speakers to go with this so what I'm asking is stick with the onboard or go for the FX or Z?

Price = £2043 and looking to keep it close to that but could go a little over if needed.

So generally looking to play RPGs on high end graphics for the foreseeable future please so any and all thoughts and recommendations are welcome.

Thanks again for taking the time and your help.

32Gb in a few years if there's ever a need to or get it now?

Click to expand...

Don't get it now. I'll be impressed if the CPU and motherboard, and for that matter DDR4, are still mainstream by the time the need for 32gb RAM for gaming rolls around.

What monitors will you be using for gaming?

It would help to know so as to give feedback on the spec overall.

A cheaper motherboard will do the same job. The strix Z270 E has wifi built in and Bluetooth which is not provided by the maximus. You could try onboard audio first before before adding a soundcard. You say you are not planning to overclock your CPU but you got a k-cpu and a decent cpu cooler. You may want to consider a pre-overclocked system. What monitor are you planning to use?

My two older monitors are running at '1080' though I will be looking to upgrade the main gaming one within a year but having read through some of the recent posts it seems the 1080ti is way over powered for my monitors and I wouldn't get any benefit really. Maybe downgrade the GPU to a 1080 standard and save the money for the 1440 monitor in a year?

Also replace the WD Black HDD to a standard 2TB and the MB to a Strix H that drops the price down to £1720 (Don't have any Bluetooth bits or wifi to be honest, cabled net connection right by the PC), maybe giving me a few squids to get the OC'd CPU? and the £200 for the monitor?

Maybe downgrade the GPU to a 1080 standard and save the money for the 1440 monitor in a year?

Click to expand...

Good idea

Also replace the WD Black HDD to a standard 2TB

Click to expand...

Also a good idea

You could look at the Noctis 450 case which has a similar aesthetic and I believe is a bit better in terms of cooling.

All of which would look something like:


Case
NZXT NOCTIS 450 MID-TOWER GAMING CASE (BLACK/RED)
Overclocked CPU
Overclocked Intel® Core™i7-7700k Quad Core (4.20GHz @ up to 4.8GHz)
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX Z270H GAMING: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1080 - DVI, HDMI, 3x DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1[SUP]st[/SUP] Hard Disk
2TB SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
M.2 SSD Drive
256GB SAMSUNG PM961 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 2800MB/R, 1100MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W CS SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i V2 Hydro Cooler w/ PCS Liquid Series Ultra Quiet Fans
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days
Quantity
1

Price £1,749.00 including VAT and delivery

Unique URL to re-configure : https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z270-overclocked/uN9VTUpSX5/

Oussebon said:

Good idea

Also a good idea

You could look at the Noctis 450 case which has a similar aesthetic and I believe is a bit better in terms of cooling.

All of which would look something like:


Case
NZXT NOCTIS 450 MID-TOWER GAMING CASE (BLACK/RED)
Overclocked CPU
Overclocked Intel® Core™i7-7700k Quad Core (4.20GHz @ up to 4.8GHz)
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX Z270H GAMING: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1080 - DVI, HDMI, 3x DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1[SUP]st[/SUP] Hard Disk
2TB SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
M.2 SSD Drive
256GB SAMSUNG PM961 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 2800MB/R, 1100MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W CS SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i V2 Hydro Cooler w/ PCS Liquid Series Ultra Quiet Fans
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days
Quantity
1

Price £1,749.00 including VAT and delivery

Unique URL to re-configure : https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z270-overclocked/uN9VTUpSX5/

Click to expand...

I have emailed PCS to ask about their H440 as after doing more research there is a 2015 revised version that incorporates the Noctis' better ventilation and fan controls but keeps the sound proofing and cleaner lines of the original. I think I'll go for your spec but with the revised H440. I can always get it delivered to PCS if their version is the old one.

Thanks for your all your suggestions so far.

Having looked at the liquid cooling options I can't really tell much of a difference between the 100i V2 and the 110i other then the size of the fans. The price difference is only £15 so which one would you all recommend? The case can house both twin 120mm and 140mm radiators on the roof so size doesn't seem to be an issue. The 110i is louder but the H440 sound dampening will take care of that I guess... Basic logic would suggest that a larger radiator with larger surface area should dissipate heat better, but you never know and the Super quiet 100i V2 option might help cooling looking at the specification of the replacement fans

And saving £300 now will let me get an update monitor for 1440 gaming so looking to get the AOC 27" Q2778VQE connected via DP with my other monitor on DVI and 3rd on HDMI (Actually a TV that is only connected so I can stream stuff whilst upstairs and not used whilst gaming.)

The H100i V2 I had put in the spec is one that PCS have added quieter fans to. If noise levels are important to you then it may make most sense to go with that as the cooling should be more than sufficient with the noise being kept more in check as well.
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/73...formance-liquid-cpu-cooler-review/index7.html

It's my understanding that the corsair AIO coolers aren't known for having particularly quiet fans by default. Of course you could always replace the fans yourself on the H110 if you found the noise intrusive.

There's also the Noctua cooler which is £50 cheaper, should be more than fine for cooling, and would likely to quieter still.

That's my bad for missing that, sorry.

Heard back from PCS today who gave the item code and having checked around it seems they have the 2015 edition but are using the old pictures which is what threw me a little in the first place. Good thing I checked, though having looked around I do prefer a different colour scheme.

I placed my order a few days ago:

Case NZXT H440 MID-TOWER GAMING CASE (BLACK/RED)
Overclocked CPU Overclocked Intel® Core™i7-7700k Quad Core (4.20GHz @ up to 4.8GHz)
Motherboard ASUS® ROG STRIX Z270H GAMING: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM) 16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card 8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1080 - DVI, HDMI, 3x DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1st Hard Disk NOT REQUIRED
2nd Hard Disk 2TB SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
M.2 SSD Drive 256GB SAMSUNG SM961 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3100MB/R, 1400MB/W)
Power Supply CORSAIR 650W CS SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Processor Cooling Corsair H100i V2 Hydro Cooler w/ PCS Liquid Series Ultra Quiet Fans
Thermal Paste ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Operating System Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence
Warranty 3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days.

But just got an email to say that I need to change my order as the Z270H will not work with "ANY" liquid cooling options, that a technical issue means I go with the Z270H and air cooled or change the motherboard and go water cooled. What do you guys think? It seems that when I was posting that combination was the way to go.

I would prefer to stick with liquid cooling so I guess a change of motherboard is needed (though I'm struggling to find any information online as to any possible issue that might negate all liquid cooling options on the Z270H.)

At the moment I'm leaning towards the Z270E, though as it's basically the same motherboard, shouldn't it have the same issues? Or the Gigabyte Z270X-Ultra which is £13 cheaper but doesn't seem to have as much going for it as the E does... What do you all think?

The Z270E is a different mobo, and would be fine. I'd go with the Z270E for the USB 3.1 type C, the 2 M.2 slots, and as a bonus the built in wifi / Bluetooth - you never know when it might come in handy.

I'm not sure they they're saying the Z270H isn't compatible with liquid coolers.

"A technical issue involving the Z270H motherboard and ANY liquid CPU cooler has occurred therefore we need to change your order" Direct quote from the email.

Yeah, and I saw in the configurator that it doesn't let you order the Z270H with any liquid cooler. I just don't immediately see what that issue would be and certainly CBA to try to figure it out.

Interesting - I didn't take the next step when it let me pair them in the configuration system. I wonder what the issue is then and what that might mean for those who already have that configuration?

Great - Now I'll be spending all weekend worrying...

I called PCS on Friday afternoon as my order had been with them for 11 working days and I was wondering what the probability it being delivered on Monday was. I was told that the rig had failed testing due to CPU temperatures despite the liquid cooling and other 4 case fans... That combined with the previous "technical error" and now I'm worried something else will go wrong or the build is inherently problematic.

It's probably just a bad CPU or it didn't like the overclock and the new one will be fine (fingers crossed)... but that doesn't stop me from worrying. Have any of you had build issues that failed testing? I am hoping that despite the order still showing as "In Testing" it has passed and is in their hot room over the weekend so it can be shipped on Monday. Does the order update from "In Testing" to "In Quality Control" or are they both considered the same?

While the delay is unfortunate, I would actually treat it as something reassuring rather than something to worry about, since it means their tests have been robust enough to catch the issue.

My pre-OCed PC arrived, had various issues relating to stability and temps, and I think had to go back twice before they replaced the CPU, which resolved the issue. Whatever they did to fix your PC - replacing the CPU, adjusting the OC, etc - they seem to have caught an issue before it went to you which is always the better result.

I'm not sure there's a separate QC designation vs the testing - I assume any other quality control not related to system stability and functionality is done at the same time though.

Oussebon said:

While the delay is unfortunate, I would actually treat it as something reassuring rather than something to worry about, since it means their tests have been robust enough to catch the issue.

My pre-OCed PC arrived, had various issues relating to stability and temps, and I think had to go back twice before they replaced the CPU, which resolved the issue. Whatever they did to fix your PC - replacing the CPU, adjusting the OC, etc - they seem to have caught an issue before it went to you which is always the better result.

I'm not sure there's a separate QC designation vs the testing - I assume any other quality control not related to system stability and functionality is done at the same time though.

Click to expand...

I'm hoping they've fixed it - I don't know as it's still showing as "In Testing" and when I called yesterday I was told they were going to replace the CPU. You're right though about them catching the issue, I just hope it is as simple as a bad CPU and replacing it will fix it and I can get down to enjoying the rig.

If they said they're replacing the CPU then it sounds like all will be well. Could be that the 7700k they had was faulty, or that it was technically ok but just didn't get on well with any kind of OC - so you get a free reroll in the silicon lottery.

When you get the PC you can run the various stress tests and benches to satisfy yourself that all is well: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/foru...hould-I-look-to-do-once-I-ve-set-my-new-PC-up

and then get stuck in.