Computer Spec Help

[ShutterBug365]

The time has now come to look at doing some computer upgrades. I have split this into two threads given one is regarding a desktop and one is regarding a laptop.

Currently rocking a home-built PC from late 2010. Have been putting of replacing for a while given that the computer still does pretty much everything I want it to do and boots in around 30 seconds (in fact it’s been used all day every day since early March due to working from home in lockdown). Literally nothing is physically wrong with this it is just showing its age in terms of some of the games I would like are way out of its league, its not really upgradable anymore and it is getting slower as RAW files and Photoshop gets more bloated, I think the time is approaching.

So, usage requirements are to name a few:

• Photoshop, Lightroom with various plugins and additional software bits
  • HTML programming
  • Python programming
  • Android Studio
  • Other programming as determined by Computer Science degree study
  • Various simulation games (Euro Truck, TS2020, TSWorld, Civilisation, Winter Resort etc)
  • Virtual Machines (Hyper-V)
  • Handbrake

I am intending to pair this with a 4K monitor initially once I find a good one that is 100% sRGB for the photography. Probably in the size of 28/32 inch.

As you can see by the spec it has been a while since I have built a PC and have been picking up on the forum that I need to be careful which motherboard to choose to pair with the 3900X. I think I have chosen well, but look forward to feedback.

So, the highlights of what I have now.

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-930 (2.80GHz)
Memory (RAM)
12GB Triple Channel Ram
Graphics Card
AMD 5770 Graphics
1st Storage Drive
256GB SAMSUNG 830 SERIES SSD
Operating System
WINDOWS 10 PRO

Looking at moving to.

Case
CORSAIR CARBIDE SERIES™ 200R COMPACT GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12 Core CPU (3.8GHz-4.6GHz/70MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0) – A RGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2070 SUPER - HDMI, 3x DP GeForce - RTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE IRONWOLF PRO 3.5", 7200 RPM 128MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 100 V2 Series High Performance CPU Cooler (AMD)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Extra Case Fans
2x 120mm Black Case Fan (configured to extract from rear/roof)
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED (Already have Windows 10 Pro to install)
Warranty
3 Year Platinum Warranty (3 Year Collect & Return, 3 Year Parts, 3 Year labour)

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/UYub6vJbMU/

Thanks in advance for all feedback.

Paul

 

[Scott]

Are you looking to game on the 4k monitor? The reason I ask is that the 2070 Super is going to struggle at that resolution. The 4k monitor is obviously a necessity as it is for the productivity aspect, but for gaming would you consider a second 1440p 144hz monitor? This would likely also help with productivity, especially when it comes to the programming aspect (I can imagine heavy usage of HTML would be beneficial).

With all that aside, I think you are in the right ball park but there are definitely some areas that need addressed.

What is your budget for the system? Do you have the URL from the bottom of the spec sheet so that I can easily go in and have a play with the config? Saves me from starting from scratch.

Warranties are personal things, totally get that but I wouldn't personally opt for such a covered warranty. With tech, if it doesn't go in the first year it's unlikely to go at all... you would need to be very unlucky. Additionally, you are still covered by extended warranty for the extended warranty components (TXM PSU would give you a 5yr warranty for example) so there isn't as much as you think covered by the platinum.

 

[ShutterBug365]

Thanks Scott, URL now in the original post.

Whilst yes I would be looking at gaming on the monitor as I had in mind just a single monitor at this stage the gaming would not necessarily be at 4k as I am aware that can serious stress the card etc. As you guessed the 4k was for the real estate for photography.

In terms of budget, I do not have a set budget as such. I think the phrase is best bang for buck and longevity. As you can tell from what I am currently using I tend to use it until it no longer works either physically or spec wise.

 

[Scott]

Ok, here is the first draft. I have absolutely no doubt there are likely to be changes here.

WRT gaming, there's going to be a little bit of compromise. As much as you can lower the resolution on your 4k monitor, it's never going to look 100% right so it won't look as nice as a native screen would. That's just something that will need to be lived with unfortunately as I think it's a lesser compromise than a crazy low FPS would be. But you can suck it and see as you go. The GPU is perfect for any professional level of use.

3900X - Would be my go-to as well. Ideal for high level usage.
ROG Strix - Overkill but it's a nice addition. I would personally choose this board too. It has decent VRM cooling as well which will help when used heavily.
32GB RAM - 4k images, check.
Storage - This is the first main change. I've opted for a smaller primary (still silly fast) and added a cache/scratch drive. Not sure if you have worked with one before but this can make a HUGE difference when the memory starts to get saturated. The faster the cache/scratch during memory intensive uses the better. This is as fast as it gets. It also doubles as a fast storage location (hence the 1TB). Cache should only really use around 100-200GB during normal use. It can get silly with video editing but this is with mass effects.
Cooling - You need a good cooler on that chip. A 240mm rad is recommended. The Coolermaster is an ideal cooling solution for performance (not for silence though).

Next Level:

The only slight down-side to this build is noise. If you are happy to have a nosier build in favour of performance then below cuts the mustard. The real drawback is that if you want silence...... it's going to cost a pretty penny. Nothing is ever free. to get quiet and good performance would take the Fractal 7 case and the H115i Platinum cooler. You need to weigh up the costs to the environment. Everything in the buld below can be controlled (fan wise) so it can be configured for silence when not being pushed and configured for performance when you need to stretch its legs. The Fractal and H115i would see high levels of performance with low levels of noise.

Case
FRACTAL FOCUS G BLACK GAMING CASE (Window)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12 Core CPU (3.8GHz-4.6GHz/70MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2070 SUPER - HDMI, 3x DP GeForce - RTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/W)
2nd M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 520 GEN 4 PCIe NVMe (up to 5000MB/R, 4400MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
CoolerMaster MasterLiquid Lite 240 High Performance Liquid Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Extra Case Fans
3x Corsair LL120 RGB LED Fan + Controller Kit
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/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
NO RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Platinum Warranty (3 Year Collect & Return, 3 Year Parts, 3 Year labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 18 to 20 working days
Price: £2,236.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/tfMvYkebjH/

 

[ShutterBug365]

Thanks Scott, interesting reading.

I will be honest I have tended to look away from Liquid cooled probably just because I do not understand it enough. Liquid and computers always seems wrong to me - leaks etc.

In terms of noise my current computer is fairly noisy and in the corner of the home office is a home server so hey fan noise is fine - sounding like a hoover on the other hand.

I think I need to do some research on this liquid cooling system.

 

[Scott]

Liquid cooling isn't what you think. It's an inert liquid and its also de-ionised. Normally deionised water mixed with glycol IIRC.

They are sealed and don't require any looking after at all. I've personally checked each of the branded offerings from PCS out (PCS name brand ones are the exception as I don't know them at all). The Coolermaster is a great cooler for the money, seriously a bargain. The H115i Platinum is my cooler, the best of the best at this level.

You can search around but you will read a ton of Chinese whispers. I advise that you take them with a grain of salt for the most part and concentrate on any that have actual evidence of issue, rather than my mate's goldfish type stories. I've ran AIO since 2009. When my Dad helped plum for my current system I built him a new one free-gratis along with my H55 cooler from 2009. It's still going strong. From 2009-2019 it ran 24/7 with 2 re-pastes in between (that I recall).