New Gaming Desktop (Since my last from PC Specialist in 2015!)

[AnthWolf]

Hey there everyone,

I'm hoping for some advice for the below build for a new desktop. My budget is approx. £2200-2500, and I'm looking to use it for heavy gaming use (Looking to run titles with at least a stable 60FPS at reasonably high to ultra settings) while recording/streaming video content at the same quality to viewers. I require a machine with a graphics card(s) capable of this for currently released games and hopefully future titles, such as the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077.

Currently I haven't had little experience with many titles running over a stable 60FPS so while knowing I'll have more FPS with many older titles, it's not something I'm used to personally.

In regards to a monitor, I currently am using a single 27" 1080p with a 60Hz monitor, though I'll likely use this as a secondary to keep Streamlabs OBS open and invest in a 4k monitor after my desktops purchase for gaming windows and such, though I've yet to consider size and refresh rate.

I've pushed my spending a little on the below build but I want this desktop to last me similarly to my current desktop which, apart from a GPU upgrade to a 1080ti) has worked smoothly for over 5 years. I've half-considered simply keeping my existing 1080ti GPU and installing it into the new desktop to save me some money but part of me wants to have a clear and obvious upgrade.

Right now, I've a small SSD to run windows and some folders but most of my gaming folders are installed on a 2TB HDD so I figured going for a 2TB SSD would be a overall improvement as well. Previously I'd have large uncompressed folders from recording footage via Fraps and therefore required the disk space but I've found using Streamlabs OBS for streaming and rarely needing such a large storage is less of a priority and now just a benefit.


My currently considered spec is:

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i9 12 Core Processor i9-10920X (3.5GHz) 19.25MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX X299-E GAMING II: ATX, USB 3.2, SATA 6 GB/s, Wi-Fi AC - ARGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (4 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
10GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3080 - HDMI, DP
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA 120 2.5" SSD, (up to 560MB/sR | 540MB/sW)
External DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
6x Slim USB 2.0 External Blu-Ray Writer
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Noctua NH-U14S Ultra Quiet Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Extra Case Fans
2x 120mm Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 Case Fans
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Price: £2,741.00 including VAT and Delivery

 

[Deleted member 17413]

Its a dead end build. CPU and motherboard both poor choices. You should really, really be looking at AMD, Intel are in a bad place and just getting worse.

Regarding the GPU, When would you be buying it/How much is the budget for a new monitor?
Is there a reason why you need a silent case? The extra fans? The external blueray drive?

 

[AnthWolf]

I haven't looked at AMD for potential builds I'll admit.

I'd likely be purchasing the GPU with the desktop itself and in regards to the monitor I'll likely look to spend approx. £300-500 at a push but that'll be the following year.

I'd prefer a silent case though it's not set in stone, trying to minimize external noises other than my voice during recording/streaming would be useful though like now I can use noise suppression via OBS if and when necessary.
I chose the extra fans to allow extra airflow, least that's how I saw it. I'm not an overall fan of liquid cooling so figured the investment may be worthwhile.
In regards to the external Blu-ray Drive, I don't currently have one, I could purchase a brand elsewhere, but figured I'd add it to the build for when I want to play DVDs or Blu-Ray.

 

[Deleted member 17413]

You know £300 to £500 isnt going to get you aa 4K 144Hz screen, right?
A 3080 GPU would be looking at roughly double that for a screen capable of displaying its output.
Rather than waste money on fans, buy a decent case (which the Define 7 is, to be fair...great case for airflow and silence), getting a good case to start with is a better option than trying to patch it with extra fans.
Closed loop liquid cooling is a solid choice these days... the noctua fans (although a market leader for air cooling fans) are big and chunky, I would stongly recommend a H100i Plat over the noctua.

 

[AnthWolf]

Hmm, as mentioned I'm not overly familiar with monitors but I can understand that if I want to go for the 144hz refresh rate compared to a 60/120hz I'd be paying for that upgrade. I'm pushing towards the 3080 more for the obvious improvement and framerate stability and remember that I'll be using the desktop 'til I consider an upgrade or new desktop another 5+ years down the line. I may not look too much into adding/upgrade during that time period.

I will take into consideration your case recommendation though! Cases again was something I wasn't looking at with much experience, which I appreciate getting!

While my current desktop has used liquid cooling for it's 5 year lifespan without issue, I still have that, I suppose, ignorant concern of liquids near circuitry. It hasn't been a problem, and it's highly likely never will, but always in the back of my mind.

 

[AnthWolf]

With the suggestions Sibun1, gave me last night, I've fiddled about and looked at an equivalent AMD Processor and matching Motherboard to go towards a new desktop PC.

Going with this set-up does reduce the cost of the overall build by almost £300 that I could invest into a better quality monitor. I'm hoping the decrease in cost is just from the AMD components simply being cheaper than a larger drop in performance but from my own try and finding answers there wouldn't be much lost. I ended went with his suggestion for the liquid cooling, which was only a little more expensive than the Noctua air fan cooling.

I did look at a 27" 1440p 144hz monitor but now trying to decide whether I shouldn't worry about the hertz as much and go for a 4k 60hz for the visual quality, or just wait and push for a 4k 120/144hz monitor an expect to pay approx, £900 - £1300.


Case
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT 12 Core CPU (4.7GHz/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 (4 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
10GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3080 - HDMI, DP
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA 120 2.5" SSD, (up to 560MB/sR | 540MB/sW)
External DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
6x Slim USB 2.0 External Blu-Ray Writer
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]

Price: £2,476.00 including VAT and Delivery

Would anyone have any suggestions or see any issues with this build? Apart from the wait for the RTX 3080 to come instock!