High-end gaming build

[KaRRiLLioN]

I want to build a new gaming rig, but I've been out of the loop for a while. I'd like to go fairly high end but within reason.

So far, I've chosen the Intel i7-7700K as the CPU, but the motherboards are all over the place. I don't think I need one of the $500 ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme boards, but I'd like something nice and rock solid.

As for SSD, I'll probably stick with the ones I have.
Also, I have an Nvidia 980GTX that I'll probably hang onto for now.

Any suggestions for Mobo and memory?
Also, I wouldn't mind going for a new case. I'm a big fan of silent cases. I currently have a Silverstone Fortress FT01 which has served me well, but I wouldn't be averse to a smaller case.

Thanks!

 

[Bouowmx]

If the computer is about gaming, then why stick with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 and change CPU?

 

[KaRRiLLioN]

Because it's only one gen removed, and I have a quiet cooler on it. When I feel like going through the rigamarole of installing a new cooler on a new card, I'll do it.

 

[Chaptorial]

I recently built the rig in my sig and went with the Asrock z270 Gaming i7 ATX board. This was my first time with an Asrock board, coming from Asus and Gigabyte builds prior to this one. It has been flawless now for over a month and it recognized my G.Skill TridentZ Series memory no problem (its on the boards compatibility list) and overclocked to advertised speed with one setting change in the BIOS.

Has good future proofing with three M.2 slots, 64 GB maximum memory, 10 SATA 3 ports, on board WiFi and a 5GB LAN port. Its $269.99 on Newegg with a $10 rebate.

If you don't need on board WiFi and can do with two M.2 slots, the Asrock Z270 Gaming K6 is getting great reviews with a price tag of $169.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Do you plan to overclock (not that there's much point with the 7700K)? What about SLI/crossfire?

If no and no, then you only need a $140-160 z270 motherboard and save the difference for next year's GTX 1180 ti. Also, 16 GB RAM will be enough for gaming for at least the next few years.

A smaller case is generally a louder case, since it can have worse airflow and might require smaller, faster fans.

 

[KaRRiLLioN]

Does anyone use Zalman coolers these days?

 

[lehtv]

Probably, but Zalman coolers have been out of fashion ever since the rectangular tower became the de facto air cooler shape about 10 years ago. I'm not sure who was the first company to create the modern tower design, maybe Thermalright with their Ultra series coolers or Cooler Master with their 212 series.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Probably, but Zalman coolers have been out of fashion ever since the rectangular tower became the de facto air cooler shape about 10 years ago. I'm not sure who was the first company to create the modern tower design, maybe Thermalright with their Ultra series coolers or Cooler Master with their 212 series.

There may be exceptions; my remarks could be challenged. But Zalman's coolers over some period of time never competed well with other entries solely on the basis of thermal resistance or inversely the measureable thermal conductivity. But they often were tops in the bling category.

I'm sure the 212's came after the TRUE coolers. Before the TRUE, TR's cooler designs looked like taller versions of their low-profile coolers sold today. They had an "XP-120" and XP-90 model.