New Intel build - sanity check

[DimmyK]

I'm planning to upgrade my aging PC (2500K + DDR3 + AsRock Extereme 3 Gen 3) to something modern. I'm keeping video card (1080 Ti) and all drives (1 optical, 4 SSDs and 2 HDDs). Everything else must be upgraded. It's been a while since last major overhaul, so I'll need some sanity check here.

My goals are as following:

- quiet PC, good quality case with decent airflow that is easy to work with and aesthetically pleasing. I don't need a window or any flashing LEDs.
- kaby lake i7, preferably air cooled
- fast DDR4 but also not too expensive.
- no extreme CPU overclocking, maybe moderate bump in clocks just because I can.

Main goal is to get decent parts geared towards moderate overclocking without breaking the bank.

This is what I came up with:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($349.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus TUF Z270 MARK 2 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($143.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($131.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($143.88 @ Newegg)
Total: $919.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-05 11:23 EDT-0400

Does everything go well together? Are there components where I can save few bucks without compromising quality and speed? Will be purchasing on newegg since I have bunch of their gift cards.

Thanks in advance

 

[Ken g6]

Well, first, that PSU is too powerful. Unless you plan to SLI in the immediate future? How about this PSU: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/y8...ed-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-220-g3-0650

I gotta ask: 4 SSDs?

 

[DimmyK]

Well, first, that PSU is too powerful. Unless you plan to SLI in the immediate future? How about this PSU: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/y8...ed-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-220-g3-0650

I gotta ask: 4 SSDs?

No, I don't plan to SLI, and that PSU looks great. Thanks for suggestion. Yes 4 SSDs, 512GB system drive + 3 256GB for games and stuff.

Any suggestions for memory? Is 3200 significantly faster than lets say 3000? I just picked cheapest 3200 16GB kit with what looked like good timings...

 

[Ken g6]

Any suggestions for memory? Is 3200 significantly faster than lets say 3000? I just picked cheapest 3200 16GB kit with what looked like good timings...

Good question. I've seen RAM timings matter on a few games, in 4K resolution, on SLI. It doesn't matter a great deal, though. If you're concerned at all about money, 3200 is a good timing. CAS latency usually doesn't matter much. I'd go for this RAM on sale for $110 today only, which is only slightly higher CAS latency.

 

[lehtv]

I'm keeping video card (1080 Ti)

What monitor do you have?

- no extreme CPU overclocking, maybe moderate bump in clocks just because I can.

Given how little overclocking headroom the 7700K has wihtout high end cooling and delidding, It may make more sense to just downvolt the stock clocks, allows you to run the CPU very cool and quiet even at full load.

CPU: Intel Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($349.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus TUF Z270 MARK 2 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($143.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($131.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($143.88 @ Newegg)

CPU - OK
Cooler - Not bad. However, Amazon has the True Spirit 140 Direct which Techpowerup recently reviewed and found it to be extremely quiet. Techpowerup has also reviewed Cryorig H5, and it looks like True Spirit 140 Direct is significantly quieter - especially the 4 dBa difference at 25% fan speed makes me question whether the Cryorig is quiet enough for silent desktop use.
Motherboard - A bit weak. I'd recommend Asus Z270-A, it has a more robust VRM and doesn't skimp on PCB size. The TUF MARK 2 is not actually fully ATX-wide (244mm) and forgos three screw attachment holes on the right side.
RAM - See below.
Case - Not at that price, the R4 is a pretty old case by now. Get the newer Define R5 for $10 less, and add another 140mm fan (same model as the two preinstalled fans).
PSU - I like the 650 G3 suggestion.

Is 3200 significantly faster than lets say 3000?

No, not significantly. You probably noted that there are no kits between 3000MHz and 3200MHz... so, 3200MHz is just an incremental upgrade.

The difference between 2133MHz and 3200MHz, however, would be significant in many games.

I just picked cheapest 3200 16GB kit with what looked like good timings...

Here's a CL16 version of that RAM for $30 less, plus another $10 off with a promo code EMCRDDR25 that's valid for today. Much better buy given that CL15 vs CL16 doesn't matter at all.

For $170 you can get DDR4-3600 but it isn't really worth it over a $120 DDR4-3200 kit.

 

[DimmyK]

What monitor do you have?



Given how little overclocking headroom the 7700K has wihtout high end cooling and delidding, It may make more sense to just downvolt the stock clocks, allows you to run the CPU very cool and quiet even at full load.



CPU - OK
Cooler - Not bad. However, Amazon has the True Spirit 140 Direct which Techpowerup recently reviewed and found it to be extremely quiet. Techpowerup has also reviewed Cryorig H5, and it looks like True Spirit 140 Direct is significantly quieter - especially the 4 dBa difference at 25% fan speed makes me question whether the Cryorig is quiet enough for silent desktop use.
Motherboard - A bit weak. I'd recommend Asus Z270-A, it has a more robust VRM and doesn't skimp on PCB size. The TUF MARK 2 is not actually fully ATX-wide (244mm) and forgos three screw attachment holes on the right side.
RAM - See below.
Case - Not at that price, the R4 is a pretty old case by now. Get the newer Define R5 for $10 less, and add another 140mm fan (same model as the two preinstalled fans).
PSU - I like the 650 G3 suggestion.



No, not significantly. You probably noted that there are no kits between 3000MHz and 3200MHz... so, 3200MHz is just an incremental upgrade.

The difference between 2133MHz and 3200MHz, however, would be significant in many games.



Here's a CL16 version of that RAM for $30 less, plus another $10 off with a promo code EMCRDDR25 that's valid for today. Much better buy given that CL15 vs CL16 doesn't matter at all.

For $170 you can get DDR4-3600 but it isn't really worth it over a $120 DDR4-3200 kit.

Great info, thank you very much. I'm gonna stick with Fractal R5, I really like this case, get 2 extra fractal fans, change G3 850 to G3 650W, and change RAM to what you guys suggested. Also, change mobo to ASUS PRIME Z270-A. Total with the $10 coupon - $914.13.

As for monitor, I have 27" Dell 2560x1440, which I am planning to upgrade to Ultrawide Gsync some time in near future.

 

[lehtv]

@DimmyK Do you mean that you'll stick with the R4? That's what you had listed originally.

The Z270-A has three fan headers for case fans (well, technically there's also AIO pump header and CPU_OPT, but still). Since it's usually a better idea to let the motherboard automatically control the fans rather than manualy switching between modes on the case's three-speed fan controller, I'd suggest buying a set of Y-cables (NA-SYC1). That way you can connect all four fans to two fan headers on the motherboard - one header (CHA_FAN2) for front fans, another (CHA_FAN1) for rear fans (assuming you put the fourth fan in the top rear slot). This simplifies things when adjusting fan profiles in the BIOS.

As for monitor, I have 27" Dell 2560x1440, which I am planning to upgrade to Ultrawide Gsync some time in near future.

Perfect.

 

[DimmyK]

@DimmyK Do you mean that you'll stick with the R4? That's what you had listed originally.

The Z270-A has three fan headers for case fans (well, technically there's also AIO pump header and CPU_OPT, but still). Since it's usually a better idea to let the motherboard automatically control the fans rather than manualy switching between modes on the case's three-speed fan controller, I'd suggest buying a set of Y-cables (NA-SYC1). That way you can connect all four fans to two fan headers on the motherboard - one header (CHA_FAN2) for front fans, another (CHA_FAN1) for rear fans (assuming you put the fourth fan in the top rear slot). This simplifies things when adjusting fan profiles in the BIOS.


Perfect.

Sorry, meant to say I'm going to go with R5 as per your recommendation. Good idea about Y-cables, thanks.

_______________________________

Thanks all for your advises.

I ended up ordering the following, mainly due to RAM being on sale with coupon that was ending today:

• Intel Core i7-7700K Kaby Lake Quad-Core 4.2 GHz LGA 1151 91W BX80677I77700K Desktop Processor
  
• ASUS PRIME Z270-A LGA 1151 Intel Z270 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX Motherboards - Intel
  
• G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600) Intel Z170 Platform / Intel X99 Platform Desktop Memory Model F4-3200C16D-16GVKB
  
• EVGA SuperNOVA 650 G3, 220-G3-0650-Y1, 80+ GOLD, 650W Fully Modular, EVGA ECO Mode with New HDB Fan, Includes FREE Power On Self Tester, Compact 150mm Size, Power Supply
  
• 2 x Fractal Design Dynamic GP-14 Black/White Hydraulic Bearing 140mm Case Fan
  
• Fractal Design Define R5 Black Silent ATX Midtower Computer Case
  
• CRYORIG H5A Universal Mid Tower Cooler For AMD/Intel CPU's

Total cost $914.13. Looking forward to starting the build, it's been years...