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nowadays most users rely on advanced RGB/fan controllers. Many chassis include them and numerous AIO units too. They function as PWM splitters allowing you to operate virtually any number of fans from just a few headers.
Choosing a monitor requires some consideration. If you opt for a 4090, compatibility is generally good, though certain games may need adjustments at 4K resolution.
With limited desk space, ultra-wide models aren't practical. A 4K 32" display is ideal in that scenario. OLED panels work well if you prefer dimmed screens and a less bright room, as they offer excellent blacks and low latency, though their contrast ratios are lower. They may struggle with HDR performance due to brightness limitations, and their black levels can be a slight drawback.
If these concerns persist, look into QD-OLED or high-end IPS panels.
rtings.com is an excellent resource for comparing monitors.
Don't worry too much about which brand offers the best gaming experience. If your system has a GPU limitation similar to 4K, the CPU will hardly contribute. Keep this in mind when testing a CPU for gaming; the tester should adjust settings and resolution to eliminate any GPU constraints, ensuring the workload stays on the CPU—a scenario that seldom happens outside competitive play. More significant factors include power usage, heat generation, and initial price (processors with many cores often need costly liquid coolers that usually fail within 3 to 5 years). When choosing CPUs for gaming, i9's and Ryzen 9 are generally not worth the investment despite their claims. For AMD users, focus on the X3D model when selecting a CPU for a gaming rig—it provides extra cache memory beneficial for tasks like gaming. I recommend checking Tom's article for a list of top choices below for your research. Other sites also provide aggregated scores, but remember to consider the points I mentioned about CPU gaming benchmarks. My suggestions align with some of the recommended builds already shared. Intel i7 14700K or AMD Ryzen 7800X3D.
The suggested Liancool 216 appears to be a decent option, though it seems to feature only a dust filter at the front panel. I’m thinking about the Corsair 4000D Airflow or something comparable. It has filters at the front, top, and PSU air intake, which would be better. Any advice on using this as a replacement? I’m not very familiar with fan placement or airflow, but I wonder if adding extra fans could compensate for its default performance compared to the Liancool.
That is a fine case, but the lack of fans is why I never really recommend it. You would want to add at least 2 more fans to the front.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor
(£346.00 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler:
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Black 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler
(£42.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Motherboard:
Gigabyte X670 AORUS ELITE AX (rev. 1.0) ATX AM5 Motherboard
(£249.99 @ AWD-IT)
Memory:
G.Skill Flare X5 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
(£201.34 @ Amazon UK)
Storage:
Western Digital Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
(£129.99 @ Ebuyer)
Video Card:
Gigabyte WINDFORCE V2 GeForce RTX 4090 24 GB Video Card
(£1598.99 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case:
Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case
(£78.50 @ Computer Orbit)
Power Supply:
Antec NE1300G M ATX3.0 1300 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
(£137.99 @ MoreCoCo)
Operating System:
Microsoft Windows 11 Home Retail - Download 64-bit
(£106.08 @ Senetic)
Case Fan:
Corsair SP120 ELITE 45.4 CFM 120 mm Fan
(£10.87 @ Amazon UK)
Case Fan:
Corsair SP120 ELITE 45.4 CFM 120 mm Fan
(£10.87 @ Amazon UK)
Total:
£2912.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by
PCPartPicker
2024-04-10 13:05 BST+0100
I demonstrated the recommended configurations to some friends and received feedback indicating the i7 14700 is limiting the performance of the 4090 by around 6% (about 10% at 1440p). Should I worry about this extent? Would further upgrading the CPU be a waste? I believe even i9s might have bottlenecks according to that site.
It's curious why these bottleneck calculators perform poorly. I found myself questioning their calculation methods.
They often rely on broad assumptions and perform simplistic calculations. Nearly any CPU can handle 4K, but the key factor is GPU performance. The CPU sends a draw call and waits for the GPU, which can only sustain around 70 FPS, giving the CPU ample opportunity to waste cycles. On the other hand, reducing resolution and settings forces the CPU to manage numerous draw calls at high frame rates, leaving the GPU idle as rendering tasks finish quickly. In an optimal setup, CPU and GPU operate near full capacity for peak FPS at the highest graphics quality. Ignoring this balance results in bottlenecks. Neither the CPU nor GPU inherently creates a bottleneck; it's about how you utilize their capabilities. Sometimes the monitor becomes the limiting factor when high resolution is required, which may be deliberate to achieve low latency. Others aim for the fastest possible system, opting for ultra-high refresh rates and top-tier hardware, pushing every frame to its limit. In extreme cases, what is perceived as a bottleneck isn't realistic—such as purchasing an expensive CPU with a much more affordable GPU. Many people fear that upgrading the GPU will cause performance issues. This isn't true. A more powerful GPU always boosts performance. If the CPU remains the limiting factor, adjusting game settings or resolution can maintain smooth performance without sacrificing visual quality.
Not just bad, just plain garbage. Generic attempts to predict things that don’t quite fit the rules. It’s similar to getting a new M.2 gen 5 drive for your PC. If you only run benchmarks, it’s fine, but real-world performance isn’t much better than an old SATA SSD—unless you do a lot of file transfers, then it could make a difference.
Parts ordered, with slight adjustments made after my own research. I chose a Strix OC 4090 for quieter operation (and since there’s little evidence of a proper review for the Windforce V2), added some Silent Wings Pro 4 fans for the case. Used a 6400 Mhz RAM instead of the usual 6000 Mhz. Got some advanced phase change material for the CPU heatsink. Selected a Frost Spirit 140mm CPU cooler, though it might be a bit too much, except for the Strix OC. Also, swapped to a 4TB SSD instead of 2TB.
Hope everything works fine.
I have to admit, I’m unsure about handling the phase change material. I know how to apply it, but I’m not sure how much to cover the heatsink. Do you think it’s better to cover a larger area compared to thermal paste? Anyone has any experience with this?