Looking for ideas on new i7 setups.
Looking for ideas on new i7 setups.
Hi All,
I need some advice on the parts to achieve the best value for my setup. I’m targeting around 1500-1700 AUD. Right now I’m assembling this for home lab use and everyday tasks, planning to add a GPU for gaming later. Presently I have Windows 11, VMware, five Linux VMs, and one Windows Server (2019 or 2022). I also need Docker Desktop for basic work.
The parts I’m considering are listed below. I’m open to suggestions to reduce costs, even if it means exceeding the budget just to ensure efficient use of resources.
14 gen Intel core i7 14700k 619AUD
Asus Prime Z790 p wifi 319AUD
G.skill trifent 2X24 gb DDR5 7200mhz 319AUD
Samsung 990 pro 2tb PCI4 NVMe SSD 270AUD
Coolermaster Masterliquid 360L Core 135AUD
Coolermaster GX3 80+ PSU Gold 750W 179AUD
Corsair iCu 4000x RGB Tempered Glass 179 AUD
Overall budget -2030
8c/16t supports running several VMs simultaneously, which is ideal for a home lab setup. I plan to set up a virtual home lab this year and use an 8c/16t CPU for multiple virtual ESXi hosts. If more cores are needed, I can switch to a 12c/24t 7900. For Intel systems, I’d skip the 13th or 14th Gen i7/i9 right now. Things might improve with the 15th Gen, but that’s likely a few months away.
Hi Folks,
Please review the configuration you provided. Your budget is between 1500-1700AUD for setting up a home lab with 5-6 Linux VMs and 2 Windows VMs. You prefer Intel hardware and have heard concerns about stability with i7 and i9 processors.
Here’s a summary:
- Intel core i5 14600K 438AUD
- Gigabyte z790 Eagle AX ATX 317AUD
- Kingston Fury (2x32GB DDR5 6000MHZ) 236AUD
- Samsung 990 Pro 2TB PCL4 NVME 297AUD
- Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB 189AUD
- Deepcool AK500 Digital 99AUD
- Coolermaster v850GOLD v2 169AUD
Total: 1746
It looks good. I’d save money by choosing the SSD and opting for the WD SN850X, allocating those savings to the Super Flower LEADEX VII XG 850 W PSU rather than the Cooler Master. The SSDs perform similarly, and the Super Flower PSU offers superior performance compared to the Cooler Master.
Do you require the digital edition of the AK500 cooler? The standard model would be more affordable.
I would choose a superior motherboard such as the Aorus Elite or the MSI Tomahawk—especially if you intend to run your PC under heavy load for extended periods.
The AK620 cooler would also be a suitable choice for the same reasons.
The significance of the gaming aspect is clear, since lower latency RAM provides advantages for competitive players. However, if you're not aiming for top-tier performance or high refresh rates, you can reduce expenses by opting for RAM with higher latency.
I will present both high-latency and low-latency RAM options, but I won’t recommend purchasing both. Pick one option.
The SeaSonic model consumes more power than necessary at 1000W, yet less-powerful models tend to cost more. The power supply unit will consume the same amount regardless of its maximum capacity, so there’s no disadvantage to choosing higher wattage.
Samsung offers strong performance, but you don’t need to invest in it unless you require it.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: Intel Core i7-13700K 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor
($538.77 @ JW Computers)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM
($59.00 @ Scorptec)
Motherboard: ASRock Z790 PRO RS WIFI ATX LGA1700
($309.00 @ Centre Com)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) DDR5-6400 CL32
($299.95 @ Amazon Australia)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws M5 RGB 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) DDR5-5200 CL40
($192.91 @ Amazon Australia)
Storage: TEAMGROUP MP44L 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
($189.00 @ Centre Com)
Case: Antec DP503 ATX Mid Tower Case
($99.00 @ Centre Com)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS GX-1000 ATX 3.0 1000 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular
($202.33 @ Amazon Australia)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home Retail - USB 64-bit
($195.00 @ Centre Com)
Total: $2084.96
Includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts
Generated by
PCPartPicker
2024-07-15 20:36 AEST+1000
It would exceed your budget by nearly $200 if you go for the faster RAM kit. Also, if you already own a Windows 10/11 license, you can transfer it. Before installing the new system, uninstall your existing license and choose “I don’t have a license” during setup.
Once Windows is installed and functioning properly, proceed to activation.
Another cost-saving option is selecting a CPU with a 13600K clock speed. It offers similar performance without the instability concerns that have affected some i7 and i9 models from the 13th and 14th generation. While it may not be drastically slower, its impact on virtual machines remains uncertain. The 13700K remains a practical standard choice.
You can find detailed information on the modifications Intel and motherboard makers have implemented following recent stability challenges.
Extensive testing with Intel’s i9-13900K showed varying power consumption levels (Baseline, Performance, Extreme, Insane) across different scenarios. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the changes made.
After reviewing Aris’ findings on Core i9-13900K power usage in Cinebench 23, I’m expanding the scope of this review. Yes, I’m intentionally using a Z690 processor…
www.igorslab.de
I would opt for the additional cost to receive the 14700k. Adding 4 more E cores would be beneficial for the OP's needs. I wouldn't compromise on storage either, as the constant read/write traffic from virtual use instances could cause the DRAM-less MP44L to throttle. The 990 Pro is a solid option but seems unnecessary. The NM790 offers a balanced solution:
https://au.pcpartpicker.com/product...0-...002t-rn9nu
A more affordable alternative:
https://au.pcpartpicker.com/product...e-...00t500ssd8
Please help me narrow down the CPU options. If there are problems with the i7 14th gen, we can consider the i5 instead. Some reviews suggest the i5 13th gen offers better value.