F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop MSI Z390 Gaming Plus Build & Suggestions

MSI Z390 Gaming Plus Build & Suggestions

MSI Z390 Gaming Plus Build & Suggestions

S
Say_Say123
Member
120
12-13-2019, 10:37 AM
#1
Hey everyone! To sum it up quickly, I'm just getting started with PC building, even though I've been diving into research every day for the past week. I'm aiming to wrap this project by New Year and I'm trying to pick the right components. My goal is to finish before the year ends. Regarding memory, I was really focused on the G. Skill Ripjaws v 16 (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3600 at $70, but after some reading it seems higher clock speeds don't always mean better results. You might run into issues like boot failures or performance limits when you start overclocking. So I'm going with a lower frequency and considering the Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200, which is cheaper by $5 but still offers good speed. It has RGB, though I’m more focused on performance than looks. My main concern is whether my setup can handle demanding games like Rust, Squad, Battlefield, COD, etc., while keeping frame rates high and settings reasonable. I also need a fast workstation for work and career, not just gaming. Here’s the breakdown of what I have:

- CPU: Intel i7 8700K (3.7GHz, 6 cores) – $369.99
- Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 – $89.95
- Board: MSI MPG Z390 GAMING PLUS – $143.99
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16GB DDR4-3200 – $74.99
- Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 500GB M.2 – $89.99
- GPU: Gigabyte RTX 2070 SUPER 8GB – $560.29
- Case: Thermaltake H200 – $132.88
- PSU: Corsair HX Platinum 750W – $239.98
- Fans & Monitor: Noctua NF-A14 fans and an Asus ROG SWIFT PG248Q monitor – $27.95 each

I’m thinking about selling the monitor after a while and buying a newer one when prices drop. Overall, I hope this build will let me enjoy smooth gameplay and productivity. Thanks for checking in!
S
Say_Say123
12-13-2019, 10:37 AM #1

Hey everyone! To sum it up quickly, I'm just getting started with PC building, even though I've been diving into research every day for the past week. I'm aiming to wrap this project by New Year and I'm trying to pick the right components. My goal is to finish before the year ends. Regarding memory, I was really focused on the G. Skill Ripjaws v 16 (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3600 at $70, but after some reading it seems higher clock speeds don't always mean better results. You might run into issues like boot failures or performance limits when you start overclocking. So I'm going with a lower frequency and considering the Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200, which is cheaper by $5 but still offers good speed. It has RGB, though I’m more focused on performance than looks. My main concern is whether my setup can handle demanding games like Rust, Squad, Battlefield, COD, etc., while keeping frame rates high and settings reasonable. I also need a fast workstation for work and career, not just gaming. Here’s the breakdown of what I have:

- CPU: Intel i7 8700K (3.7GHz, 6 cores) – $369.99
- Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 – $89.95
- Board: MSI MPG Z390 GAMING PLUS – $143.99
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16GB DDR4-3200 – $74.99
- Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 500GB M.2 – $89.99
- GPU: Gigabyte RTX 2070 SUPER 8GB – $560.29
- Case: Thermaltake H200 – $132.88
- PSU: Corsair HX Platinum 750W – $239.98
- Fans & Monitor: Noctua NF-A14 fans and an Asus ROG SWIFT PG248Q monitor – $27.95 each

I’m thinking about selling the monitor after a while and buying a newer one when prices drop. Overall, I hope this build will let me enjoy smooth gameplay and productivity. Thanks for checking in!

R
ReakZ_
Member
183
12-13-2019, 12:33 PM
#2
Here’s the direct link you can share.

The 8700K remains effective because it’s a well-established model, even though newer builds with the 3600 offer better value for performance.
R
ReakZ_
12-13-2019, 12:33 PM #2

Here’s the direct link you can share.

The 8700K remains effective because it’s a well-established model, even though newer builds with the 3600 offer better value for performance.

D
Dead_pool_
Junior Member
19
12-13-2019, 05:58 PM
#3
Your setup is looking excellent and well-balanced. For better performance with growing game sizes and files, adding another hard drive as secondary storage would be a good idea. I’d also recommend switching to a 1TB NVMe drive rather than the 500GB option, just to ensure faster speeds. Just confirm it’s not using QLC NAND flash for optimal results.
D
Dead_pool_
12-13-2019, 05:58 PM #3

Your setup is looking excellent and well-balanced. For better performance with growing game sizes and files, adding another hard drive as secondary storage would be a good idea. I’d also recommend switching to a 1TB NVMe drive rather than the 500GB option, just to ensure faster speeds. Just confirm it’s not using QLC NAND flash for optimal results.

V
VitoSEXY
Posting Freak
797
12-20-2019, 01:17 AM
#4
That mostly applies only to manual OC. XMP profiles are stable, at least with Intel. So stick with 3600MHz kit if it's cheaper. This is for gaming right ? I'd recommend Gigabyte Gaming X motherboard instead, better VRM. You can get cheaper SSDs, Samsung ones are overpriced. You don't need 250$ PSU for this, get Phanteks AMP 550W, it's enough. be quiet! SW2 fans are equally good quality as Noctua ones, get 1000RPM versions for 15$ so they wouldn't sound like jet taking off. There's cheaper 1080p displays, you can get 1440p 144Hz VA one for this price. And there are cheaper\better GPUs too, either get perfectly good reference one for 500$ or EVGA XC with better cooling system for 520$.
V
VitoSEXY
12-20-2019, 01:17 AM #4

That mostly applies only to manual OC. XMP profiles are stable, at least with Intel. So stick with 3600MHz kit if it's cheaper. This is for gaming right ? I'd recommend Gigabyte Gaming X motherboard instead, better VRM. You can get cheaper SSDs, Samsung ones are overpriced. You don't need 250$ PSU for this, get Phanteks AMP 550W, it's enough. be quiet! SW2 fans are equally good quality as Noctua ones, get 1000RPM versions for 15$ so they wouldn't sound like jet taking off. There's cheaper 1080p displays, you can get 1440p 144Hz VA one for this price. And there are cheaper\better GPUs too, either get perfectly good reference one for 500$ or EVGA XC with better cooling system for 520$.

T
TommyFire_
Member
74
12-21-2019, 03:32 AM
#5
I first attempted to share the link but it didn’t appear as a URL even after using the "insert other media" option. Now it seems to function properly. Sorry about that! Honestly, I was hoping for Intel’s G-Sync support to give me confidence. My friend recommended the i7 8700K because they thought it would be dependable and flexible for my needs. It just felt like a safe choice since I don’t plan to push the system beyond its limits soon.

PCPartPicker has the list you requested:
- Intel Core i7-8700K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor – $369.99 @ B&H
- Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler – $89.95 @ Amazon
- MSI MPG Z390 GAMING PLUS ATX Motherboard – $143.99 @ Amazon
- Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16 GB RAM – $74.99 @ Best Buy
- Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB NVMe SSD – $89.99 @ B&H
- Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 OC 3X – $603.99 @ Amazon
- Power Supply Corsair HX Platinum 750W – $239.98 @ Amazon
- Monitor Asus ROG SWIFT PG248Q – $249.99 @ Best Buy

Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 NVMe
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB
Case: Thermaltake H200 TG Snow RGB ATX Mid Tower
Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts – total $2051.65
T
TommyFire_
12-21-2019, 03:32 AM #5

I first attempted to share the link but it didn’t appear as a URL even after using the "insert other media" option. Now it seems to function properly. Sorry about that! Honestly, I was hoping for Intel’s G-Sync support to give me confidence. My friend recommended the i7 8700K because they thought it would be dependable and flexible for my needs. It just felt like a safe choice since I don’t plan to push the system beyond its limits soon.

PCPartPicker has the list you requested:
- Intel Core i7-8700K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor – $369.99 @ B&H
- Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler – $89.95 @ Amazon
- MSI MPG Z390 GAMING PLUS ATX Motherboard – $143.99 @ Amazon
- Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16 GB RAM – $74.99 @ Best Buy
- Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB NVMe SSD – $89.99 @ B&H
- Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 OC 3X – $603.99 @ Amazon
- Power Supply Corsair HX Platinum 750W – $239.98 @ Amazon
- Monitor Asus ROG SWIFT PG248Q – $249.99 @ Best Buy

Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 NVMe
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB
Case: Thermaltake H200 TG Snow RGB ATX Mid Tower
Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts – total $2051.65

C
CuzImJuli
Member
204
12-21-2019, 04:05 AM
#6
Here’s a revised version of your text:

PCPartPicker heeft een volledige lijst opgelisterd: een Intel Core i7-8700K van 3.7 GHz met 6 cores, een Scythe FUMA 2 ventilator (51.17 CFM), een Gigabyte Z390 GAMING X ATX board (LGA1151) voor $145,99, Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB DDR4-3600 (16 GB, 2 x 8 GB), een Team MP34 1 TB NVMe M.2 SSD (1 TB) voor $103,99, een EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB XC graphics card (8 GB), en een Thermaltake H200 TG RGB mid-tower case (purchaserecht) voor $0. Prijzen bevatten shipping, belastingen en eventuele rails. Deze informatie werd samengesteld door PCPartPicker op 17 december 2019.

Je hebt een interessante opzet samengevat!
C
CuzImJuli
12-21-2019, 04:05 AM #6

Here’s a revised version of your text:

PCPartPicker heeft een volledige lijst opgelisterd: een Intel Core i7-8700K van 3.7 GHz met 6 cores, een Scythe FUMA 2 ventilator (51.17 CFM), een Gigabyte Z390 GAMING X ATX board (LGA1151) voor $145,99, Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB DDR4-3600 (16 GB, 2 x 8 GB), een Team MP34 1 TB NVMe M.2 SSD (1 TB) voor $103,99, een EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB XC graphics card (8 GB), en een Thermaltake H200 TG RGB mid-tower case (purchaserecht) voor $0. Prijzen bevatten shipping, belastingen en eventuele rails. Deze informatie werd samengesteld door PCPartPicker op 17 december 2019.

Je hebt een interessante opzet samengevat!

R
redstonersven
Member
210
12-28-2019, 09:35 PM
#7
He friend is thinking about giving you an 180 internal SSD that he hasn’t used, and you’re planning to use it as a boot disk. That shouldn’t affect things much. Coming from a MacBook Pro 2015 with 256GB Flash storage felt like enough space back then, especially with a big Steam collection. I understand where you’re coming from, especially now that you’re looking at more storage needs.
R
redstonersven
12-28-2019, 09:35 PM #7

He friend is thinking about giving you an 180 internal SSD that he hasn’t used, and you’re planning to use it as a boot disk. That shouldn’t affect things much. Coming from a MacBook Pro 2015 with 256GB Flash storage felt like enough space back then, especially with a big Steam collection. I understand where you’re coming from, especially now that you’re looking at more storage needs.

A
AzmiCraft
Member
177
12-30-2019, 04:11 AM
#8
I visited the PCPartPicker overview and found a small link near the "compatibility" section. I saved the URL and tried sharing it in a thread, but when I clicked "insert image from URL," it didn’t work at first. Even after editing the post later, the issue persisted.
A
AzmiCraft
12-30-2019, 04:11 AM #8

I visited the PCPartPicker overview and found a small link near the "compatibility" section. I saved the URL and tried sharing it in a thread, but when I clicked "insert image from URL," it didn’t work at first. Even after editing the post later, the issue persisted.

K
Kissmylips
Junior Member
23
12-30-2019, 07:15 AM
#9
Mac needs smart storage because their 128gb model is top-selling. PCs, on the other hand, are chaotic—some devs release games under $200gb without expansions, and experts suggest they’re moving toward that trend soon. I’d skip adding another SSD right now if you already have a boot drive. Focus instead on getting a 2-4tb hard disk. It’s slow, but once installed it won’t bother you much while you wait for the fill-up. Think about swapping the boot drive later, but don’t overspend on upgrades at this stage.
K
Kissmylips
12-30-2019, 07:15 AM #9

Mac needs smart storage because their 128gb model is top-selling. PCs, on the other hand, are chaotic—some devs release games under $200gb without expansions, and experts suggest they’re moving toward that trend soon. I’d skip adding another SSD right now if you already have a boot drive. Focus instead on getting a 2-4tb hard disk. It’s slow, but once installed it won’t bother you much while you wait for the fill-up. Think about swapping the boot drive later, but don’t overspend on upgrades at this stage.