What guidance do you have for my new construction? I need to place an order for components soon!
What guidance do you have for my new construction? I need to place an order for components soon!
I’m planning to upgrade my gaming PC this year. I already have the case fans and a RTX 3090 ready to go. My usage will include gaming at 1440p, rendering, editing, streaming, and some 3D projects for fun. I also intend to experiment with 3D content for enjoyment. Since I won’t be replacing it in a few years (3-5), I’m opting for a 12700K and a Z690 edge M.2 slot mainly for cost reasons. I prefer the SSDs—though I dislike Samsung—and can’t switch brands due to personal preference. I’ll match prices at BestBuy so they’re slightly cheaper. For RAM, I don’t need to purchase a new kit later. I’m hoping the 6400MHz CL34 will work fine; I wanted 7200MHz but heard about stability issues and wasn’t sure if there’s a real difference. Should I stick with the 7200MHz CL34 kit and just lower the speeds, or should I go for the faster model and reduce speeds to avoid overheating? I’m okay with the speed variation and actually prefer a quicker setup, planning to upgrade when I get a 15th-gen CPU or an AMD 9000 series chip.
The PSU is 1000W for added security and extra power capacity in the future, plus a solid 10-year warranty. I’ll go with the 3x8 PCIe to 12V cable if needed. The case choice is based on fitting the large airflow of the liquid freezer cooler. I’ve tried several cases before and they either didn’t fit or damaged the CPU connectors. What do you think? I know cheaper options exist, but I favor Corsair, Samsung, and Intel since I’ll be balancing gaming and productivity, and their prices are reasonable compared to last year.
CPU:
Intel Core i7-12700K 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor
($275.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler:
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB 48.8 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
($159.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
MSI MPG Z690 EDGE WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
($229.99 @ Newegg)
Memory:
G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6400 CL32 Memory
($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:
Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
($49.99 @ B&H)
Storage:
Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
($126.34 @ Amazon)
Case:
Antec DF700 FLUX ATX Mid Tower Case
($93.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply:
Corsair RM1000x (2021) 1000 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX PSU
($169.99 @ Amazon)
Budget Summary: $1215.28
You should aim for a First Word Latency under ten milliseconds. If your RAM exceeds ten milliseconds, performance differences will become noticeable. It’s advisable to stay at or below that ten-millisecond mark as a general guideline. This is especially relevant if you’re using Intel components, though it still matters. You may discover a middle-ground option between the ones you mentioned. Usually, most CL32 kits and lower models offer ten milliseconds or less. If your 7200 kit meets this requirement, choose it. You can always upgrade later to achieve optimal speed. If it surpasses that limit, consider sticking with the 6400 kit or look for another suitable alternative. Once you reach ten milliseconds or below, performance gains will be minimal, and you’ll experience diminishing returns. Expect around a 2-3% improvement in most scenarios, so prioritize what fits your budget.
Regarding other topics, I personally prefer Intel because it means my CPU isn’t consuming over 300 watts from the wall. In reality, with such a powerful power supply, you probably won’t mind the energy usage, which is perfectly acceptable. Both Intel and AMD produce excellent CPUs. If you’re inclined toward Intel and are willing to pay slightly more for electricity costs each year, that’s fine.
I wasn’t aware Samsung was so disliked or held such a negative view here. Their products are known for high quality and longevity. The only alternative I’d recommend for an SSD is Sabrent. It’s acceptable to invest a bit more in your SSDs since speed, reliability, and durability are crucial. I believe Samsung remains a solid option.
Corsair also offers excellent PSUs, just like with the SSD choice—opting for better stability and performance isn’t necessarily a bad idea. It depends on whether you personally appreciate these products. If so, you’ll be more inclined to spend your money on them, which is perfectly okay. As long as the product aligns with your needs and fits within your budget, a small brand preference shouldn’t cause concern. Hope this clarifies things, take care.
If you intend not to overclock, I recommend proceeding with this configuration.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
* Intel Core i7-13700F 2.1 GHz 16-Core Processor
($349.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler:
* Deepcool AG620 BK ARGB 67.88 CFM CPU Cooler
($47.99 @ Newegg)
Memory:
* G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
($96.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:
* Western Digital Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
($119.99 @ Adorama)
Case:
* Lian Li LANCOOL 216 ATX Mid Tower Case
($99.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply:
* Corsair RM850e (2023) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
($129.99 @ Newegg)
Overall Cost: $844.94
Costs encompass shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
*Selected parts based on predefined parameters
Created by
PCPartPicker
2023-09-07 01:46 EDT-0400
Alternatively, if you plan to overclock, this setup works well. 500GB should suffice for your needs.
Generated by PCPartPicker
Because you mentioned planning an upgrade in three years, opt for a CPU with multiple cores and AM5 compatibility to ensure future upgradability.