$2000 PC Build Critique and Review

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LuckyTheLadyBug

LuckyTheLadyBug

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Jul 5, 2015
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I have put together a preliminary list of components. The person who is requesting this monster build will want to buy around the end of December to early January and spend about $2000. They will be gaming, rendering, CAD, Computer Science work. I agree that this is overkill RIGHT NOW; however, they will not have to upgrade very soon.

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/WBMhCy
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/WBMhCy/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($339.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370 PC PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($126.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Elite 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($141.88 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial - BX300 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.69 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB ARMOR Video Card ($724.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT - S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA - B3 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($62.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill - N900PCE PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.91 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Corsair - CO-9050015-BLED 52.2 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.88 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: AOC - G2460PF 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor ($194.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1998.14
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-26 18:41 EDT-0400
 
Solution
photonboy
1) The EXAMPLE BUILD I have below was based on trying to put in a much better MONITOR. (2560x1440, Freesync, 144Hz, IPS, 27")

2) *The VEGA56 card I chose is a placeholder as there were no good after-market cards to choose from yet (I would personally WAIT a bit for the graphics card)... An Asus Strix 3-fan model would be much better (it should also have RGB lighting).

VEGA will also do much better in the near future once games start to optimize for the architecture. As well the game consoles use a similar AMD GPU now and likely will use VEGA or very close in the PS5 etc so VEGA will again do relatively much better later.

So, here's an example build that is about $2100:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Y32PPs

I didn't verify everything...
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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I'll look closer, but some quick comments:

1. CPU cooler
I've used the EVO and don't like the fan. There's a better budget cooler: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/93Crxr/cryorig-cpu-cooler-h7

THIS one is $45 and probably the one I'd get as it should be quieter: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Ztp323/cryorig-cpu-cooler-h5ultimate

(I'm not 100% certain, but I think you can set all cores to 4.7GHz instead of 4.3GHz. You can on the i7-8700K but not sure if you can on the i7-8700)

2. DDR4:
I recommend: 2x8GB 3200MHz DDR4

There are times the higher bandwidth matters, and you should get two sticks, not four.

3. HDD:
I'd get a 2TB as it isn't that much more expensive.

4. MONITOR:
24", 1080p seems strange to me when pairing with a GTX1080Ti

Probably for high-FPS shooters, but I have a 27", 2560x1440 screen (60Hz) and could not sacrifice the size and resolution for higher refresh.
 
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Turb0Yoda

Turb0Yoda

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Jul 12, 2013
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212 EVO will not be able t keep that thing cool. GO for a Dark Rock Pro 3, Noctua NH-D15, or the Cryorig H5 Ultimate.. or a 240mm AIL ie Corsair h100i
Might want to look at a different case ie Fractal Design Meshify series to promote airflow.
Look at EVGA GPUs, thier warranty and Customer Support is Stellar.
Might want to look at a different PSU.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

is a good starting point






PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/phRdBP
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/phRdBP/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($339.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($88.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370 PC PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($126.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($158.79 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Storage: Crucial - BX300 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB SC2 Gaming iCX Video Card ($550.98 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design - Define R5 Blackout Edition ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G3 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill - N900PCE PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.91 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Corsair - CO-9050015-BLED 52.2 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.88 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: AOC - G2460PF 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor ($194.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1969.13
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-26 19:04 EDT-0400



Changed the RAM To dual channel for future upgrade-ability.
1080ti is overkill for 1080p, even for CAD and rendering.
Better CPU cooler
Case will keep entire rig silent and is of amazing quality,
GPU is amazing. good specs, nice monitoring of temperatures around various area
2 TB HDD for storage
Better PSU
 
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LuckyTheLadyBug

LuckyTheLadyBug

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Jul 5, 2015
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What's wrong with the PSU? http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=526
 
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Turb0Yoda

Turb0Yoda

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Jul 12, 2013
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mmm, might have confused it with another model. With this budget, you have the easy option to go 80+ gold, which would be good since these components draw a fair amount of power.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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The PSU is very good: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=526

(never mind, someone beat me to it)
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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The NH-D15 should be paired with low-profile memory (i.e. Corsair LPF model) as the max memory with the fan in the default position is 32mm high (Corsair LPF is 31mm).

The fan can be moved up as much as 5mm or so but then it might hit the case (even then it would be about 37mm max memory height).

*NOCTUA COOLERS are not ideal for windowed cases anyway since the brown fans don't match color very well.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015
1) The EXAMPLE BUILD I have below was based on trying to put in a much better MONITOR. (2560x1440, Freesync, 144Hz, IPS, 27")

2) *The VEGA56 card I chose is a placeholder as there were no good after-market cards to choose from yet (I would personally WAIT a bit for the graphics card)... An Asus Strix 3-fan model would be much better (it should also have RGB lighting).

VEGA will also do much better in the near future once games start to optimize for the architecture. As well the game consoles use a similar AMD GPU now and likely will use VEGA or very close in the PS5 etc so VEGA will again do relatively much better later.

So, here's an example build that is about $2100:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Y32PPs

I didn't verify everything is compatible. The motherboard has AC wifi built in. The DDR4 memory is RGB (I guess it works with this motherboard?).

PSU is intentionally 850W as ECO MODE turns fan off below 425W which might be feasible with VEGA56 in this build.

SUMMARY:
Again, the focus of the build I made was starting with a good monitor which is high resolution, larger size, and has Freesync for smoother gaming. GSYNC added too much to the cost so then NVidia cards weren't ideal.

Unfortunately VEGA isn't (IMO) a good idea until Asus Strix variants or similar are available for a reasonable price.
 
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