Suggestions/Critique for my new 7700k build - $2500-$3000

jamst9

Prominent
Apr 24, 2017
1
0
510
Why Are You Upgrading: I wanted to get other's opinions on my new build. This is my first new pc in 8 years, so a lot of the current hardware is very new to me, however I have built a number of pc's in the past and certainly wouldn't consider myself new to this. I built my current PC in 2009 (rocking an i7 920 and Radeon 5870) and it has been solid as a rock - not a single hardware issue and the only upgrade going from 8GB to 16GB of ram in 2012. My goal is for my new build to be able to match this level of reliability, while going overkill on performance right now becuase I plan on being able to use this new pc many years down the road. I've done a lot of research already, and have a strong foundation of for what I want, but would welcome opinions.
One thing I think might turn a lot of other people off: I plan on doing a lot of RGB in this build. When I was younger and first got into building PCs, I loved windowed cases and LED lights and I grew annoyed of the inability to control them (unable to turn just the LEDs off and keep the fans running, very difficult to match perfectly in a build) and eventually started intentionally avoided windowed cases and lighted components - but with what you can do now with RGB's it just blows me away. Eventually, I'll probably leave them off most of the time but for now I want to have fun with it. I plan on displaying the PC like art in my office.

Approximate Purchase Date: Immediately, as parts come in stock and I find deals.

Budget Range: ~$2500 for the core components hardware, undecided on monitor and peripheral budget.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Data and statistics work (Excel, SQL, R, STATA, etc). Gaming, mostly single player so visual quality is more important that maxing out FPS. Basic photo editing work (Photoshop). General use (internet, movies, etc). Currently I have no plans on doing video editing, but it's something I may get into in the future.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Parts to Upgrade: Everything, though some parts already purchased

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon

Location: Cleveland, OH

Parts Preferences: I have some loyalty to ASUS, as I have never had issues with them in the past and used their mobo's in many previous builds - including my 8 year running current pc.

Overclocking: Yes - I'd love to hit the 7700k 5Ghz threshold. I plan on delidding the 7700k with the Rockit 88 kit, as the avaerage 20 degree drop seems easily worth it to me.

SLI or Crossfire: Not immediately, possibly down the road

Your Monitor Resolution: Either 2560x1440 or 4k, in a dual monitor setup (I really want to get two of the same monitor)

Components:

CPU: i7 7700k - PURCHASED
Motherboard - this is where I could use the most help. As I said, I have some loyalty to Asus but I don't 100% have to go with them. Currently debating between these two:
ASUS ROG STRIX Z270E GAMING
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132928
ASUS ROG Maximus IX Code
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132926
Is the Code with the extra $? Is there another brand that can match Asus and offer more for the money?

Ram: G.SKILL Trident Z RGB 32GB (4 x 8GB) - PURCHASED

HDD Boot: Samasung Evo 960 500GB
http://pcpartpicker.com/product/Ykbkcf/samsung-960-evo-500gb-m2-2280-solid-state-drive-mz-v6e500

HDD Storage: 4-6TB drive - likely a WD Black if it comes in stock on the student store.

VC: 1080 Ti - Likely either the EVGA FTW3 or Asus Strix, depending on stock and price.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/KBtWGX/evga-geforce-gtx-1080-ti-11gb-ftw-gaming-icx-video-card-11g-p4-6696-kr
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Yr8H99/asus-geforce-gtx-1080-ti-11gb-video-card-strix-gtx1080ti-11g-gaming

Case: Phanteks P400S TG Black/White- PURCHASED

PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 750 T2 - PURCHASED

Cooler: NZXT Kraken X62 - pretty strongly set on this (RGB Everything!)
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/bqBrxr/nzxt-kraken-x62-liquid-cpu-cooler-rl-krx62-01

Other: NZXT Hue+ - PURCHASED
Considering swapping the supplied case fans with better quality, if it's worth it, in which case I would need 1x120mm and 2x140mm.

Monitor: Here I am completely lost, as monitor quality was never something I paid too much attention to previously. I will be gaming - I am far from a hardcore online gamer but I like maxing out settings in single player games for aesthetics. Will something like Gsync be worth the premium? I'm looking for a minimum 27", either 2560x1440 or 4k in a dual monitor setup.

Currently spec'd, I'm looking at ~$2,600 between what I've already purchased and the parts I'm eyeing.

I think that covers everything. Pretty much everything that I haven't already purchased, I am open to suggestions on. I really appreciate the feedback.
 

Mattz982

Honorable
Nov 5, 2013
748
0
11,360
i think its a good system, im probably gonna say the code, but if you need to save money then the other one is fine.
I like monitors so im gonna make a recomendation.
1440p 165Hz G-Sync IPS 4ms GtG

www.pcpartpicker.com/product/scM323/aoc-ag271qg-270-165hz-monitor-ag271qg

It's a bit on the pricey side but it's worth it. I play all my games on a 4k IPS display, I love it, I would only ever go down to 1440p 144Hz. And I only have it because of the price I paid.