Can you please double check my first rig, and help me reduce price

[Night Watcher]

Hello,

 

I am building my first rig, and I really appreciate your help.

 

This is what I have so far:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Kqfktg

 

I will be traveling to the US (San Francisco) soon, and I plan to order the items from Amazon 2 weeks before flying.

I live in an area that uses 220V (not sure if that helps with something).

 

I need it for Game Development (RTX, VR), Photogrammetry (This eats RAM, and Stresses CPU and GPU like no tomorrow for days), and Workstation work (rendering overnight)

I will have it connected to a 4k Monitor 60hz, and possibly 2FHD ones. I only plan to game on one Monitor though, and if it can run 4k at 120hz I won't complain, though I'm not much of a competitive gamer.

I have no plans to do any overclocking for now.

The rig needs to:
-Use an Intel CPU
-Have an RTX 2080ti (I am exploring RTX technology as a developer)
-Be quiet (I sleep in this room, and I really like it to be as quiet as possible)

-Power efficient when not on full load (Electricity ain't cheap)

 

Bonus points:
-Look classy, no need to go overboard with the RGB, I like classy black components that I can paint color strips on them

-Good Quality Audio output, as I listen to music a lot, and I will be connecting it to AudioEngine A5+ Bluetooth Speakers

 

I would appreciate your help and feedback in picking components.

-Am I picking the right components? At this point, since I am buying them from another country, Warranty is a hassle and I forget about it, so quality is important, but I don' trust buying second hand.

-Having a secondary HDD for storage, does it affect performance? 

-Is the H60 fan quiet enough? I picked a 120mm because the second fan will be used for the hybrid GPU. Also can't be put in push-pull since there's only space for one fan. Maybe connect the hybrid fan somewhere else in the case, and get a 240mm? Or just use a fan instead of AIO, but I like seeing my motherboard, and the giant heatsinks tend to hide it.

Also, I went a bit overboard with picking components, and if you can help reduce the price a bit it would be appreciated.

Is it cheaper to get a pre-built build in this case?

 

Thank you in advance.

[Lurick]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($525.89 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! - Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($84.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - Z390 AORUS ULTRA ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($249.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($209.99 @ Corsair)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - BarraCuda 4 TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($98.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB AORUS Video Card  ($1306.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT - H500i (White) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA P2 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($129.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit  ($114.39 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2948.49
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-23 10:49 EST-0500

[Billy Pilgrim]

16 minutes ago, Night Watcher said:

Use an Intel CPU

Is there a reason for this? If some of the tasks you are doing can work well across multiple threads you might want a threadripper.

[Night Watcher]

5 minutes ago, Billy Pilgrim said:

Is there a reason for this? If some of the tasks you are doing can work well across multiple threads you might want a threadripper.

Yes, I use a couple of CPU dependent Apps, 8C is more than enough for what I do.
Though I'm curious what you have in mind, and why?

[LlamaFamah]

3 minutes ago, Night Watcher said:

Yes, I use a couple of CPU dependent Apps, 8C is more than enough for what I do.
Though I'm curious what you have in mind, and why?

Not to speak for them, but I would suggest the 1950X if you have a bit more money.

 

-Llama

[Manderis]

I would avoid the H500 (medium air flow) and get a decent cooler. A single 120mm radiator won't do a 9900k justice. Maybe a dark rock pro or a d14/d15 or if you insist on water cooling get something with double or triple 120 or bigger

[Night Watcher]

36 minutes ago, Manderis said:

I would avoid the H500 (medium air flow) and get a decent cooler. A single 120mm radiator won't do a 9900k justice. Maybe a dark rock pro or a d14/d15 or if you insist on water cooling get something with double or triple 120 or bigger

You are right, but how can make this work?

• H500: but it looks really clean, do you have something in mind that is also compact and clean, or is it possible to make the airflow better?
• What do you think of the GPU? do you think it's good quality, good cooling, and quiet?
• For the CPU, I have space for 240m but the GPU is using 120m of that already, so I end up with a 120m for the AIO CPU, unless we can attach the GPU fan somewhere else in the case, then I can get something like a Deepcool - CAPTAIN 240EX, or if you have something else in mind, or even a 280m radiator. can you connect the CPU and GPU to the same 280m radiator?
• We can use a fan on the CPU though they tend to look bulky and hides a lot of the motherboard, I know the completely superficial reason, though if you think it's better to just switch to that, then I guess I have to.

EDIT:

Installing a 280mm radiator for the CPU on the front, attaching the GPU Hybrid 120m fan on the rear, and replacing the top fan from a 120m to a 140m, would that work?

[Jurrunio]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel - Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor	$525.89 @ Amazon
CPU Cooler	be quiet! - Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler	$84.99 @ SuperBiiz
Motherboard	Gigabyte - Z390 AORUS PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard	$179.99 @ Amazon
Memory	Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	$403.99 @ Amazon
Storage	Crucial - MX500 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$61.99 @ Newegg Business
Storage	Samsung - 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive	$247.99 @ Amazon
Storage	Toshiba - X300 6 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive	$134.99 @ Newegg Business
Video Card	EVGA - GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB XC ULTRA GAMING Video Card	$1249.99 @ B&H
Case	Fractal Design - Meshify C White TG ATX Mid Tower Case	$89.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	SeaSonic - PRIME SNOWSILENT 750 W 80+ Titanium Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply	$189.99 @ Newegg
Operating System	Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit	$114.39 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	ARCTIC - BioniX F140 (Black/White) 104 CFM 140mm Fan	$14.90 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	ARCTIC - BioniX F140 (Black/White) 104 CFM 140mm Fan	$14.90 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	ARCTIC - BioniX F120 (Black/White) 69 CFM 120mm Fan	$14.23 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	ARCTIC - BioniX F120 (Black/White) 69 CFM 120mm Fan	$14.23 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	ARCTIC - BioniX F120 (Black/White) 69 CFM 120mm Fan	$14.23 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	ARCTIC - BioniX F120 (Black/White) 69 CFM 120mm Fan	$14.23 @ OutletPC
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$3395.91
	Mail-in rebates	-$25.00
	Total	$3370.91
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-23 11:40 EST-0500

Cooler changed: 9900k perform as well as your cooling gets so 120mm belongs to the trash. Even 240mm to some point. Air cooling for much better durability (AIO breaks = new one, Air cooler breaks = new fans).

 

Board: Same VRM, lower price. There's the WiFi version for $30 more.

 

Memory: 3000MHz and 3200MHz perform similarly to each other, just trying to save money.

 

SATA SSD: I've heard of editors use NVMe SSDs for storing huge source files to load them in faster (as a scratch disk so to say), that's why I dedicate a SATA SSD for the OS and apps. For these things the two types of SSD don't affect start times much (not nearly as much as the cost difference anyway)

 

HDD: Only because more GB/$

 

GPU: Because AIO doesnt do as well in durability. XC Ultra's cooling is already enough.

 

Case: If you want good airflow, you will need a mesh front for air to enter which makes the looks somewhat "less clean". There are cases that put the front intakes, as a result, to the side such as the Lian-Li PC-O11, however that also means making the case longer which I don't know if you're fine with.

 

PSU: Because electricity is expensive, especially for a machine going max load more often than not. 80+ Titanium > Platinum

 

Fans: 140mm fans on the top (intake for less dust, exhaust for better performance), 120mm fans for the front as intake and back as exhaust. Yes I'd replace the fans coming with the case because those aren't as good. Not that they're bad though, you can remove the 140mm fans and use the 2 stock fans up there instead.

[Night Watcher]

20 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel - Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor	$525.89 @ Amazon
CPU Cooler	be quiet! - Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler	$84.99 @ SuperBiiz
Motherboard	Gigabyte - Z390 AORUS PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard	$179.99 @ Amazon
Memory	Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	$403.99 @ Amazon
Storage	Crucial - MX500 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$61.99 @ Newegg Business
Storage	Samsung - 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive	$247.99 @ Amazon
Storage	Toshiba - X300 6 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive	$134.99 @ Newegg Business
Video Card	EVGA - GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB XC ULTRA GAMING Video Card	$1249.99 @ B&H
Case	Fractal Design - Meshify C White TG ATX Mid Tower Case	$89.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	SeaSonic - PRIME SNOWSILENT 750 W 80+ Titanium Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply	$189.99 @ Newegg
Operating System	Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit	$114.39 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	ARCTIC - BioniX F140 (Black/White) 104 CFM 140mm Fan	$14.90 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	ARCTIC - BioniX F140 (Black/White) 104 CFM 140mm Fan	$14.90 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	ARCTIC - BioniX F120 (Black/White) 69 CFM 120mm Fan	$14.23 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	ARCTIC - BioniX F120 (Black/White) 69 CFM 120mm Fan	$14.23 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	ARCTIC - BioniX F120 (Black/White) 69 CFM 120mm Fan	$14.23 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	ARCTIC - BioniX F120 (Black/White) 69 CFM 120mm Fan	$14.23 @ OutletPC
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$3395.91
	Mail-in rebates	-$25.00
	Total	$3370.91
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-23 11:40 EST-0500

Cooler changed: 9900k perform as well as your cooling gets so 120mm belongs to the trash. Even 240mm to some point. Air cooling for much better durability (AIO breaks = new one, Air cooler breaks = new fans).

 

Board: Same VRM, lower price. There's the WiFi version for $30 more.

 

Memory: 3000MHz and 3200MHz perform similarly to each other, just trying to save money.

 

SATA SSD: I've heard of editors use NVMe SSDs for storing huge source files to load them in faster (as a scratch disk so to say), that's why I dedicate a SATA SSD for the OS and apps. For these things the two types of SSD don't affect start times much (not nearly as much as the cost difference anyway)

 

HDD: Only because more GB/$

 

GPU: Because AIO doesnt do as well in durability. XC Ultra's cooling is already enough.

 

Case: If you want good airflow, you will need a mesh front for air to enter which makes the looks somewhat "less clean". There are cases that put the front intakes, as a result, to the side such as the Lian-Li PC-O11, however that also means making the case longer which I don't know if you're fine with.

 

PSU: Because electricity is expensive, especially for a machine going max load more often than not. 80+ Titanium > Platinum

 

Fans: 140mm fans on the top (intake for less dust, exhaust for better performance), 120mm fans for the front as intake and back as exhaust. Yes I'd replace the fans coming with the case because those aren't as good. Not that they're bad though, you can remove the 140mm fans and use the 2 stock fans up there instead.

9

Thank you so much for all the info. For the GPU I read somewhere the FTW3 version has better cooling than the XC, any thoughts?
In case I chose the Lian-Li PC-O11, do I still get the same components, even the fans?

How quiet is this setup?

I was going to use the NVMe for OS and Apps, why is a Sata better for that, and use the NVMe for file storage?

[Jurrunio]

6 minutes ago, Night Watcher said:

Thank you so much for all the info. For the GPU I read somewhere the FTW3 version has better cooling than the XC, any thoughts?
In case I chose the Lian-Li PC-O11, do I still get the same components, even the fans?

How quiet is this setup?

I was going to use the NVMe for OS and Apps, why is a Sata better for that, and use the NVMe for file storage?

FTW3 (and similar cards like the Strix and Aorus Xtreme) are overkill. You can get them if you can afford them, but don't expect performance and noise improvements to follow the price closely (though getting 2080ti is bad value from the start anyway)

 

PC-O11 means changing the fans to 9 120mm fans (it doesnt come with any). The CPU cooler doesnt fit though (this is a liquid cooling case from the start) so that needs to be changed into one of the Scythe Ninja 5, Mugen 5 rev b and Fuma rev b trio. That makes cooling a little bit worse as a result (with Mugen and Ninja getting really close to the CPU cooler height limit)

 

Another possible case option is the Phanteks Enthoo Pro M (there's a tempered glass option aside from acrylic), which is big enough for everything but the front panel design is hard for me to judge.

 

This setup should be rather quiet since none of the fans are forced to run high speed just to keep the thermals in check, but make sure you dont get too aggressive on the overclocks, especially the CPU.

 

SATA is not better in performance, it's better in terms of leaving more space for the source files and stuff. RAW footage and pictures take up a lot of space and opening them requires reading through a lot of data, a lot more than starting windows and the editing apps for example.

[Night Watcher]

8 hours ago, Jurrunio said:

FTW3 (and similar cards like the Strix and Aorus Xtreme) are overkill. You can get them if you can afford them, but don't expect performance and noise improvements to follow the price closely (though getting 2080ti is bad value from the start anyway)

 

PC-O11 means changing the fans to 9 120mm fans (it doesnt come with any). The CPU cooler doesnt fit though (this is a liquid cooling case from the start) so that needs to be changed into one of the Scythe Ninja 5, Mugen 5 rev b and Fuma rev b trio. That makes cooling a little bit worse as a result (with Mugen and Ninja getting really close to the CPU cooler height limit)

 

Another possible case option is the Phanteks Enthoo Pro M (there's a tempered glass option aside from acrylic), which is big enough for everything but the front panel design is hard for me to judge.

 

This setup should be rather quiet since none of the fans are forced to run high speed just to keep the thermals in check, but make sure you dont get too aggressive on the overclocks, especially the CPU.

 

SATA is not better in performance, it's better in terms of leaving more space for the source files and stuff. RAW footage and pictures take up a lot of space and opening them requires reading through a lot of data, a lot more than starting windows and the editing apps for example.

6

That was very informative, thank you.

The PC-O11 looks the best tbh, but not sure I want to pick it and sacrifice room space and cooling.

The Meshify looks nice, and it looks good in white, but I don't like the weird patterned mesh at the front, the side glass panel borders look bad especially around the corners.

T Phanteks Enthoo Pro M has a good glass side panel, but the front looks bad.

I really appreciate your help, and I am very much sorry to waste your time on this, it is a bit superficial, but would it be possible for you to recommend a bunch of cases so I can pick from?

P.S. after a google search I stumbled upon Cooler Master SL600M, it looks amazing. It is a bit pricey though what do you think? Also do I still need fans for it?

[Jurrunio]

43 minutes ago, Night Watcher said:

That was very informative, thank you.

The PC-O11 looks the best tbh, but not sure I want to pick it and sacrifice room space and cooling.

The Meshify looks nice, and it looks good in white, but I don't like the weird patterned mesh at the front, the side glass panel borders look bad especially around the corners.

T Phanteks Enthoo Pro M has a good glass side panel, but the front looks bad.

I really appreciate your help, and I am very much sorry to waste your time on this, it is a bit superficial, but would it be possible for you to recommend a bunch of cases so I can pick from?

Can't recall a bunch, I'm running out of options

 

There's the Fractal Define C, Meshify's closed front panel brother and hence might carry the side panel problem you have. There is enough of a gap between the front panel and the fans for air to get in though which is a good thing for its thermals.

Also the Define R6 and S2. These two are the bigger relatives of the Define C, again could solve your side panel issue? Not sure what you're looking at specifically.

 

Then there's the NZXT H700. Because NZXT finally decides that the H700 is big enough for more fans and more vents, it has much better thermals than the H500. Sadly those holes arent exactly hidden and it's once again up to personal taste on whether they put them in the right way.

[Night Watcher]

2 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

Can't recall a bunch, I'm running out of options

 

There's the Fractal Define C, Meshify's closed front panel brother and hence might carry the side panel problem you have. There is enough of a gap between the front panel and the fans for air to get in though which is a good thing for its thermals.

Also the Define R6 and S2. These two are the bigger relatives of the Define C, again could solve your side panel issue? Not sure what you're looking at specifically.

 

Then there's the NZXT H700. Because NZXT finally decides that the H700 is big enough for more fans and more vents, it has much better thermals than the H500. Sadly those holes arent exactly hidden and it's once again up to personal taste on whether they put them in the right way.

I edited my comment, but you didn't get a chance to read it before commenting. I stumbled upon Cooler Master SL600M, and it looks amazing. It is a bit pricey though what do you think of it? Also, do I still need fans for it?

[Jurrunio]

20 minutes ago, Night Watcher said:

I edited my comment, but you didn't get a chance to read it before commenting. I stumbled upon Cooler Master SL600M, and it looks amazing. It is a bit pricey though what do you think of it? Also, do I still need fans for it?

SL600M's problem is the very poor CPU thermals with air coolers, because its airflow pattern of going straight up from its base means the graphics card will block the airflow to the CPU area greatly. Liquid coolers can move their radiators somewhere else to move away the site of heat transfer somewhere with airflow, but not the air coolers.

[Night Watcher]

13 hours ago, Jurrunio said:

SL600M's problem is the very poor CPU thermals with air coolers, because its airflow pattern of going straight up from its base means the graphics card will block the airflow to the CPU area greatly. Liquid coolers can move their radiators somewhere else to move away the site of heat transfer somewhere with airflow, but not the air coolers.

I have been watching cases reviews all morning. Sorted by most preferred to less preferred.

• You are right about the SL600M, but it looks so beautiful :/. If I place the GPU in a Vertical Position, shouldn't that help a bit? For the CPU, I can cut a square piece out of the top of the rear panel next to the CPU and install an exhaust fan there, do you think that would work?
• The H700 is very good, though it is a bit loud, do you think we can reduce noise a bit by changing its fans? Doesn't have a type-c front port
• Lian Li O11 Dynamic is good looking, would be a bit limited by the smaller CPU fan, do you think that will be an issue? or maybe go alternatively for the Lian Li O11 Air?
• Cooler Master H500P Mesh has good thermals, though I don't like the design much
• be quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 Rev 2 is nice and quiet but crazy expensive

[Jurrunio]

7 hours ago, Night Watcher said:

Yes, though if I place the GPU in a Vertical Position, shouldn't that fix the issue with the SL600M? Is there any way to make it work because it looks so beautiful.

Otherwise, we can go with the H700

In theory that should fix the SL600M, but havent seen benchmarks for its vertical GPU. I would much rather CM turn the motherboard 90 degrees so rear I/O face upwards...

[Night Watcher]

2 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

In theory that should fix the SL600M, but havent seen benchmarks for its vertical GPU. I would much rather CM turn the motherboard 90 degrees so rear I/O face upwards...

I dunno why when I edit replies they don't show up on your side., so I copy pasted at the bottom
Also here's a review with the GPU vertical and normal 

I have been watching cases reviews all morning. Sorted by most preferred to less preferred.

• You are right about the SL600M, but it looks so beautiful :/. If I place the GPU in a Vertical Position, shouldn't that help a bit? For the CPU, I can cut a square piece out of the top of the rear panel next to the CPU and install an exhaust fan there, do you think that would work?
• The H700 is very good, though it is a bit loud, do you think we can reduce noise a bit by changing its fans? Doesn't have a type-c front port 
• Lian Li O11 Dynamic is good looking, would be a bit limited by the smaller CPU fan, do you think that will be an issue? or maybe go alternatively for the Lian Li O11 Air?
• Cooler Master H500P Mesh has good thermals, though I don't like the design much
• be quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 Rev 2 is nice and quiet but crazy expensive

[hello_there_123]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel - Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor	$525.89 @ Amazon
CPU Cooler	Thermaltake - Water 3.0 Riing RGB 360 40.6 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler	$139.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard	Gigabyte - Z390 AORUS PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard	$179.99 @ Amazon
Memory	G.Skill - Aegis 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory	$160.98 @ Newegg
Storage	HP - EX920 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive	$159.99 @ Newegg
Storage	Seagate - BarraCuda 4 TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive	$98.89 @ OutletPC
Video Card	Zotac - GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB GAMING AMP Video Card	$1278.99 @ B&H
Case	Cooler Master - MasterCase H500 ATX Mid Tower Case	$89.99 @ B&H
Power Supply	EVGA - SuperNOVA P2 650 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply	$109.89 @ OutletPC
Operating System	Microsoft - Windows 10 Home Full 32/64-bit	$119.99 @ Dell
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$2884.59
	Mail-in rebates	-$20.00
	Total	$2864.59
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-24 13:51 EST-0500