DarkLinus Desktop Build

[MrWittel]

Goal of this build:

Build the best gaming/workstation desktop possible for $3500. This includes:

·         A computer desk made of walnut wood

·         In keeping with my house aesthetic = Wife Approved

·         Hardline watercooling

·         Raid Cold Storage 

·         Decent audio for occasional video/audio editing

 

Desktop	Paid	Cost New	Where	Condition	Date
i7 8086k LGA 1151 + Liquid Metal	$310.00	$426.00	Craiglist	Used	11/5/2018
EVGA 1080 Ti SC2 Black	$500.00	$1,248.00	Craiglist	Used	11/18/2018
16gb RAM TridentZ RGB	$90.00	$188.75	Craiglist	Used	11/5/2018
Z370-E Strix	$89.46	$289.00	Ebay	Used	11/15/2018
Corsair HX1200 Platinum PSU	$130.00	$199.79	Craiglist	New	4/17/2018
M.2 860 Evo 1Tb	$100.00	$157.99	Craiglist	New	11/8/2019
Conductonaut	$8.00	$8.00	Amazon	New	6/25/2018
Pixio - PX347c Prime 34.0" 3440x1440 100Hz Monitor	$530.00	$530.00	Newegg	New	4/15/2018
Windows 10 Key Legal	$20.00	$120.00	Kinguin	New	1/20/2018
Watercooling
1x EK-FC1080 GTX Ti	$105.00	$150.00	Ebay	New	11/30/2018
2x Hardware Labs Black Ice SR2 Multiport Black Carbon Radiator - 360mm	$194.99	$251.96	Craiglist & Ebay	New	6/1/2018
1x EK-FB ASUS Z270/Z370 Strix RGB Monoblock - Nickel	$68.26	$162.04	Ebay	New	5/20/2018
1x EK-XTOP Revo D5 RGB PWM - Plexi (incl. sl. pump)	$92.21	$157.05	Amazon	New	5/20/2018
10x NF-F12 iPPC-2000 PWM Fan 4Pin	$141.28	$299.50	Ebay	Used	6/15/2018
EK-RES X3 150 RGB	$30.00	$78.09	Ebay	New	7/23/2018
1x XSPC LCD Temperature Sensor V2 - Black / White Backlight w/ Inline Sensor	$12.99	$12.99	FrozenCPU	New	2/14/2019
2x Mayhems X1 Clear Concentrate - 250ml	$35.90	$35.90	Performace PC	New	2/14/2019
1x Vandal Resistant Momentary Switch 22/19mm - Black	$10.95	$10.95	Performace PC	New	2/14/2019
4x Phobya Fan Filter 120mm - Black	$15.95	$15.95	Performace PC	New	2/14/2019
2x XSPC 8 Way PWM Splitter Hub - SATA Powered V2 - Black	$19.90	$19.90	Performace PC	New	2/14/2019
3x Monsoon PETG Hardline Tube 1/2 x 5/8 - 36" 4 Pack - Black	$50.85	$50.85	Performace PC	New	2/14/2019
43x Monsoon Free Center Hardline Fitting - 1/2"ID x 5/8"OD - Matte Black	$168.23	$236.50	Ebay	Used	4/17/2019
60x Monsoon Free Center Seals	$21.22	$21.22	Performace PC	New	4/18/2019
10x G1/4" Thread 90 degree angle fitting adapter rotary water cooled connec JF	$20.50	$20.50	Ebay	New	4/17/2019
10x 90 Degree G1/4 Inner Thread Elbow Adapter for PC Water Cooling System Water Tube	$19.90	$19.90	Ebay	New	4/17/2019
Desk
Walnut Wood	$300.00		Ganahl Lumber
Pipe	$75.00		Home Depot
Poly	$10.00		Home Depot
Accessories
Behringer UM2	$24.99	$29.99	Ebay	New	6/21/2018
ModMic 4	$26.47	$49.95	Ebay	Used	7/10/2018
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro	$84.15	$150.00	Ebay	New	8/28/2018
Total	$3,306.20	$4,790.77

Inspiration comes from so can't take credit for the idea

 

 

Very open to feedback and advice. I will continue to update as I go along. (Last Updated 1/1/2020)

[r2724r16]

35 minutes ago, Fearlessleader said:

Raid backup

Raid is not a backup. You may as well spend more money on something else. 

36 minutes ago, Fearlessleader said:

2x evga 1080 ftw

You should've bought a single more powerful card like a GTX 1080 Ti or the Titan XP.

37 minutes ago, Fearlessleader said:

i7-7700k Socket Type LGA 1151 + Liquid Metal

Why not a 8th gen coffee lake system instead?

[Damascus]

5 hours ago, Rasbir Singh said:

Raid is not a backup. You may as well spend more money on something else. 

+1

5 hours ago, Rasbir Singh said:

You should've bought a single more powerful card like a GTX 1080 Ti or the Titan XP.

At $450 a piece it's not bad, though I do agree

5 hours ago, Rasbir Singh said:

Why not a 8th gen coffee lake system instead?

Craigslist, decent chance cfl wasn't out yet when OP purchased 

[MrWittel]

Wow thanks for the quick responses!

7 hours ago, Pangea2017 said:

why???

Graphite thermal pads seam to be getting around the same performance at IC Diamond. Maybe I should just go IC Diamond because its not electrically conductive. Any suggestions?

 

7 hours ago, Rasbir Singh said:

Raid is not a backup. You may as well spend more money on something else. 

You should've bought a single more powerful card like a GTX 1080 Ti or the Titan XP.

Why not a 8th gen coffee lake system instead?

True going with dual 3 Tb WD Red Drives in RAID-1 to just store files and games. What's your suggestion?

I agree would have loved to pick up a Titan XP but got a good deal on the 1080's (height of GPU mining) and the used market seams not to have a ton of XPs at reasonable prices.

Just cost as far as 8th Gen would have to get a Z370 boards as well.

[r2724r16]

7 hours ago, Fearlessleader said:

Wow thanks for the quick responses!

Graphite thermal pads seam to be getting around the same performance at IC Diamond. Maybe I should just go IC Diamond because its not electrically conductive. Any suggestions?

 

True going with dual 3 Tb WD Red Drives in RAID-1 to just store files and games. What's your suggestion?

I agree would have loved to pick up a Titan XP but got a good deal on the 1080's (height of GPU mining) and the used market seams not to have a ton of XPs at reasonable prices.

Just cost as far as 8th Gen would have to get a Z370 boards as well.

Just buy one big capacity drive and don't use raid

 

8th gen CPUs are a lot more powerful than 7th gen CPUs so if they costed the same, you should've bought those.

[MrWittel]

On 6/16/2018 at 2:01 AM, Pangea2017 said:

As far as i know they are a little worse then the best TIM and conductive. You will be better of with Gelid extrem GC or thermal grizzly kryonaut.

If you are woried about long term stability i only can tell you about 6 year old arctic silver 5 (not the best performing tim but should be equal compared to the graphite).

Thanks ya will go with something like IC Diamond. Generally rebuild my desktop every 2 years anyway

 

On 6/16/2018 at 6:03 AM, Rasbir Singh said:

Just buy one big capacity drive and don't use raid

 

8th gen CPUs are a lot more powerful than 7th gen CPUs so if they costed the same, you should've bought those.

I ended up getting a My Book Duo for cold storage and will just use the SSD as boot and a 3tb as my scratch drive. Unfortunately, the aftermarket for 8th gen CPUs its still in the $300+ for an 8700k. Maybe in a year or so will upgrade to 8th gen and 370 board. Still want to stay below the $3500 for my build + desk.

[Rosinbole]

On 15/6/2018 at 11:04 PM, Fearlessleader said:

*first post*

-snip-

Nice!

[MrWittel]

Rev A complete. Still need to wire manage and run all the hardline tubing.

[MrWittel]

Tonight's the night!

[MaratM]

On 7/4/2019 at 6:11 AM, MrWittel said:

Tonight's the night!

that is a half a grand worth of fittigs)))

[MrWittel]

Well its finally done.... For now.... Thank you everyone on the forums for your help and @LinusTech for the build inspiration and for signing my wafer at LTX. Was able to get the entire LTT team, Gamers Nexus, JaysTwoCents, BitWit, Pauls Hardware and Der8auer!