Feedback on new build with old case & i7 vs i9 dilemma

[Rokus]

Budget (including currency): € 3000

Country: Netherlands

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Games mainly, office stuff, some light video editing.

Other details: I am building a new pc mainly for gaming. I have a two 4k monitors, one for gaming (144hz) and one in vertical stand that I use for productivity and discord.

 

I have two main questions about my current plans for a build, which I listed below.

 

1) I am wondering if I should go for an 12th gen i9 or if the i7 will be enough. There is of course the price, but mainly I am concerned about the higher temperatures and energy usage of the i9. With the case I have I can only fit so much cooling to keep an i9 at acceptable temperatures. I don't mind making concessions on gaming quality if that means a less hot pc. But maybe I should not worry to much about the difference  in temps with the i9?

2) The case I am using is from my current pc and I would like to keep it. Is there anything I should check compatibility wise before proceeding with this case and these components?

 

Love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this.

 

Current build plan:

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor  (€472.95 @ Azerty)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken Z53 73.11 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  (€169.90 @ Amazon Netherlands)
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX Z690-A GAMING WIFI D4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard  (€279.00 @ Amazon Netherlands)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory (free)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  (€213.85 @ Megekko)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 12 GB Founders Edition Video Card (around 1200 euro)
Case: Corsair 230T ATX Mid Tower Case (free)
Power Supply: Corsair HX1000 Platinum 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  (€212.95 @ Megekko)
Total: € 2548
 

 

[PDifolco]

You don't need an i9 and will not notice any significant performance boost on your usage, so you can stick with the 12700K

Else the NZXT cooler is nice but very expensive

You could save quite a bit on the PSU with say a RM1000x which is 50EUR less and very capable

With those savings you can buy a nice new case to replace the ugly old style Corsair 230T

 

[DoctorNick]

I would suggest this instead, gpu is just for price included:

PCPartPicker Part List: https://nl.pcpartpicker.com/list/YDZqwc

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700KF 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor  (€429.98 @ Amazon Netherlands) 
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 56.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  (€115.00 @ Azerty) 
Motherboard: MSI MAG B660 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard  (€223.85 @ Megekko) 
Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  (€249.00 @ Amazon Netherlands) 
Video Card: PNY GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 12 GB XLR8 Gaming REVEL EPIC-X RGB Video Card  (Purchased For €1200.00) 
Case: Phanteks Eclipse P400A Digital ATX Mid Tower Case  (€103.85 @ Azerty) 
Power Supply: Corsair RMx (2021) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  (€139.00 @ Amazon Netherlands) 
Total: €2460.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-08-30 15:03 CEST+0200

 

Better SSD, cooler and case. 

[jaslion]

PCPartPicker Part List: https://nl.pcpartpicker.com/list/8VWKNc

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor  (€312.95 @ Megekko)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK400 66.47 CFM CPU Cooler  (€38.85 @ Megekko)
Motherboard: *Asus PRIME B660-PLUS D4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard  (€159.99 @ Azerty)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  (€119.90 @ Amazon Netherlands)
Storage: Crucial P2 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  (€78.98 @ Amazon Netherlands)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3090 24 GB AORUS XTREME Video Card  (€1200.00 @ Amazon Netherlands)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx (2021) 1000 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  (€179.00 @ Amazon Netherlands)
Total: €2089.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-08-30 15:03 CEST+0200

 

Better build for gaming and costs less.

 

If you really want the i7 (no difference for games between the i5/i7/i9 that are worth noting) get the ak620 cooler.

 

Dont bkther with a z series board these chips barely oc anyway.

 

So I rarely recommend a 3090 but the extra vram is honestly a must for 4k the small 12gb on a 3080ti is already maxed today.

 

That or a 6900xt it has more vram and is a lot cheaper but performs basically the same as the 3080ti but has more vram. 3090 is slightly faster then both.

 

Or hold off a bit and get a 4000 card

 

[jones177]

Since you are not really going high end with DDR5 I would say i7.

Also your choice of cooler is a bit weak for an i9.

 

As for performance, In most games you will still be GPU bound with either CPU at 4k. That is the reason I still use an i9 11900k and a 5900x in my gaming rigs. At the most I will get 3 frames at 4k going with a 12th gen i9 and the same frames with the i7.

It was more worth while for about the same price going with a 3090 ti since they give me 10 more frames at 4k even over a 3090.

 

 

[brob]

I have my doubts about the Z53 fitting. You might consider an air cooler like the AK620 or Dark Rock Pro 4.

 

Consider using an i7-12700(F) with a B660 motherboard. With good cooling and appropriate power limits performance is within a few percent of an i7-12700K. Will run cooler with lighter loads and offers budget savings.

 

But given the new AMD CPU announced yesterday it might be better to wait till October, if you can, for independent reviews. Based on AMD claims, the new 7000 CPU will significantly outperform 12th gen Intel. If so, 12th gen Intel prices will likely drop.

[Rokus]

Thank you all for your answers. Some additional details and thoughts:

 

- I am not interested in getting a new case. I want to make my new build work in my current (ugly ) case. Which limits me in some area's, but I like to try that first.

- I do not want to wait much longer, the 4000 series is not an option and I do not think I will be waiting for the AMD cpu either.

- I was thinking about getting a DDR5 build, but I have perfectly good DDR4 laying around and the gains seem not that much. Or am I mistaken there?

- Interesting that you recommend a 3090 if you want to go true 4k. I do not mind playing some games at 1440p. But might look into a good 3090 deal if it indeed makes such a difference in fps.

- Based on all your comments I need to look into a better cooler. I like to stick to an AIO, but from your comments I understand that with two fans I might come up short on cooling? 

[jaslion]

10 minutes ago, Rokus said:

was thinking about getting a DDR5 build, but I have perfectly good DDR4 laying around and the gains seem not that much. Or am I mistaken there?

What ddr4? Pretty much fast ddr4 vs lower end not overpriced ddr5 is basically no difference. High end ddr5 is a bit faster but you pay a ton for it so not worth

 

Do not disregard the 6900xt its a damn fast card and less than 900€ its basically a 3080ti with more vram

 

The 3090 recommendation is aimed at later to and not just the now. 12 gb of vram is ok enough now for 4k (we can legit fill that up already eith not stupid high settings) but in a couple years from now I easily see it being an issue. However in 2-3 yeara from now none of these cards will also play newer 4k games at the same settings as older ones

 

If you want an aio get a liquid freezer 2 its better and cheaper

[Rokus]

2 minutes ago, jaslion said:

What ddr4? Pretty much fast ddr4 vs lower end not overpriced ddr5 is basically no difference. High end ddr5 is a bit faster but you pay a ton for it so not worth

 

Do not disregard the 6900xt its a damn fast card and less than 900€ its basically a 3080ti with more vram

 

The 3090 recommendation is aimed at later to and not just the now. 12 gb of vram is ok enough now for 4k (we can legit fill that up already eith not stupid high settings) but in a couple years from now I easily see it being an issue. However in 2-3 yeara from now none of these cards will also play newer 4k games at the same settings as older ones

 

If you want an aio get a liquid freezer 2 its better and cheaper

I bought a set of Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory not to long ago. So I would like to keep these dimms if there are only marginal gains with ddr5.

 

I like your argument about the better longevity of a 3090 when you want to play 4k long term. Will seriously consider upgrading now.

 

And check on the cooler! Will look into the Liquid Freezer 2.

[jaslion]

5 minutes ago, Rokus said:

bought a set of Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory not to long ago. So I would like to keep these dimms if there are only marginal gains with ddr5.

Perfect. Use it and save money.

 

As for the 3090 there is another thing. I would actually opt to get a bit of a lower end card with enough vram like a 6800xt and then 2-3 years in when a 3090 abd 6800xt will both need to drop settings the money you saved back then can ve used to just get a newer better top tier card.

 

Or if you wanna ride the 3090/6900xt out for a long time 5+ years go for it.

 

Btw 3090s are easily gotten used for 700 or lesa now so defo look into that

 

Btw where will you mount the aio? The 230t isnt compatiblr for top mounted  ones or front mounted aio's as there the pump will be the highest and that kills aio's

 

 

[Rokus]

4 minutes ago, jaslion said:

Btw where will you mount the aio? The 230t isnt compatiblr for top mounted  ones or front mounted aio's as there the pump will be the highest and that kills aio's

That is a very good point. I thought it would work fine as I have an AIO in there now, but that one has only one fan and is mounted at the back. I guess an air cooler it is.

[brob]

Have you or do you plan on removing the drive cages?

 

A 240 AIO will handle cpu cooling. However performance may be less than optimal as clocks are throttled to stay within temp limits. A 280 should handle an i7-12700(K/F) reasonably well.

 

Using the actual radiator dimensions measure out the footprint with the mounting holes centered. Presuming it will fit, you are then interested in the distance from the motherboard tray. Using that measure and the thickness of the radiator + fan you can determine if the AIO will clear the motherboard VRM heatsinks and memory modules.

 

I'm fairly certain that Arctic Liquid Freezer II AIO will not fit. Certainly none of the Corsair 240+ AIO will fit. 

[jaslion]

3 minutes ago, Rokus said:

That is a very good point. I thought it would work fine as I have an AIO in there now, but that one has only one fan and is mounted at the back. I guess an air cooler it is.

The ak 620 fits with 3mm to spare