PC upgrade/replacement

power13 · October 28, 2022

Hi everyone!

While I have built my pc 5 years ago, I followed a guide from a magazine, which made it a lot easier. Therefore, please consider me a newcomer

Budget (including currency): 2000-3000GBP; preferably towards 2000GBP, but depends on whether an upgrade is worth it.

Country: United Kingdom

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: AAA games, couch games, Docker/Kubernetes development, Rust development, Unity game development

Other details: I have an existing setup that I am upgrading, based around a GTX970. All components are fairly old and will not be compatible with newer components, I therefore see it more as a replacement instead of an upgrade. I only hope I can use my existing case, as I like it: Be quiet! Pure base 600 tower box.

1. Budget & Location

I am located in the UK, so I prefer to buy everything in the UK in GPB. I travel quite often to the Netherlands, so in case that helps I could buy a part there. Maximum of 3000GBP, preferably more towards 2000GBP.

2. Aim

Playing new games (think of assassin's creed, Battlefield) and couch games (PlateUp). Also use it to develop with Docker and Kubernetes (which requires more RAM than I currently have), think of front-end typescript and backend Rust. Finally, as a hobby, I build games using Unity.

3. Monitors

I have one 4K monitor I mainly use. I also use the steam link to a 1080p tv.

4. Peripherals

I use Windows 10, would like to move to Windows 11. I have a keyboard/mouse/etc.

5. Why are you upgrading?

Games are demanding and can only be played on lower resolutions/settings. Docker development cannot handle building multiple containers at the same time, as RAM limits are reached (16gb, 1800Mhz).

Planning:

Motherboard: z690 (204GBP) https://www.awd-it.co.uk/gigabyte-z690-ud-ddr4-intel-pcie-5-0-atx-motherboard-lga-1700.html

CPU: i5-13600k (370GBP) or i7-13700k (460GBP) https://www.awd-it.co.uk/intel-core-i7-13700kf-16-core-5-4ghz-lga-1700-raptor-lake-processor-bx8071513700kf.html

GPU: rtx 3080 (800GBP) https://www.awd-it.co.uk/asus-tuf-gaming-geforce-rtx-3080-oc-v2-lhr-10gb-gddr6x-graphics-card.html

Memory: DDR4 2x16GB 3600Mhz (110GBP) https://www.awd-it.co.uk/corsair-vengeance-lpx-32gb-2-x-16gb-ddr4-3600-c18-1-35v-desktop-memory-black-cmk32gx4m2z3600c18.html

CPU cooler: liquid cooler, 3 fans (150GBP) https://www.awd-it.co.uk/corsair-icue-h150i-rgb-elite-360mm-aio-liquid-cpu-cooler-cw-9060060-ww.html

Power supply: 1000W Gold (190GBP) https://www.awd-it.co.uk/asus-rog-strix-1000w-80-plus-gold-rated-fully-modular-atx-psu.html

Questions:

1. Would a CPU cooler like this also work: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/be-quiet-dark-rock-pro-4-cpu-cooler-hs-01c-bq.html , it is considerably cheaper (80GBP) and I was very happy with beQuiet!.

2. Would a power supply like this also work: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ALIMENTATIONS-QUIET-Straight-Power-BN309/dp/B083SVLLCQ , it is made by beQuiet! and platinum (196GBP).

3. From my current setup, I still have a case from beQuiet!, the Be quiet! Pure base 600 tower box. I see that they still sell it (and I am happy with it, I don't need a fancy shiny case). How do I know whether this case is still big enough for the new components? Happy to buy a new one if that's required, but I like this one

Thanks a lot for your time, curious to see what/how many mistakes I made

Let me know if there's any information missing to be helpful!

Sincerely,

Floris

podkall · October 28, 2022

1. Compatibility of parts you listed + answers to your questions

So from your list, Motherboard + CPU + Memory + PSU should be compatible as far as I'm aware,
Cooler doesn't have to be liquid, both you mentioned should work,
Both PSUs are good, but I know for a fact that you could get away with lower W rated PSU, but still good quality (you can ask on forum listing bunch of PSUs + your parts which one would be best choice or if there is a better choice)
PC Case compatiblity, only 2 things is PSU size and Motherboard size supports, PSU size is usually ATX which I think yours is, also Motherboard size format it supports ATX, mATX and mITX,
the motherboard you listed is ATX so it should be compatible

2. Speed

i5 and i7 you mentioned are "relatively" same when it comes to most games and tasks
if the task is heavily CPU dependant the i7 will obviously handle it better however note that the i7 is only slightly faster
3080 is a beast that should satisfy all of your requirements
you can expect 60+ fps on "Cyperpunk like" games with details being medium or better

3. Key notes

Basicaly the parts you combined would work nicely (+old/new HDD/SSD drives and whatnot)
However, there are areas/parts you could go cheaper definitely (PSU maybe)
The CPUs are quite power hungry > generate lot of heat, the coolers are great, if your current case doesn't have many fans (2 or less) you should ask in cooling section for cooler recommendation and if your case doesn't restrict the airflow
The Motherboard is from 12th gen support era, so you might have to do BIOS Flash on it, [which on that specific Motherboard is possible without CPU (still need flashdisk with the BIOS)]

4. So what do you pick?