Planning X99 Build - Looking for Input

[FaultyWarrior]

(insert typical first post stuff here)

With that over with, I'm looking for input for planning my upcoming X99 build this winter.  My last custom-built rig was based on the SuperRecord 2 board (circa-2010!); so it's been a LONG time since I've built something that wasn't an OEM PC with a bucket of custom parts shoved into it.

My typical workloads involve HD and 4K video consumption, gaming, streaming, and HD video editing.  I also tend to run several VirtualBox VMs in the background, so lots of RAM and CPU cores are something I value; however I'm not willing to sacrifice clock speeds to gain extra cores (I did this in my first iteration of the SR2 build, and sure I had 8 cores/16 threads...at 2.3GHz...which suck!)

As for recommendations, let's try to keep it sane - no 18 core Xeon crap, no phase-change cooling, etc.

Also, assume everything is water cooled - board, ram, etc. if possible.  This machine sits about 4 feet from my bed, so the quieter it is the better.

Here's what I've got so-far:

CPU: i7-5960X
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws 4 Series - 64GB (8x8GB) DDR4-2800
Mobo: EVGA X99 Classified
PSU: AX1200i
GPUs: 3x GTX 970's - I already have these in my current machine, so I don't plan to change this.
SSDs: 4x Lite-On SATA-III 256GB in RAID-0 - again, already have these, so I don't plan to change them.  I would consider a good Areca or LSi Logic RAID card instead of the on-board SATA though, so input with respect to RAID cards is welcome.

I'm undecided on a case.  I'm not really into "fancy" cases...in-fact I hate 90% of the cases out there.  I like subtle styling, functional, and clean...Lian Li has some nice stuff, as does Case Labs and even Chenbro.  I'm leaning towards a CaseLabs Magnum STH10, but feel free to toss in suggestions.  Side windows are nice, especially since this build will be more "styled" than my previous ones.

That said, the case choice will obviously play into my water loop.  Since my builds change so infrequently, I tend to use hard piping for a super-clean look.

OS: Windows 10 Pro - because why not?

 

EDIT:

going to keep a running tab below as input changes the build:

CPU: Same
RAM: same, unless 128GB (8x16GB) kits come down a bit in price..although this would require me running a Xeon CPU, so it might be null anyways
Mobo: same
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P2 w/ individually sleeved cables
GPUs: Same
SSDs: Same

Case: CaseLabs Magnum STH10 (see post 10 for options)

OS: Same

 

Also, one thing I forgot to mention before - I keep all of my important stuff on a NAS which is backed up to a second NAS, so no spinning drives or drive redundancy needed in this build.

[GlassBomb]

~snip~

 

You might want to consider the 5930k over the 5960x. Why when it has two fewer cores? Because it's close to half the price. And performance would be close enough.

And maybe grab half the RAM now, and next half if ever needed?

 

As for case. This is where things get really personal. I for one really like the Silverstone TJ07. But it's fairly hard to get a hold of these days.

[Chiobe]

EVGA X99 Classified cant be water cooled, as there is no chipset or mosfet blocks available for it.

[Chiobe]

You might want to consider the 5930k over the 5960x. Why when it has two fewer cores? Because it's close to half the price. And performance would be close enough.

And maybe grab half the RAM now, and next half if ever needed?

 

As for case. This is where things get really personal. I for one really like the Silverstone TJ07. But it's fairly hard to get a hold of these days.

Might want to read the post again:

My typical workloads involve HD and 4K video consumption, gaming, streaming, and HD video editing.  I also tend to run several VirtualBox VMs in the background, so lots of RAM and CPU cores are something I value

[michaelk12]

Enthoo line of cases? Evolv ATX?

[FaultyWarrior]

You might want to consider the 5930k over the 5960x. Why when it has two fewer cores? Because it's close to half the price. And performance would be close enough.

And maybe grab half the RAM now, and next half if ever needed?

 

As for case. This is where things get really personal. I for one really like the Silverstone TJ07. But it's fairly hard to get a hold of these days.

I'm split on the CPU's - the 5930K was what I was originally planning, but after seeing what the average achievable OC on the 5960X was, I decided to go with that since I can get high enough clock speeds and still have the extra 2 cores.

 

As for RAM, I'm choking with 48 gigs in the SR2 machine. (because when you have 12 VMs running, it goes quick)  If it wasn't so damn expensive, I'd just go for it and get an 8x16 128GB kit; but $1300 on RAM is a bit nuts...although if DDR4 comes down a bit in the coming 6 months before I do the build, I may got that route.

 

TJ07 is a good case, but yeah - not easy to get a hold of.  I may still have an ancient (socket 603 era?) TJ04 somewhere in storage...don't think it fits extended atx though.

 

EVGA X99 Classified cant be water cooled, as there is no chipset or mosfet blocks available for it.

Ooops - I honestly hadn't even looked if anyone made a block for it.  Not a big deal since it's passively cooled anyways; and I doubt I'll push anything enough to need active cooling.

 

Enthoo line of cases? Evolv ATX?

Perhaps?  I'm on the fence looks wise; and their spec for the Evolv isn't exactly clear if it fits 12x13 e-atx mobos.

[AliveGhost13]

AX1200i is overpriced for what it is. Look at EVGA G2/SuperFlower Leadex/EVGA P2, which are all likely cheaper and the EVGAs have a 10 year warranty

[FaultyWarrior]

AX1200i is overpriced for what it is. Look at EVGA G2/SuperFlower Leadex/EVGA P2, which are all likely cheaper and the EVGAs have a 10 year warranty

I was always on edge about EVGA's PSUs since they're kinda new to it (well - in comparison to Corsair anyways); but it seems that they're rock-solid and do have fully sleeved cable sets available; so I think the EVGA SuperNova 1000 P2 is where I'll go.  Thanks!

[AliveGhost13]

The P2 is made by SuperFlower is a very very good unit, well made and they must have confidence in their product to give it a 10 year warranty.

[FaultyWarrior]

The P2 is made by SuperFlower is a very very good unit, well made and they must have confidence in their product to give it a 10 year warranty.

Ah, that explains it...I'd never even heard of SuperFlower until you mentioned it.  I've always had good experiences with EVGA - even with things went south, and I had to RMA stuff, they rocked.

 

EDIT:

Adding in my initial thoughts here for cooling.  This assumes I got with the CaseLabs case.  See below for the options list.

 

Quad-140mm Monsta radiator in the "attic" area, facing up - one of these should be enough, no?  I've got room for 6 more if needed :lol:

Dual 5.25 bay reservoir

Twin D5 pumps w/ the Bitspower top in the lower "basement"

Mayhems Aurora 2 Nebula Blue Coolant

Swiftech Apogee HD Water Block -  Black

EK GPU blocks

Bitspower Galaxy Quad-Stick RAM Waterblocks

 

 

Case: Magnum STH10

 

Add-ons/options:

Cut-o​ut wi​th co​ver p​late in split between bottom and center sections

Solid Chass​is mi​d-pla​tes

Solid Mothe​rboar​d Sid​e Doo​r

120mm extended top c​over

Solid Upper​ Cham​ber C​overs​

Solid Lower​ Cham​ber C​overs​

*Covered Fan H​oles above PCI Slots

*Stand​ard P​ower/​Reset​ Swit​ches ​with ​Sleev​ed Ca​bles

*Solid Flex-​Bay c​overs​

Base Platform

Quad 140mm Top Radiator Mount

Flex-Bay HDD Cage

Pedestal with Solid Bottom & sides