Build Advice

byalexandr · April 12, 2017

I have a build thread going, where I will be putting in a custom loop into my Define Nano S. I was planning on a GTX 1080, but I'm not sure I can justify the cost. The custom loop is already really expensive, especially since I'm using stainless steel tubing, but at the same time I'm not sure if it's worth liquid cooling the 1070.

I need some advice on where I should head with this build, I will be using the PC heavily, especially through the next few years during my stay at university. A powerful system will help a lot not only when I'm bored and want to game but when I'm doing school stuff like CAD, since I will be an engineering major. Just not sure if it's worth the $550 price tag on the 1080 (cheapest I can find right now, including tax) and if the extra performance will equate to longevity.

This is a list of the other hardware, to give you an idea of what I'm working with. I don't really care much about CPU performance, the only thing I worry about with that is whether or not it will bottleneck the GPU. Hence the Xeon.

Xeon E3-1231v3 (need to buy, currently have an i5 4570)

AsRock B85M-ITX (have it)

AData Premier Pro 16GB DDR3-1600 (have it)

Samsung 850 EVO 500GB (have it)

WD Blue 1TB (need to buy, maybe a 2TB, just need some extra storage space)

Define Nano S (have it)

EVGA BQ 650W (have it)

I play on a VG248QE 144Hz monitor. I would ideally like to crank the settings to max and not drop below 60-70FPS. I am also planning on using a 42" or so 1080p TV as a secondary monitor to play from afar. So I will for sure be playing at 1080p.

Just need some general direction on where to go. I don't want to spend a whole f*ck ton of money, but I still want the system to last for a while without needing another upgrade. The custom loop I can justify only because for one, it looks hella nice, it makes the system run a lot cooler and quieter (since it will be in my dorm room while I sleep), and I get hella bragging rights for having a stainless steel tubed liquid cooling loop.