PSU + CPU Cooler Suggestions

[DefiantTheLion]

Hi there, folks!  I'm getting around to building my first PC (have one I bought off of a friend), and I've got almost all of my parts in.  I'm looking to see what an 'ideal' PSU would be, and also what kind of CPU cooler is recommended with my parts/setup?  Also, planning on upgrading to ASUS ROG STRIX GTX 1080.

 

Case:  NZXT Noctis 450 ROG

CPU: i7 7700 (upgrading to 7700K)

CPU Cooler:  stock Intel CPU cooler (just haven't had time to put in my Hyper 212 EVO)

GPU: MSI GTX 1060 3GB (upgrading to ASUS ROG STRIX GTX 1080)

RAM:  16GB ADATA ddr4 2133mhz (upgrading to either 32GB Corsair Vengeance LED Red/Corsair RGB ddr4 3000mhz)

MOBO:  ASUS Maximus IX Hero

SSD:  ADATA SU800 Ultimate-128GB (considering going Samsung 960 EVO or 850 EVO)

HDD:  WD Blue 4TB (for less-played games/media storage)

 

1. So based on this, I'm wondering what the ideal PSU wattage would be (on PCPartPicker build wattage is at 410W), and whether to go semi or full modular, or more specifically what exact PSU would you recommend?
2. I have the Hyper 212 EVO CPU cooler, but I'm wondering if I should just go with an AIO watercolor and if it's worth the risk (if there's any to be had)?  If you do recommend AIO water-cooling, which brand+model would you suggest?

So far, I've had my eyes on the NZXT x52/x62 along with the Corsair H110i V2, but even after watching some YT videos on them, I still don't see the difference between the products.  Also, I don't really plan on overclocking, but I may in the future decide "Hey, why the heck not?".  So I guess my n^th question would be that if I don't plan on OC, would the Hyper 212 EVO be fine, or should I just quit stalling and jump in to the AIO water-cooling game?

 

P.S.  Last minute question:  Could anyone link a guide on how to install/transfer a Windows 10 install onto the 960 EVO/PRO (or any NVMe SSD)?  I've been looking for days and all I can find are jumpstarted 'TechTuber' channels that talk faster and stumble over words worse than a virgin about to get laid.

 

[LooneyJuice]

If I may, the best place to start would be to set a budget. There are a myriad of products that could fit your requirements, but the best way to narrow it down would be by how much you're willing to spend. Then the game gets much easier.

 

Edit: Additionally, the 212 Evo for stock clock usage is totally fine.

[Droidbot]

EVGA G2/G3 are brilliant PSUs for that system. 

 

Keep the 212 EVO, and if you find theres not enough OC headroom go for a LC

[DefiantTheLion]

7 minutes ago, LooneyJuice said:

If I may, the best place to start would be to set a budget. There are a myriad of products that could fit your requirements, but the best way to narrow it down would be by how much you're willing to spend. Then the game gets much easier.

 

Edit: Additionally, the 212 Evo for stock clock usage is totally fine.

Ideally, I'd like to keep PSU price less than $100 USD and AIO water cooler around sub-$150 (if I decide to go AIO). 

[DefiantTheLion]

8 minutes ago, Droidbot said:

EVGA G2/G3 are brilliant PSUs for that system. 

 

Keep the 212 EVO, and if you find theres not enough OC headroom go for a LC

Thanks for the suggestion!  As for wattage, what would you recommend? I'd thought about a 750W PSU, seems to be a nice average system wattage from looking at other builds. 

[Droidbot]

Just now, DefiantTheLion said:

Thanks for the suggestion!  As for wattage, what would you recommend? I'd thought about a 750W PSU, seems to be a nice average system wattage from looking at other builds. 

550-650W, even with upgrades factored in. 750w is SLI territory. 

[pelark]

EVGA G2/G3

Corsair RMx/RMi

You'll be fine with a max of 650 watts.

AIO

NZXT X62

Fractal Design S24/s36 depending on what you can fit in your case

[LooneyJuice]

36 minutes ago, DefiantTheLion said:

Ideally, I'd like to keep PSU price less than $100 USD and AIO water cooler around sub-$150 (if I decide to go AIO). 

Like Droitbot mentioned, EVGA has some nice options at that range, especially the G2. You can also check out similarly priced offerings from Seasonic, Cooler Master and Corsair. Although honestly, I think something like the 650W G2 is one of your best bets. Has a decent 7 year warranty too.

 

Now, regarding AIOs, it depends on what size/functionality you want. Do you want 240, 280, 360? Do you want RGB Lighting? Do you want Push/Pull? Push Only? What will your case support? (You'll have to consult documentation on your Noctis)

 

If it fits, and you're not fussed about lighting or aesthetics much, and you want bang for buck performance, I'd say Arctic Liquid Freezer 240, and it's way cheaper than your $150 cap usually. Which means you may be able to offset your budget more towards maybe a more efficient PSU or other components. Other than that bear in mind that after a point, there are severe diminishing returns, hence why, as you noted, there aren't massive differences in the upper echelons of AIO coolers regardless of how much money you throw at them. Additionally, something like the Arctic Liquid Freezer 240(Assuming the case will do it) is cheap enough to where, if you need to, you could buy better fans and still stay below most high end AIO cooler prices (with way more performance comparatively). 

 

Other options include the Cooler Master Masterliquid coolers (240/280), but I personally despise the mounting solution, it's the same as lower end stuff like the Seidon and Nepton series, and I was not impressed. Reason being that depending on your case layout (MB Tray/back panel spacing) and maybe how viscous your thermal paste is (resulting in the inability to maybe mount it with the case upright), it's a pain in the ass to retain while mounting the block. Fractal has some nice options like the Kelvin and the Celsius series, no issues AFAIK, though not mindblowing performance. If it's absolute cooling performance you're after, I wouldn't break the bank as after a point, the divide is additional features like software control and RGB lighting.

[STRMfrmXMN]

Can we start with why you're upgrading from a 7700 (already a good CPU) to the marginally better 7700K? Even with OC I'm not one for doing such a minute upgrade.

 

Anyways, the aforementioned EVGA G2/G3 units, 550W being fine, are good suggestions. 

[DefiantTheLion]

1 hour ago, STRMfrmXMN said:

Can we start with why you're upgrading from a 7700 (already a good CPU) to the marginally better 7700K? Even with OC I'm not one for doing such a minute upgrade.

 

Anyways, the aforementioned EVGA G2/G3 units, 550W being fine, are good suggestions. 

My plan is to use the 7700 in the old case w/ mobo, PSU, etc. and throw a capture card in it to to "possibly" use it as a streaming/video capturing rig. Or I might just end up selling it (TBD). 

 

Edit: spelling/punctuation 

[DefiantTheLion]

9 hours ago, pelark said:

EVGA G2/G3

Corsair RMx/RMi

You'll be fine with a max of 650 watts.

AIO

NZXT X62

Fractal Design S24/s36 depending on what you can fit in your case

Thanks! I think I'll go with your and @Droidbot suggestion with the G2/G3. Besides the specs for the two, are there any differences (i.e performance, noise, etc.)?  I'm not necessarily looking for like "sneak up on you" quietness or such, but not looking for a 787 during takeoff either. 

[pelark]

Just now, DefiantTheLion said:

Thanks! I think I'll go with your and @Droidbot suggestion with the G2/G3. Besides the specs for the two, are there any differences (i.e performance, noise, etc.)?  I'm not necessarily looking for like "sneak up on you" quietness or such, but not looking for a 787 during takeoff either. 

I've heard that some people have noticed the G2 fan, whereas the RMx series have a Zero Rpm fan mode which makes them completely silent during low loads. Not too sure about the G3 units though

 

[DefiantTheLion]

9 hours ago, LooneyJuice said:

Like Droitbot mentioned, EVGA has some nice options at that range, especially the G2. You can also check out similarly priced offerings from Seasonic, Cooler Master and Corsair. Although honestly, I think something like the 650W G2 is one of your best bets. Has a decent 7 year warranty too.

 

Now, regarding AIOs, it depends on what size/functionality you want. Do you want 240, 280, 360? Do you want RGB Lighting? Do you want Push/Pull? Push Only? What will your case support? (You'll have to consult documentation on your Noctis)

 

If it fits, and you're not fussed about lighting or aesthetics much, and you want bang for buck performance, I'd say Arctic Liquid Freezer 240, and it's way cheaper than your $150 cap usually. Which means you may be able to offset your budget more towards maybe a more efficient PSU or other components. Other than that bear in mind that after a point, there are severe diminishing returns, hence why, as you noted, there aren't massive differences in the upper echelons of AIO coolers regardless of how much money you throw at them. Additionally, something like the Arctic Liquid Freezer 240(Assuming the case will do it) is cheap enough to where, if you need to, you could buy better fans and still stay below most high end AIO cooler prices (with way more performance comparatively). 

 

Other options include the Cooler Master Masterliquid coolers (240/280), but I personally despise the mounting solution, it's the same as lower end stuff like the Seidon and Nepton series, and I was not impressed. Reason being that depending on your case layout (MB Tray/back panel spacing) and maybe how viscous your thermal paste is (resulting in the inability to maybe mount it with the case upright), it's a pain in the ass to retain while mounting the block. Fractal has some nice options like the Kelvin and the Celsius series, no issues AFAIK, though not mindblowing performance. If it's absolute cooling performance you're after, I wouldn't break the bank as after a point, the divide is additional features like software control and RGB lighting.

I've seen a couple of builds online that had shown mostly 280s being used, and even a guy using a 360 top mounted on the case. By no means would I be going for enthusiast-type cooling. 

 

Anyways, I think I'll just stick with my Hyper 212 EVO for now, but archive the suggestions you've made for in the future!