Black & Red themed battlestation! Any feedback before I start ordering?

[HenkDeVries47]

UPDATE: I've updated my PcPartPicker list based on the feedback thus far received: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/HenkDeVries909/saved/3nB3CJ

 

1. Budget & Location

Around the €2600 - €3000 or $3000 - $3400 range and in the Netherlands, but there is quite a big markup on parts bought from vendors here so I’m also looking for cheaper alternatives on Amazon and Ebay or anything else that ships to The Netherlands. Tips on this are very welcome! 

 

2. Aim

Game development with programs such as Unreal Engine, Visual Studio etc and the occasional movie editing. And of course AAA gaming! 

 

3. Monitors

At least two monitors each with 2560x1440 resolution.

 

4. Peripherals

I have a keyboard and mouse for it and I intend to start with a Ubuntu OS and otherwise Windows 10. 

 

5. Why are you upgrading?

I'm looking for a game station and work station in one able to play AAA games at 2560x1440, 144Hz/FPS, high/ultra settings. I have been using a Lenovo Y500 for the past few years as my only computer, which is why I am more than ready to go all out on the specs and get the best possible system. 

 

So far I have compiled the following list of my build: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/HenkDeVries909/saved/3nB3CJ

 

I made the same list for Dutch vendors here: Tweakers List

 

*Note 1:*

In the future I hope to upgrade from 16 GB to 32 GB of RAM and to order the monitor again to have a dual screen setup. I furthermore intend to overclock the Ryzen 1700 CPU to 4.0 3.9 GHz, which seems to be stable from what I've seen.

 

*Final note:* 

This is to become my "Battlestation" computer which is why I have chosen parts that go well together in terms of aesthetics with an overall black and RGB led lighting theme. 

 

Video of what i'm going for now!

 

Any suggestions are more than welcome and if it is good to go then I intend to start ordering. 

Thank you very much in advance!

Edited July 8, 2017 by HenkDeVries47

[SquintyG33Rs]

make sure you get a variant of the x62 with the AM4 bracket. the pre ryzen models are still floating around.

It comes with thermal paste already on it you don't need to buy more. and this extra stuff isn't going to do any better. it's not magic goop.

 

the ram WILL NOT WORK. find a kit with CL15 or lower timings at that speed. if you keep this one you're likely to have issues.

(edit) to be clear it will work but only at stock 2133. no xmp or overclocking of your own will go through. maybe after agesa 1.0.0.6 but it's not everywhere yet and we'd have to see

 

also for note 3 you could be stuck at 3.9GHz, 4.0 is not a guaranty it's just pretty much the highest it will go (it's not temperature thing or anything)

[honor]

I now tastes are different, but there are so many prettier cases out there, especially considering how huge your budget is, you get get way more beautiful ones.

[dude49]

Better build imho. Besides, you don't need a cooler. the stock cooler ha rgb itself and loosk dope af. The cases leds can be set to red and the additional rgb leds of the ram, the cooler the mobo and the gpu are awesome as hell

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 1700 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor  ($294.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus - CROSSHAIR VI HERO (WI-FI AC) ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($269.99 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($332.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung - 960 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($291.63 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB STRIX GAMING Video Card  ($784.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks - Enthoo Evolv ATX Glass ATX Mid Tower Case  ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair - 850W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus - PG27AQ 27.0" 3840x2160 60Hz Monitor  ($879.99 @ B&H)
Total: $3283.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-08 13:44 EDT-0400

[honor]

7 minutes ago, dude49 said:

Better build imho. Besides, you don't need a cooler. the stock cooler ha rgb itself and loosk dope af. The cases leds can be set to red and the additional rgb leds of the ram, the cooler the mobo and the gpu are awesome as hell

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 1700 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor  ($294.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus - CROSSHAIR VI HERO (WI-FI AC) ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($269.99 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($332.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung - 960 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($291.63 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB STRIX GAMING Video Card  ($784.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks - Enthoo Evolv ATX Glass ATX Mid Tower Case  ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair - 850W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus - PG27AQ 27.0" 3840x2160 60Hz Monitor  ($879.99 @ B&H)
Total: $3283.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-08 13:44 EDT-0400

Looks nice and powerful. But why not go for an ultrawide monitor instead? Then @HenkDeVries47 wouldn't need two monitors since ultra widescreen ones have enough screen realestate. I heard good things about the LG monitors, like this one: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/378H99/lg-monitor-34um88p

 

 

[dude49]

3 minutes ago, honor said:

Looks nice and powerful. But why not go for an ultrawide monitor instead? Then @HenkDeVries47 wouldn't need two monitors since ultra widescreen ones have enough screen realestate. I heard good things about the LG monitors, like this one: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/378H99/lg-monitor-34um88p

 

 

Ultrawide might be a nice choice, but they don't quite equal the gain screen real estate compared to adual monitor setup. The ONLY monitor that can pull that off is this one:

.. and I am pretty sure this costs upwars of 1000€, so getting just two monitors might be better.

[honor]

Just now, dude49 said:

Ultrawide might be a nice choice, but they don't quite equal the gain screen real estate compared to adual monitor setup. The ONLY monitor that can pull that off is this one:

.. and I am pretty sure this costs upwars of 1000€, so getting just two monitors might be better.

Well he does have close to 3400€. Why not simply include it into the build, so OP saves some cash down the line? Then again, the Asus - PG27AQ 27.0" 3840x2160 60Hz Monitor  ($879.99 @ B&H) can be adjust more freely which might be better... I take it back I think this asus monitor is better. Is it colour accurate?

[Guest]

15 minutes ago, SquintyG33Rs said:

make sure you get a variant of the x62 with the AM4 bracket. the pre ryzen models are still floating around.

It comes with thermal paste already on it you don't need to buy more. and this extra stuff isn't going to do any better. it's not magic goop.

 

the ram WILL NOT WORK. find a kit with CL15 or lower timings at that speed. if you keep this one you're likely to have issues.

(edit) to be clear it will work but only at stock 2133. no xmp or overclocking of your own will go through. maybe after agesa 1.0.0.6 but it's not everywhere yet and we'd have to see

 

also for note 3 you could be stuck at 3.9GHz, 4.0 is not a guaranty it's just pretty much the highest it will go (it's not temperature thing or anything)

The AGESA 1.0.0.6 update happened back in June. The ASRock board has that bios listed on the product page. They will get there eventually with better ram support, so if it was me I would buy without worrying whether it will work or not.

[dude49]

1 minute ago, honor said:

Well he does have close to 3400€. Why not simply include it into the build, so OP saves some cash down the line? Then again, the Asus - PG27AQ 27.0" 3840x2160 60Hz Monitor  ($879.99 @ B&H) can be adjust more freely which might be better... I take it back I think this asus monitor is better. Is it colour accurate?

99 per cent Adobe RGB coverage is possible only with high-end displays aimed at graphic design work. OP is doing game development. He is not a video or photoeditor. Getting such a display is not only costly af but unnecessary for his usecase. the pg27aq is perfect for what he does.

[HenkDeVries47]

8 minutes ago, SquintyG33Rs said:

make sure you get a variant of the x62 with the AM4 bracket. the pre ryzen models are still floating around.

It comes with thermal paste already on it you don't need to buy more. and this extra stuff isn't going to do any better. it's not magic goop.

 

the ram WILL NOT WORK. find a kit with CL15 or lower timings at that speed. if you keep this one you're likely to have issues.

(edit) to be clear it will work but only at stock 2133. no xmp or overclocking of your own will go through. maybe after agesa 1.0.0.6 but it's not everywhere yet and we'd have to see

 

also for note 3 you could be stuck at 3.9GHz, 4.0 is not a guaranty it's just pretty much the highest it will go (it's not temperature thing or anything)

Thanks for the correction!

 

The x62 I'm ordering mentions that it has an AM4 bracket. 

I will look for a RAM kit that has specifically lower than 15 Cas Latency

And I saw a few videos explaining 4.0 could be done but I rather play it safe and go for 3.9 then, still waymore than I have now anyway  

 

6 minutes ago, honor said:

I now tastes are different, but there are so many prettier cases out there, especially considering how huge your budget is, you get get way more beautiful ones.

 

Depends on taste but I will take another look at different cases and see if I find anything better for the budget. Just out of curiosity, what case would be to your liking? 

 

5 minutes ago, dude49 said:

Better build imho. Besides, you don't need a cooler. the stock cooler ha rgb itself and loosk dope af. The cases leds can be set to red and the additional rgb leds of the ram, the cooler the mobo and the gpu are awesome as hell

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 1700 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor  ($294.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus - CROSSHAIR VI HERO (WI-FI AC) ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($269.99 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($332.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung - 960 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($291.63 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB STRIX GAMING Video Card  ($784.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks - Enthoo Evolv ATX Glass ATX Mid Tower Case  ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair - 850W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus - PG27AQ 27.0" 3840x2160 60Hz Monitor  ($879.99 @ B&H)
Total: $3283.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-08 13:44 EDT-0400

Thanks for the build!

I will wait with the ordering of the x62 to see if I can just go with the stock cooler as it would save me a lot of money spend better elsewhere. 

On the monitor, I see that it only has 60hz which would be a waste of a 1080TI so I would rather go for one with a higher Hz. 

Why did you go for a higher wattage PSU? 

 

[Guest]

17 minutes ago, honor said:

I now tastes are different, but there are so many prettier cases out there, especially considering how huge your budget is, you get get way more beautiful ones.

Exactly my thoughts. That case fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down 

[honor]

3 minutes ago, HenkDeVries47 said:

Depends on taste but I will take another look at different cases and see if I find anything better for the budget. Just out of curiosity, what case would be to your liking?

Which one I like is really not important, but which one you like You can just check for any black case on pc partpicker. I think phanteks generally makes really pretty cases, but other manufacturers make some pretty intruiging ones as well. You linked a corsair build in your original post (the case completely out of glas with the colourful RGB fans), which looks pretty cool imho. I don't haev lots of experience with tempered glass in cases, since I use a completely closed one (I admittedly don't care about stuff like that, but prefer silent cases, like fractals define R5). I think NZXT has some pretty decen cases too like the s340 elite or 440. Phanteks still beats all of the above in the design department though. The enthoo evolv atx tempered glass is by far one of the prettier cases available.

[HenkDeVries47]

4 minutes ago, lee32uk said:

The AGESA 1.0.0.6 update happened back in June. The ASRock board has that bios listed on the product page. They will get there eventually with better ram support, so if it was me I would buy without worrying whether it will work or not.

So if I buy the RAM Corsair - Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory the issue should be solved down the line with a BIOS update? 

4 minutes ago, dude49 said:

99 per cent Adobe RGB coverage is possible only with high-end displays aimed at graphic design work. OP is doing game development. He is not a video or photoeditor. Getting such a display is not only costly af but unnecessary for his usecase. the pg27aq is perfect for what he does.

So investing in G-Sync and IPS isn't worth it? Also, i see the pg27aq only has 60hz, doesnt that mean I won't see anything higher than 60fps?

[HenkDeVries47]

14 minutes ago, lee32uk said:

Exactly my thoughts. That case fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down 

Haha yeah never mind you just stepping on my ego there

 

8 minutes ago, honor said:

Which one I like is really not important, but which one you like You can just check for any black case on pc partpicker. I think phanteks generally makes really pretty cases, but other manufacturers make some pretty intruiging ones as well. You linked a corsair build in your original post (the case completely out of glas with the colourful RGB fans), which looks pretty cool imho. I don't haev lots of experience with tempered glass in cases, since I use a completely closed one (I admittedly don't care about stuff like that, but prefer silent cases, like fractals define R5). I think NZXT has some pretty decen cases too like the s340 elite or 440. Phanteks still beats all of the above in the design department though. The enthoo evolv atx tempered glass is by far one of the prettier cases available.

 

Thanks, I will take a look at the brands you mentioned!

 

EDIT: Okay you guys were right, there are far better cases out there. You will be pleased to know I wont be taking the Sharkoon DG7000-G

Edited July 8, 2017 by HenkDeVries47

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, HenkDeVries47 said:

So if I buy the RAM Corsair - Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory the issue should be solved down the line with a BIOS update? 

There was a micro code update back in June which helped a lot with Ram compatibility. Hopefully you won't have any issues with that Corsair Ram.

 

Bios version 2.50 has the updated code for that ASRock board:

 

http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/Fatal1ty X370 Gaming K4/index.us.asp#BIOS

[HenkDeVries47]

4 minutes ago, lee32uk said:

There was a micro code update back in June which helped a lot with Ram compatibility. Hopefully you won't have any issues with that Corsair Ram.

 

Bios version 2.50 has the updated code for that ASRock board:

 

http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/Fatal1ty X370 Gaming K4/index.us.asp#BIOS

Awesome! Thanks for that confirmation

[SquintyG33Rs]

17 minutes ago, lee32uk said:

The AGESA 1.0.0.6 update happened back in June. The ASRock board has that bios listed on the product page. They will get there eventually with better ram support, so if it was me I would buy without worrying whether it will work or not.

my bad. 1.0.0.7 then? maybe. the one that's barely rolled out, that some x370 boards have but pretty much no b350 yet

[SquintyG33Rs]

15 minutes ago, HenkDeVries47 said:

So if I buy the RAM Corsair - Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory the issue should be solved down the line with a BIOS update?

potentially but don't take it for a guaranty. because we don't actually know how much it will fix. even updated boards have their compatibility kinda broken, it's far from plug and play.

 

[Guest]

14 minutes ago, SquintyG33Rs said:

my bad. 1.0.0.7 then? maybe. the one that's barely rolled out, that some x370 boards have but pretty much no b350 yet

I think 1.0.0.6 is the latest/current one though I might be wrong.

[Đỗ Đức Huy]

The X370 gaming K4 is EOL!

[HenkDeVries47]

1 minute ago, Đỗ Đức Huy said:

The X370 gaming K4 is EOL!

Huh, really? As far as I can tell it was released in February of this year.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Đỗ Đức Huy said:

The X370 gaming K4 is EOL!

No it isn't.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, HenkDeVries47 said:

Huh, really? As far as I can tell it was released in February of this year.

It isn't end of life. Maybe he is getting it confused with something else.

[HenkDeVries47]

@lee32uk, @honor, @SquintyG33Rs and @dude49

 

Thank you all for the given feedback!

 

New list: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/HenkDeVries909/saved/3nB3CJ

 

I've updated it to reflect all the feedback received. 

 

Changes:

 - Went with the Aerocool P7 C1 case instead of the Sharkoon DG7000-G (Video of what i'm going for now!)

 - G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory instead of Corsair - Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory

 - 3x Corsair - HD120 RGB 54.4 CFM 120mm Fans in combination with the Ryzen 1700 Stock Cooler instead of a NZXT - Kraken X62 Liquid CPU Cooler (although I do plan to order it later if the temperature gets to high when overclocking the Ryzen 1700 to 3.9 Ghz).

 - Removed the DVD drive since it won't fit in the Aerocool P7 C1 case. 

 - Removed the Arctic Silver - 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste since the stock cooler comes with it's thermal paste already applied. 

 

The one thing I didn't change (yet) was the monitor due to the ones proposed being 60Hz which would not make gaming at 144fps possible but that begs the question, what is preferable; gaming/working at 2560x1440 with 144fps or at 3840x2160 (4K) with 60fps?

 

If 4K is the answer then I'm looking at the Acer Predator XB271HK since it is around 120 euro's cheaper but is almost exactly the same. 

 

Comparison: https://tweakers.net/pricewatch/compare/482516;467572/

 

Thoughts?

Edited July 8, 2017 by HenkDeVries47

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, HenkDeVries47 said:

@lee32uk, @honor, @SquintyG33Rs and @dude49

 

Thank you all for the given feedback!

 

New list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3sTmcc

 

I've updated it to reflect all the feedback received. 

 

Changes:

 - Went with the Aerocool P7 C1 case instead of the Sharkoon DG7000-G (Video of what i'm going for now!)

 - G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory instead of Corsair - Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory

 - 3x Corsair - HD120 RGB 54.4 CFM 120mm Fans in combination with the Ryzen 1700 Stock Cooler instead of a NZXT - Kraken X62 Liquid CPU Cooler (although I do plan to order it later if the temperature gets to high when overclocking the Ryzen 1700 to 3.9 Ghz).

 - Removed the DVD drive since it won't fit in the Aerocool P7 C1 case. 

 - Removed the Arctic Silver - 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste since the stock cooler comes with it's thermal paste already applied. 

 

The one thing I didn't change (yet) was the monitor due to the ones proposed being 60Hz which would not make gaming at 144fps possible but that begs the question, what is preferable; gaming/working at 2560x1440 with 144fps or at 3840x2160 (4K) with 60fps?

 

If 4K is the answer then I'm looking at the Acer Predator XB271HK since it is around 120 euro's cheaper but is almost exactly the same. 

 

Comparison: https://tweakers.net/pricewatch/compare/482516;467572/

 

Thoughts?

Go with the newer version of the Seagate HDD. The one with the green label.

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/j28H99/seagate-barracuda-3tb-35-7200rpm-internal-hard-drive-st3000dm008

 

 

If you want a case that can take an optical drive then the Phanteks Enthoo Pro M Tempered Glass is a really nice case.

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2mQRsY/phanteks-enthoo-pro-m-tempered-glass-atx-mid-tower-case-ph-es515ptg_bk

 

 

The 1440p monitor is what I would go for as you should be able to max out any game with a 1080 ti and get over 60 fps. At 4K there are some games that will hit hard although I suppose you could drop the settings down a touch.

 

The Kitguru review below of the Gigabyte GTX 1080 ti Aorus Extreme shows various games at 1440p and 4K so you can decide.

 

https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/ryan-martin/gigabyte-aorus-gtx-1080-ti-xtreme-edition-11gb-review/

 

If you do decide to go 4K then I would up the psu a bit to 750W/850W so that you have the option of SLI later on.