Gaming & Programming machine with a lot of RAM

[Chris Hasinski]

I think it's easiest to go with the provided template, so here it goes:
 

1. Budget & Location

Budget is around 7000 USD, assume the USA as location.

 

2. Aim

This build will be mainly used for programming (stuff I write usually requires a lot of RAM), but gaming is also important. I play new titles, but I run emulators from time to time (mainly PS2, Wii U, the last of which actually has some hiccups from time to time on my current machine). I also plan on using this machine for some VR gaming.

 

3. Monitors

2x monitors, one is LG 34UC98-W, the second one is an older 4K monitor. I usually play on the first one with 4K screen disabled. For work, I use both. From time to time I stream games to my TV with a Steam link. I'm OK with playing them in 1080p, since streaming in 4K lags a lot (my Steam link is using a wireless connection).

 

4. Peripherals

Already have all the peripherals I need.

 

5. Why are you upgrading?

A while ago I've upgraded my machine (i7 2600, 16 GB RAM, GoodRAM 240 GB SSD + 1TB HDD) with a GTX 1080, which gave it a nice performance boost and set me up for games for some time, however, older CPU and 16 GB of RAM are starting to bottleneck my workflow. My other machine (maxed out 2015 15" Retina MacBook Pro) has a much faster SSD and I can tell the difference between them. I've decided to replace my current machine with something new, keeping just the monitors, keyboard and mouse.

I'd like to have more cores (considering Threadripper or Core i9), 64 GB RAM (128 GB if the budget allows for it) and a better SSD.

[unknownmiscreant]

What on earth do you need 64GB of RAM for? The most I have ever used by software I write is 1.5GB and thats when it had memory leaks. Most games don't use more than 7GB tops. Also, threadripper/i9 is likely overkill. Most build tools I use struggle to use all of a ryzen 7. What sort of software do you write?

[Chris Hasinski]

Tons of microservices, often dockerized. From time to time big data tools (Apache Spark comes to mind), data warehousing (ETL stuff) or data mining tools. 

[unknownmiscreant]

Just now, Chris Hasinski said:

Tons of microservices, often dockerized. From time to time big data tools (Apache Spark comes to mind), data warehousing (ETL stuff) or data mining tools. 

Okay, yeah. That would need a fair bit of compute....

 

With 7 grand you might be able to get amd epyc.... Not sure how much that is though...

 

Do you want another GPU? or is the 1080 fine?

 

Are you interested in overclocking stuff?

[cj09beira]

Get threadripper and then buy yourself some high density ecc ram and boom you are set

[Chris Hasinski]

I usually don't overclock anything, 1080 Ti is *probably* fine (I was thinking about getting two of those in SLI, but I don't know if it makes sense for 3440*1440 in 60Hz). Keeping it moderately quiet (liquid cooling?) is also important, and I haven't mentioned it in my original post.

 

I'm not keeping my GTX 1080, my current build will go to my girlfriend as a gaming PC.

[unknownmiscreant]

Yeah. threadripper + decent memory. Be aware that for cache intensive programs you want fast memory for the zen architecture, as speed of the cache is **largely** dependent on memory frequency. Not sure if you can get overclock rated ECC memory (or even OC it at all). If you decide to get non ECC memory, get memory that is rated for at least 3200mHZ CL14. That way you are certain to get samsung b die which plays the nicest with ryzen.

 

Liquid cooling makes sense. Threadripper generates alot of heat. Stick with the more expensive stuff. I have had quite bad experience with a cheap res + fittings. Although thats only if you go custom loop. I think the enermax AIOs are quite good for threadripper. I wouldn't touch corsair ones. I have heard a horror story about the back plate screws cross threading really easily with no warranty.

 

As for the GPU, depedns if its lagging. If not, probably wait for volta next year and get another card when they are on clearance. I'll likely to that with my rig.

 

PS, also quote /mention us in your replies. Otherwise we don't know you've replied. You're lucky I left this tab open.

[Chris Hasinski]

Based on your suggestions @unknownmiscreant:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4GHz 16-Core Processor  ($799.00 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: NZXT - Kraken X62 Rev 2 98.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($148.89 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME X399-A EATX TR4 Motherboard  ($331.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 128GB (8 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($2114.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 1TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($447.30 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Seagate - 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive 
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB OC BLACK Video Card  ($739.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Corsair - Air 540 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Corsair - Professional 1200W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($249.99 @ B&H) 
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-R8-1800 80mm Fan  ($37.99 @ Newegg Marketplace) 
Total: $4969.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-24 05:50 EST-0500

 

Looking at a total price of about 5000 USD I wonder whether I should upgrade to an 18-core i9, Xeon or Epyc, or if it wouldn't be worth it.

[unknownmiscreant]

Looks good. Custom water cooling would be a better bet if you want to OC threadripper. The EK kits are good. altough you may need a diufferent block for threadripper.

 

Also the asus zenith extreme might be a better board.

 

Also bear in mind PC part picker chooses the cheapest places for all parts, not including shipping. Add up the totals for each part plus shipping and extra charges such as credit card surcharge. Also bear in mind warranty.

 

Another thing, maybe step up to a 960 pro m.2 drive. they are a bit faster. YOu might be able to run a couple in raid on the asus zenith extreme. der8auer did a video about that. Let me know if you do, as theres a couple of tips for the raid drivers to get it working properly.

 

And why are you buying an 80mm fan?? most cases only take 120/140 mm fans.

[Chris Hasinski]

Good points @unknownmiscreant, here is V2:
 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4GHz 16-Core Processor  ($799.00 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: NZXT - Kraken X62 Rev 2 98.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($148.89 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Asus - ROG ZENITH EXTREME EATX TR4 Motherboard  ($374.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 128GB (8 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($2114.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Samsung - 960 Pro 1TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($586.99 @ B&H) 
Storage: Seagate - 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive 
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB OC BLACK Video Card  ($739.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Corsair - Air 540 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Corsair - Professional 1200W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($249.99 @ B&H) 
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM  140mm Fan  ($21.75 @ Newegg) 
Total: $5136.58
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-24 06:30 EST-0500

[unknownmiscreant]

1 minute ago, Chris Hasinski said:

Good points @unknownmiscreant, here is V2:
 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4GHz 16-Core Processor  ($799.00 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: NZXT - Kraken X62 Rev 2 98.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($148.89 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Asus - ROG ZENITH EXTREME EATX TR4 Motherboard  ($374.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 128GB (8 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($2114.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Samsung - 960 Pro 1TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($586.99 @ B&H) 
Storage: Seagate - 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive 
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB OC BLACK Video Card  ($739.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Corsair - Air 540 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Corsair - Professional 1200W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($249.99 @ B&H) 
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM  140mm Fan  ($21.75 @ Newegg) 
Total: $5136.58
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-24 06:30 EST-0500

Looks good. not sure if the AIO is compatible with threadripper, as it has a very big die and needs custom mounting hardware. If you want to overclock it past 3.4GHz to 3.9/4GHz, (which makes quite a difference for my ryzen 7) you will need decent cooling. The kraken **may** not be enough IDK. Try find some more info. Theres a jayztwocents video about the enermax aio designed for threadripper which looked quite good.

 

Also be aware what youre getting with an AIO. It will not be as good as custom loop, smaller block, crappy plastic pump etc... If you have the budget, I would recommend totally custom loop cooling with at least a thick 360mm rad 360+240 would be next to silent. Mine is nearly silent under all workloads. (I have both CPUI and GPU watercooled,with a medium thickness 360mm rad.)

 

Don't know much about noctua fans, but not sure if nf-a14 is the best. IDK.

 

[Chris Hasinski]

@unknownmiscreant
TBH I don't know much about cooling solutions, so I just usually pick an AIO solution and call it a day, but if you can recommend something better (near silent operation at least in near-idle sounds tempting) I can probably pay someone to build it. I don't trust myself with water and electronics at the same time  It would also be nice to water-cool my GPU in this build. 

[unknownmiscreant]

Water cooling is silent under FULL LOAD. Gaming atm, mine is barely making a peep.

 

Take a look at EK, watercool, bitspower, alpha cool. Although I'd make anew thread. My loop is entirly EK and its been really good. Although DONT get a gigabyte card if you want to water cool. Get a card there is a block for. Also consider warranty. EVGA is the best in this regard.

 

Its surprisingly easy. Just make sure youre case is big enough for everything. Mine is too small so ultra tight. Watch a few jayztwocents videos. its all designed to go together really easily, so unless you make a huge cock up, you can't really go wrong. Most issues are just drips, so if you have paper towels, nothing gets damaged. If you really don't trust yourself, assemble it outside of the case, with none of the blocks mounted. That way nothing can go wrong .

 

You could also get some custom sleeved cables. Cable mod are the run of the mill cheapo option in this regard. But there are other (more expensive) options such as mod one I think.

[cj09beira]

18 minutes ago, Chris Hasinski said:

@unknownmiscreant
TBH I don't know much about cooling solutions, so I just usually pick an AIO solution and call it a day, but if you can recommend something better (near silent operation at least in near-idle sounds tempting) I can probably pay someone to build it. I don't trust myself with water and electronics at the same time  It would also be nice to water-cool my GPU in this build. 

Get the noctua cooler for threadripper, the big one its very good and won't fail

[unknownmiscreant]

Another thing I just realized. If you do go aio, double check if the tubes interfere with the ram. The nzxt kraken lineup has tubes coming out the sides which can mean some ram slots cannot be populated. I have seen this on ryzen and 1151 boards. Not sure if it applies to thread ripper. Since you are buying 8 ram sticks it would be a bummer to not be able to use them all..