Latest PC Build: Lessons Learned

I've had fun researching and getting feedback for my latest PC build. In the past, I went with general advice from gaming forums and reviewing sites when selecting components, but this time around, I focused a little more intensively on data and benchmarks in configuring my build. I thought it might be useful to share some of the lessons I learned.

1. Build a rig suitable for your primary purpose.

Theoretical performance and synthetic benchmarks are all well and good in the abstract, but how will your system perform on the primary tasks you will be carrying out? Studying real-world benchmarks led me to switch from AMD to Intel for the first time, since games will be my most demanding applications by far, and Intel has better gaming performance.

2. Build around a complementary cpu/gpu pairing.

Previously, I focused on the best CPU/mobo I could afford, and selected other components accordingly. But since gaming is my most computing intensive task, I learned that it makes more sense to focus on a complementary CPU/GPU pair that will maximize data throughput without bottlenecking either. Speaking of data throughput:

3. Bigger/faster does not always equal better.

It makes no sense to build more capacity in any of your subsystems than can ever be reasonably utilized. For example, having a CPU that can OC to 4.8+ GHz makes no sense if you don't have the components to achieve a stable OC at that frequency. Having more than 16GB of RAM makes no sense if even your most demanding applications will never utilize anything more than 12GB. And so on. When selecting components, my watchword became performance gains. I only considered upgrading a component if it meant obtaining meaningful performance gains or adding useful functionality for my specific configuration.

4. Understanding how each subsystem processes data is critical.

For instance, learning about the relationship between GPU memory clock speed, bus width, and memory size helped me to avoid making some poor GPU choices (https://superuser.com/questions/1186150/gpu-memory-bandwidth-vs-speed). That led me to further consider the relationship between the PCI bus, mobo chipset, and the memory and storage subsystems. In the end, considering how the major subsystems work together to create an efficient, high-performance PC that is optimized for the user's primary tasks (as well as his budget) is worth the time and effort, and results in what I consider to be a thing of beauty.

5. There are lots of very smart people out there who are happy to provide their insights and advice.

It's impossible for any one person, even an expert, to know everything. It's always helpful to seek advice and feedback on your planned build before you pull the trigger. With that in mind, here's a link to the build that I finally settled on. I'd appreciate feedback:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/xsLKVY

Edit: the Samsung Pro Evo is only for illustrative purposes. I actually chose a PNY CS2030 480GB, but it wasn't on the part picker list.

Edit2: list updated to include monitor. The model in the list is different from the actual monitor, in that it uses an IPS panel, but it is approximately the same price and resolution.

Hi , it would be important for the ones who want to give opinion/advice to know what kind of output you want to use ? (1080p screen ? 4K screen ? Oculus rift ?)

Hi , it would be important for the ones who want to give opinion/advice to know what kind of output you want to use ? (1080p screen ? 4K screen ? Oculus rift ?)

Thanks. I'll be using a 27 in. 1440p 2K screen. I'll add it to the list.

Should run fine. 2K, depending on how fast you get that 7600K running, should be above 60. Probably closer to 80.

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R5-1600 or R7-1700 would be my pick now, no Intel tbh.

Add a fat GPU, 32GB, SSD and you are set.

R5-1600 or R7-1700 would be my pick now, no Intel tbh.

 

Add a fat GPU, 32GB, SSD and you are set.

Well, based on my research as well as feedback from this forum and others, I've already pulled the trigger on an i5-7600K. I feel confident that it will suit my needs.

Well, based on my research as well as feedback from this forum and others, I've already pulled the trigger on an i5-7600K. I feel confident that it will suit my needs.

Hey GhostDog! How has the i5-7600K worked out for you?

I am looking to upgrade and have come to the same conclusion as you after a bunch of research and think the i5-7600K will be best for me. I will also be going with 16GB DDR4 3200 RAM.

Hey GhostDog! How has the i5-7600K worked out for you?

 

I am looking to upgrade and have come to the same conclusion as you after a bunch of research and think the i5-7600 will be best for me. I will also be going with 16GB DDR4 3200 RAM.

If you plan on sticking with your chosen i5-7600 CPU/mobo combo for three to four years and don't plan on playing some current and many future AAA titles during that time then I am sure that only four cores will be fine.

However in my opinion 4 core CPU's will start to show their age with new games in the next year or so as software including games use 6 or more cores. There are already quite a few AA titles that like all the cores and threads that can be thrown at it.

Also as far as your choice of the i5-7600 you are locked in as far as CPU clock speed. Strongly suggest spending a few dolars more on the K variant that you can easily overclock from 4.8 to +5Ghz.

If you plan on sticking with your chosen i5-7600 CPU/mobo combo for three to four years and don't plan on playing some current and many future AAA titles during that time then I am sure that only four cores will be fine.

 

However in my opinion 4 core CPU's will start to show their age with new games in the next year or so as software including games use 6 or more cores. There are already quite a few AA titles that like all the cores and threads that can be thrown at it.

 

Also as far as your choice of the i5-7600 you are locked in as far as CPU clock speed. Strongly suggest spending a few dolars more on the K variant that you can easily overclock from 4.8 to +5Ghz.

My PC is built for DCS only which has helped me conclude that the i5 will be enough for me. I will be getting the K version since the main reason for an upgrade is so that I can overclock.

Well, based on my research as well as feedback from this forum and others, I've already pulled the trigger on an i5-7600K. I feel confident that it will suit my needs.

You may want to get an I7 later (black friday after coffe lake is released). Theres another lesson to be had. 4 threads are no longer enough in the near future. The difference is noticeable now already. DCS or not regardless.

Hi lads, hope its ok to tack onto this thread. Im finally getting myself back into sims after being grounded for many years. Who would of thought that a divorce gives you your wings back? Anyway, I'm both very excited about diving into DCS and also my system build which is happening next weekend. Having said that, before I purchase this week, can I get some feedback from you all on the below. My focus will be DCS so a HOTAS, Pedals and an Oculus will be coming soon along with a jetseat maybe. I also use Zwift so I'd like to connect the setup into the TV for racing.

Many thanks

PCPartPicker part list:

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor

CPU Cooler: Corsair - H80i v2 70.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler

Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-Z270X-Gaming 7 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory

Storage: Western Digital - Green 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (For OS)

Storage: Western Digital - Green 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (For DCS and games)

Storage: Western Digital - Blue 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive (For the GF)

Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GAMING X 8G Video Card

Case: Corsair - Carbide 400C ATX Mid Tower Case

Power Supply: Antec - High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply

Hi Donny, my only slight reservation is that the H80 cooler may have to ramp up to high fan speeds if you plan on overclocking the i7-7700k. And that means noise. At stock clocks it should be more than adequate and with a quiet sound profile.

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Cheers mate. I made a change taking that into account

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor

CPU Cooler: Corsair - H115i 104.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler

Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-Z270X-Gaming 7 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory

Storage: Western Digital - Green 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (For OS)

Storage: Western Digital - Green 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (For DCS)

Storage: Western Digital - Blue 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive (For GF)

Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GAMING X 8G Video Card

Case: Corsair - Carbide 400C ATX Mid Tower Case

Power Supply: Antec - High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply

Don't get me wrong the H80i is a good AIO unit but the 7700k when overclocked upwards of 4.8 runs pretty hot. Something like a H100 would handle this type of overclock better and with lower noise. Also pretty sure your case could take a 240mm rad AIO cooler at the top of your case exhausting out. If you are not going to aggressively overclock then the H80 is fine.

Good pick also the 1080 which have dropped a little in price now the 108oTi is out and thay is loads of power for 1080 and 1040p gaming.

Good luck and enjoy.

Maybe reconsider the Bronze PSU !

That is really not what you want for such a nice PC. Seasonic has the best ones right now, Prime edition PSU's are very nice, just got one myself for a SoHo Server.

Thanks mate. From the supplier I'm using, Ive found this one for roughly the same price and the 750W is only $14 more

Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 650W 80 Gold Full Modular PSU

The Antec High Current Gamer 620w is made by Seasonic, but both are top quality (Tier 2) units.

Thanks Demon. Appreciate all the info I can get my hands on from everyone. Happy to spend the money on a decent rig but want to make sure I do it right the first time

Note: You don't even need to overclock this CPU (4.5Ghz).

What is the SSD 240GB WD Green?

Don't buy a 5400RPM HD. You know 3TB is a lot of capacity...

Samsung SSD are one of the best today.

You know the Gaming 7 is a big card (Expensive)? Are you sure you need all those features?

The Gaming 5, Gaming K5, Ultra Gaming and the UD3 are very good too.

You know DCS don't use the Hyper-theading technology. It don't even use more than 2 cores. The i5 7600K...

There are like 100+ more processes running while you game DCS.

I just had to say this :music_whistling:

TeamSpeak, SRS, TrackIR, Virus Scanner, TacView, MSI Afterburner, MSI/Asus OC tools, RealTemp, other Monitoring software, GF-Experience/Radeon Tool, etc etc... not even mentioning the NOT-DCS related processes from your OS.

I would not buy any other SSD than Samsung currently, 850Pro for 2.5" and 960Pro for NvME.

None of them use the Hyper-threading.

None of them use the Hyper-threading.

Does this matter in that case ? I honestly do not know if HT only kicks in for applications that natively supports it -or- do they just benefit from "more" cores available and thus can make use of those ressources.

Anyway, any modern CPU has HT or SMT, I am very confident those i5's are a thing of the past soon.

With any major review site telling you to stay away from X299 for at least now AMD will get another push forward. Intel will need to compete again to get a piece of the cake.

Anyway, HT has a bug in Skylake and Kaby Lake and it's advised to disable HT until a fix has come out. Counts for all OS and all of the CPUs from those 2 families, from Pentium to Xeon. Only a few Kaby Lake have a newer Modell and Stepping that do not have this HT bug. Hardocp or Guru3d have those articles FYI.

I disabled HT for now as I have a BSOD every 2 weeks out of the blue, not related to oc or gaming or such..it sometimes just BSODs and reboots. Maybe this HT bug was the cause, I have no idea.