Build refresh and downsize

Lovejoy! · 5 Aug 2019 at 11:20

Hello!

I'm looking at refreshing my current build with a switch to Ryzen and an opportunity to get something in a smaller case (i'm currently using a Fractal Define S which is a total beast and not conducive to a tidy desk space!)

This is my current build:

i5 6600K
16GB Corsair Vengeance 2666mhz (2x8GB)
Gigabyte GA-Z170 Sniper
Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 AMP Extreme Spectra RGB
Super Flower Gold 550W PSU

I'd also like a nice new SSD/M.2 drive to run the OS and selected games from. I have 4TB worth of mechanical drive storage to deal with the rest so don't need that.

I'm guessing I shouldn't really be upgrading the 1070? Unless there's a card out there that really makes it worthwhile?

Also been interested in dabbling with RGB stuff so fans etc to make it look arbitrarily nice to look at.

Budget wise, 700-800? Depends what I can get and if I need to get a new GPU.

Anyway, I trust in OCUK...

Lovejoy! · 5 Aug 2019 at 11:43

got a 1440p monitor at 144hz. would like to achieve close to that but undertstand that ain't thatttt easy

it's the dell s2716dg

errrr possibly room to breathe ITX if it looks tidy and not over the top gamey.

Lovejoy! · 5 Aug 2019 at 12:08

thanks for that! i think i'd change it up with the case. i do like the clean look of the fractal but it'd be nice to do something entirely different.

i think that's a good shout re: the 1070. i guess it's still not a bad card is it?

is it worth stretching the extra money for the 3700x? i know a lot of people have been talking up the 3600. i do like to dabble in overclocking but it's not at all a dealbreaker if i can save myself some cash!

Lovejoy! · 5 Aug 2019 at 12:52

cheers for that. just noticed the motherboard is out of stock annoyingly!

yeah, i think i'm looking for a balance of "worth it" and "not spending a tonne getting it", which is always annoying.

i think the compromise is the 3600 with blingy ram and a nice mobo and then other stuff can get upgraded in the future. as long as you think the 3600 etc is a good enough of an upgrade from the CPU i have now? don't want to be spending money for the sake of it.

Lovejoy! · 5 Aug 2019 at 13:26

so the upgrade is mainly me getting itchy fingers again for building and getting new shiny things.

the form factor/size is something i've been keen to sort as i've always been interested in doing a smaller build.

the 6600k is clocked to 4.2 currently, but on air and in a really really cramped space where the airflow is horrific.

it's a combo of the above, annoyingly. and obviously. i think instant gratification probably comes top, but i know i want the best my money can get really.

Lovejoy! · 5 Aug 2019 at 16:30

yeah that's possibly the route forward then!

is it worth waiting for the 5700XT AIB or will it be much of a muchness, assuming i do change to ryzen eventually?

and is there a particular 2070 SUPER card i need to be looking at above the others?

thanks for your time.

Lovejoy! · 5 Aug 2019 at 17:46

haha the dream.

Lovejoy! · 7 Aug 2019 at 00:59

do standard sized psus fit into small cases or is there a psu in particular that i'll need to look at?

think i've decided to upgrade all but GPU and then i'll drop a 5700XT AIB later on down the line. i'll sell on most of my stuff so it shouldn't hurt too much.

Lovejoy! · 7 Aug 2019 at 09:46

ah, great! thanks for the advice.

i've come up with this so far:

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core 4.2GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail= £184.99
1 x Gigabyte X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI (AMD AM4) DDR4 X570 Chipset Mini-ITX Motherboard= £226.99
1 x Kingston HyperX Predator RGB 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C16 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit= £119.99

Total: £531.97 (includes shipping: £0.00)

do i get that cheaper RAM or is this not a bad shout:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cors...md-ryzen-tuned-ddr4-memory-kit-my-4c1-cs.html

although i feel like the timings are slower on the corsair.

would just need a case and PSU then. what wattage would i be looking at?

was looking at the NZXT cases with AIO cooler bundled. is it worth the extra money or not?

Lovejoy! · 7 Aug 2019 at 09:48

and is that mobo worth the extra dollar or is there a cheaper alternative that's also worth a go?

SORRY FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS

Lovejoy! · 7 Aug 2019 at 13:20

Plec said:
Will your new case have a window (just seen that it might but will leave answer unedited) - do you want RGB (i don't get the feeling you'll be clocking/tweaking) - if not then you can save ~£40 with the below set; same timings/speed:

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Team Group Vulcan T-Force 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C16 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black/Grey (TLGD= £89.99

Total: £89.99 (includes shipping: £0.00)

yes i'd like it to have a window as this is the first build where i'd just like it to "look nice". i've been self building for years and have never cared enough on aesthetics. the rgb corsair i linked was 3600 rather than 3200. i could clock if needs be. always keen to try out new things!

PSU - depends on GPU, but would recommend a quality 650W, purely for connections and future upgrades.

it'll have my current 1070 in and then a 5700X down the road.

Do you want RGB, AIO - or were you considering air?

probably looking at RGB because of the above, but have never dabbled in AIO, only air. in fact, i know nothing about it! only that it looks tidier haha.

Yes, if buying x570 chipset - you could wait for B550 offerings, but no reliable release date.

Or, this board - but you would need it flashed to make it ZEN 2 compatible or borrow a 1000/2000 CPU. You'll lose is PCIe 4 - no loss:

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x MSI B450I GAMING PLUS AC (Socket AM4) Mini-ITX Motherboard= £139.99

Total: £139.99 (includes shipping: £0.00)

have just noticed @orbitalwalsh 's suggestion. how easy is it to get gigabyte to flash it? and am i losing too much between the £230 board and that one?

Lovejoy! · 7 Aug 2019 at 14:07

i am indeed self building

Lovejoy! · 7 Aug 2019 at 14:26

@Plec if you get a chance to reply to my other post about mobo etc, i'd be mighty thankful. just trying to possibly push this through today.

Lovejoy! · 7 Aug 2019 at 15:56

@Plec thank you for spending your time replying to this. very much appreciated.

@orbitalwalsh is there an AIO cooler i need to be looking at specifically for mini-atx cases? i know that NZXT case can bundle their AIO cooler in but not sure if it's any good.

Lovejoy! · 7 Aug 2019 at 16:52

i seem to be able to get that case from a competitor? @orbitalwalsh

my style is whatever is nice looking, rgb, AND effective. and fits in that nzxt case

Lovejoy! · 7 Aug 2019 at 21:50

Plec said:
True - are you going the subtle RGB route @Lovejoy!

If not you can get AIOs with RGB fans - which would cover the intake, but would need an RGB outtake to complement the overall ~~unic~~ look if desired.

yes, not massively overblown, just something that's customisable and looks neat and tidy. what am i looking at to cover what you said?

Plec said:
No worries - you may find this of interest (note it's the i version):

thanks for that video! looks nice.

thing i've noticed is that with the nzxt case i'd sttruggle to get my 1070 in with a front rad as it's 325mm which is the max room the case offers for GPU. bummer.

Lovejoy! · 8 Aug 2019 at 12:49

yeah, something like that. there's a few RGB builds in the cases show off thread on here that have piqued my interest recently.

it does seem like i'd be a bit silly to buy a bigger case for a card that i'm looking to replace with an assumedly smaller one that would fit in the smaller case. possibly need to wait? try to quell the excitement.