Check my build please

Franksie

Franksie

Franksie

Associate
Joined
5 Jun 2008
Posts
35
Any comments on the following?

Mainly looking to do photo and video editing but also like to get back into gaming. Never tried SLI before so i thought i'd give it a go - plus i get 2 SSDs to use for my OS (which i already have). Also have peripherals and monitor.

And yeah, blue theme :)

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £1,491.02
(includes shipping: £14.10)
​

 
Even with no voltage overclock, just a bit of power limit increase (105) and the frequency and memory overclock, I've seen 970s pull 192W.

So I would calculate for 200W each. Then that leaves 200W for a processor that pulls 145W at stock (load) even before you overclock it, plus everything else.

So 600W is pretty borderline. 650W+ better.

2 x 970 is an interesting choice. Appreciate you want to try SLI but in this case a single 980Ti would be better. Ideally you'd start with single 980Ti and then maybe add another when the price drops some.

Also, photo and video editing software does not make use of SLI (that I'm aware of), so the gains from a single 980Ti should be greater for that.

And the case you're interested in won't handle cooling two video cards very well.


My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £1,490.88
(includes shipping: £0.00)
​


​


Missing a PSU. So you'd have to add a 550-650W (650 better for 5820K overclocking) or an 850-1000W for 980Ti SLI in future. Normal ATX PSU can fit, not sure how long, looks like even the big SuperFlower Leadex etc can fit maybe.

That's what I'd go for anyway. Cost comes down if you remove the M.2 SSD but you'll find it useful for the editing. And I'd go for a larger case for two video cards, but at least that one should be better than the Styx.

If you add a second card, the PCI-E 3.0 lanes will be 16/8/4 so should be fine, including for the M.2.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, i realised as soon as i posted that the case could be an issue. Some good points made there. Sucked in by the free SSDs on the 970s i guess...

Will post an updated basket shortly
 
My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £1,507.12
(includes shipping: £13.20)




Went for the Zotac card for the additional warranty
 
Last edited:
I would go with the regular SATA version of the 850 EVO. The M.2 version isn't any faster, and it looks fugly with that green pcb (Although your gpu might cover most of it). Also 120GB will fill up really fast. I would go with 250GB min.


I would also go with the EVGA G2 650W Gold over the Leadex Platinum. No point in paying extra for a teeny bit more efficiency. They are the same unit internally (Both made by Superflower) but the G2 has 7 years warranty.

The Antec cooler in Danny's build has blue LED fans which would suit your build. If you want the Corsair then I would go with one of the newer versions (H110i GT) as they also have LED lighting on the cpu block.
 
Looks okay. You could easily use the Antec H1200 which comes to 1-2 degrees difference in tests. The pump will probably be quieter too. They've done a good job on that.

120GB doesn't sound like a lot for OS/programs and editing requirements. Plus it's a bonus to have the OS/programs separated from the drive used for the media cache/preview etc for editing.

Go with a normal EVO 850 (120GB will do)* for OS/programs and a larger 250GB M.2 drive. It'll be worth it. I'm guessing you have another drive to use to store games on etc?

Plus what Lee said about the PSU, just saw his post.

* Scratch that - the extra for the 250GB model pays for itself with the free shipping (and will fit some games on it).
 
Last edited:
I have a 500GB 850 EVO in my current build that i can liberate for my lightroom library, so i've taken your advice and gone for a bigger M2 SSD.

I also have 2 x WD Blue 2TB that will keep me goig on storage for a while

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £1,508.88
(includes shipping: £0.00)
 
Last edited:
Okay but use the M.2 for everything Lightroom/editing related or don't bother with an M.2 for the boot drive. The program itself can go on the (Sata) boot drive but divert everything (library etc) to the M.2 drive. If you want to see benefits.
 
 
Can the software make use of the extra cpu cores on X99 ?



The Corsair 500R doesn't have a window (Only a mesh grill)

Phanteks Enthoo Luxe in White would be my suggestion (Or the cheaper Enthoo Pro).

Here is some cheaper Ram.

The H115i is out of stock. The H110i GT and Extreme are both available. Not sure what the difference is between them, but they are both 280mm in size.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £462.14
(includes shipping: £12.30)
​


​
 
lee32uk said:
Can the software make use of the extra cpu cores on X99 ?



The Corsair 500R doesn't have a window (Only a mesh grill)

Phanteks Enthoo Luxe in White would be my suggestion (Or the cheaper Enthoo Pro).

Here is some cheaper Ram.

The H115i is out of stock. The H110i GT and Extreme are both available. Not sure what the difference is between them, but they are both 280mm in size.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £462.14
(includes shipping: £12.30)
​
Click to expand...

don't i want dual channel ram for Z170/Skylake? I didn't think quad channel was supported?

From what i've read, Lightroom can make use of additional cores
 
Last edited:
Franksie said:
don't i want dual channel ram for Z170/Skylake? I didn't think quad channel was supported?

From what i've read, Lightroom can make use of additional cores
Click to expand...

A Quad kit should work fine on Z170. If Lightroom does use the extra cores then I would stick with X99.

If you want a Black/White theme then something like this would be good. The only thing not in stock is the motherboard.

The Enthoo Pro is a great case for the money. All the internal drives and the psu are hidden out of sight for a nice clean build.

Corsair RMx is a very good psu. The warranty is 7 years with this unit. It has 100% Japanese caps.



My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £1,625.14
(includes shipping: £12.30)
​


​
 
Lots to think about. I've actually got aa Corsair HX850 in my current build that I could initially reuse to save some cash. I could do the same with my case and 500GB 850 EVO too
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom