Component Advice please

[Sabahl]

Hi all,

My existing self-build PC is now a tad old and past the point where individual components can be swapped out to give it a new lease of life. (It's still using an i7 4770K!) Things have moved on since I last dived into the PC build arena and I'm a little unsure of what to go for. I've put together a shopping list and would ike some advice on a) whether it's reasonable and b) how to fill in the gaps.

This is what I have on my list so far :

Component	Item
CPU	Intel Core i9-12900K
NV-ME SSD	Samsung 970 EVO Plus
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master
Cooler	Corsair H150i Elite LCD
RAM	Corsair Vengeance DDR5-5200
PSU	Unsure - Advice please?
Case	Unsure - Advice please?
GPU	2070 Super (existing)
Monitor	Samsung Odyssey G7 32" (existing)

So how does this look so far? I'd like the system to be capable of being a decent pixel-pusher for gaming (dying a lot in Escape From Tarkov right now), but also have the potential to be just as long lived with component swap-outs as the system I am replacing.

Any advice gratefully received

 

[Tetras]

With a 2070 Super I'd just get a 12400F, the 12900K is near pointless for gaming. You could re-evaluate once 13th gen is out, if it is a big step forward.

I'd also spend half that (the Master is way too expensive) on the motherboard and get DDR4 instead.

 

[JollyJamma]

Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master

That is complete overkill for what you need. Yes, it's very well specced but do you need 10GbE LAN?

 

[Haz123]

Some alternatives.

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Intel Core i7-12700K 3.60GHz (Alder Lake) Socket LGA1700 Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-69Z-IN) = £399.95
• 1 x MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk WIFI DDR4 - Intel Z690 DDR4 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-36B-MS) = £259.99
• 1 x Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C18 3600MHz Dual Channel Kit (SKU: MY-4D4-CS) = £149.99
• 1 x Crucial P5P 1TB M.2 2280 PCI-e 4.0 x4 3D NAND NVMe Solid State Drive (SKU: HD-074-CR) = £112.99
• 1 x Arctic Liquid Freezer II High Performance CPU Water Cooler - 240mm (SKU: HS-07B-AR) = £69.95
• 1 x Lian Li Lancool II Mesh C RGB Midi-Tower Case - Black (SKU: CA-79S-LL) = £96.95
• 1 x Phanteks Revolt Pro 850W 80 Plus Gold Modular Power Combo Supply (SKU: CA-08A-PT) = £119.98

Total: £1,223.90 (includes delivery: £14.10)​

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the 12900 is £200 more expensive than 12700 for 1% extra performance , it is just not worth it.

The Sasmung 970 is pcie 3.0 so best to go for a faster 4.0 drive for almost the same money.

Arctic coolers may not be as pretty as some others but they perform the best.

Motherboard , went for a DDR4 version and not DDR5. DDR5 has very little performance advantages at the moment so may as well save some cash.

Case is personal choice. One i linked is good and will do the job.

 

[JollyJamma]

The Sasmung 970 is pcie 3.0 so best to go for a faster 4.0 drive for almost the same money.

i agree with your build with the exception of the 970 EVO PLUS not being fast enough. I have one and it's really really fast.

Read write of 3500 and 3300 MB/s respectively with Random Write of up to 550,000 IOPS.

 

[Sabahl]

That is complete overkill for what you need. Yes, it's very well specced but do you need 10GbE LAN?

No, 10GbE isn't required at all. DDR5 compatibility is, though. As I said, I want to build some severe future proofing into this system.

Regarding the cooler, this is the first time I have gone for any form of liquid cooling or RGB in a system (AIOs are so much more common now than they used to be and the alternative scared the pants off me) so I wanted to splash out a little on this for funsies. The Corsair iCUE seemed to fit the bill.

 

[Sabahl]

With a 2070 Super I'd just get a 12400F, the 12900K is near pointless for gaming. You could re-evaluate once 13th gen is out, if it is a big step forward.

I'd also spend half that (the Master is way too expensive) on the motherboard and get DDR4 instead.

I am speccing the system for an upgrade to 13th and then 15th gen. I upgrade GPUs every two generations.
Re DDR4 please see my previous comment.

 

[turbot1984]

Yep, all of the above ... but I would go 12700K if you have the cash, will pair nicely with higher end RTX3000/4000 later too.

 

[Tetras]

Re DDR4 please see my previous comment.

It costs you literally twice as much to buy DDR5 and there's little difference in games, I think it's likely this system will be dead before you'll benefit from DDR5 being widespread, better performing and cheaper.

 

[Sabahl]

It costs you literally twice as much to buy DDR5 and there's little difference in games, I think it's likely this system will be dead before you'll benefit from DDR5 being widespread, better performing and cheaper.

Maybe, but meh...I am still going down the DDR5 route

 

[JollyJamma]

No, 10GbE isn't required at all. DDR5 compatibility is, though. As I said, I want to build some severe future proofing into this system.

Yeah, you can get a decent future proof motherboard for £250 or less. DDR5 isn't limited to the high end motherboards.

I do like some of the features of the Z690 Master but it's not worth £400, especially if you don't need 10gig LAN.

 

[Sabahl]

Yeah, you can get a decent future proof motherboard for £250 or less. DDR5 isn't limited to the high end motherboards.

I do like some of the features of the Z690 Master but it's not worth £400, especially if you don't need 10gig LAN.

OK, you are right it is overspecced but I wasn't sure what else to go for in the DDR5 space. Do you have any suggestions, please?

 

[Journey]

I want to build some severe future proofing into this system.

Impossible, and the socket is EOL already.

 

[JollyJamma]

OK, you are right it is overspecced but I wasn't sure what else to go for in the DDR5 space. Do you have any suggestions, please?

Watch this video

The Best Value Intel Z690 Motherboard: VRM Thermal Benchmark

Thermaltake ARGENT E700: https://www.thermaltake.com.au/argent-e700-real-leather-gaming-chair-space-gray.htmlSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/h...

www.youtube.com

I prefer the 2 DIMM slot motherboards because DDR5 can easily reach 128gigs with 2 modules and it improves overclocking but that does reduce capacity overall.

Happy to say the MSI Z690-A is one I'd go for considering the price to performance.

Here's a round up too

Intel Z690 Motherboard VRM, Entry-Level Roundup

We test VRM thermal performance of 9 Intel Z690 motherboards priced between $220 and $300. If you're aiming for best value, these are budget boards to pair...

www.techspot.com

 

[Journey]

Also £1400 on the board/CPU/RAM/cooler, just madness in such changing market place. You could spend 50% less, and then use that 50% saved to do an upgrade again in 18-24 months and end up with a better more future proof system that will be faster than the one you specified. 12700K/MSI Z690-A/32GB Crucial DDR4/Artic 280mm AIO.

 

[JollyJamma]

Here’s my favourite YouTuber giving you his two cents.

Even if you don’t agree with his selection, listen to his reasoning for each motherboard. It’ll give you clues as to what makes a Z690 motherboard good.

Z690 Motherboard round up

My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/buildzoidTeespring: https://teespring.com/stores/actually-hardcore-overclockingThe Twitch:https://www.twitch.tv/buildzoid...

youtu.be

 

[JollyJamma]

It costs you literally twice as much to buy DDR5 and there's little difference in games, I think it's likely this system will be dead before you'll benefit from DDR5 being widespread, better performing and cheaper.

You’re not wrong, it’s just that OP wants DDR5.

 

[Chris Beard]

PSU	Unsure - Advice please?
Case	Unsure - Advice please?

Any advice gratefully received

Hey Sabahl - welcome to the forums!

I always admire someone who is willing to buy high end hardware regardless of price, so that the rest of us can benefit from you early adopters covering the R&D costs. On behalf of all us value-orientated consumers - thank you!

Cases are an incredibly personal decision, however these come well reviewed by GamersNexus (AKA Tech Jesus):

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Fractal Design Torrent White TG Clear Tint Mid Tower Case (SKU: CA-09S-FD) = £219.95

Total: £219.95 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

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My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x be quiet! Silent Base 802 Midi Tower Case - White (SKU: CA-147-BQ) = £164.99

Total: £164.99 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

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From a PSU perspective it's more challenging to know what's good and what isn't so good as independent reviewers often don't have the required kit to properly review them.

These are some nice PSUs from some respected brands:

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x be quiet! Pure Power 11 FM 850W 80 Plus Gold Power supply (SKU: CA-14J-BQ) = £109.99
• 1 x Corsair RM Series RM850 850W '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply (CP-9020196-UK) (SKU: CA-24T-CS) = £119.99
• 1 x Seasonic Focus GX-850 850W 80+ Gold Modular Power Supply (SKU: CA-06T-SS) = £133.99

Total: £363.97 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

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There are cheaper options - but I'm guessing that's not how you roll?

 

[Chris Beard]

Impossible, and the socket is EOL already.

I thought the Intel Boards were expected to get one more generation of CPUs?

 

[Journey]

I thought the Intel Boards were expected to get one more generation of CPUs?

They are, Raptor lake which is likely to be a side grade at best from a 12900k which the OP has suggested buying. Can't imagine 8 extra e-cores in the 13900K would be worth spending another £600 on.