New 4k Gaming Rig Build Log (No newbie, but need help)

Luvvo · 30 Jul 2020 at 14:20

Hi all,

Following on from some solid advice over on this thread by @Sparx https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/4k-res-gaming-rig-queries.18894329/#post-33793768 on components to go towards a 4k PC rig (Or at least get close to it right now)

My components arrived yesterday to start my build & eventually turn it into something capable of running smooth frames at 4k.

Spec:

CPU - AMD Ryzen 9 3900X Twelve Core 4.6GHz
CPU Cooler - Corsair Hydro Series iCUE H115i PRO XT RGB Performance Liquid Cooler - 280mm
MOBO - Gigabyte X570 AORUS ELITE (AMD AM4) DDR4 X570
RAM - Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO Black 16GB (2x8GB) 3600 MHz AMD Ryzen Tuned DDR4
SSD - WD Black 1TB SN750 M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen3
GFX - 1070 8gb (Pending the 3080 TI being released in September)
PSU - Corsair 1000W Gold

Case - Phanteks Eclipse P500 Air ATX
Monitor - ASUS ROG STRIX XG27UQ 27" 3840x2160 IPS 144Hz 1ms FreeSync/G-Sync Compatible HDR400

Current Rig setup + Office working from home!

New components

First step:

Open up the Mobo box, and flick through the guides in case there is anything odd in there...

Noted nothing out of the ordinary. Although it did come with a CD with its drivers on.

Had an issue with seating the RAM. The first slot saw the holding pin snap off on one side (Started to think... oh it's going to be one of those builds is it)

Then got to the NVME SSD, so find that it's shorter than (What I assume is a protective cover on the Mobo when you get it set in?)

I didn't want to seat the CPU just yet, as I also had a screw snap its head when seating the Mobo which was not good news! May need new decent screws to avoid seating issues.

Queries on next steps:

NVME/SSD installation - Whilst there is another round pin slot to align with the shorter SSD strip, how on earth do I get the holding pin out of slot "110" to place it into "80" closer up? I unseated the mobo but can't seem to get it out at all from the backside either.
I'm also struggling on the knowledge front, of when I do get everything seated and installed.... Where do I start in regards to drivers? The mobo came with a disk, but I have no optical drive. Whilst in order to instal drivers online, surely I need a working Mobo for wifi, let alone an OS installation? I suppose what I'm really asking, is what are my steps after the physical instal?

Many thanks,

Luvvo

Luvvo · 30 Jul 2020 at 14:37

Resolved No.1 Turns out that first pin higher up for "110" is immovable. However, the second pin set into the lower "110" has a screw head once you remove is pin, so I could take this out and seat it into the higher side of "80", then reset the protective NVME SSD cover over the top of it.

As for the drivers though, I'm at a loss.

I do have an older Optical drive in my other rig I could detached and use temporarily?

Luvvo · 30 Jul 2020 at 14:50

I'm going to owe you a few pints after this I think @Sparx !

Really not sure on the RAM, I typically take my time with builds as know how easy it is for things to go wrong. Was maybe heavy-handed, but I felt like I was being gentle, and had the RAM the right way around. Admittedly not running on the dual channels though!

Now seated happily in A2/B2.

Sorted the NVME, as the mobo didn't come with an additional pin in order to prop the NVME up before the heatsink (not protective cover). That spare pin was already in the lower "110" slot on the mobo, so was scratching my head for a bit, although if I ever add another SSD, I'm still going to need another pin. Just didn't fancy it flapping around!

Wow, was forgetting USB drives altogether (Jehhzzusss) In regards to Windows 10, is there any particular on that makes a difference, i.e definitely 64 bit, but pro, home, whatever else might be out there...

Thanks,

Luvvo · 30 Jul 2020 at 15:45

Cringe, I seated the CPU no problems, whilst I have Win 10 media downloading to a USB.

I then went to work on the CPU AIO.

I went to remove the integrated intel bracket. Thinking they were screwed on as opposed to just click fit.

Proceed to unscrew the actual cooler, with the liquid leaking out as I got halfway through doing that. (this was nowhere near the PC build at all!)

Obviously screwed the cooler back, on. The liquid seems to be an alcohol equivalent by the way (Stings), but now I'm concerned if I've lost too much of it for it to be effective?

We're talking 3-5 drops or less.

Luvvo · 30 Jul 2020 at 17:06

@pugheaven Thanks for the assurance bud. Felt I had stuffed it then!

How it looks in her current state. Power cables from the Cooler pending a good home. Manged to put the USB cable from the cooler behind the mobo and it just fits, so that was a win.

Just the PSU, Wifi card, cable management, and GFX card to go. All whilst juggling work, other think it would have been a tad quicker.

Luvvo · 31 Jul 2020 at 13:49

Thanks for the encouragement chaps @pugheaven & @Sparx

Everything is physically in now. Including the 1070 & PSU. I'm just down to the cabling now, before powering up and installing Win OS. Really enjoying the flexibility of the case to hide cables or have more efficient rat runs for them.

That being said, all my additional PSU and cabling is in my In-Laws garage right now, and I'm not sure I have the right cables, connections in.

So I have the water cooling cables poking through the middle there. Not sure what they connect to.

Whilst I have all of the internal case fans, which seems a reall mix of 3 pin, or SATA, and I'm not sure which bits to bother with. i.e do I need to connect the endpoints on the bottom left side, or is Phanteks that great those are just splitters, and I only need to connect the bottom right side bunch of cables?

Many thanks,

Luvo!

Luvvo · 31 Jul 2020 at 15:13

@Sparx Sorted the front panel and blue USB3, those two were easy enough.

Pilfered the two sata cables I had from my Optical Drive, and SSD in the old rig, to connect the front panel and AIO in new rig.

I just have these cables left to go now. For the life of me I can't find where they slot in

For the AIO cables on the first image I can only see *male to *male connection points, unless I'm missing something on the mobo.

Then on the second image the 3 PIN did come with a cover on it, but can't find a slot for it on mobo.

Likewise the *female 3 pin I dont see a slot on the mobo either.

Luvvo · 31 Jul 2020 at 16:26

Ah think I know where I've gone wrong.

I've connected the RAD fans directly to the Mobo, instead of connecting them to the 2x4 shrouded pin connectors coming out of the AIO.

Having completely ignored the pump tach cable, needed to go directly onto the CPU_FAN slot.

Right thats one issue solved.

Now for those mystery cables

Luvvo · 31 Jul 2020 at 16:51

OK, cables all seemed to be sorted.

Plugged in all the peripherals, and PSU power supply, but I'm not getting anything spin up.

Just the RAM lighting up.

Missing something somewhere right?

I have the main power cables going into the mid/top right side of the mobo, as well as the smaller one into the top left.

Not sure what cable im potentially missing?

Luvvo · 31 Jul 2020 at 16:58

Nevermind we have lights! What a journey fellas!

I can't get the mobo to pick up the monitor though, "HDMI signal not found" (yeah im plugged into the mobo, not the GFX.

Made a mental note, that the two top case fans are not operating!

Luvvo · 31 Jul 2020 at 17:00

Oh it does need to be the GPU?

Tried that first, and it didn't pick it up.

Looking now.

Luvvo · 31 Jul 2020 at 17:23

Getting there @Sparx

First key was a dud unfortunately, I was miss-sold a key to upgrade to Pro from Home. Cheeky French bugger. Just going through the noddy Windows steps now.

Luvvo · 4 Aug 2020 at 01:09

Was too buys enjoying the rig to post the finished snap...

Appreciate all the help. (Just cable management for the rig, and desk to go!

Especially from yourself @Sparx

Luvvo · 4 Aug 2020 at 01:18

Thank you @sadat

I bought an Alien Vs Predator edition PC from OC around 10 years ago.

Never looked back in Green RGB since

Luvvo · 8 Sep 2020 at 12:15

So chaps with the very close release of the Nvidia 3000 series cards, whilst considering I've been saving up for a new GPU since I bought my 1070 wayyy back when.

Is it entirely stupid to buy x2 3090 to link them...

Or should one be more than adequate to hit 144 frames at Ultra settings on 4k res?

Its guesswork but if it can handle 8k at 60 on high, I feel like there is a close chance?

Thanks,

Luvvo · 8 Sep 2020 at 17:07

@Lovejoy! Yeah the price tags does sting! Been waiting for a few years so been able to stockpile the cash!

@Sparx Yeah I was afraid of that through dubious google searching. Not seen any formal on SLIs capabilities

@orbitalwalsh haha, yeah been eyeing up my mobo, and would 100% have to lose my wifi slot, in exchange for ethernet to fit the chunky boys in!

Luvvo · 20 Jan 2021 at 17:49

Hi guys,

I've had a few months with my 3090 Strix OC card now.

I mainly play World of Warcraft around 200+ frames on Ultra.

Or warzone around 100 or less on avg.

This is all at 4k res.

I just feel like I should be getting more on Wz.

Any tips to boost the card, or indeed hardware upgrades?

My monitor is capped at 144hz anyway, but would like to get WZ to that on avg atleast!

Thanks,