New build advice - Flight Simulator ready PC

philmo

philmo

philmo

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4 Apr 2012
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451
I hope to take the plunge and get a new PC.

My previous PC's have all come from O/C, and have cowered from building the machine myself.
This time after spending more time researching I am going to give it a go and do it myself.
With this in mind to offset my lack of build experience if the case or mobo I have listed do not lend themselves to novice builders I am open to ideas.

The machine will be for gaming, with my benchmark being Flight Simulator (I know this is taxing). Which I really want to get into. I plan to play at 1440p.

I am holding out for an RTX 3070 FE - and plan to use Telegram to hunt one down, my patience is not the best so I might have to resort to buying a pricey branded card if I have no luck.
I can use my old GTX1660 super for the mean time.

My budget excluding the GPU and monitor is around £1000, but I will go a little higher if I have too.

As I am gaming most of the time, I would be happy to strip back a little in any areas if there is not too much of a performance sacrifice. I do want to go down the Intel CPU route though.

Regarding storage I have 2 x 1TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD's, which seem fine. Unless of course its felt I would really benefit from some NVME's.

I would appreciate any help on further fans and fittings I might need, I will use current peripherals.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £968.02 (includes shipping: £13.20)​
​

Lastly I am also going to have to stretch to a monitor (1440p), I am less clear here. I wpuld like over 100hz response if possible. I would be happy with a 27", and the following have been suggested:

Gigabyte G27Q or Gigabyte G27QC. Any help here would be great, and preferably under £300.

Thanks in anticipation.
 
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philmo said:
Regarding storage I have 2 x 1TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD's, which seem fine. Unless of course its felt I would really benefit from some NVME's.


Gigabyte G27Q or Gigabyte G27QC. Any help here would be great, and preferably under £300.
Click to expand...
Future DirectStorage games need NVMe to back up promises of advertised loading times.
Though while most games games are badly designed for loading time, few games show what NVMes can do to loading times:
https://www.realhardwarereviews.com/silicon-power-us70-1tb-review/11/
But in average there's little difference between different SSDs.


G27QC is VA panel.
So it has the way highest contrast and hence the best black of LCDs if you like darkened room.
But that comes at the expense of couple setbacks with "black crush" phenomenon in viewing angles and typically very slow response times of dark shade transitions known as "black smear".

Though while better in response times as IPS, neither is that G27Q that good performer in response times by todays standards.
Anyway if you're going to put £2000 into rest of the PC, £300 is rather shoe string money for monitor whose usage life potential is far longer than for most PC parts.
 
EsaT said:
Future DirectStorage games need NVMe to back up promises of advertised loading times.
Though while most games games are badly designed for loading time, few games show what NVMes can do to loading times:
https://www.realhardwarereviews.com/silicon-power-us70-1tb-review/11/
But in average there's little difference between different SSDs.

noted - I found the SSD speed great. But maybe that’s vs my HDD of a few years ago. I guess I need to try to find some comparisons.


G27QC is VA panel.
So it has the way highest contrast and hence the best black of LCDs if you like darkened room.
But that comes at the expense of couple setbacks with "black crush" phenomenon in viewing angles and typically very slow response times of dark shade transitions known as "black smear".

Though while better in response times as IPS, neither is that G27Q that good performer in response times by todays standards.
Anyway if you're going to put £2000 into rest of the PC, £300 is rather shoe string money for monitor whose usage life potential is far longer than for most PC parts.
Click to expand...

I get your comment ref value split. If I were able to stretch to say £500 any suggestions for a good 1440p with 100+ response times ?
 
philmo said:
I get your comment ref value split. If I were able to stretch to say £500 any suggestions for a good 1440p with 100+ response times ?
Click to expand...
LG's popular 2560x1440 IPS models have some of the best response times with top level overdrive tuning.
Also prices are currently really good with old sRGB colour gamut models available for around £300 and DCI-P3 gamut models sub £400.
LG 27" 27GN800-B 2560x1440 IPS 144Hz 1ms FreeSync/G-Sync LED Widescreen Gaming Monitor= £299.99
LG 27" 27GP850-B 2560x1440 NANO IPS 165Hz 1ms FreeSync/G-Sync Compatible Widescreen Gaming Monitor= £378.95

But they have one major weakness:
For some inexplicable reason contrast of those 2560x1440 "Nano-IPS" panels is among the way worst of IPS and literally from 15 years ago.
So those need good room illumination to avoid seeing that bad contrast and grey in place of black.
Really baffling considering LG being the maker with the most and longest experience in making IPS panels...


In contrast (pun intended) 2560x1440 AU Optronics panels have well above IPS normal contrast and actually 40-50% higher than in LG.
And while overdrive isn't as well tuned lacking as perfect for all framerates setting, response times themselves are fully comparable.
So would rank them above LGs.

MSI G273QF has about DCI-P3 gamut, but stand is cheapo with barely any adjustment.
MSI OPTIX 27" G273QF 2560x1440 IPS 165Hz 1ms FreeSync/G-Sync Widescreen LED Backlit Gaming Monitor= £348.95
MAG274QRF has stand with good adjustments and panel's gamut is super wide reaching farther into greens than DCI-P3 and covering also AdobeRGB.
MSI 27" MAG274QRF-QD 2560x1440 IPS Quantum Dot 165Hz 1ms FreeSync/G-Sync Widescreen LED Backlit Gami= £498.95

IIRC MAG274 was around £400 before Christmas.
So with patiense it might be possible to have it at better price.
Current low availability seems to have lifted prices up.
 
I have decided that I will stick with my GTX 1660 Super for now (more budget constraints have reared their head) and look out for a 3 series card later (am keeping my eye open for FE cards on Telegram).
Have made a couple of changes based on various feedback.
This card has had some good reviews, but does not have WIFI. So I can see I might have to get a Wi-fi card - not an area of experience so any suggestions would be great.
I am trying to get Lan to the room - but its a long process.

Should I go up to an RTX 3080 at some point in time would the RM850 be ok, or would I be better off going with a 1000W PSU ?

And would a RTX 3070/80 fit ok ?

Also would appreciate some ideas for extra fans, from what I can see I would need another 4 ? any ideas on which ones pls. Or indeed anything else I have missed.

I could do without spending much more, but would compromise if its is felt I have made some bad choices. This is my first crack at building so want as manageable as possible components.

I am re-using 2 x 1TB Samsung 860EVOs, so NVME will be for the O/S.

Headlines are I will use the machine for Gaming, and aim for 1440p.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £1,362.58 (includes shipping: £20.82)
​
 
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if putting aio on top exhausting, you have potential adding 7 more, 3 bottom intake, 3 side intake and 1 back exhaust. If didn't want to fill out the case, you could just get 3 more and put on bottom as intakes...with the 3 top exhaust, you'll have a chimney effect...you can always add extra fans if needed (maybe 3 on side intake, which would create nice positive pressure, wouldn't bother with one on back as air will be pushed out anyway). if keeping with lian li theme, if you go uni fans, they are daisy chainable, so the 3 fans will just have 1 power cable and 1 rgb cable, and comes with a controller in the box..they're expensive though, and ocuk offer on them has just ended, so would prob have to wait awhile before another offer...i put the offer prices below with the fans...the ST120's I think are the same fans on the aio and cheapest option, though out of stock on ocuk at the mo so would have to buy elsewhere...they come with a fan controller too so prob your best option as half the price

I'd prob myself drop the 500gb 980 pro and go with something like a 1tb crucial P5 Plus on offer at 112 at the mo if wanting gen4 nvme, or I've seen the firecuda 1tb 120 on offer for £115 away. but just reread original post, and as you have some ssd's already for storage, again not strictly necessary, but you're still paying a lot for a 500gb nvme... or if you want same performance as the 980 pro, seen the 1tb sn850 for £139 away , so 39% more for 100% more capacity. Even with the new SN570 1tb which can be had for £77 away(the 500gb version is £49.99 on OCuk so half the price of the 980 pro), doubt you'll notice any real speed diff really, and most of time your gaming, your drive is just reading, not copying large multigig files etc, where the faster gen 4's come into their own.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £314.66 (includes shipping: £8.70)
​





there's a jump in price if going 1000w psu...a 3080 can peak about 340w, the 12600 can peak around 220w, so 560w maxed out..then you have other stuff, but nothing that will get to 100%load ...the 850W is more than enough for the 3080, and most of the time you wont be maxing everything anyway. I went with a RM1000X myself as it was on offer at the time, and also thought that in a few years time if I upgraded my gpu etc, then the psu should be able to handle the power(3090ti meant to be 450W, so few years down the road who knows). PSu had 10 year warranty so should last. there is a new version of the RM850 also, where the fan has been upgraded and is more durable..you can tell diff as top airvent is square shaped made up of lots of little triangles, and connections are slightly different...all in all prob extra cost you don't need
 
philmo said:
I have decided that I will stick with my GTX 1660 Super for now (more budget constraints have reared their head) and look out for a 3 series card later (am keeping my eye open for FE cards on Telegram).
Have made a couple of changes based on various feedback.
This card has had some good reviews, but does not have WIFI. So I can see I might have to get a Wi-fi card - not an area of experience so any suggestions would be great.
I am trying to get Lan to the room - but its a long process.

Should I go up to an RTX 3080 at some point in time would the RM850 be ok, or would I be better off going with a 1000W PSU ?

And would a RTX 3070/80 fit ok ?

Also would appreciate some ideas for extra fans, from what I can see I would need another 4 ? any ideas on which ones pls. Or indeed anything else I have missed.

I could do without spending much more, but would compromise if its is felt I have made some bad choices. This is my first crack at building so want as manageable as possible components.

I am re-using 2 x 1TB Samsung 860EVOs, so NVME will be for the O/S.

Headlines are I will use the machine for Gaming, and aim for 1440p.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £1,362.58 (includes shipping: £20.82)
​
Click to expand...
The motherboard is ddr5 you want the ddr4 version.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/giga...ntel-z690-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-5a8-gi.html

850w is fine for a 3080.
 
Craig_d1 said:
if putting aio on top exhausting, you have potential adding 7 more, 3 bottom intake, 3 side intake and 1 back exhaust. If didn't want to fill out the case, you could just get 3 more and put on bottom as intakes...with the 3 top exhaust, you'll have a chimney effect...you can always add extra fans if needed (maybe 3 on side intake, which would create nice positive pressure, wouldn't bother with one on back as air will be pushed out anyway). if keeping with lian li theme, if you go uni fans, they are daisy chainable, so the 3 fans will just have 1 power cable and 1 rgb cable, and comes with a controller in the box..they're expensive though, and ocuk offer on them has just ended, so would prob have to wait awhile before another offer...i put the offer prices below with the fans...the ST120's I think are the same fans on the aio and cheapest option, though out of stock on ocuk at the mo so would have to buy elsewhere...they come with a fan controller too so prob your best option as half the price

I'd prob myself drop the 500gb 980 pro and go with something like a 1tb crucial P5 Plus on offer at 112 at the mo if wanting gen4 nvme, or I've seen the firecuda 1tb 120 on offer for £115 away. but just reread original post, and as you have some ssd's already for storage, again not strictly necessary, but you're still paying a lot for a 500gb nvme... or if you want same performance as the 980 pro, seen the 1tb sn850 for £139 away , so 39% more for 100% more capacity. Even with the new SN570 1tb which can be had for £77 away(the 500gb version is £49.99 on OCuk so half the price of the 980 pro), doubt you'll notice any real speed diff really, and most of time your gaming, your drive is just reading, not copying large multigig files etc, where the faster gen 4's come into their own.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £314.66 (includes shipping: £8.70)
​





there's a jump in price if going 1000w psu...a 3080 can peak about 340w, the 12600 can peak around 220w, so 560w maxed out..then you have other stuff, but nothing that will get to 100%load ...the 850W is more than enough for the 3080, and most of the time you wont be maxing everything anyway. I went with a RM1000X myself as it was on offer at the time, and also thought that in a few years time if I upgraded my gpu etc, then the psu should be able to handle the power(3090ti meant to be 450W, so few years down the road who knows). PSu had 10 year warranty so should last. there is a new version of the RM850 also, where the fan has been upgraded and is more durable..you can tell diff as top airvent is square shaped made up of lots of little triangles, and connections are slightly different...all in all prob extra cost you don't need
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, they look nice - but will have to look at the budget. Cooling is an area I know little about (trying to learn) and I choose this cooler out of laziness and and some ok reviews - if there is an overall suggestion for something cheaper
but effect I would be happy to be guided. And for this or any other similar would you put fans inside the case to exhaust through the radiator or fan on the top of the radiator to pull air out ? I have seen in some YT videos fans actually pushing cool air into the case through the rad. I guess that would add to the necessity for an exhaust at the back ?
I basically want a fairly decent cooler - and am not desperate for RGB either.
Thanks
 
philmo said:
Thanks for that, they look nice - but will have to look at the budget. Cooling is an area I know little about (trying to learn) and I choose this cooler out of laziness and and some ok reviews - if there is an overall suggestion for something cheaper
but effect I would be happy to be guided. And for this or any other similar would you put fans inside the case to exhaust through the radiator or fan on the top of the radiator to pull air out ? I have seen in some YT videos fans actually pushing cool air into the case through the rad. I guess that would add to the necessity for an exhaust at the back ?
I basically want a fairly decent cooler - and am not desperate for RGB either.
Thanks
Click to expand...

just noticed your build had a ddr5 mobo, you need the ddr4 version

If all you're after is performance, and don't mind the looks(no rgb etc on the pump etc that sits on the cpu)then the arctic are best performers for the price..the rads are thicker(38mm thick as oppsed to 28mm on most rads) than standard rads, so end up being 650mm or so including fans. I have a rad same thickness as the galahad...being 360mm it will be more than enough for the cpu(my system is nice and cool), so really depends if you just want best performance at best price or still more than enough performance with the looks of the galahad or other aio...put some others below along with the arctics so can see price range(seen the corsair one for £135 also with free delivery)

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £489.78 (includes shipping: £9.90)


I'm leaving the aio's as 360mm as you're going for the evo case and fit 360mm rads..i'd leave the rad on top with fan below pushing air through rad and out the case..i have a 5000x case, and if swapped top glass for the mesh panel(like the 5000d airflow), i could put another set of fans on the outside of case but below mesh panel, making a push/pull config, which helps drawing air out, but really not needed.
..
.if you like that look you could go for smaller new 011d mini air I think it is, which will give you similar looks but smaller form factor, though that just might get confusing...put it in below, so the 011 air mini comes with 2 front fans and a rear fan, so to fit a rad on top you'd have to go smaller mobo, then put a 240mm on top..prob the non rgb as cheaper and none of the other fans have it anyway. this way you have a nice air cooled case with all the fans you need(5 including the 2 on the aio), will give a similar look but zero rgb(evo has the front rgb strip and front is glass too, rather than mesh here) and smaller footprint, and will cost less. @mickyflinn , can you just check board is compatible with everything...from reading ATX board can only support rad at front I think, whereas small boards allow 5 slot build rather than 7 slot, so board is lowered as smaller, allowing room for rad at top
My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £462.18 (includes shipping: £12.30)
​
 
@Craig_d1 atx motherboard no top mount aio 240mm max at the bottom but doesnt give max thickness, guessing it's offset but not sure, front not affected.

The 7 Slot Mode has space for up to ATX motherboards. This mode will reduce radiator support – removing support for a top radiator when using any size motherboard. When using an ATX motherboard, the bottom radiator can only be 240mm, but with ITX and M-ATX you can install up to a 280mm radiator.The 5 Slot Mode is ideal for ITX and M-ATX motherboards and allows up to 280mm radiators to be installed at the top. If using a M-ATX motherboard, the bottom radiator can only be 240mm, but with ITX you can install up to a 280mm radiator.
 
philmo said:
1 x Gigabyte 27" G27QC A-EK 2560x1440 VA 165Hz 1ms FreeSync/G-Sync Compatible Curved Widescreen LED Gami= £297.95
Click to expand...

I would advise against this monitor. There are better options. Take a look at Iiyama's 34" 3440x1440 ultrawide IPS monitor if you can spend more or the Iiyama GB2770QSU if you cannot.

I broke my 21:9 monitor and am having to rough it on my 4k 16:9 monitor but for driving, flight, and space sim games the ultrawide gives a much better gaming experience as long as you can expand the field of view.

 
mickyflinn said:
@Craig_d1 atx motherboard no top mount aio 240mm max at the bottom but doesnt give max thickness, guessing it's offset but not sure, front not affected.

The 7 Slot Mode has space for up to ATX motherboards. This mode will reduce radiator support – removing support for a top radiator when using any size motherboard. When using an ATX motherboard, the bottom radiator can only be 240mm, but with ITX and M-ATX you can install up to a 280mm radiator.The 5 Slot Mode is ideal for ITX and M-ATX motherboards and allows up to 280mm radiators to be installed at the top. If using a M-ATX motherboard, the bottom radiator can only be 240mm, but with ITX you can install up to a 280mm radiator.
Click to expand...
Just checking the micr atx board i put in was 5 slot compatible then, so aio could go on top.. Put 240 as 280 almost same price as the 360
 
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