DIY or prebuild

[MilleniumX]

Hi, with the new GPUs out, am thinking of getting a RIG around 2.5k, can stretch a little. Main use is gaming of AAA titles and more longevity.

Will use one of Invader's build as a starting point for discussion, which is close to 2.5k:

• AMD RYZEN 7 7800X3D
• ASUS TUF GAMING B650M-E
• ASUS PRIME RX 9070XT 16GB OC
• THERMALRIGHT AQUA ELITE 240 BLACK V3 AIO
• G.SKILL TRIDENT Z5 NEO RGB 6000MHz 32GB CL36
• CRUCIAL T500 PRO 1TB 7300MB/s PCIe GEN4
• THERMALRIGHT TR-SG 750 80+ GOLD PSU
• THERMALTAKE TOWER 300 BLACK TG

Have a few questions
1) If I am willing to go to 2.65k, I can get a 5070 Ti (S15 from Invader). Is that worth the additional $150-200 for all the future proofing features? From reviews, doesn't seem like it is worth it. How about trying to go for 4070 Super or Ti Super?

2) I have a relatively basic monitor. Its a Xiaomi 34inch curved WQHD 144hz Gaming monitor. How much of a bottleneck will the monitor be if I get a 2.5k rig? Am I better off allocating some budget to the monitor and scaling down the requirements?

3) Alternatively, can I run 2 monitors, both connected into the same card? Do they support dual display? Then I can use the 34 inch for work, and get a proper gaming monitor which is 27 in or something that I can switch around?

4) Linked to Qn 3, any one has a nice set up which connects 2 monitors? 1 34 inch curve and 1 gaming monitor? I really like the 34 inch for work as I do quite a bit of WFH, so would be good if I can keep that. I have those monitor arms thing if that helps

5) I can upgrade a few items in the above RIG, such as getting RAM to CL30, a better PSU etc. How much of an impact do those have? considering if I could spare $100-200, there are other things I can consider using the $ for

6) I recognize that the case in the selected RIG is also more expensive. I guess I can go with a more budget option. I actually just want a case that takes up less space, and I prefer one that looks a bit more classy and sleek (rather than with all the RGB).

7) I also like the overall noise level to be low and the case to clean easily. I have a cat at home so a lot of fur starts to gather in the room.

8) With all these, should I go DIY (ie go to a shop in SLS and ask them to build), or go with one of the pre-builds?

Sorry for the long list! Thanks in advance

 

[deepblue_82]

i do not think the rtx 5070ti is worth the extra 200... if u are into AI or dlss or all that rt stuff then u can go for a Nvidia card...
a rt 4070 super or ti would be good if u can it at a it will not cost u a leg price.
yes u can run 2 or if i am not wrong up to 4 display off 1 card. there should be 1 hdmi and 3 dp.
ur current monitor can only go up to 2k 1440p

 

[MilleniumX]

ur current monitor can only go up to 2k 1440p

Thanks for the inputs. If i plan to play up to 1440p, is the current monitor "good enough"? Xiaomi said its a "gaming" monitor but I recognise this is not a typical go-to brand for gaming monitors? Question is how much of a difference does it make for a different gaming monitor?

 

[soreloser]

Personally I think the 5070ti is worth it, you get DLSS features and MFG which will be important in games AAA ike cyberpunk if you want to run the game at maximum settings(PT + high refresh rate).

Since you are playing AAA games, take note that the 9070XT will not be able to play any of the AAA games using path tracing(loses too much performance), regular RT is great.

Also, the 7800x3d does not benefit from a 240mm AIO, it has the same performance as an air cooler(Peerless Assassin 120 etc). I recommend going for a 360 AIO, will be much more performant and quieter than the 240/ air cooler.

 

[-Synchronicity-]

Consider m-atx cases instead if u want smaller cases:
https://www.invaderpc.com/product/specm78/

Maybe take a look at FARA 312

 

[deepblue_82]

Thanks for the inputs. If i plan to play up to 1440p, is the current monitor "good enough"? Xiaomi said its a "gaming" monitor but I recognise this is not a typical go-to brand for gaming monitors? Question is how much of a difference does it make for a different gaming monitor?

gaming wise like if u are not going pro lv.. ur current monitor works... i dont see the need to change it.

 

[MilleniumX]

gaming wise like if u are not going pro lv.. ur current monitor works... i dont see the need to change it.

Thanks! yeah, really just looking for single player games. I wont even be playing online

 

[MilleniumX]

Actually, are there any benchmarks which show the best CPU to pair with the 9070XT at 1440p and 4k? I read that even a Rzyen 5 7000 would be more than sufficient and the bottleneck is already going to be the GPU. As such, I am thinking if I should reduce the CPU and put that $$ somewhere else?

 

[deepblue_82]

Actually, are there any benchmarks which show the best CPU to pair with the 9070XT at 1440p and 4k? I read that even a Rzyen 5 7000 would be more than sufficient and the bottleneck is already going to be the GPU. As such, I am thinking if I should reduce the CPU and put that $$ somewhere else?

u can reduce it to a 7600x3d but its not easy to find... coz now am 5 x3d cpus are abit on the high side

 

[x3nor_S]

Actually, are there any benchmarks which show the best CPU to pair with the 9070XT at 1440p and 4k? I read that even a Rzyen 5 7000 would be more than sufficient and the bottleneck is already going to be the GPU. As such, I am thinking if I should reduce the CPU and put that $$ somewhere else?

From my knowledge 1440p and above likely gpu bottleneck. Incremental fps might be minimal

 

[MilleniumX]

If that's the case, should I settle for a Ryzen 7 7900X instead? Saw some good reviews for that I think

Also, I am not like chasing high FPS, as long as I can go full settings without lag, should be okay. Not sure if my naked eye can tell the difference between 100 or 300fps

 

[soreloser]

If that's the case, should I settle for a Ryzen 7 7900X instead? Saw some good reviews for that I think

Also, I am not like chasing high FPS, as long as I can go full settings without lag, should be okay. Not sure if my naked eye can tell the difference between 100 or 300fps

If you are only gaming, the 7600/7700 is better suited for u, no need to spend 400-700$ on the CPU.

You can check techpowerup for the difference in 1080 and 1440p and see for yourself
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/amd-ryzen-7-7800x3d/20.html

 

[-Synchronicity-]

Just avoid any x3d cpus to prevent getting price goughed. In gaming, there's little difference in 1440p amongst the non x3d chips from 7500f - 7900x. So generally pick the cheapest.

What I would suggest now is getting the 7700 over 7600 because the former comes with monster hunter wilds. If you're interested in it, great u don't need to buy it. If not, selling it should bridge the price gap between 7600 and 7700 for essentially a free or almost free upgrade.

 

[MilleniumX]

Interesting perspectives! Does any of the above considerations change if I am using an ultra wide monitor? Would an ultra wide monitor benefit from more CPU power?

 

[-Synchronicity-]

Not really. Your bottleneck is usually the GPU.

 

[Yongkit]

if AAA game is your focus. x3D chip is better in way you can ignore any RAM OC and still maintain good 1% low and given more GPU performance gain than non x3D.

 

[Yongkit]

Personally I think the 5070ti is worth it, you get DLSS features and MFG which will be important in games AAA ike cyberpunk if you want to run the game at maximum settings(PT + high refresh rate).

Since you are playing AAA games, take note that the 9070XT will not be able to play any of the AAA games using path tracing(loses too much performance), regular RT is great.

Also, the 7800x3d does not benefit from a 240mm AIO, it has the same performance as an air cooler(Peerless Assassin 120 etc). I recommend going for a 360 AIO, will be much more performant and quieter than the 240/ air cooler.

path tracing really is unnecessary in my opinion, if play with HDR would have more impact on AMD GPU especially the color profile available and most modern game is HDR ready instead path tracing.

 

[Yongkit]

Why some thing must be Thermalright?

• AMD RYZEN 7 7800X (No need for 3D you be paying double)
• Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX - $759 (Mobo and CPU)
• Gigabyte Geforce RTX 5070 Gaming OC - $1039
• CORSAIR NAUTILUS 240 RS - $139
• G.SKILL TRIDENT Z5 NEO RGB 6000MHz 32GB CL36 - 210
• Samsung 990 Pro 1TB - $155 (Cheaper than Crucial T500)
• CORSAIR RMe Series RM850e - $209
• MONTECH AIR 100 ARGB MATX - $73
  
  Total $2583
  
  You can ask shop quote I think can be cheaper with this configuration.

i believe no 7800x cpu, i guess you are referring to 7700x.

 

[NightRaven49]

Have a few questions
1) If I am willing to go to 2.65k, I can get a 5070 Ti (S15 from Invader). Is that worth the additional $150-200 for all the future proofing features? From reviews, doesn't seem like it is worth it. How about trying to go for 4070 Super or Ti Super?

for a 5% increase in price, i would go with nvidia as it is technically faster in raster but way faster in rt. with the movement to heavier raytracing in aaa titles, i would say the top up is worth to be ready for the increase in raytracing demands in future games, along with other nvidia features like dlss4. just kinda sucks that this level of performance was already available before the 5000 series launch in the 4080s, and probably for a lower price too. i doubt u can find 4000 super series builds out there anymore, at least brand new for a reasonable price.

2) I have a relatively basic monitor. Its a Xiaomi 34inch curved WQHD 144hz Gaming monitor. How much of a bottleneck will the monitor be if I get a 2.5k rig? Am I better off allocating some budget to the monitor and scaling down the requirements?

first time hear of monitor being a bottleneck
look see look see a few reviews, looks like 9070xt/5070ti dont really exceed 144fps at qhd in popular titles, so u should be fine, in fact it seems to me that it is a decent pairing.

5) I can upgrade a few items in the above RIG, such as getting RAM to CL30, a better PSU etc. How much of an impact do those have? considering if I could spare $100-200, there are other things I can consider using the $ for

the memory timings are not as important if u go x3d or play at a higher resolution like qhd, but is quite important for non x3d. a better psu also wont impact performance all that much, but getting a good one is key if u want stability and longevity of the system, and in many cases can survive multiple rebuilds.

Actually, are there any benchmarks which show the best CPU to pair with the 9070XT at 1440p and 4k? I read that even a Rzyen 5 7000 would be more than sufficient and the bottleneck is already going to be the GPU. As such, I am thinking if I should reduce the CPU and put that $$ somewhere else?

If that's the case, should I settle for a Ryzen 7 7900X instead? Saw some good reviews for that I think

for pure gaming, u should be looking at single ccd chips (less than 8 cores for the past 4 gens of ryzen), since they not only cost less but also there would be no chance of inter ccd communication which would hurt gaming performance. but yes u can settle for something like a 7500f/7600/7700 for single player titles, since zen5 (9000 series) is barely faster than 7000 series for gaming. x3d can provide some benefit in frame pacing, but is still somewhat overpriced at the moment.

invaders cheapest 9070xt build is the master m75 @ 1.9k with a 7700, though it is marked as preorder, with non preorder (master m76) at $100 more. if u prefer the 5070ti, their supreme s27 starts at 2.3k. both have fairly affordable ssd upgrades to something like the t500 or s70.
for the m75/76, ram upgrade to cl30 is $50, while the top up to a good psu like the rm750e is $100. both with the ssd upgrade will bump the price up to 2.1-2.2k.
for the s27, the upgrade to cl30 ram is $15, but they only offer a higher wattage upgrade for the psu of the same series as the default (which is a not great not terrible psu). even if u apply all the upgrades, it will still end up @ 2.4k.
either way will be cheaper than the original build u were looking at, though now the 5070ti build is ~10-15% more expensive. whether that premium is worth it for nvidia is now harder to say, and hinges on how much u think the nvidia features will be beneficial to u.

Interesting perspectives! Does any of the above considerations change if I am using an ultra wide monitor? Would an ultra wide monitor benefit from more CPU power?

ultrawide monitor = more pixels to render in games = more work for the gpu. cpu becomes even less of a factor.

Why some thing must be Thermalright?

their coolers are quite decent for the price. not sure about their power supplies though

• CORSAIR NAUTILUS 240 RS - $139

arctic aios like their liquid freezer series are very good value for am5, providing way better cooling capacity than some corsair units while being cheaper. never really heard of this one though.

• Samsung 990 Pro 1TB - $155 (Cheaper than Crucial T500)

where are u seeing the 990 pro is cheaper than the t500? most shops i see that have both, the t500 is cheaper by quite a significant margin. i see bizgram matches most of the prices for the parts u listed, but the t500 is $111 there (maybe u saw the t700?).

 

[Phen8210]

I have build a low end rig with the Montech Air 100 for my client and frankly speaking the air flow is not strong.

I've got plenty of 1200rpm fans and the ones included in the montech are actually on the weak side.

Also, that case might be too small to accommodate a 327mm length GPU as the case maximum states to support 330mm, probably only possible with the front fan removed.