Man Cave Gaming PC Advice

[Drendal]

Hi All,

So I'm quite clueless with regards to DIY rigs, but am looking to build one.

Don't have much space so am looking for something similar to a mini itx casings and at minimum I'm looking to have:

Processor - i5 8400 (What MB should I go for?)
GPU - 1070Ti (Is it worth it to upgrade to 1080Ti?)
SSD - 500GB
HDD - 1TB
RAM - 16GB

Would like to seek the advice of the pros on:

1. Would thermal performance be a concern in the smaller chassis?
2. What make/brands are more reliable for the above components?
3. With a budget of S$2500 - S$2700, is this doable?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

Drendal

 

[MrMundy]

Hi All,

So I'm quite clueless with regards to DIY rigs, but am looking to build one.

Don't have much space so am looking for something similar to a mini itx casings and at minimum I'm looking to have:

Processor - i5 8400 (What MB should I go for?)
GPU - 1070Ti (Is it worth it to upgrade to 1080Ti?)
SSD - 500GB
HDD - 1TB
RAM - 16GB

Would like to seek the advice of the pros on:

1. Would thermal performance be a concern in the smaller chassis?
2. What make/brands are more reliable for the above components?
3. With a budget of S$2500 - S$2700, is this doable?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

Drendal

ur budget more than doable... (if u can get some items at discounted prices ) u might wanna share what games u are playing and what monitor u are using... imo get the 1080ti and get a 1440p 144hz/120hz monitor (if u are playing mainly fps games)

also i believe some of the sexperts here will recommend u to get a better cpu if pairing with 1080ti

 

[Encrypted11]

1. Likely, but if you do it proper its a non issue.
2. It's a case by case basis? Most brands cater to different price brackets, you have bottom barrel parts as well as good ones.
3. Doable, can ask resident builders for parts list.

There are various ITX types. Tower, slimline, cube are the main ones. You need to decide on something as well. Towers and cubes generally accomodate taller coolers. The hard drive support will also vary.

So its probably good to lock your options on a case choice, storage type (and size, 2.5 or 3.5 inch), power supply (SFX or shorter ATX power supplies). The rest can be filled later. Ideally you'll want a better tier power supply if its a dual chamber case, meaning cables can be tucked the underside than main compartment because the cables will be hotter with zero airflow.

 

[singupingu]

Budget inclusive of monitors or not?

What games will you be playing and at what resolution and refresh rate?

Aesthetic is a must? Or just value for money be best?

PC on the table or tuck away somewhere?

Sent from Finally Unbanned using GAGT

 

[Drendal]

Hi All,

Much appreciated for your replies!

To address the responses, apologize if my answers don't make sense:

1. PC to place on table, I like the bitfenix prodigy M chassis, but seems like can't really find this in Sim Lim. Alternatively, a similar sized case if anyone has a good recommendation

2. Budget exclusive of monitor

3. Games list I'm looking to play are PUBG, dota and the upcoming new titles

4. Resolution & Refresh rate - Not sure about this, maybe 1440p? How does the refresh rate affect my experience?

5. Aesthetics refers to the look of the rig itself?

6. In terms of performance, won't be doing any OC-ing as I have no clue on this

7. MrMundy recommended 1080ti, if I were to buy that instead of a 1070ti, what CPU or PSU would I need? And if I choose this, would a small chassis still be recommended in terms of thermal performance?

8. On storage type, is there a difference between 2.5 or 3.5 inch?

Ultimately, looking to get a rig that will last me 3-4 years without the need for major upgrades.

Also, how often should thermal paste be changed?

To be honest, I did look at pre-built from Aftershock. But my friends recommended me to build my own haha.

Thanks in advance!

Drendal

 

[y2c_whtdouwant]

Bitfenix prodigy quite a few years already, not sure if still available.
Something similar to it may be the Corsair 380T.

The only difference with a 2.5" and 3.5" hard drive is the physical size. Most ITX cases usually have more hdd slots for 2.5" compared to 3.5".

To be honest, with the mining craze nowadays, getting a pre-built might be more value for money

 

[kyle8151998]

Hi All,

Much appreciated for your replies!

To address the responses, apologize if my answers don't make sense:

1. PC to place on table, I like the bitfenix prodigy M chassis, but seems like can't really find this in Sim Lim. Alternatively, a similar sized case if anyone has a good recommendation

2. Budget exclusive of monitor

3. Games list I'm looking to play are PUBG, dota and the upcoming new titles

4. Resolution & Refresh rate - Not sure about this, maybe 1440p? How does the refresh rate affect my experience?

5. Aesthetics refers to the look of the rig itself?

6. In terms of performance, won't be doing any OC-ing as I have no clue on this

7. MrMundy recommended 1080ti, if I were to buy that instead of a 1070ti, what CPU or PSU would I need? And if I choose this, would a small chassis still be recommended in terms of thermal performance?

8. On storage type, is there a difference between 2.5 or 3.5 inch?

Ultimately, looking to get a rig that will last me 3-4 years without the need for major upgrades.

Also, how often should thermal paste be changed?

To be honest, I did look at pre-built from Aftershock. But my friends recommended me to build my own haha.

Thanks in advance!

Drendal

Refresh rate - higher refresh rate means you can get smoother game play and since youre going for 1080ti 1440p 120-144hz should be fine. Better get a gsync capable monitor.

Thermal paste - this depends on your cpu temp, some may need to repaste every 6 months some need do it more often.

 

[-Synchronicity-]

If u can find 1080ti in stock, prepare to pay like 1.5k or more. can consider getting Titan instead

 

[Drendal]

I see from the price lists 1080ti is about 1200 - 1300? What is Titan?

Any particular brand of the components that I should go for?

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

I see from the price lists 1080ti is about 1200 - 1300? What is Titan?

Any particular brand of the components that I should go for?

Maybe 1.9k???

 

[neobear224]

980TI price now at 900+

 

[Encrypted11]

Since TS was pointing towards a ITX tower, a non exhaustive list will include fractal design nano s, NZXT H200i, Jonesbo U1 Plus, Phanteks evolv itx.

The 3.5" drive slots, max graphics card length will vary. 2.5" hard drives (excluding SSD) are targeted at laptops usually, they're slower and quieter.

 

[setiardi]

TS, would u consider a wall mount casing like thermaltake core P3?

I just did for my daughter pc. Really clear up prime table space while looking aesthetically nice. I spray paint it pink though to match wall.

Was using the Bitfenix Prodigy M, the plastic bottom stand broke after a while. Seems the plastic cannot stand our humid weather.

 

[Drendal]

Thanks for the replies! I like the look and design of the phanteks evolv shift, and will likely get that. What brand and model of mobo, PSU do I need to go for?

 

[singupingu]

Thanks for the replies! I like the look and design of the phanteks evolv shift, and will likely get that. What brand and model of mobo, PSU do I need to go for?

Corsair or Silverstone PSU with 80+ Gold certification won't be wrong. If got budget, go for Corsair SF600.

Motherboard wise, asus strix z370i one not bad but pricing wise can make one think twice. Otherwise, gigabyte z370n also not had. I like its layout and front M.2 ssd location like asus.

Sent from Finally Unbanned using GAGT

 

[Encrypted11]

At the TS's budget, it is actually possible that to go for an i7-8700.
Otherwise here are the board capabilities by their merits (top ones listed only):

By WiFi card (dual band mimo on known good ones like AC-8260 433+433Mbps)
-MSI Pro Carbon itx/ ASRock -Gaming-ITX/ac
All models out there are using Intel WLAN except strix-i (realtek).


By power delivery components
(Only matters if you buy overclocking parts or want to overcompensate on these if very poor airflow is expected at these areas)

Spoiler

From OCN AlphaC

Sunmary: Only ASRock fatal1ty will run i7-8700K without vrm throttling on heavier loads like handbrake or other video transcoding apps.
Strix-i can, too but you'll be not far from saturating the vrm capability on heavy gaming loads.
-Strix-i good for up to i5-K if you want to leave headroom


By SATA port count:
-ASRock fatal1ty (6)
-ASRock ITX/ac (6)
rest are 4


By Fan header count (more than 2)
-ASUS strix-i (3)
-ASRock fatal1ty (3)
You might need more than 2 headers if using AIO cooler. Not an issue for regular air cooler.


Dual M.2 slots:
-ASUS strix-i
But throughput is bottlenecked at interface level at 3.5GB/s just like a single drive from chipset limitation


Note: Check prices too. Overall if you want all out on board components the asrock fatal1ty. But only 2 shops carries that (bizgram/dynacore) and it would be largely unbalanced. If you paid for a $300+ board just for an i5, i7-8700 might be a better pick. If it costs $50-65 topup on top of an entry level model for dual band mimo and far better power delivery components I think its worthwhile.

 

[Encrypted11]

The highlight really between Z270 and Z370 ITX boards are that most vendors didn't revamp the power delivery section in anticipation for up to 50% more cores from the quads last gen, the majority are a verbatim copy paste for the most. In a way, they become sort of under speced for the i7-8700K when overclocked. Less of a concern for lower tier CPUs.

What used to be "very good" on Z270i may no longer apply Z370i is the crux.

 

[singupingu]

But on non-oc cpu like 8700 (non-k), does those power phases and power delivery matter as much as oc scenario?

Asking coz ts initially aimed for 8400 and not planning to oc anyway.

Sent from Finally Unbanned using GAGT

 

[Encrypted11]

Highligted previously that it matters less for locked parts.

Also highligted previously, it remains that the entry level gigabyte and asrock boards with AC3168/3165 (~216Mbps up/down) costs about around maybe ~$50-$80 less than Dual band (433Mps up/down). Pro carbon and the fatal1ty.

Things like VRMs not yet considered within that topup, USB 3.1 ports than just 3.0 ports. The upgrade tax is not unjustified looking at what you gain is what I'm saying. But then again with i5-8400 its too mainstream for a pairing with an upper mid tier board and TS's budget would fit a better CPU
, also weighed some of these iirc.

But then again, budget exclusive of monitor after you asked ts so accomodating these upgrades are doable.

 

[Drendal]

Highligted previously that it matters less for locked parts.

Also highligted previously, it remains that the entry level gigabyte and asrock boards with AC3168/3165 (~216Mbps up/down) costs about around maybe ~$50-$80 less than Dual band (433Mps up/down). Pro carbon and the fatal1ty.

Things like VRMs not yet considered within that topup, USB 3.1 ports than just 3.0 ports. The upgrade tax is not unjustified looking at what you gain is what I'm saying. But then again with i5-8400 its too mainstream for a pairing with an upper mid tier board and TS's budget would fit a better CPU
, also weighed some of these iirc.

But then again, budget exclusive of monitor after you asked ts so accomodating these upgrades are doable.

Thanks boss for your very detailed explanations!

Sorry for the stupid question, but what are the up/down speeds that you are referring to?

In summary, if I am deciding between a Phanteks Evolv Shift/Shift X chassis, and with my budget, I should be aiming for:

1. Mobo: Either Asrock Z370M ITX AC or MSI Z370I Gaming Pro Carbon AC? (I need the wifi)

2. CPU: Intel i7 8700

3. PSU: Corsair SF600 SFX 80+ Gold, is this sufficient for if I were to get a 1070ti/1080ti?

4. GPU: Which brand would be good? Zotac? Gigabyte's distribution centre is near my home if any issues. For 1070ti, is Gigabyte's variant the 1070 8GB G.1 Gaming? Also, is there vastly improved performance for 1080ti for that $500-$600 premium?

Thanks!