New CoffeeLake Machine

Budget:
$5,000

Expectations:
This machine will primarily be used for gaming, but will also be used as a general purpose PC. It is not being used for graphic design, music composition, etc. I would like the machine to handle 4K gaming on two 27+ inch monitors or one 34+ inch monitor at a good framerate.

Usage:
4K gaming; VR; streaming; general productivity

Special Needs:
My main questions are:

(1) what is the best motherboard to get for this machine? I want the best Z370 motherboard available, but probably don't need 4 PCI-E lanes.

(2) Is the 850W EVGA SuperNova PS sufficient? Should I opt for the 1000W Corsair HX1000i? What if I decide to go with 2 GTX 1080 Ti's in SLI? What PS is best then?

(3) I am not too familiar with liquid cooling. Thoughts on the different Corsair options? Should I go with GPU cooling?

Saved Ticket #: 1754577

Specifications:
Chassis
Chassis Model: Digital Storm Velox

Core Components
Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K (6-Core) (Up to 4.70 GHz)
Motherboard: ASUS ROG MAXIMUS X APEX (Intel Z370 Chipset) (Up to 4x PCI-E Devices)

System Memory: 32GB DDR4 3000MHz Digital Storm Performance Series
Power Supply: 850W EVGA SuperNOVA


Storage / Connectivity
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 8x / CD-Writer 8x) (Internal)
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD M.2 (512GB Samsung 960 PRO) (NVM Express) (Extreme Performance)

Storage Set 2: 1x Storage (4TB Western Digital - Black Edition)

Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)

Graphics / Multimedia
Graphics Card(s): 1x GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB (Performance Edition) (VR Ready)

Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio

Digital Storm Engineering
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Corsair H115i - 280mm Liquid CPU Cooler (Fully Sealed + No Maintenance)

HydroLux Tubing Style: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
HydroLux Fluid Color: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
Cable Management: Premium Cable Management (Strategically Routed & Organized for Airflow)
Chassis Fans: Standard Factory Chassis Fans

Digital Storm TwisterBoost Technology
Boost Processor: Stock Factory Turbo Boost Advanced Automatic Overclocking

Software
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Home (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Factory Reset Feature (Restore Windows + Drivers) (Partition up to 50GB of Storage)
Virus Protection: FREE: McAfee AntiVirus Plus (1 Year Service Activation Card) (Not Pre-installed) ($35 Value)

Accessories / Goodies

Customer Care
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 10-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty (3 Year Labor & 1 Year Part Replacement)

I think that I am now leaning towards SLI primarily because I can include two GPUs and still come in under budget. However, I am also leaning towards eventually using either the Acer X35 Predator monitor or the ASUS ROG Swift X35VQ Monitor. In that case, do you think that the current LC (H115i) is sufficient, or do you think LC for the graphics cards is necessary? I don't generally care about noise - within reason. Also, any thoughts on 3000Mhz RAM versus 3200Mhz RAM? I tend to lean towards the Dominator RAM, but I really don't know if the performance increase is noticeable over the the "Digital Storm Performance Series".

Originally posted by Olerong Also, any thoughts on 3000Mhz RAM versus 3200Mhz RAM? I tend to lean towards the Dominator RAM, but I really don't know if the performance increase is noticeable over the the "Digital Storm Performance Series".

  nobody really knows and i doubt there are any scaling tests out yet.  Intel only officially supports (up to) DDR4 2666Hz @19-19-19 sub timings for their 6 core (non AIO) procs.  obviously, that's Intel being overly conservative, as ram manufacturers have no problem hitting higher frequencies and better sub timings. 

suffice it to say that until there have been scaling tests to prove otherwise, speeds over 3000Mhz offer diminishing returns when you trade latency for speed.  i expect that to remain the case except in niche cases/situations.  gaming not being one of them.  

i would actually advise more memory (especially with high refresh monitors) rather than faster memory.  and i'd equally trade lower ram frequency for tighter sub timings. 


Edited by db188 - 06 Oct 2017 at 12:20am

initial reports im reading say the new mobos are pumping out too much VID just to keep all of the cores boosted.  one oc reviewer was having to undervolt the proc by -.09 offset just to keep the non-oc boost under 90C on a 280mm CoolerMaster AIO.  he said a 240mm rad wasn't even enough to keep it in the high 70's under load.  he expects mobo revisions will address this problem.  with a boost of 4.7GHz already there's little room for improvement unless you want to go the route of a custom LC setup. 

perhaps Meller can offer his de-lidding services?


Edited by db188 - 06 Oct 2017 at 1:24am

Lol db, post options>edit post

I would stick with the old ram speed

make sure that 850w is modular, for more headroom go with 1000w (for sli)

change your Recovery Tools to the one I had picked.

rest looks good

The DS ram has been ADATA, which is good.    The higher end ram is either for looks or if someone wishes to push its overclock.     DS ram is just fine.

Build looks real good.   You don’t need 32gb ram, 16gb being more than enough.   Ram isn’t much more, so up to you, but the savings is a few games.

Your mobo pick is a good choice.   Unless the higher end boards have something you need, my choice is always mid price board, not the cheapest or most expensive but middle of the road.    The mobo is always the toughest for us to suggest.    

Yeah, 16gb is plenty for even VR from what I’ve read, but there are cases of poor optimized games already recommending 16 gb.    Of course, recommending and actually needing can be different.    32gb is safe and not that much more for his high end rig, so go for it.   

Originally posted by Olerong Thanks DST4ME. It seemed like you liked the Corsair RAM, but you think I should go with the "Digital Performance Series"? Do you happen to know who manufactures the DS RAM? I was thinking the same thing about upping the PS to 1000w - good call on that - just in case I add a card later. I didn't even notice the change to Recovery Tools, so thanks for that.

it's hard to know with re-branded memory chips which company (SKHynix, Micron, Samsung, etc.) actually manufactured them.  Corsair, like most other companies, use a mix throughout their product lineup, with the higher end offerings usually using the better chips.  Samsung is a company that manufactures and uses their own technology in their products.  they are considered to produce high quality at good prices throughout their catalog of products (memory, storage, etc.) 

as with any build, it's highly recommended to research each component you plan to build with on respectable tech review sites (like Anandtech).  they usually break down and give their opinions on the quality of what the underlying tech is for the product under review. 

Free shipping is during promotions. Don’t know when the next one will be.

Call sales or [email protected].     

Thanks. I wasn't planning on installing McAfee. I use Avast now, but haven't reevaluated AV software in awhile.

I neglected to mention it, but I am also using MalwareBytes. I just don't use it as "active" protection. I run scans a few times a month.

Edited by Olerong - 09 Oct 2017 at 6:45am

Trigger pulled -
1756753

Now I just need some advice on a 34" ultrawide monitor. I was leaning towards a 4K monitor, but now I think I might opt for the new Alienware ultrawide monitor (AW3418DW). Any thoughts on this monitor vs. the Asus X34 Predator?

Congratulations and welcome to DS. That is a real nice system. Enjoy.


(don't know how it feels to milk a cowbut it must be something else )

meh, wait for the twins from ASUS/Acer curved 35" 1440p GSync models running at 200Hz.  although you might want to sli another 108ti with. 

Here is a couple I recommend
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BenQ ZOWIE 27 inch 144Hz


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ASUS MG28UQ

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Currently own the BenQ and it does kick some Ass
but love both