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Feedback on Proposed Build

Post Date: 2023-08-30
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fnord0 View Drop Down
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Posts: 32 		  Quote fnord0 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Feedback on Proposed Build
    Posted: 30 Aug 2023 at 9:38am
Hello, I'd appreciate your feedback on the following build:

Budget:
Up to $7,500

Usage:
1. Video encoding (the second M.2 is temp work area for encoding)
2. Run 4-5 virtual machines concurrently
3. Latest games running at 4K / Ultra settings
4. Work with a NAS over a 10Gbps connection

Ticket # 4746348

Specifications:

Chassis Model: Digital Storm Lumos
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D (16-Core) 5.7 GHz Turbo (3D V-Cache)
Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming (Wi-Fi) (AMD X670 Chipset) (Up to 3x PCI-E Devices) (DDR5)
System Memory: 64GB DDR5 6000MHz Kingston FURY Beast RGB
Power Supply: 1000W Digital Storm Performance Series (Semi-Modular) (80 Plus Gold)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: - No Thanks
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD M.2 (500GB Samsung 980 PRO) (NVM Express)
Storage Set 2: 1x SSD M.2 (2TB Samsung 980 PRO) (NVM Express)
Storage Set 3: 1x SSD (4TB Samsung 870 EVO)
RAID Config: - No Thanks
RAID Card: - No Thanks
Internet Access: Wired PCI-E Intel X540-T2 (10 GbE) (2x RJ45 Connectors)
Graphics Card(s): 1x GeForce RTX 4090 24GB (VR Ready)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: H20: HydroLux PRO: Exotic Custom Cooling System (1x Graphics Card + CPU)
HydroLux Tubing Style: Flexible Tubing (Requires HydroLux Liquid Cooling System)
HydroLux Fluid Color: Blue Fluid + Clear Tubing (Requires HydroLux Liquid Cooling System)
Cable Management: Premium Cable Management (Strategically Routed & Organized for Airflow)
Chassis Fans: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Remote Controlled Advanced LED Lighting System (Multiple RGB Color Modes)
Airflow Control: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: Option Not Available
CPU Boost: Factory Turbo Boost Advanced Technology
Boost Graphics Card(s): - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost OS: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 11 Professional (64-Bit)
Recovery Tools: USB Drive - Windows Installation (Format and Clean Install)
Virus Protection: Windows Defender Antivirus (Built-in to Windows)

URL: https://www.digitalstorm.com/configurator.asp?id=4746348

My current PC (also from DS) is pretty good, but it uses H20 Stage 2 cooling and still runs very hot at times, especially while gaming.

I'm looking for the following feedback:

1. I chose an AMD setup because multitasking and fast processing are slightly more important to me than game performance. Agree/disagree?
2. Should I choose a different chassis for this setup? I currently have a Lumos and I like it, but I'm not sure if it's the best for Hydrolux cooling.
3. Still re: Hydrolux cooling, is there a noticeable advantage to choosing one of the hard tubing options?
4. Any other feedback you may have.

Thanks!
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Cretae View Drop Down
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Posts: 7191 		  Quote Cretae Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 31 Aug 2023 at 2:22am
AMD is a fine choice for productivity.

The Velox is the better airflow case and roomier.

I don't care for custom loop cooling at all, but the hard line is more prone to leaks. A better and much cheaper option IMHO is the Noctua air cooler and rely on your high airflow case and GPU to cool itself. It's better than you might think. If you must, tho, stay away from the hard line.

All else looks like it will do just what you want it to.   
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fnord0 View Drop Down
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Posts: 32 		  Quote fnord0 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 31 Aug 2023 at 7:30am
Thank you, this is great feedback. I will consider the Velox case and maybe Noctua cooling as well.
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JamesAstro View Drop Down
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Posts: 585 		  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 31 Aug 2023 at 2:56pm
I have the Velox with a Noctua DH-15S. It's amazing! My temperatures never exceed 70C.
Velox, Intel Core i9 11900K, ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero
32GB RAM, 1TB Samsung 980 Pro NVME
RTX 4090, 38" Ultrawide LG-38GL950G
Noctua NH-D15S cooler and NF-A14 fans, Corsair AX1600i PSU
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Posts: 32 		  Quote fnord0 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Sep 2023 at 2:40am
Originally posted by JamesAstro

I have the Velox with a Noctua DH-15S. It's amazing! My temperatures never exceed 70C.

That's great info. Personally, I like the Lumos case, and I also need the case window to be facing left so I'm probably going to go with a Lumos again, but I am giving serious consideration to Noctua cooling.

On that topic, the only Noctua option I can choose is Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black. Is this better or worse than your DH-15S? And what about GPU cooling? Mine will also be an RTX 4090.

Thank you everyone for your input.
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fnord0 View Drop Down
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Posts: 32 		  Quote fnord0 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Sep 2023 at 4:01am
Just to elaborate on the last question, when playing games on my current system, the GPU (RTX 3080 Ti) gets well over 80C within minutes. This is why I am a little cautious about cooling solutions that don't cover the GPU. Thoughts?

Edited by fnord0 - 01 Sep 2023 at 4:02am
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JamesAstro View Drop Down
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Posts: 585 		  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Sep 2023 at 3:59pm
I'll do some tests this weekend with my RTX 4090, and see what temperature it reaches. :)
Velox, Intel Core i9 11900K, ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero
32GB RAM, 1TB Samsung 980 Pro NVME
RTX 4090, 38" Ultrawide LG-38GL950G
Noctua NH-D15S cooler and NF-A14 fans, Corsair AX1600i PSU
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Posts: 585 		  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Sep 2023 at 12:28pm
I just did some GPU benchmarks with Unigine Heaven. I let it run for about 20 minutes, and these were the results:

• GPU utilization: 100%
• GPU temperature: 63C
• CPU temperature: 54C
• GPU fan speed: 1450 RPM
• Case fan speeds: 800 RPM

These were performed on my Velox machine that is 100% air cooled. Here are the specs:

• MSI Suprim X RTX 4090
• Intel Core i9 11900K
• Noctua NH-D15S cooler
• Noctua NF-A14 fans
Velox, Intel Core i9 11900K, ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero
32GB RAM, 1TB Samsung 980 Pro NVME
RTX 4090, 38" Ultrawide LG-38GL950G
Noctua NH-D15S cooler and NF-A14 fans, Corsair AX1600i PSU
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JamesAstro View Drop Down
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Posts: 585 		  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Sep 2023 at 12:33pm
Originally posted by fnord0

The only Noctua option I can choose is Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black. Is this better or worse than your DH-15S?


The DH-15 is a small upgrade from the DH-15S. It has two fans rather than one.

The DH-15S is essentially a DH-15 that has been slightly modified to make it compatible with more cases. I needed it, because Digital Storm wasn't sure if the DH-15 would fit with my choice of memory. You can't go wrong with either cooler. I would get the DH-15 if you can.
Velox, Intel Core i9 11900K, ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero
32GB RAM, 1TB Samsung 980 Pro NVME
RTX 4090, 38" Ultrawide LG-38GL950G
Noctua NH-D15S cooler and NF-A14 fans, Corsair AX1600i PSU
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Posts: 32 		  Quote fnord0 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Sep 2023 at 4:27am
Originally posted by JamesAstro


• GPU utilization: 100%
• GPU temperature: 63C
• CPU temperature: 54C
• GPU fan speed: 1450 RPM
• Case fan speeds: 800 RPM

Thank you very much for testing! These numbers look great and I'm leaning more toward the Noctua option now.

How would you rate the level of noise with this solution, normally and under high load?

Thanks again for taking the time to help out.
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Posts: 209 		  Quote John18 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Sep 2023 at 9:50am
I am following this discussion.

I am likely to order a Lumos with an i5-13600KF, Geforce 4070 and use the Noctua to cool it instead of liquid. What would you theorize would be my temperatures in that scenario?

Sorry to butt in, but not sorry. This is an interesting topic.
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Posts: 585 		  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Sep 2023 at 11:04am
Originally posted by fnord0


Thank you very much for testing! These numbers look great and I'm leaning more toward the Noctua option now.

How would you rate the level of noise with this solution, normally and under high load


Having a low noise level was a high priority when I configured this system, and oh my god, it's so quiet! It's simultaneously the most powerful gaming system I've ever had, and also the most quiet. For reference, my previous machine was an Aventum 3 with a liquid cooled CPU, and liquid cooled GPU. That system made significantly more noise than my current machine. I'm still amazed that I was able to configure a purely air-cooled system that is so quiet.

That being said, there were several key ingredients that made this possible:

• The Noctua DH-15S CPU cooler was the first step. It's very quiet.

• I purposely chose the MSI Suprim X 4090 card, because it's one of the more quiet 4090 cards. I can hear it ramp up when gaming, but it's not bad at all. I have to pay attention to hear it above the noise of the case fans.

• Speaking of case fans, the Noctua NF-A14 case fans were important too. I asked DS to custom order those for me. They have a maximum noise level of 25 dB.

• I also asked DS to install a Corsair Commander Pro. It lets you easily adjust the case fan curves. I have mine set to run at 800 RPM if the temperature is below 70C. The temperature never reaches that, so they are essentially running at 800 RPM all the time. That's a great speed, because it's not too noisy, and it's a lower tone that isn't very noticeable.

• I took all those steps, and had one final issue that ruined the sound level. My 850 watt modular PSU had a fan that was really quite loud. It was fine when the computer was idling. However, playing any game would instantly cause its fan to ramp up, and it made the whole computer pretty dang loud. I was so disappointed that my whole plan was ruined by the power supply. Well, I lucked out! The PSU failed after having the computer for a couple of weeks. I think it was just a bad unit. Then I asked DS to replace it with a Corsair AX1600i. I chose that PSU, because it's super efficient, and known for being very quiet. The fan doesn't even turn on below 650 watts. At 800 watts it's only running at 600 RPM, and generating something like 15 dB of sound. At 1000 watts it only generates 20 dB. In other words, it's basically silent. It has a big 140mm fan that runs slow.

So there's my recipe for a super powerful, yet quiet machine! I honestly think that DS should have a preconfigured machine with specs like this. I think there is a good market for quiet gaming rigs.
Velox, Intel Core i9 11900K, ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero
32GB RAM, 1TB Samsung 980 Pro NVME
RTX 4090, 38" Ultrawide LG-38GL950G
Noctua NH-D15S cooler and NF-A14 fans, Corsair AX1600i PSU
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Posts: 585 		  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Sep 2023 at 11:16am
Originally posted by John18

I am following this discussion.

I am likely to order a Lumos with an i5-13600KF, Geforce 4070 and use the Noctua to cool it instead of liquid. What would you theorize would be my temperatures in that scenario?

Sorry to butt in, but not sorry. This is an interesting topic.


I'm not too familiar with the Lumos, or the i5-13600KF, so I'm probably not the best person to ask. Hopefully someone else with the Noctua cooler will chime in with some comments.
Velox, Intel Core i9 11900K, ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero
32GB RAM, 1TB Samsung 980 Pro NVME
RTX 4090, 38" Ultrawide LG-38GL950G
Noctua NH-D15S cooler and NF-A14 fans, Corsair AX1600i PSU
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fnord0 View Drop Down
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Posts: 32 		  Quote fnord0 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 04 Sep 2023 at 4:39am
Originally posted by JamesAstro


[...]

So there's my recipe for a super powerful, yet quiet machine! I honestly think that DS should have a preconfigured machine with specs like this. I think there is a good market for quiet gaming rigs.

What an absolute trove of useful information. Thank you so much for putting it together. I will certainly incorporate some of these tips when finalizing the build.

By the way, in the past DS did offer a "noise suppression package" as an optional add-on, but at one point it got taken off the menu.

Edited by fnord0 - 04 Sep 2023 at 7:38am
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