I'm looking to upgrade from my current i7-6700k and GTX 1080 setup to a new build focused on high fps gaming at 1440p with medium to high settings. I've picked out some parts for my new setup, which you can check out here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/w2BtTM.
I already own a 512GB M.2 drive for dual booting Windows IoT and Bazzite Linux, and I have a 1440p 165Hz monitor. Eventually, I plan to upgrade to a 1440p 240Hz OLED. I found a good deal on a bundle for the motherboard, CPU, and RAM at Microcenter.
Before I commit, I want to know if there's anything I should change. I'm planning to undervolt and overclock my CPU and GPU, so I'm particularly concerned about whether my CPU cooler is sufficient and if my case has good airflow. If there are any areas to save money without sacrificing too much performance, I'd appreciate those suggestions as well, considering I may only keep this build for about six years.
3 Answers
Your build looks solid overall. The dual tower air coolers are generally good for handling around 250W power draw, which should be fine for your setup. Just keep an eye on the temperatures when you start overclocking.
The cooler you've chosen (PS 120) is decent, but I doubt it'll manage your temps well during heavy use. You might want to invest a little more in something like the Thermalright 360 AIO. I got a great deal on my Frozen Warframe AIO for around $80 and it’s fantastic. The case fans should help too, but not much unless you upgrade the cooler. Here's an improved link: [https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QNj9zP](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QNj9zP).
Thanks for the tip! But just to clarify, the Antec case already comes with fans. I chose that motherboard mainly because it's part of the bundle. Also, is an AIO a hassle to maintain with cleaning and stuff?
Just to add, the 9800X3D draws about 150W at max load (like gaming is around 90W), so unless you're putting it under heavy manual overclocking, you probably don’t need such an intense cooling setup.
For a build over $2k, I'd suggest investing in CL 30 RAM. You can find kits that are comparable in price or just slightly more. It would really benefit your overall performance! You can check options here: [https://pcpartpicker.com/products/memory/#b=ddr5&Z=32768002&TT=300-360-360-760,300-380-380-960&sort=price&page=1].
I had the same cooler on my 5800X3D but faced issues in an open air case—hit 90°C under full load. So, just be careful with cooling.