My previous setup using an X99 motherboard and a 5930k CPU just went kaput, and I'm ready for an upgrade. I'm moving away from power-hungry components and want something smaller that won't heat up my space or drive up my electricity bill. I only game at 2560x1080, mostly on older titles like RTS and simulators, and don't need fancy features like 4K or VR.
I'm aiming for a mini ITX or micro ATX build, preferably in white with plenty of RGB lighting—yes, I love that colorful glow! Since I'm out of the hardware loop since 2017, I'm looking for suggestions on efficient components for a compact setup.
I plan to keep my Titan Xp GPU unless there's a cooler option available at a reasonable cost. Additionally, I want an AIO cooler for RGB flair and I'll use NVME drives for storage with minimal wires involved. My current 1200W power supply is overkill, so a new one is also on my list. My budget is about £2000, but I'd prefer to spend less. Is moving to a DDR4 setup a viable option?
1 Answer
You might want to consider going with an Intel LGA1700 setup for your new build. It’s quite efficient and should help you dodge the RAM price spikes. As for CPUs, the i7 could be a good balance of power and efficiency without going overboard. What kind of power consumption and heat are you willing to manage?
Are you leaning more towards the i7 or i9? How do they compare in terms of heat output and energy usage?