Advice for 5900x / 3080 Build for Gaming

[btmi]

Hi all! Just put in the following order and would love any advice on the spec... particularly with the cooler. I am seeing that the PCSpecialist prebuild with the 5900x & 3080 includes their PCS Liquid Cooler 240 RGB, but to be honest I have always been nervous about liquid cooler leaks. Is there a long warranty on that cooler? Also, should I add an additional 3 fan setup rather than just the 1 additional rear exhaust?

Thank you!!

Case	CORSAIR iCUE 465X RGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)	AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12 Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.8GHz/70MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard	ASUS® ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)	32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3200MHz (4 x 8GB) Change to: 32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3600MHz (4 x 8GB)
Graphics Card	10GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3080 - HDMI, DP (Xmas delivery not guaranteed)
1st Storage Drive	6TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 5400RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive	2TB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 520 GEN 4 PCIe NVMe (up to 5000MB/R, 4400MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive	NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply	CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable	1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling	Noctua NH-U14S Ultra Quiet Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste	STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
LED Lighting	50cm ARGB LED Strip
Extra Case Fans	NONE Change to: 1x 120mm Black Case Fan (configured to extract from rear/roof)
Sound Card	ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking	ASUS PCE-AX58BT Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2400Mbps/5GHz, 600Mbps/2.4GHz

 

[Scott]

What monitor are you pairing the system with? Which games is it you are looking to play? Any other uses? What about budget, how much did the above come to?

Always best to ask for advice before hitting the old order button

RAM I would stick to 2x16 over 4x8 (if 32GB is warranted, depends on usage)
Very large primary storage, doesn't allow for simple re-formats. Ill advised without a smaller primary in tow.
For the cooler you definitely want an AIO on there. The 5900X, cool as it is, will get toasty at full chat. I would want a H115i Platinum RGB on there but you will be able to get away with the H100i RGB as I believe that fits the case. Noctua isn't enough for long hauls IMO.
You won't need extra fans with an AIO
For the Wireless the AX200 would be the best option.

It's also easier if you can provide the full spec list along with the configuration link. That allows us to go in and easily suggest alternative specs.

 

[btmi]

Thank you for the quick response, really appreciate it.

What monitor are you pairing the system with? Which games is it you are looking to play? Any other uses? What about budget, how much did the above come to?
I am looking at the LG Ultragear 27GL83A-B for 1440p gaming and I also have an LG OLED C7 for 4k 60 gaming! The above came to £2700 incl VAT.

Always best to ask for advice before hitting the old order button
haha fair! I rushed in yesterday to get a 5900x order in.
RAM I would stick to 2x16 over 4x8 (if 32GB is warranted, depends on usage)
I want to future proof and was torn between 4x8 and 2x16, good to know!
Very large primary storage, doesn't allow for simple re-formats. Ill advised without a smaller primary in tow.
I am a bit of a media hoarder but that makes sense!
For the cooler you definitely want an AIO on there. The 5900X, cool as it is, will get toasty at full chat. I would want a H115i Platinum RGB on there but you will be able to get away with the H100i RGB as I believe that fits the case. Noctua isn't enough for long hauls IMO.
You won't need extra fans with an AIO
Am I being foolish for worrying about liquid cooling?
For the Wireless the AX200 would be the best option.
Got it!

It's also easier if you can provide the full spec list along with the configuration link. That allows us to go in and easily suggest alternative specs.
Full specs!

Case	CORSAIR iCUE 465X RGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)	AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12 Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.8GHz/70MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard	ASUS® ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)	32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3200MHz (4 x 8GB) Change to: 32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3600MHz (4 x 8GB)
Graphics Card	10GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3080 - HDMI, DP (Xmas delivery not guaranteed)
1st Storage Drive	6TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 5400RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive	2TB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 520 GEN 4 PCIe NVMe (up to 5000MB/R, 4400MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive	NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply	CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable	1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling	Noctua NH-U14S Ultra Quiet Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste	STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
LED Lighting	50cm ARGB LED Strip
Extra Case Fans	NONE Change to: 1x 120mm Black Case Fan (configured to extract from rear/roof)
Sound Card	ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking	ASUS PCE-AX58BT Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2400Mbps/5GHz, 600Mbps/2.4GHz
USB/Thunderbolt Options	MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System	Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language	United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media	Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Supplied on USB Drive
Office Software	FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus	BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser	Google Chrome™
Warranty	3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery	STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time	Standard Build - Approximately 13 to 15 working days
Promotional Item	Get FarCry 6 with select AMD Ryzen CPUs
Promotional Item	Get CoD:Cold War & 1YR GeForce Now w/ select RTX Graphics Cards
Welcome Book	PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland

Pricing Information
Price (Ex VAT)	£2,274.17
Price	£2,729.00

 

[Scott]

With what you have said I would consider the following:

RAM - You don't really future proof by adding more. It just puts a bigger hole in your pocket. That being said, the budget is there and allows for it so IMO it is a fair spend. Personally I'll be speccing my next rig with 32GB. More so for video editing and FS2020, but that aside it's splitting hairs now.

Cooling - No need to worry about AIOs. Most things on the web are Chinese whispers written by nay sayers. There are of course failures, as with every piece of hardware, but there is nothing to fear. There is no maintenance to consider, the longevity is in the 10+yr bracket, they're silent, etc.... of course this all comes down to the quality of item you buy. In this case I would recommend the H100i RGB Platinum. This is with the budget/uses in mind.

GPU - You would be fine with the 3070 GPU. For your monitors and uses the 3080 is past what you require. I understand that you may be considering the future but I would never advise looking at the GPU this way. You should be aiming to replace the GPU in 2 years when the next proper leap in tech comes. Squirrelling away that £200+ just now to put towards the £700 GPU down the line just makes fiscal sense. You won't be losing anything meaningful by opting for the 3080, other than having more money. The 3080's main wheelhouse is going to be 4k 144hz and high end VR. The 3070 smashes most VR requirements along with 4k60hz and 1440p Ultrawide high refresh etc.

For the storage I would be thinking along the lines of:

500GB 980 Pro - System Drive
1TB PCS M2 - Games drive (If you feel like splurging the 1TB 980 pro is there, but it's a lot of cash for 2s less load time)
3TB Conventional - Storage drive. Fine if you want to make this bigger but just be mindful that they are slower when you hit the 5400RPM drives.

Oh, I believe the 3070 queue may actually be shorter too.

 

[btmi]

This is so helpful thank you! Going to give some serious thought to the 3070, and will definitely replace the Noctua for the AIO!

Would you still add a rear exhaust with the AIO or is the AIO totally suitable? Just want to clarify.. thanks man.

 

[Scott]

This is so helpful thank you! Going to give some serious thought to the 3070, and will definitely replace the Noctua for the AIO!

Would you still add a rear exhaust with the AIO or is the AIO totally suitable? Just want to clarify.. thanks man.

With that case I wouldn't have an exhaust. The AIO will most likely act as the exhaust. As you can visualise, it's got 2 120mm fans working for you along with the 3x standard fans.

 

[Memento Mori]

Going from benchmarks if you just want it for gaming, 5600X seems to be the better option than 5900X. £200 less for basically the same performance.

 

[btmi]

This is super helpful -- I've been hyped on getting the biggest and best but sounds like I can shave some £££ and keep virtually the same performance!

VR is something I'm into but wouldn't get anything bigger than the Quest 2.

 

[Memento Mori]

5600X looks to be a great gaming CPU.

 

[Scott]

5600X looks to be a great gaming CPU.

That's the review I was waiting on last night, as it's going to be the main staple for lower budget gaming rigs from now on I imagine

I wouldn't recommend it on a high end rig though, purely with the AAA games in mind that could potentially make use of the 8+ cores (FS2020, CIV6, open world games, simulation, VR, etc), but it's going to be a great bit of kit.

 

[btmi]

Scott would you stick with the 5900x for the 3070?

 

[btmi]

Maybe the 5800x is the sweet spot?

 

[Scott]

For purely gaming on a good budget I think the 5800X is the way to go. The latest gen consoles are adopting 8 core chips so it makes sense to follow a similar architecture path IMO.

I'll be aiming for the 5900X but that's due to being an enthusiast rather than being pragmatic

 

[btmi]

Haha yes I also am riding the line between pragmatism and needless power.

A 5900x/3070 might appease both sides nicely though my wallet is saying 5800x/3070 is smartest

 

[Memento Mori]

It sounds like if you want more than six cores you should get the 5900X but the best reason for getting the 5900X over the 5600X is if you need it for production stuff.

 

[Scott]

It sounds like if you want more than six cores you should get the 5900X but the best reason for getting the 5900X over the 5600X is if you need it for production stuff.

With these kinds of reviews they tend to talk recommendations based on value. The 5600X will be better value than a 5800X. This is what I was referring to when I was suggesting budget systems. Where the budget is higher, the bump in the processor just covers more bases comfortably.

Anyone at enthusiast level with an enthusiast budget will be considering the 5800X+ over the 5600X. It's no doubt the go-to budget gaming CPU, but when there's more headroom the CPU will tend to get a bump in performance.

If you consider any of these reviewers, not one of them will be running a 5600X in any of their personal rigs. They will all be 5800X+, regardless of whether it's solely for gaming or not. This is simply because it's what enthusiasts do

 

[btmi]

I think I'm sold on the 5800x & 3070

Do you guys think that the 3600mhz VENGEANCE kit will make much of a difference compared to the 3200mhz VENGEANCE kit? You can only get RGB on the 3200 and I wouldn't mind that

Also seems like maybe the RGB kit has a lower CL but can't seem to verify that.

 

[Scott]

You want 2x16GB, which is only available in 3200mhz anyway

 

[btmi]

10-4!

 

[btmi]

Decided to stick with the 3080 and 5900x I just am too in love with the combo.

I want to get the H115i in there but would need to change the case. Do you think something like the Corsair 275R which could fit the H115i would provide enough cooling (given that I would be shifting away from a case that has 3 front fans)?

EDIT: I see now the 275R has two fans in the front already and one in the back, seems like plenty. But any other recommendations for an H115i case would be welcomed!