Thoughts on this build?

[LukeHawk]

Hey guys, it's another one of these threads.
I've been out of the PC building game for a while - this is what I've put together for a mid-range build..

CPU - Intel Core i5-14400F
GPU - RTX 4070 (Palit)
RAM - G.Skill Trident Z5 32GB (2x16GB)
MOBO - Gigabyte Aorus Pro B760M
SSD - Crucial P5 2TB M.2
PSU - Gigabyte PG5 1000W

(or check here: PC Build)

Any glaring red-flags? Places that I underspecced or overspecced? Budget wise I dont want to stray overly far from what I've got for this build (R33k+/-)
I know I've overspecced the PSU, but it's for "future proofing" I suppose, and not too much of a price difference between 850W and 1000W.

General use is light video editing, audio editing, photo editing, some automation software programming (not too CPU intensive), and obviously gaming.
I dont have a monitor for this build yet, so I'll need that too, but starting with the PC.

Thanks!

 

[Obie]

If you're looking for future proofing I'd go AMD.
That intel platform is dead so I'd suggest rather a b650 motherboard and perhaps a 7700x

 

[Obie]

Also get a 4070 super. They've just released and the performance bump over a normal 4070 is quite good

 

[LukeHawk]

If you're looking for future proofing I'd go AMD.
That intel platform is dead so I'd suggest rather a b650 motherboard and perhaps a 7700x

I've got AMD in my current build, but at this price point I was comparing the i5-14400F to the Ryzen 5 7600X, and it looks like the i5 is the better option. 7700X comes in at over 2k more expensive.. is it worth it vs the 7600X or i5-14400F? Keeping in mind extra money for a better monitor would be great.
I'm also worried about the 7600X's performance with multitasking... intel seems better for that

Also get a 4070 super. They've just released and the performance bump over a normal 4070 is quite good

Good call on this, minor price increase but worth it

 

[Obie]

I hear you but think about the option to upgrade your cpu for the next 4 or so years.
That would be quite compelling to me

 

[goldfritter]

I'm also worried about the 7600X's performance with multitasking... intel seems better for that

What do you mean multitasking?

I'm struggling to find performance benchmarks of the 14400, but if it's similar to other 14th gen chips it's basically identical to its 13th gen counterpart. In gaming the 7600X is handily better than the 13400 and in rendering (your other use-case) it's also slightly better, according to TechPowerUp's review.

As to the 7700X it depends on how important rendering speed is to you. More cores will render faster.

 

[Obie]

I had the 7700x before going x3d.
It's a hell of a fast chip.
It beats out the 5800x3d (old AM4 platform) in games and is well fast for all multitasking needs.

 

[Obie]

What resolution monitor are you looking at?

 

[LukeHawk]

I hear you but think about the option to upgrade your cpu for the next 4 or so years.
That would be quite compelling to me

Yeah it's a fair point. Zen4 mobo's though are also more pricey, so the whole build goes up in price but let me make some changes to the build and see where I end up

What do you mean multitasking?

I'm struggling to find performance benchmarks of the 14400, but if it's similar to other 14th gen chips it's basically identical to its 13th gen counterpart. In gaming the 7600X is handily better than the 13400 and in rendering (your other use-case) it's also slightly better, according to TechPowerUp's review.

As to the 7700X it depends on how important rendering speed is to you. More cores will render faster.

I mean multiple programs at the same time.. but not screen recording or anything while gaming. When gaming it will just be gaming and YT together at most, so not much to worry about there. But I often will be running DaVinci Resolve (video editor), Ableton (Audio) and Photoshop at once. However, if I can handle that now, I'll probably be fine with any of these. I close everything else while rendering video anyway...
Look my current Ryzen 5 3600 handles my multitasking with ease, so I'm not too concerned here.

What resolution monitor are you looking at?

I have no idea yet. I'm coming from 2x 10 year old 27" 1080p Dell monitors - anything will seem like an upgrade.
I dont think 4k is necessary for me, but 2k with a decently high refresh rate will be good. maybe a 32" widescreen to replace my 2 27"

 

[Obie]

With the cpu/gpu combo I'd recommend 2k with a decent refresh or 1080p with very high refresh (if you're playing esports fps etc).

 

[goldfritter]

Yeah it's a fair point. Zen4 mobo's though are also more pricey, so the whole build goes up in price but let me make some changes to the build and see where I end up

Check this post:

I have been stupidly blown away by the Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX, specifically since AGESA 1.0.0.7. If you asked me to put together a system with a R 200k budget, I'd still go for that board over anything Aorus, anything Strix, anything B650E/X670/X670E, unless you have very specific needs such as 4+ NVMe drives. The price of the board along with what it's capable of (in terms of memory) just makes it a no-brainer for me. Unless the boards you're looking at can be had FAR cheaper than the Gaming X AX, it gets my vote.

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R 3999, so it saves you R 799.

 

[Obie]

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This is a great value high refresh 1440p screen

 

[LukeHawk]

Check this post:

Gigabyte GA-B650M-GAMING-X-AX B650M GAMING X AX AMD B650 Ryzen Socket AM5 Micro ATX Desktop Motherboard - Wootware

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R 3999, so it saves you R 799.

I was looking at this now:

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Because of the built in Wifi. I dont need it but I'm actually getting 2 identical machines (dont ask), and one of them needs it, lol

I see the B650M has wifi. Nevermind. This one it is.

 

[LukeHawk]

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This is a great value high refresh 1440p screen

I'd need to keep one of my old 27" and run side-by-side with this if I got it - I need lots of screen real estate.

The new build:

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[thecurto]

I'd need to keep one of my old 27" and run side-by-side with this if I got it - I need lots of screen real estate.


Next thing is the CPU cooler. The one I chose originally is not compatible with the case according to PCPartpicker. I'm not really familiar with ID-Cooling as a brand, but it seems to be wootwares thing. Anything wrong with something bog-standard like this?

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Though I prefer low profile:

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buuuut I'm guessing the effectiveness of a low profile is not as good.

So far, so good.

Check if either of these options fit as you'll get much better performance for about R200 more:

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[goldfritter]

I'd need to keep one of my old 27" and run side-by-side with this if I got it - I need lots of screen real estate.

The new build:

PC Builder - Wootware

Use the PC Builder to build your new epic computer for gaming, office, or personal use. Easily choose components for each hardware category and assist with compatibility. Woot up your life using the Wootware PC Builder today.

builder.wootware.co.za

How married are you to that case? I'm not familiar with the MSI case, I'd probably rather go for a Phanteks, which are known for good airflow performance:

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I know Montech is also making a stir in the case market so they may be worth a look too.

 

[Obie]

So far, so good.

Check if either of these options fit as you'll get much better performance for about R200 more:

Scythe SCFM-3000 Fuma 3 120mm Black PWM Premium High-End CPU Cooler - Wootware

Buy Scythe SCFM-3000 Fuma 3 120mm Black PWM Premium High-End CPU Cooler at Wootware with fast shipping & superb service.

www.wootware.co.za

The scythe fuma is fantastic value.
you get almost the performance of an assassin 3 for like almost half the price

 

[LukeHawk]

So far, so good.

Check if either of these options fit as you'll get much better performance for about R200 more:

Scythe SCFM-3000 Fuma 3 120mm Black PWM Premium High-End CPU Cooler - Wootware

Buy Scythe SCFM-3000 Fuma 3 120mm Black PWM Premium High-End CPU Cooler at Wootware with fast shipping & superb service.

www.wootware.co.za

ID-Cooling FROZN A620 BLACK 120mm Dual-Tower Black PWM CPU Cooler - Wootware

Buy ID-Cooling FROZN A620 BLACK 120mm Dual-Tower Black PWM CPU Cooler at Wootware with fast shipping & superb service.

www.wootware.co.za

The scythe fuma is fantastic value.
you get almost the performance of an assassin 3 for like almost half the price

Scythe Fuma it is.

How married are you to that case? I'm not familiar with the MSI case, I'd probably rather go for a Phanteks, which are known for good airflow performance:

Phanteks PH-EC300GA_DBK01 ECLIPSE G300A Black Tempered Glass Steel ATX Mid Tower Desktop Chassis - Wootware

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I know Montech is also making a stir in the case market so they may be worth a look too.

I looked at this Phanteks - I just liked that the MSI came with enough case fans, so I was being lazy.
Also with filters on for a Micro-ATX board, the Phantex doesnt show up. The montech looks good too, just never heard of them. Reviews seem good, so I'll go with this:

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[Obie]

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[Oj0]

Check this post:

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R 3999, so it saves you R 799.

You know that's not the same board, right?

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I'm still cheaper

Not that I'm anywhere near as impressed with the Micro ATX version of it. There are far better MATX boards around. The ATX version is my "money is no object even though it's cheap" board, while the M-ATX is simply "if that's what your budget allows, go for it." For MATX, The Auros Elite AX and even MSI Mortar WIFI are better boards.

 

[goldfritter]

You know that's not the same board, right?

Gigabyte B650M GAMING X AX with Wi-Fi, AMD B650 Chipset, Socket AM5, Micro ATX Desktop Motherboard — Best Deals at Progenix — South Africa

With the fast-moving technology changes, GIGABYTE always follows the latest trends and provides customers with advanced features and latest technologies. GIGABYTE motherboards are equipped with upgraded power solution, latest storage standards and outstan

progenix.co.za

I'm still cheaper

Not that I'm anywhere near as impressed with the Micro ATX version of it. There are far better MATX boards around. The ATX version is my "money is no object even though it's cheap" board, while the M-ATX is simply "if that's what your budget allows, go for it." For MATX, The Auros Elite AX and even MSI Mortar WIFI are better boards.

I did notice it was the mATX version but tbf OP had mATX in his original build so I thought that is what he wanted - and I didn't realise there was such a big difference in performance between the mATX and ATX versions.

 

[LukeHawk]

I did notice it was the mATX version but tbf OP had mATX in his original build so I thought that is what he wanted - and I didn't realise there was such a big difference in performance between the mATX and ATX versions.

Yeah, but for my budget on wootware, anyway, even the mATX version of that board is the best one they had listed. Doesn't actually score so bad compared to the ATX version:

I'm happy enough with it.

There was something I changed on the build... I chose XMP RAM originally. Changed to EXPO.

Went with this monitor:

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a bit older now, but looks like a decent offering for the price. I'm fine with 144Hz, even though industry seems to be heading to 165Hz now. I'm more of a casual gamer, not a competitive FPS player or anything, so I dont have a drastic need for better and screen real estate is important for me This seemed to be the clear winner.

Thanks guys, order on the way

 

[Obie]

Did you order the whole setup or just the screen?

 

[LukeHawk]

Did you order the whole setup or just the screen?

whole setup, so please don't tell me my failings now

 

[Obie]

whole setup, so please don't tell me my failings now

Haha.
What are the full specs you went with?

 

[LukeHawk]

Haha.
What are the full specs you went with?

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Pretty solid mid-ranger I'd say

 

[Obie]

Very nice dude, solid choice.
That's definitely more mid to high range than mid range.
Enjoy!