Looking for a thorough look-over for compatibility and difficulty for a first-time builder.

[Takwin]

**What is your intended use for this build? The more details the better.**

95%+ gaming on a 34" 1440p ultrawidescreen monitor
5% assorted other (web browsing, PLEX server, Google Drive work)

**If gaming, what kind of performance are you looking for? (Screen resolution, framerate, game settings)**

60 fps+ on ultra settings on an ultrawidescreen 1440p monitor

**What is your budget (ballpark is okay)?**

$3000
But I ***REALLY*** want a Vega for Freesync if it is close to the 1080ti in performance. If not, I'll just go with the 1080ti and get a G-Sync monitor later.

**In what country are you purchasing your parts?**

US

**Post a draft of your potential build here (specific parts please).

[PCPartPicker part list](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/DnnwZ8) / [Price breakdown by merchant](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/DnnwZ8/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/VKx9TW/intel-core-i7-7700k-42ghz-quad-core-processor-bx80677i77700k) | $338.66 @ OutletPC
**CPU Cooler** | [NZXT Kraken X62 Liquid CPU Cooler](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/bqBrxr/nzxt-kraken-x62-liquid-cpu-cooler-rl-krx62-01) | $149.99 @ SuperBiiz
**Motherboard** | [Asus MAXIMUS IX HERO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/HHbkcf/asus-maximus-ix-hero-atx-lga1151-motherboard-maximus-ix-hero) | $214.99 @ SuperBiiz
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/HhyxFT/corsair-memory-cmk32gx4m4b3000c15) | $219.99 @ Corsair
**Storage** | [Samsung 960 Evo 1TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/4cyxFT/samsung-960-evo-1tb-m2-2280-solid-state-drive-mz-v6e1t0) | $479.99 @ B&H
**Storage** | [Western Digital Black 6TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Ctp323/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd6001fzwx) | $279.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Western Digital Black 6TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Ctp323/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd6001fzwx) | $279.99 @ Newegg
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB Founder Edition Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/tg...1gb-founder-edition-video-card-11g-p4-6390-kr) | $699.99 @ B&H
**Case** | [Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ATX ATX Mid Tower Case](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/bNQRsY/phanteks-case-phes515ebk) | $139.99 @ Amazon
**Power Supply** | [EVGA SuperNOVA G2 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/LCfp99/evga-power-supply-220g20850xr) | $118.49 @ OutletPC
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/wtgPxr/microsoft-os-kw900140) | $88.58 @ OutletPC
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $3040.65
| Mail-in rebates | -$30.00
| **Total** | **$3010.65**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](http://pcpartpicker.com) 2017-04-12 15:22 EDT-0400 |

**Provide any additional details you wish below.**

I have installed hard drives, RAM, and video cards. But I have never done a build from scratch and I am very worried about the wiring, especially with such a nice case, with so many hard drives, and all the RGB stuff nowadays.

I read reviews on TechPowerUp, Hardware Canucks, Guru3D, Overclockers Club, Tom's Hardware, as well as Amazon and PCPartPicker. I think I picked excellent parts on their individual merits within my $3k budget, with the needs I have.

 

[erocker]

Everything looks pretty darn good to me. You may want to go with 2 x 16gb modules instead of 4 x 8gb. I'm using a (non-Ti) 1080 on 1440p and I haven't run into any issues where I feel I need a more powerful card. So if you want to save a couple hundred bucks (and since you want to get Vega) maybe just go with a 1080. Also, go with the Professional version of Windows. I know the Home version had limitations in the past, not so sure with 10 though.

For storage, I'd replace one of those HDD's with as many SSD's that can replace it. Personally, I don't even bother with HDD's anymore. SSD's have come down enough in price.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Welcome to TPU and thanks for answering all of the questions that it seems EVERYONE fails to answer.

**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB Founder Edition Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/tg...1gb-founder-edition-video-card-11g-p4-6390-kr) | $699.99 @ B&H

No, no, NO! FE cooler causes thermal throttling. The custom designed GTX 1080 Ti's are worth the extra ~$50. You might want to check out the review of the MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X that was done here, paying close attention to the temperature and noise levels.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Everything looks pretty darn good to me. You may want to go with 2 x 16gb modules instead of 4 x 8gb. I'm using a (non-Ti) 1080 on 1440p and I haven't run into any issues where I feel I need a more powerful card. So if you want to save a couple hundred bucks (and since you want to get Vega) maybe just go with a 1080. Also, go with the Professional version of Windows. I know the Home version had limitations in the past, not so sure with 10 though.

For storage, I'd replace one of those HDD's with as many SSD's that can replace it. Personally, I don't even bother with HDD's anymore. SSD's have come down enough in price.

the 4x8 memory works well as long as its on the QVL, if its no then 2x16.

 

[Vario]

1) Why buy the 6TB HDDs, do you really need the space?
2) Also I wouldn't buy a watercooler AIO, especially not for that much money, just get a nice air cooler so you don't have to think about any leaks or whatever, like a NH-D15.
3) don't buy a founder edition 1080ti, buy one with a better cooler instead. Asus, MSI make good ones.
4) you can probably get windows 10 for free and save some cash, example https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade

 

[erocker]

the 4x8 memory works well as long as its on the QVL, if its no then 2x16.

I was just thinking if one way was cheaper than the other.

 

[Takwin]

Everything looks pretty darn good to me. You may want to go with 2 x 16gb modules instead of 4 x 8gb. I'm using a (non-Ti) 1080 on 1440p and I haven't run into any issues where I feel I need a more powerful card. So if you want to save a couple hundred bucks (and since you want to get Vega) maybe just go with a 1080. Also, go with the Professional version of Windows. I know the Home version had limitations in the past, not so sure with 10 though.

For storage, I'd replace one of those HDD's with as many SSD's that can replace it. Personally, I don't even bother with HDD's anymore. SSD's have come down enough in price.

I don't know a lot about ram. The low-profile Corsair Vengeance LPX ones reviewed well across multiple sites, but I couldn't find a definitive answer for the 2 or 4 module question. With a new z270 board and the 7700k, is 2 or 4 better?

 

[Jetster]

2 is always better than 4 when talking ram. The platter drives well Blacks are overrated, HGST or SSD

 

[Takwin]

2 is always better than 4 when talking ram. The platter drives well Blacks are overrated, HGST or SSD

I've used and bought the blacks for others, and the two reviews I found that really pushed me over the edge for them:
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...-western-digital-black-6tb-hdd-review-10.html
http://www.techspot.com/products/storage/wd-black-6-tb.125889/

They really seemed to love them. And I love the warranty.

As for the RAM, I will heed your suggestion and go 2x16 GB, even if I don't understand either way why dual or quad channel is better for the 7700k.

 

[Jetster]

I've used and bought the blacks for others, and the two reviews I found that really pushed me over the edge for them:
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...-western-digital-black-6tb-hdd-review-10.html
http://www.techspot.com/products/storage/wd-black-6-tb.125889/

They really seemed to love them. And I love the warranty.

As for the RAM, I will heed your suggestion and go 2x16 GB, even if I don't understand either way why dual or quad channel is better for the 7700k.

$60 less and more reliable, ok as reliable if not better https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...ternalHardDrives-_-22145973-S1A2C&ignorebbr=1

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I was just thinking if one way was cheaper than the other.

Just making sure the OP knows to check compatibility before buying.

 

[Vayra86]

Personally I would prefer the Ryzen path here over the 7700K, since your target is 60 fps @ 3440x1440. Ryzen will never be a bottleneck in any case at that resolution, but you do get the extra threads.

And if you go Ryzen, might also be well worth seeing how VEGA pans out. It's a pretty serious investment altogether, and there is a lot of movement in this space right now.

On storage: go HGST. Lowest fail rate in the business for years now. For SSD: Samsung, Crucial.

 

[Vario]

What do you need 12 TB for?

 

[Takwin]

What do you need 12 TB for?

Video files that I downloaded. I have every movie released, well ever. and whole TV seasons of every even decent TV show. I've recently upgraded almost all of them to 1080p x265. I already have maybe 10 TV and new stuff comes out all the time, so I need a little breathing room.

Personally I would prefer the Ryzen path here over the 7700K, since your target is 60 fps @ 3440x1440. Ryzen will never be a bottleneck in any case at that resolution, but you do get the extra threads.

And if you go Ryzen, might also be well worth seeing how VEGA pans out. It's a pretty serious investment altogether, and there is a lot of movement in this space right now.

On storage: go HGST. Lowest fail rate in the business for years now. For SSD: Samsung, Crucial.

I will definitely check out HGST. I know that is what I put in my PS4 Pro. And it is what I had in my OG PS4. Had no problems whatsoever.

Personally I would prefer the Ryzen path here over the 7700K, since your target is 60 fps @ 3440x1440. Ryzen will never be a bottleneck in any case at that resolution, but you do get the extra threads.

And if you go Ryzen, might also be well worth seeing how VEGA pans out. It's a pretty serious investment altogether, and there is a lot of movement in this space right now.

On storage: go HGST. Lowest fail rate in the business for years now. For SSD: Samsung, Crucial.

I originally was all in on Ryzen as I have always preferred AMD. I was super pumped omg eh multitasking for dual monitors, I like to monitor lots of stuff while WoW raiding, and the Plex server. But the initial reviews were middling for gaming specifically.

As this machine is primarily for ultra setting uktrawidescreen gaming, the 7700k seems to take the crown.


Do you think Ryzen will pair exceptionally well with Vega and eclipse the 1080ti and 7700k? I tend to think the Vega could outright beat the 1080ti regardless of professor.

 

[jaggerwild]

I tried to boot a few Sky Lake Boards, and it seems they are picky with Memory that is used. Where as my CPU and memory wouldn't boot in one board but booted in another, alot different from the last few platforms of Intel's. For a few more bucks you could go with a socket 2011V3, just wanted to make you aware of it.

 

[Takwin]

I guess my final line of consideration involves the monitor I have, 34UC88B, 3440x1440 Freesync 75 hz. This particular monitor is supposed to have frame skipping above 60hz with Nvidia. I would consider just giving this monitor to my wife (290x and i5 something or other) who likes to game but would just think ultrawide was cool and isn't all about min-maxing.

If I go with a 1080ti, should I plan on getting a gsync 34 incher? And is there an HDR ultrawide yet?

 

[OneMoar]

remember that nvidia cards don't support freesync AT ALL so if you go nvidia and want a adaptive sync solution you need to go with gsync
tho nvidia cards do have gpu-side only adaptive sync called fast sync
its not as good as gsync buts a bit better then strait vsync

speculation about unreleased hardware is about the dumbest thing you can do when building a new machine vega is a few months off at minimum yet
if its not on the market it doesn't enter the equation