Upgrading 4690K rig

[JMak97008 166]

14 minutes ago, Raj said:

get AMD if the intel option doesnt have pcie 4.0 and if you can upgrade to what next gen amd is on that motherboard.

AMD at the high end is better if you stream also, less dropped frames and whatnot.

Thanks, Raj.  I pulled the trigged on a $490 10700K + Gigabyte Z490 AORUS ELITE AC mobo.  This mobo is pci-e 4.0 ready.  I get an 8-core i7 cpu for just a few dollars more than I would get a 10600K.

[JMak97008 166]

So, I've ended up with the following:

10700k + Z490 Aorus Elite AC - https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?Submit=StoreIM&Depa=1760 - $489

Crucial Ballistix 4x8GB e-die RAM - https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Ballistix-Desktop-Gaming-BL2K16G32C16U4BL/dp/B083VMSY1B/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=BL2K16G32C16U4BL&qid=1600798276&sr=8-1&th=1 - $147

ADATA SX8200 Pro 1TB M.2 NVME - https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zR3H99/adata-sx8200-1-tb-m2-2280-solid-state-drive-asx8200pnp-1tt-c - $110

Feeling like I did ok. I know 10700K lags the 3700X in productivity and there's a small separation of performance in gaming, but my preference for Intel (rational or not) is satisfied.

[Folterknecht 2,257]

37 minutes ago, JMak97008 said:

Crucial Ballistix 4x8GB e-die RAM - https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Ballistix-Desktop-Gaming-BL2K16G32C16U4BL/dp/B083VMSY1B/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=BL2K16G32C16U4BL&qid=1600798276&sr=8-1&th=1 - $147

 

 Why this RAM? Are you really willing to pay 50$ for RGB?

[JMak97008 166]

25 minutes ago, Folterknecht said:

 Why this RAM? Are you really willing to pay 50$ for RGB?

Ok, this is all in the context of 4x8GB which I know you're encouraging me to avoid doing.  Why the RAM I linked to - Because e-die (effective overclocking capability) and rgb whore.  Not more complicated than that.

I was also looking really hard at the non-RGB version that is also on sale for $122.  But I thought, $25 difference, why not go RGB.

The really dumb thing here is that going with the 4x8GB is a more expensive path ($12 difference) to 32GB RGB RAM in this set.

On the other hand, I started off looking at the Teamgroup Dark Z and Vulcan Z 16GB kits and 4x8GB in those is about $110-$115, so about $30-$35 difference to the Crucial RGBs I linked to.

Flame me...Probably need it to a) abandon the 4x8GB approach; and b) go non-RGB to save money both ways.

 

 

[Folterknecht 2,257]

Ok - just wanted to make sure, because your budget didn't seem to be unlimited.

[JMak97008 166]

1 hour ago, Folterknecht said:

Ok - just wanted to make sure, because your budget didn't seem to be unlimited.

Certainly not unlimited.  I was willing to spend in the $600 range on a 10600K.  I ordered that RAM, but, per usual, am having second thoughts about it.  I may not want the RGB given some of the hassles that come along with having to download multiple software packages to control RGB throughout the case.

If I were to change the RAM, I'd likely go with 4x8GB of Teamgroup Dark Z for about $114.

The NVME was a luxury item I threw in there since it's a very good unit at a really nice price.

[Fulcrous 2,073]

4x8 cringe.

In all seriousness. You're gonna want to upgrade the cooler or add better fans as your cooling solution is largely insufficient by itself.

[JMak97008 166]

1 hour ago, Fulcrous said:

4x8 cringe.

In all seriousness. You're gonna want to upgrade the cooler or add better fans as your cooling solution is largely insufficient by itself.

Cringey for the same reasons that Folter noted on page 1?

What coolers you think I should take a look at? Something like a Scythe Mugan/Fuma or all the way up to a Noctua?

[Fulcrous 2,073]

25 minutes ago, JMak97008 said:

Cringey for the same reasons that Folter noted on page 1? 

What coolers you think I should take a look at? Something like a Scythe Mugan/Fuma or all the way up to a Noctua?

4x8 is cringe due to you basically being locked into dual-channel ram and resale purposes. Far easier to sell 2x16GB sticks than 4x8GB for the same reason 2x8GB is easier to sell than 4x4GB of DDR3.

For air cooler, minimum should be NHD14 and NHU12A if you can afford it. Otherwise bequiet dark rock pro 4 is an alternative.

The cheapest upgrade you can do right now is replace your current fans with noctua 120mm fans. Cooling performance will still be largely inadequate but will barely be good enough - hence the strong recommendation to add a Noctua fan in the earlier build.

[JMak97008 166]

44 minutes ago, Fulcrous said:

4x8 is cringe due to you basically being locked into dual-channel ram and resale purposes. Far easier to sell 2x16GB sticks than 4x8GB for the same reason 2x8GB is easier to sell than 4x4GB of DDR3.

For air cooler, minimum should be NHD14 and NHU12A if you can afford it. Otherwise bequiet dark rock pro 4 is an alternative.

The cheapest upgrade you can do right now is replace your current fans with noctua 120mm fans. Cooling performance will still be largely inadequate but will barely be good enough - hence the strong recommendation to add a Noctua fan in the earlier build.

I see...although I don't see needing anymore than 32GB over the next 3-4 years and while I kind of get your point regarding resell, that's just not a factor for me.

But, I did ditch the Crucial RGB nonsense and though I still stuck with 4x8GB, I ended up ordering 2 sets of 2x8GB of Teamgroup Dark Pro 3466 CL16 which are apparently b-die modules.

Also, taking your advice, I ordered a Scythe Fuma 2 that is neck-and-neck with the Noctua offerings.