New multi monitor build... Need help and advice.

[Baldwonder]

Hi folks,

Not posted here in quite a while but last time I put together a rig I remember getting some really good advice on these forums so thought I'd ask here again.

So I'm aiming to build a brand new rig as my current setup (specs below) is getting on a bit and isn't quite cutting it any more. I'll be honest I have fallen out of the loop when it comes to PC hardware and as much as I research I am struggling to figure out what I need.

Current setup:
Intel i7-3370k @3.5ghz
Maximus V Formula
8Gb G.Skill DDR3
Asus Strix 970 x2 (No SLI currently)
Coolermaster Storm stryker case
Custom CPU watercooling loop
256 Samsung Evo SSD
1TB 7200rpm HDD x2
Corsair 750w power supply
1920x1080 144hz BenQ Monitor x3

So the aim here is to build a rig that is capable of supporting 5 monitors, 3 of which I already own, to support my work and gaming/streaming hobby. Before you ask, no I probably dont NEED 5 monitors but screen real estate is very useful as a developer and plus...why not!

I plan on purchasing 2 QHD monitors as my primary displays which I will use for gaming across both or multi boxing 2 game clients so the system needs to handle this. The other displays will be used mainly for video playback and less GPU intensive tasks.

I would also be doing some photo/video editing for work and hobby so decent render times of high res video is a plus.

Location: UK
Budget: £2500 (Not including monitors/peripherals)
Purpose:

Web development
Browsing
Video playback
Gaming. (Screens 4 + 5)
Photo/Video Editing
​

Parts required: Pretty much everything.
Overclocking: Would prefer not too at this stage, cant hurt if the system is capable though.

Ideas thus far: (nothing set in stone)
Ryzen 2700x
Nvidia 1080ti
32Gb 3200mhz DDR4
AIO cooler/ custom loop (budget dependant)
Mobo?
PSU?
SSD boot drive
SSD Storage 1TB
Additional Large HDD

I think I need a 1080ti to support gaming at 5120x1440?

Not sure if my 970 will be able to handle the other three displays or if I need a new card for that?

I will admit I am quite lost, so any advice/help would be great.

Thanks in advance!

 

[looz]

I'd actually go Intel 8700k for the CPU since it has an internal GPU to drive the one remaining monitor as the 1080Ti seems to support 4 max. Having extra monitors hooked up in addition to the gaming monitor(s) has quite a negligible performance impact, I wouldn't worry about that at all. Especially with something as beefy as the 1080 Ti. Though using two middle ones for gaming can be a bit of a mess to configure in some games.

The CPU itself is worse in rendering video, but on the other hand beats Ryzen in gaming. In rest of your use cases it's a bit harder to say which is better, but they're both plenty fast in desktop use. Also, Intel is releasing new chips soonish(october?), which will likely perform better across the board but nobody knows how the thermals will be and the pricing will probably also be high...

In terms of Mobo I'm a fan of AsRock's Taichi line, but that's probably influenced by getting burned by other manufacturers in the past... It does have stellar specs and good VRMs though, but the UEFI isn't as intuitive as the competition's.

For PSU a 2700x (or 8700k) with 1080Ti would pair nicely with a quality 650W unit. I'd recommend something manufactured by Seasonic or SuperFlower. Keep in mind most PSUs are rebranded by companies, so you need to do some google-fu to determine that. RealHardTechX's review database is useful for that research.

Oh and I wouldn't recommend and AIO - it does have an edge in thermals, but a good tower cooler like Noctua NH-D15 is cheaper, quieter and more reliable. Saying this as someone who went from a Scythe Mugen 4 setup to one with EVGA CLC 280...

 

[Dawelio]

For PSU a 2700x (or 8700k) with 1080Ti would pair nicely with a quality 650W unit. I'd recommend something manufactured by Seasonic or SuperFlower. Keep in mind most PSUs are rebranded by companies, so you need to do some google-fu to determine that. RealHardTechX's review database is useful for that research.

I’d say check JonnyGuru.com for PSU reviews, does them very indepth with equipment that most reviewers don’t have. And has also been recommended by youtubers for quite some time.
Couldn’t hurt an extra look just to get an extra opinion on an certain PSU

 

[RobM]

If I was spending my own cash on that budget this is what I would go for.

Bundle https://www.overclockers.co.uk/8pac...15ghz-overclocked-ryzen-bundle-bu-00d-8p.html
£890 it got the 2700 not the 2700x but I am sure you would be ablle to get that swapped out given the spend.
Sure there is the option of a gigabyte bundle with free SSD but its meh gigabyte.
Thats the CPU, RAM, MOBO and Cooling sorted

PSU https://www.overclockers.co.uk/seas...plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-05s-ss.html
£125
Pays to not skimp in this area, and you wont need more than 850w

1080Ti https://www.overclockers.co.uk/evga...dr5x-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-313-ea.html
£699
Personally I would hold off on gfx as it look like new stuff this side of Christmas.

Boot Drive https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...-3.0-x4-nvme-solid-state-drive-hd-23m-sa.html
£99
Don't really need more than 120gb but this gives a bit wiggle room for stuff that would be better on same drive as OS.

SSD Storage https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...olid-state-drive-mz-76e1t0b-eu-hd-234-sa.html
£200 or you could utilise the 2nd m.2 slot and got for https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...-3.0-x4-nvme-solid-state-drive-hd-22i-sa.html
£350

Mass Storage https://www.overclockers.co.uk/wd-4...formance-hard-drive-wd4005fzbx-hd-550-wd.html
£167
The lot tally to £2541.63 inc delivery
so you have the options of changing out drives coming well below your 2500 giving some funds to add to gfx card or go a tad over

Same or pretty close items on Aria are coming to under £2300 so shopping about is worthwhile

 

[Baldwonder]

Some really helpful advice here already...Seems like I came the right place

I'd actually go Intel 8700k for the CPU since it has an internal GPU to drive the one remaining monitor as the 1080Ti seems to support 4 max. Having extra monitors hooked up in addition to the gaming monitor(s) has quite a negligible performance impact, I wouldn't worry about that at all. Especially with something as beefy as the 1080 Ti.

Thanks for your reply, some great info. Im always a bit wary when it comes to utilising onboard GFX at the same time as a descrete GPU. Have you any experience in this? Not exactly sure what my concerns are except I've seen people suggest not doing so in the past.

In terms of Mobo I'm a fan of AsRock's Taichi line, but that's probably influenced by getting burned by other manufacturers in the past... It does have stellar specs and good VRMs though, but the UEFI isn't as intuitive as the competition's.

I've not had any experience with AsRock products in the past, heard good thing on occasion though so I will make sure to check this product line out. I would want a Z370 board for the 8700k right?

I'd recommend something manufactured by Seasonic or SuperFlower. Keep in mind most PSUs are rebranded by companies, so you need to do some google-fu to determine that. RealHardTechX's review database is useful for that research.

Glad to know that rules for PSU's havn't changed since the last time I put a rig together. RealHardTechX is a new one to me though so I'll be sure to take a look.

I’d say check JonnyGuru.com for PSU reviews, does them very indepth with equipment that most reviewers don’t have. And has also been recommended by youtubers for quite some time.
Couldn’t hurt an extra look just to get an extra opinion on an certain PSU

Absolutely agree, more info is always useful. Thanks for the recommendation.

If I was spending my own cash on that budget this is what I would go for.

Thanks for putting this together, seems very much inline with my initial ideas. Any reason you would go for the Rysen over the 8700k? I only ask as its the opposing viewpoint to Looz above.

Personally I would hold off on gfx as it look like new stuff this side of Christmas.

I've heard that too, 1180* rummored for next month potentially. I just dont know if I have it in me to wait too much longer as I've been holding off due to GPU prices since Q1..Might be worth it though.

SSD Storage https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...-3.0-x4-nvme-solid-state-drive-hd-23m-sa.html
£200

I think you may have linked the same wrong SSD drive, was it perhaps this drive? https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...olid-state-drive-mz-76e1t0b-eu-hd-234-sa.html






Well seems I have lots to read up on already, I best get cracking.

 

[RobM]

Thanks for putting this together, seems very much inline with my initial ideas. Any reason you would go for the Rysen over the 8700k? I only ask as its the opposing viewpoint to Looz above.

I think you may have linked the same wrong SSD drive, was it perhaps this drive? https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...olid-state-drive-mz-76e1t0b-eu-hd-234-sa.html

Ryzen over the Intel simply because it felt like your main purpose was productivity with an ability to play games and given that AMD are well ahead with multi-core workloads it was logical. Ryzen is only going to get better whereas Intel have work to do thanks to the competition now.

Fixed the wrong drive link it was the drive you thought it was

 

[Baldwonder]

Ryzen over the Intel simply because it felt like your main purpose was productivity with an ability to play games and given that AMD are well ahead with multi-core workloads it was logical. Ryzen is only going to get better whereas Intel have work to do thanks to the competition now.

Fixed the wrong drive link it was the drive you thought it was

Thanks for the clarification, multitasking somewhat demanding applications is indeed the main purpose of the machine which is why I was initially leaning towards the AMD platform as well. The fact that both platforms are scoring very similarly, at least more so than previous years, seems I cant go too far wrong with either approach.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Thanks for the clarification, multitasking somewhat demanding applications is indeed the main purpose of the machine which is why I was initially leaning towards the AMD platform as well. The fact that both platforms are scoring very similarly, at least more so than previous years, seems I cant go too far wrong with either approach.

One approach is generally cheaper too so it makes it an easier choice!