My New Newb Build: Any suggestions and advice is highly welcome!

Purpose of My Computer

My computer is intended solely for work. I run a small business and I have about 20 virtual desktops (not virtual machines) running at once. As a result, I have all my applications running at once, 30 tabs of Chrome tabs open, and with 100’s of desktop icon. As a result, I was looking for a computer that had a lot of cores/threads and a lot of RAM since I was using 32 gigs before and it seemed to slow down my computer.

I am building this computer because it seems my old motherboard went kaput and so I’m replacing the case, motherboard, and CPU at this time and then using my old parts to save money. I’ve been looking at a lot of articles on the internet to prepare me for my first build and I’m a little scared. But, I’m going to plow through it.

Here are the list of components that I will be using. You’ll notice that I’m missing memory and a network adapter. I couldn’t understand what type of memory I was allowed to use nor what network adapter I should get. If you guys could suggest or give me advice, I’d be in your debt.

Case: Corsair Air 540 White (ATX Mid Tower Case) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H8JLM94/?tag=pcpapi-20

CPU: Core i7-8086k 4HGz 6-Core Processor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DGDWJ3P/?tag=pcpapi-20

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-d15 82.5 CFM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L7UZMAK/?tag=pcpapi-20

Motherboard: Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 5 (rev. 1.0) ATX LGA1151 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...D=3938566&SID=

Memory: ??

Graphics Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 8 GB Superclocked Gaming AXC 3.0 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GAI6478...ter_B07B1NLJCF

Drive: Samsung 970 Pro 512GB M.2 2280 SSD https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-970-P...B+M.2+2280+SSD

Power Supply: (80+ Bronze Certified ZTX) Corsair Builder 600W (80+ Bronze Certified ZTX)

Network Adapter: ??

Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer: LG WH14NS40

OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 bit

Memory
On the Intel spec page for the i7-8086k, it says the memory type is DDR4 2666. Does that mean the maximum memory speed is 2666? That doesn’t sound right to me. Also, I want to get 64 gigs of RAM because of all the virtual desktops I use, but it seems that all the 2x16 memory chips seem to have mediocre reviews. If people could help me here, it would be greatly appreciated.

Wired Network Adapter
I have Verizon Fios with a Gigabit internet connection (they currently have a deal on it). Would it make sense to get a network adapter that has a capability of 10 Gbps so it will be future proof? If so, which brand and model should I get? If not, which brand and model is best?

8086k vs 6700k
The benchmarks are supposedly the same so I picked the 8086 because it’s the more recent chip. I figure if all things are equal, the more recent chip wouldn’t get outdated as fast? I hope this reasoning is sound.

Motherboard
I had no idea what motherboard to pick so I just picked any that is compatible with it that had high ratings on Amazon. If you have any suggestions on why I should pick a different motherboard, please tell me and show me your expertise!

Thank you in advance for your help, guys. This board is awesome.

How soon do you have to build this?

The newest high end Intel processors are supposedly going to be out within a month or two. The i7-9700k will have 8 cores and 8 threads. The i7-9900k will have 8 cores and 16 threads.

It looks like you have a high budget for the machine.

Offhand, I'd probably spend a bit more on a better power supply and a bit less on such a gargantuan cooler, unless you have overclocking plans. Noctua coolers are grade A, but I'm not sure you need a dual tower weighing nearly 3 pounds. Are you positive it will fit in that case?

Unfortunately, I have to buy it now.

Right now, I'm using an old computer with only 1 of my monitors and my work productivity has decreased. I really wish I could wait but I need to build this now. Maybe this weekend or something.

Thanks so much for the advice on the other stuff because I had no idea. (I'm really a newb on this stuff.) Below are my comments.

Cooler

I'll definitely change it into something smaller and quieter. I just was worried that the CPU would overheat. I thought being safer was better than risking anything. But I'm not overclocking anything at all so it seems like getting something smaller is ok.

Power Supply

The power supply was just the old one I had on my old computer. Is it really that lousy? How do I tell a good one from a bad one? Do power supplies make a difference. I guess power isn't power? Is it about the number of watts or something with the same number of watts but a better power supply?

ignatzatsonic said:

How soon do you have to build this?

The newest high end Intel processors are supposedly going to be out within a month or two. The i7-9700k will have 8 cores and 8 threads. The i7-9900k will have 8 cores and 16 threads.

It looks like you have a high budget for the machine.

Offhand, I'd probably spend a bit more on a better power supply and a bit less on such a gargantuan cooler, unless you have overclocking plans. Noctua coolers are grade A, but I'm not sure you need a dual tower weighing nearly 3 pounds. Are you positive it will fit in that case?

Hi,
Yes I would wait
8086 will run hot because Intel used thermal paste inside instead of solder so heat transfer is very poor
So cpu cooler wise yes you need a large one 6 pipe minimum

Which I like the Be-Quiet series personally dark rock pro 3 or 4 both are very well, quiet 24.3 dB at max fan speed :)
Amazon.com: be quiet! BK022 Dark Rock Pro 4 CPU Air Cooler 250W TDP 6-Pole Fan Motor 6 Heat Pipes Silent Wings135mm PWM Fan: Computers Accessories

As far as power supplies go
Corsair is okay try to stay in HX series or AX
Amazon.com: CORSAIR HX Series, HX750, 750 Watt, Fully Modular Power Supply, 80+ Platinum Certified: Computers Accessories

Amazon.com: CORSAIR AX Series, AX760, 760 Watt, Fully Modular Power Supply, 80+ Platinum Certified: Computers Accessories

I'd pass on the gigabyte board too go asus in which ever is in your budget/ Tuf is good if it has all the features you need
ASUS TUF Z370 Pro Gaming LGA 1151 s USB 3.1 ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com

Anyway the newer Intel processors will be soldered so thermal issues would be much better.

Hi,
Oops memory frequency 2666 is the default speed the boards run at.
It would be the bare minimum speed you would want to even consider
The tuf board I posted to can use these speeds which 3200C14 is very good but probably very expensive

Code:

DDR4 4000(O.C)*/ 3866(O.C.)*/ 3733(O.C.)*/ 3600(O.C.)*/ 3466(O.C.)*/  3400(O.C.)*
/ 3333(O.C.)*/ 3300(O.C.)*/ 3200(O.C.)*/ 3000(O.C.)*/  2800(O.C.)*/ 2666/ 2400/ 2133

Well.................

No.... "power" isn't "power". You can't rely on wattage ratings to be reliable nor do they have any relationship to build quality.

I assume that the Corsair power supply is about the only thing that is being carried over from the old machine?

If I was spending the kind of money you are obviously willing to spend, I'd get a new one.

Not because of the wattage. 600 is plenty. If you told me that it was only 6 months old or that you were on a tight budget, I'd probably say go ahead with it.

I'd look for a high quality unit in the 500 to 600 watt range. Seasonic is good, some EVGAs are good, some Corsairs. A reasonable price would be 70 to 100. Look at Seasonic Focus and Focus Plus lines. I'd probably get something with at least a Gold rating, but I wouldn't obsess over Platinum or Titanium ratings. Semi-modular should be fine, but full modular would be OK too.

You need to confirm that your cooler is short enough to fit within the width of your chosen case. Some cases can't accommodate a cooler that is 160 mm tall. Look in the details of the case specs.

Overclocking might demand an over-the-top dual tower, but that's not you. Some people are obsessed with temps and won't stand for say 45 C degree CPU temps when the things are designed to withstand twice that. If you are one of those people, knock yourself out. Depending on your obsession level, there's always water cooling. A more conventional approach would be to get a single tower Noctua with a single 120 mm or 140 mm fan on it.

I wouldn't be in love with the notion of a "gaming" motherboard either. You need to concentrate on the specific features and chipset. You'll likely need something with a Z370 chipset for a high end CPU. Certain processors might require a Z390 chipset, but I haven't really kept up with that lately.

I wouldn't get very excited over RAM speed. Quantity might help depending on the individual case, but there's less chance that speed would be noticeable other than in benchmarks. Get a reliable brand with speed in the mid-range, preferably something specifically mentioned on the motherboard manufacturer's qualified memory list.

I'm definitely not one of those guys that overclock and get crazy about temp. I just want to get a reliable machines with not too much effort and time so I'll take your advice and look into the Seasonic Focus Plus lines. The loss in productivity in work is worth a lot more than just paying a few hundred dollars more for a machines I'm going to use all day for the next few years.

I'll just get the platinum with modular.

With the cooler, single tower it is!

I'm not looking for a gaming computer. I just figured that it would be the safe bet since it would have more than what I would need. But if you could recommend a good Z370 chipset, suggest away.

ignatzatsonic said:

Well.................

No.... "power" isn't "power". You can't rely on wattage ratings to be reliable nor do they have any relationship to build quality.

I wouldn't get very excited over RAM speed. Quantity might help depending on the individual case, but there's less chance that speed would be noticeable other than in benchmarks. Get a reliable brand with speed in the mid-range, preferably something specifically mentioned on the motherboard manufacturer's qualified memory list.

The Z370 chipset is found on a lot of motherboards from Asus and Gigabyte. I'd probably go with one of those 2 brands in the mid-upper range. Pay attention to the number of ports and slots and feature list. Most likely something in the 150 to 250 range. I'd avoid what appears to be the very high end (300 plus). Might easily find something fine under 200.

You have to understand there's an element of luck in any hardware. Spending more money often buys glitz and unnecessary features rather than reliability. Any choice you make has a decent chance of being a headache or DOA. They aren't pocket knives or even TV sets.

I think the Noctua U14S is their top of the line single tower. It is 165 mm tall. I don't know if it will fit in your case. Check for yourself. They have a great foolproof mounting system and include thermal paste.

I haven't checked your case choice. Personally, I wouldn't buy a case unless its case fan mounts were 120 mm. Consider how noisy it might be if noise is an issue for you. Most likely, you can find youtube reviews. If you are noise-conscious, you might want to avoid mesh or any case that has a lot of venting--just go with front intake and rear exhaust, with the rest of it pretty well buttoned up.

Go to Newegg or Amazon and see what you can do and then post your adjusted hardware list.

CerebralFreeze said:

Unfortunately, I have to buy it now.

Right now, I'm using an old computer with only 1 of my monitors and my work productivity has decreased. I really wish I could wait but I need to build this now. Maybe this weekend or something.


Thanks so much for the advice on the other stuff because I had no idea. (I'm really a newb on this stuff.) Below are my comments.

Cooler

I'll definitely change it into something smaller and quieter. I just was worried that the CPU would overheat. I thought being safer was better than risking anything. But I'm not overclocking anything at all so it seems like getting something smaller is ok.

Power Supply

The power supply was just the old one I had on my old computer. Is it really that lousy? How do I tell a good one from a bad one? Do power supplies make a difference. I guess power isn't power? Is it about the number of watts or something with the same number of watts but a better power supply?

I will mention this only because i own a 8680k

Look into buying your CPU from Silicone Lottery if you are going on Air you don't have to get anything extreme but they will make sure to Delid repaste and reseal your CPU for assured lower temps

Otherwise on air it would be hitting hi 80's and mid 90's just on stock