Help: Solving for Longevity in My Next Gaming Rig

codewana on 21/10/2023 - 00:02

It's been a looong time since I've looked at buying a gaming rig. I don't have the time nor risk tolerance these days to go and buy the parts for a DIY build, so I'm looking for some good value options for something that will last me a good few years. My Dell XPS 8920 from six years ago has served me well, but the processor seems to be a bottleneck I can't overcome.

Here are the two options I'm considering:

1) Scorptec at $2899.
CPU: Intel Core i7 13700K Processor
Mobo: MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi Motherboard
GPU: MSI Ventus 2X GeForce RTX 4070 OC 12GB
RAM: Kingston Fury Beast 32GB 5600MHz (2x16GB) DDR5
SSD: Kingston NV2 2TB M.2 SSD

2) pccasegear (who I've been very happy with in the past), with the following specs at $3017:
CPU: Intel Core i7 13700KF Processor
Mobo: Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX DDR4 Motherboard
GPU: ASUS GeForce RTX 4070 Dual 12GB
RAM: Team T-Force Delta RGB 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz CL18 DDR4 Black
SSD: Team Cardea Zero Z440 M.2 NVME PCIe Gen4 SSD 2TB

Are there any 'watch-outs' with either of these? Are there alternatives I should consider that will be cheaper without sacrificing too much performance or longevity?

Poll Options

  • 12
    Scorptec option (1)
  • 1
    PCCaseGear option (2)
  • 0
    Either would be great
  • 11
    Look elsewhere
Computing Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

  • rabbitaaron on 21/10/2023 - 00:59
    +2

    1) Do not use NV2 as your system drive, it's a relatively slow SSD.

    2) I'd go with DDR5, so probably won't go with this rig.

  • hellrazorone on 21/10/2023 - 01:32
    +4

    7800x3d, ddr5 6000 cl30, 990 pro ssd, 6800xt (16 vs 12gb vram). Perhaps dropping more coin on the GPU or monitor(s). Intel dead end platform. Amd only one more gen and maybe not worth it. Easier to keep the amd cpu cool and competes with top intel power hungry and therefore heat generating cpu.

  • 7ekn00 on 21/10/2023 - 01:53
    +1

    Intel is a dead platform for upgrades at the moment, AMD has maybe one or two more CPU generations that will fit in AM5 motherboards (unless that is not the sort of "Longevity" that is being referred too) …

    Also the more VRAM on GPU, the more chance of "Longevity", so would be looking for an AMD GPU …

  • OMGJL on 21/10/2023 - 02:03
    +3

    1) Scorptec(scorptec.com.au) at $2899.
    CPU: Intel Core i7 13700K Processor
    Mobo: MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi Motherboard
    GPU: MSI Ventus 2X GeForce RTX 4070 OC 12GB
    RAM: Kingston Fury Beast 32GB 5600MHz (2x16GB) DDR5
    SSD: Kingston NV2 2TB M.2 SSD

    Pros: Good CPU/Cooler/MB/GPU/Case (a pre-build with good airflow case is so damn rare)

    Cons:
    Shit SSD,
    slightly sub-par RAM(I would like to see something 6000~7000 range for a DDR5 average joe stock non-OCed PC)

    Other comment: Thermalright fans are known to have ok/decent performance but easy to develop bearing noise, YMMV, but it's very thoughtful scorptec provide extra fans in the first place—-even if those fan aren't expensive at all to import from China. I like to bash all sellers who don't include fan and use a crap case.

    Personal upgrade path recommendation: Buy another SSD as a boot drive, then consider buy a better XMP profile RAM kit above 6000.

    2) pccasegear(pccasegear.com) (who I've been very happy with in the past), with the following specs at $3017:
    CPU: Intel Core i7 13700KF Processor
    Mobo: Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX DDR4 Motherboard
    GPU: ASUS GeForce RTX 4070 Dual 12GB
    RAM: Team T-Force Delta RGB 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz CL18 DDR4 Black
    SSD: Team Cardea Zero Z440 M.2 NVME PCIe Gen4 SSD 2TB

    Pros: Good CPU/MB/GPU/SSD(performance wise)

    Cons:
    CoolerMaster 240 is a bit under for a 13700k (won't throttle in gaming but meh, will throttle under heavy load for sure),
    shit case (no mesh front == shit, simple)
    SSD is a bit small

    Other comment: DDR4 3600c18 is quite average too, it might be better than DDR5 5600 but still, you stuck with DDR4 bandwidth, I'd like to see something 3600c16 if you go with DDR4 (a lot tighter in timing-although number seems similar, because tRCD timing, much more OC headroom in case)

    Personal upgrade path recommendation: change case, then consider change watercooler, consider upgrade SSD, consider upgrade RAM, at this stage you are not saving any money.

    • codewana on 21/10/2023 - 07:38

      Thank you for such a detailed response!! Based on this comment (and notes from yourself and others about the intel being a "dead end" platform, I've looked at a few more alternatives. If I'm not pushing my luck too much, I'd love you to weigh in please.

      3) MSY G7 Core Ryzen 7 7800X3D GeForce RTX 4070 TI Gaming PC @ $3149
      4) Scorptec 2 Scorptec Erebus RX 7800 XT Gaming PC, AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8 Core, AMD B650 Chipset, XFX Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB, 32GB 5200MHz RAM, 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD, Corsair Airflow 4000D Case, 750W PSU, WiFi, Win 11 Home @ $2899
      5) Centrecom Karuza DEEPCOOL RACING Ryzen 7 7800X3D RTX 4070 @ $2599

      That last one is at a really interesting price point. Am I missing something with it?

      • OMGJL on 21/10/2023 - 22:34

        Will try to be brief this time(typing on phone)

        MSY: more pricey, parts not specified, feels similar to scorptec version except parts like water cooler got downgraded. Ever since they got accuried by umart they become worse.

        Scorptec: basically every statement I made on the Intel version still stands.

        Centrecom:
        All looks fine ish except case, Ram is at 6000 but CL40, not only it's not going to be a good overclocker , but 6000cl40 is on the low end of low average.

        Maybe ask scorptec or centrecom for swapping those parts out and pay extra,

        Or if you at Sydney I could give U a hand on custom build over the weekend, though I don't run business on this (was planning to, but got a job as a programmer because I don't have good mindset to do business) so you are dealing with a stranger individual.

  • OMGJL on 21/10/2023 - 02:05
    +1

    I second the 7800x3D custom build option btw.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 21/10/2023 - 11:01
    -4

    Get a PS5

  • solidfruit on 21/10/2023 - 11:53
    +2

    PCCG is still catching up on orders from weeks ago

    • YeemaiI on 21/10/2023 - 11:58

      Yup, would not recommend ordering from PCCG right now, ordered a couple of case fans and accessories on the 1st, only dispatched 2 days ago.

    • povogamer on 21/10/2023 - 11:58
      +1

      this. a quick look at r/bapcsalesaustralia suggests you should hold off on buying from them

  • sane on 21/10/2023 - 20:17

    Would never look at Intel if uttering the words "longevity". Raptor lake is dead with this generation. Zen 5 is launched early 2024 apparently - so would wait for that, and the Nvidia refresh. Good chance of being able to slot in a Zen 6 too.

    12GB VRAM will also not last, 16GB is a minimum. Maybe wait for the supers if you desire NVidia, or go elsewhere.

    DDR5 6000 would be the basic

    And a better SSD, since the prices have been falling.

    AIO cooler would also be on my list.

  • Grey 13 on 25/10/2023 - 20:58

    If it helped I went with Techfast and their current 4080 deal with an upgrade to Ryzen 9 7900 with 240mm AIO MSI Cooler, PSU 850W Gold Plus Kyber X and 32GB RAM DDR5 6000Mhz for a total of $3,110 including shipping. Quite happy with their build and I'm sure it will last me a good 2-3 years at 1440p.

  • xxBARGAINGODxx on 25/10/2023 - 21:57
    -1

    Wouldn't worry about longevity, ask people who bought AMD Bulldozer how that worked out for them. I'd just get some mid-range PC that lets you play what you want to play at reasonable settings, and get another one when it's not adequate for the purpose anymore. There's always going to be a new game out with crazy system requirements and new hardware that makes the top of the range PC from 12 months ago look mid-tier. You can get a great 3060 Ti or equivalent level of performance system for less than $1000. You could toss it away and probably by a 4060 Ti system in 2 years for another $1000 and so on annually and have a far more consistent experience for the same money than if you try to make a $3000 system last 6 years. There will probably be significant new technologies like Ray Tracing or Frame Generation that you won't be keen to not have for that long.

    • McFly on 03/11/2023 - 13:52
      +1

      Bulldozer <> Zen.

    • Oofy Doofy on 13/11/2023 - 11:07

      I'm still using Bulldozer and Piledriver…. from 6000-9000 series.

      Other than GPU upgrades, they're doing just fine undervolted and overclocked.

  • McFly on 03/11/2023 - 13:54

    Just ordered a similar custom PC from Scorptec. PM me if you want to know more.

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