Helpful ReplyNew build around i7-6850k: choosing components

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Kev999
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2017/08/28 22:52:26 (permalink)

New build around i7-6850k: choosing components

I am planning a new build of a DAW PC. I have ordered a couple of key parts already. I will be reusing a few of the existing components from my current system.

CPU: i7-6850k
Already ordered.

Motherboard: MSI Gaming Pro Carbon
Already ordered. Ex-demo.

Case: Fractal Design Define R5
I haven't ordered it yet but I'm pretty much decided, unless anyone has any better suggestions.
UPDATE: Fractal Design Define R5 case now ordered.

RAM: 16GB 2400MHz 4x4GB
There are plenty of options for 2400MHz 4x4GB, but I will probably go with
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (4x4GB), PC4-19200 (2400MHz) DDR4, 14-16-16-31
I don't even really need 16GB. My current system only has 6GB and never maxes out.

Drives: Multiple
I'll be adding a new 240GB SSD for the operating system (Windows 7), but others will be transfered from the old PC. Probably 6 in total (including 3 SSDs).

GPU: Matrox M9148 (existing)

PSU: Undecided

Cooler: Undecided
Needs to be quiet.

Comments welcome, especially on PSU and cooler.
post edited by Kev999 - 2017/08/31 21:38:09

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Kev999
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/08/28 22:56:05 (permalink)
By The way, until recently, I wasn't really intending to replace my current system yet, as it still runs ok. However the family computer is over 10 years old and has been developing problems lately and needs to be replaced before it fails totally. The plan is, after getting the new DAW PC up and running, to use the previous DAW PC (or what's left of it) for the family.

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Mesh
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/08/31 14:00:56 (permalink)
Hi Kev,
Just bumping up this thread....
 
Regarding coolers, I have the NH-D14 which is very quiet, but it's huge. It should fit in a full ATX case (I believe your Fractal case is an ATX). The NH keeps things very cool (around 35 degrees). Another recommendation (from Fireberd/Jack) is Deepcool Captain 240EX and it's a water cooler (full kit).....if you're inclined to go that route. 
 
The EVGA SuperNOVA G2 850 80+ Gold has got good reviews, but it maybe a bit more wattage than you need....IDK?
Fully modular PSU should make things super easy with cable mgt./installation.
 
Best of luck mate with your upgrade and having extra RAM is always a good thing (even if you don't use it).... 
 
        

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AntManB
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/08/31 15:00:52 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby DrLumen 2017/08/31 23:00:51
I would go for 2 x 8GB ram rather than 4 x 4GB to leave room for future expansion (assuming the MB has 4 slots).  There shouldn't be much difference in price.
 
AMB
 
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Kev999
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/08/31 21:36:01 (permalink)
Mesh
Regarding coolers, I have the NH-D14 which is very quiet, but it's huge. It should fit in a full ATX case (I believe your Fractal case is an ATX). The NH keeps things very cool (around 35 degrees)...

 
I was considering that one until I watched a video about installing it. It's so huge in size that it gets in the way of other components. I'm not ruling out liquid coolers.

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Kev999
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/09/01 00:09:00 (permalink)
AntManB
I would go for 2 x 8GB ram rather than 4 x 4GB to leave room for future expansion (assuming the MB has 4 slots).  There shouldn't be much difference in price.

 
I'd been led to believe that using 4 slots rather than 2 allows more bandwidth. Is that not true?

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Kev999
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/09/01 00:27:34 (permalink)
AntManB
I would go for 2 x 8GB ram ... to leave room for future expansion (assuming the MB has 4 slots).

 
I probably won't need more. My current system only has 6GB and never maxes out. When I built it I had the intention of adding a further 6GB later, but the need never arose. I don't have Kontakt or anything similar that requires large amounts of RAM.
 
The new motherboard has 8 slots.

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Kev999
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/09/01 00:55:00 (permalink)
Mesh
...Another recommendation (from Fireberd/Jack) is Deepcool Captain 240EX and it's a water cooler (full kit).....if you're inclined to go that route. 
 
The EVGA SuperNOVA G2 850 80+ Gold has got good reviews, but it maybe a bit more wattage than you need....IDK?

 
Thanks. I'll check these out.
 
I won't order the cooler yet until I've got the case and examined it in detail. Last time, I initially purchased a water cooler (I forget which model) and could not get it to fit properly with the case layout and ended up returning it. The problem was really due to the tubes not being sufficiently flexible for the required configuration.
 
Still not sure how much wattage I will need yet.

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Kev999
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/09/01 08:37:40 (permalink)
One problem that I have with the PSUs that I've seen is that they all seem to include so many outlets that would be unused in my system. For example, those PSUs in the EVGA range all have 4 separate GPU outlets. My graphics card doesn't even need to connect to the PSU. They all have a 2nd CPU outlet too. That a lot of waste in total.

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fireberd
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/09/01 10:43:19 (permalink)
A "fully modular" power supply is the way to go.  Extra, unused, connections do nothing.  They don't get in the way or cause any power supply problems.  
 
Two or four memory modules, from what I've found, make no difference in bandwidth.  However, you need at least two (of the exact same brand/type) for proper dual channel operation.
 
 

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Mesh
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/09/01 13:31:21 (permalink)
Kev999
Mesh
Regarding coolers, I have the NH-D14 which is very quiet, but it's huge. It should fit in a full ATX case (I believe your Fractal case is an ATX). The NH keeps things very cool (around 35 degrees)...

 
I was considering that one until I watched a video about installing it. It's so huge in size that it gets in the way of other components. I'm not ruling out liquid coolers.


The guy in this video has the Fractal Define R5 and has installed a NH-D15 (which is slightly bigger than the D14 and seems to be a few degrees cooler). As long as the case can house the cooler easily, it really shouldn't affect the other components (besides keeping them cool).
 
I have a Rosewill Thor 2 case and this being a full ATX, there's plenty of room in it. I'd imagine yours would be similar.
 
Anyway, just thought you might like to see this:
 
  


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Kev999
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/09/01 23:30:26 (permalink)
Mesh
The guy in this video has the Fractal Define R5 and has installed a NH-D15 (which is slightly bigger than the D14 and seems to be a few degrees cooler). As long as the case can house the cooler easily, it really shouldn't affect the other components (besides keeping them cool)... 


 
Interesting video. I like the idea of using insulation foam for blocking off the redundant vents. I'm put off Noctua coolers even more now though. That big blockbuster takes over the space way too much. More importantly, it overlaps the first PCI-e slot and prevents access to the RAM.

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Kev999
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/09/21 20:58:01 (permalink)
I eventually decided on the following parts:
PSU: BeQuiet Straight Power 10 700W
Cooler: BeQuiet Silent Loop 280mm
RAM: Corsair Dominator Platinum CMD16GX4M4A2666C15 16GB (4x4GB) DDR4
System drive: Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD

I've built it and got it working now. I still need to add more drives and finish installing software before it can be put to use and replace my existing rig. Unfortunately I need to leave my current setup intact for now, as I have been given an urgent project to finish. When it's all over I'll start a new thread and post a mini-review.

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Jim Roseberry
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/09/21 21:20:26 (permalink)
With socket 2011-3, you want to run the RAM in quad-channel for maximum performance.

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Kev999
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Re: New build around i7-6850k: choosing components 2017/09/21 21:34:52 (permalink)
Jim Roseberry
With socket 2011-3, you want to run the RAM in quad-channel for maximum performance.

 
Yes. That's why I opted for 4x4GB rather than 2X8GB.

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