Question Opinion On Computer Build-No Overclocking

[Kailasa]

Hi,

I am having some difficulty deciding on the best configuration for high end gaming. I am treating myself and splurging so I would love to have any feedback and suggestions. Right now I am mainly focusing on the CPU, Video Card, RAM, Power Supply, Storage, Monitor, Keyboard, Headset and Mouse. There will be no overclocking.

CPU: I9-10850k
Motherboard: Asus Rog Strix Z490- E
Video: RTX 3090
RAM: 32 GB ( 2x16) G.Skill TridentZ 3200 MHZ
Power Supply: EVGA Supernova G3 1000 Watt
Storage: Operating System Drive (Western Digital Blue SN550 1 TB M.2 SSD
Data Drive 860 Evo 4TB-SATA SSD
OS: Windows Pro
Monitor: ACER Predator XB273k
Keyboard: Mechanical Gaming Keyboard( What Brand?)
Mouse: What Brand?
Headset: HyperX Cloud Alpha S

Is the motherboard ok? What is the best Asus motherboard with no overclocking done? What do you think of the 4K monitor? Do you have any other recommendations? What mechanical keyboards would you recommend? How about the mouse and headset?

Thank you in advance.

Allan

 

[mikeymikec]

I wouldn't go with a DRAM-less SSD as the OS drive. Personally I would have a DRAM-less SSD at all, and my budget is waaaay lower than yours.

 

[MalVeauX]

Hi Allan,

Overall it's a good build. Can't argue with any components really, other than the SSD for the operating system (that WD Blue NVMe) and the headset. Your monitor selection is great, it's mostly preference, can't argue with what it's capable of, it's more important to just figure out how big you want it to be and how far away from it you will sit to view, otherwise its capabilities for games are there of course.

For the SSD for your OS, maybe look at another Samsung like the 970?

Otherwise, the weakest component in the whole system is that headset. All headsets are the weak points of audio, if you care about audio. They're low end components covered in a candy shell with explosive names. There's no such thing as actual surround sound from a 2 driver setup (stereo), only emulation. There's lots of good documentation showing that what we hear is just our brain interpreting things when comparing a "surround sound" headset to a simple pair of stereo headphones and that ultimately it's the same. This is why all the big 3D emulation attempts over the past 2 decades have all just faded away or failed because there is no surround sound with 2 channel audio and non-discreet directional channels. So instead, I would just get a high quality pair of headphones and focus on comfort and overall excellent quality and definitely not use the motherboard's onboard connections. Maybe add a little DAC/AMP via USB to offload connections (especially analog connecting to the motherboard, it's noisy) and a good quality microphone (you could add an Antlion microphone to anything) or a good quality condenser microphone on a stand (depends on your use and goals). So maybe an Objective2 Amp/Dac combo unit or a Modi/Magni stack with a Beyer DT880 or Senheisser HD600 or a Hifiman 400 series.

Maybe look at a Das Keyboard X50Q? Perhaps a Logitech G502 mouse or Glorious Model O? It's really hard to recommend peripherals because they are 99% ergonomics and no matter how good they look or how high quality the components are, if they don't feel right on your hands for long use, then they're not the right ones. It's hard to know since it's not like it was in the 90's when you could walk around and tap on keyboards in stores before buying. Now you just blind-buy and return it basically off-line.

And of course, get a 2nd monitor....

Have fun!

Very best,

 

[Kailasa]

Hi Allan,

Overall it's a good build. Can't argue with any components really, other than the SSD for the operating system (that WD Blue NVMe) and the headset. Your monitor selection is great, it's mostly preference, can't argue with what it's capable of, it's more important to just figure out how big you want it to be and how far away from it you will sit to view, otherwise its capabilities for games are there of course.

For the SSD for your OS, maybe look at another Samsung like the 970?

Otherwise, the weakest component in the whole system is that headset. All headsets are the weak points of audio, if you care about audio. They're low end components covered in a candy shell with explosive names. There's no such thing as actual surround sound from a 2 driver setup (stereo), only emulation. There's lots of good documentation showing that what we hear is just our brain interpreting things when comparing a "surround sound" headset to a simple pair of stereo headphones and that ultimately it's the same. This is why all the big 3D emulation attempts over the past 2 decades have all just faded away or failed because there is no surround sound with 2 channel audio and non-discreet directional channels. So instead, I would just get a high quality pair of headphones and focus on comfort and overall excellent quality and definitely not use the motherboard's onboard connections. Maybe add a little DAC/AMP via USB to offload connections (especially analog connecting to the motherboard, it's noisy) and a good quality microphone (you could add an Antlion microphone to anything) or a good quality condenser microphone on a stand (depends on your use and goals). So maybe an Objective2 Amp/Dac combo unit or a Modi/Magni stack with a Beyer DT880 or Senheisser HD600 or a Hifiman 400 series.

Maybe look at a Das Keyboard X50Q? Perhaps a Logitech G502 mouse or Glorious Model O? It's really hard to recommend peripherals because they are 99% ergonomics and no matter how good they look or how high quality the components are, if they don't feel right on your hands for long use, then they're not the right ones. It's hard to know since it's not like it was in the 90's when you could walk around and tap on keyboards in stores before buying. Now you just blind-buy and return it basically off-line.

And of course, get a 2nd monitor....

Have fun!

Very best,

 

[Kailasa]

@MalVeauX

I switched the OS drive to the 1 TB Samsung 970. I haven't taken a look at the headphones yet, but I will when I get done taking my impatient dog on a walk.

P.S. I am eventually going to have a 3 Monitor setup using a Monitor Arm.

 

[DooKey]

Don't buy a 3090. It's not much better than the 3080 at a high premium price.