Description

This build took around 2 years to complete, as I kept wanting to wait until GPU prices dropped. As more of my friends started building computers, I couldn't wait any longer and waited for the release of the 6700XT. I woke up at 6:30 AM to attempt to get one, and it paid off (I'm not a morning person).

I mainly play CS and Destiny on this computer but I've also been playing games that I haven't played before, such as GTA and Fortnite.

I didn't take much thinking into this build (hence why I didn't even realize my X299 motherboard didn't support PCIE 4.0), I may have to replace my motherboard at some point.

Overall very impressed with my build as this is replacing a 8 year old iMac with a 4760 and a 775M

Part Reviews

CPU

Intel Core i9-10920X 3.5 GHz 12-Core Processor

Gets the job done. Also got it for more than half off so not complaining at all.

CPU Cooler

NZXT Kraken Z73 73.11 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler

My CPU would not have good temps without this cooler. Also very nice as it displays temperatures of both CPU/GPU.

Motherboard

Asus Prime X299-A II ATX LGA2066 Motherboard

The motherboard software is likely the highlight, as its very simple and easy to use. Also very simple to set fan curves, even though I use MSI Afterburner. The integrated RGB Control is also very nice as well

Memory

G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB (4 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory

Well... RAM is RAM. The colors are a nice touch though.

Storage

Samsung 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive

Blazing fast

Video Card

XFX Speedster MERC 319 Black Radeon RX 6700 XT 12 GB Video Card

It's nice but there is a coil whine (luckily I can only hear it when I'm not wearing headphones which is rare). Nice cooling but I have to mount it on the bottom due to tubing placement issues.

Case

Phanteks Eclipse P400 ATX Mid Tower Case

You know your case's airflow is bad when there's a 10 degree difference between having the front panel on and having it off

Power Supply

EVGA SuperNOVA 650 G2 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply

It gets the job done so not much to say, although I think I will see myself upgrading the PSU in the future since I'm not confident I can overclock with this PSU.

Case Fan

Corsair LL120 43.25 CFM 120 mm Fan

RGB doesn't work without Corsair's own fan splitter. Quite unfortunate

Monitor

Asus MG248Q 24.0" 1920 x 1080 144 Hz Monitor

It's okay, but the default presets for the monitor settings are way too bright. It's still a deal as I got it for $99. My monitor contrast bro

Keyboard

SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard

Super nice typing experience. I had a K95 with Browns before this and I can confidently say these are better.

Mouse

SteelSeries Rival 310 Wired Optical Mouse

The rubber parts on the mouse are falling off after 10 months of use. However it's very light and that's what I need when I'm playing FPS games.

Headphones

HP HyperX Cloud II 7.1 Channel Headset

The braided cable on this is literally a jungle all the time. IT WILL NEVER BECOME STRAIGHT AND IT'S ANNOYING AS HELL. Otherwise great build quality and sound

Custom

Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone - Blackout Edition

Amazing performance, I use this for my music recordings as well. Would highly recommend, and if you are able to, get the mic boom arm extension.

Custom

Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System

Got this for $99 at a store, and it's amazing. Perfect for when you don't want to listen through your trash cans.

Custom

CORSAIR - MM300 PRO Premium Spill-Proof Cloth Gaming Mouse Pad – Extended

It's saved me a couple of times when I spill water. Low friction and perfect for low sens users like me

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Comments

Pаdblaze1701
  • 3 years 10 months ago

lesssssssssssssssss go

Johnd116
  • 3 years 10 months ago

put the gpu in the top slot the board probably has gen 4 speed on it so putting the gpu on the top slot has better preformance

hotstop
  • 3 years 10 months ago

X299 doesn't have PCIE Gen4 but yeah putting1 the top gpu in the top slot is ideal since it'll have a direct connection with the cpu and thereby better performance. I think epicgamer95 put it in that slot so they could mount the aio with the tubes down. I recommend a vertical bracket for the gpu then so they can achieve both.

TonyB0i
  • 3 years 10 months ago

it'll have a direct connection with the cpu and thereby better performance

Sir, this is a 48 pcie lane cpu... I think he's fine. Please don't assume which pcie slots are connected to the cpu without doing research, you will misguide people.

hotstop
  • 3 years 10 months ago

My comment was not misguiding at all and I would thank you not to imply such. You're right that with this particular mobo/cpu combo that the slot is connected, that being said that top slot is always the ideal location to install the gpu in any situation. Its does have an affect on performance, minor.

Putting the GPU in the top slot is just good practice and advise that everyone should follow.

TonyB0i
  • 3 years 10 months ago

How would it affect the performance if it's wired to the same thing? Longer wires? I won't pretend to have a deep understanding of electrical engineering. I was under the impression that the only difference in performance comes when one slot is connected to the motherboard chipset and one slot is connected to the cpu.

top slot is always the ideal location to install the gpu in any situation

It's never wrong to install it in the top slot, at least as far as I know. But maybe one day that will change lol.

Sagtil
  • 3 years 10 months ago

Hey dude! I got some tips for you, cause you're not doing the best things for your aio right now. Switch the aio to the top, the tubes are going down right now which is really bad for your aio. So route those tubes to the top of your case (jusr by flipping the rad).

After than put your 6700xt in the first slot to get better performance.

epicgamer95
  • 3 years 10 months ago

Really? I was told having my tubes on the bottom would be better for the cooler.

Thanks for the suggestion about the aio placement, but it only accepts up to 2x 140mm fans and I have a 360mm rad so I don't think it will fit on the top.

Sagtil
  • 3 years 10 months ago

Weird that he told you that. If you place your aio like that, airbubbles might come into your aio and it will just die. The top would be the best placement, after that the front with the tubes being above the cpu block. The only thing you need to do is just screw out the rad and making the tubes go up instead of down.

Like this: https://youtu.be/BbGomv195sk

epicgamer95
  • 3 years 10 months ago

So do I have to move my entire aio placement? I don't have thermal paste so I'd have to do it in a couple days.

Or did you mean just the radiator, and I just flip the fans and the tubing placement to the top?

Sagtil
  • 3 years 10 months ago

Well, yes. You need to turn around your cpu block 90° so the tubes go to the right and flip the radiator to the top aswell.

This is how the aio needs to be placed: ○/| . With the circle being the waterblock and the "|" the rad and slash the tubes.

TonyB0i
  • 3 years 10 months ago

Top mounted is technically ideal, but since the highest point of your radiator is higher than your pump, it's not a big deal. Watch the video for yourself I would say.

epicgamer95
  • 3 years 10 months ago

So would it be okay to leave it as is, or would it break my system completely if I just keep it?

Continue this thread
Enless
  • 3 years 9 months ago

I'm looking for a graphics card, you said it had a whine, is it pretty noticable? I want the Merc it seems it's core speed is the fastest for the price

epicgamer95
  • 3 years 9 months ago

Yes it is noticeable, however it's something that's expected with GPUs (I think) and I wear headphones anyway (coil whine only really happens when I'm doing something intensive)

Sagtil
  • 3 years 8 months ago

Hey man, I would recommend turning your aio and plugging your graphics card in the first slot. It will increase your performance.

epicgamer95
  • 3 years 7 months ago

It's a 48 lane pcie motherboard and I won't be able to have my tubes going down if it's in any position other than the current one, but thank you for the suggestion

Sagtil
  • 3 years 7 months ago

Just route your tubes to the top, it won't matter for performance since the block won't be the top of it.

FurryJackman
  • 3 years 4 months ago

Would definitely recommend the mesh front panel. Will allow more air to be intaked through the AIO.

TonyB0i
  • 3 years 10 months ago

Why are you complaining about your motherboard not supporting pcie gen 4.0, when your cpu doesn't even support it lol? Also pcie gen 4.0 will give you about 2 fps so don't worry about it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKWi1XvWszk.

TonyB0i
  • 3 years 10 months ago

Don't take 2 stars off a review of a motherboard because it doesn't have features that are impossible with the CPUs it is compatible with...

SpacesTree
  • 3 years 10 months ago

what if they upgrade in the future

epicgamer95
  • 3 years 10 months ago

My reivews for the products weren't serious and I am intending to update them at a later date when I throughly test the PC.

[comment deleted]
epicgamer95
  • 3 years 10 months ago

How