Guide
Enthusiast Intel Gaming/Streaming Build
Description
CPU
For the Enthusiast Intel build we chose the newly released Intel Coffee Lake i5-9600k as our processor.
CPU Cooler
To cool the i5-9600k while overclocking we selected the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 to match our case. The Dark Rock Pro 4 is an excellent choice for our build aesthetically and will allow us to reach our maximum potential for overclocking without watercooling.
Motherboard
To allow overclocking on the processor, we set the parametric filters for Z390 ATX motherboards that support up to 64GB of DDR4 memory, six SATA 6Gb/s devices, multiple expansion cards, and crossfire or SLI functionality.
Memory
With our increased budget we selected 16GB of RAM. The parametric filter finds the best price on 16GB kits of memory that are within Intel’s recommended specifications from DDR4-2800 to DDR4-3400.
Storage
Using the parametric filters this build will incorporate an m.2 SSD with at least 500GB of space and a minimum 3TB of mechanical storage at 7200rpm.
GPU
With this budget we decided to go all out on the graphics card. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 is one of the single best cards on the market right now. At 1080p or even 1440p you will not have any problems with AAA games and the RTX 2080 is perfectly suited for VR gaming as well. When using an RTX 2080 you should consider stepping up your monitor to a 120/144hz screen for the best gaming experience.
For streaming, the newly-updated NVENC encoding will offload the task to the GPU with a minimal performance hit using OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) while providing image quality similar to or better than x264 Fast quality.
Case
All of our components are housed in the Fractal Design Meshify C Dark TG case. This case has a tempered glass side panel, room for enthusiast CPU coolers, watercooling radiators, and front panel USB3.0.
PSU
For our power supply, we're using a parametric selection of well-reviewed fully and semi-modular units, all of which are 80+ Gold certified, have two EPS cables, and provide more than enough power for this system while at stock clocks or overclocking.
Compatibility: See notes below.
Component | Selection | Base | Promo | Shipping | Tax | Price | Where | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CPU | ![]() |
Intel Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor | Base$328.90 |
Promo |
Shipping |
Tax |
Price$328.90 |
Where![]() |
Buy | |
CPU Cooler | ![]() |
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler | Base$119.00 |
Promo |
Shipping |
Tax |
Price$119.00 |
Where![]() |
Buy | |
Motherboard | ![]() |
MSI Z390-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
From parametric filter: Form Factor: ATX; Chipset: Intel Z390; Memory Slots: 4 - 16; M.2 Slots: 2 - 4 |
Base$179.00 |
Promo |
Shipping |
Tax |
Price$179.00 |
Where![]() |
Buy | |
Memory | ![]() |
GeIL EVO POTENZA 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory
From parametric filter: Speed: DDR4-2800, DDR4-2933, DDR4-3000, DDR4-3200, DDR4-3300, DDR4-3400; Type: 288-pin DIMM; Modules: 2 x 8GB; Heat Spreader: Yes |
Base$88.00 |
Promo |
Shipping |
Tax |
Price$88.00 |
Where![]() |
Buy | |
Storage | ![]() |
Crucial P1 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
From parametric filter: Capacity: 500 GB - 12000 GB; Type: SSD; Form Factor: M.2-2280; Interface: M.2 (M) |
Base$88.00 |
Promo |
Shipping |
Tax |
Price$88.00 |
Where![]() |
Buy | |
Storage | ![]() |
Seagate Barracuda 3 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
From parametric filter: Capacity: 3000 GB - 10000 GB; Type: 7200RPM; Form Factor: 3.5"; Interface: SATA 6 Gb/s |
Base$122.00 |
Promo |
Shipping |
Tax |
Price$122.00 |
Where![]() |
Buy | |
Video Card | ![]() |
Asus GeForce RTX 2080 8 GB DUAL EVO OC Video Card
From parametric filter: Chipset: GeForce RTX 2080 |
Base$1071.40 |
Promo |
Shipping |
Tax |
Price$1071.40 |
Where![]() |
Buy | |
Case | ![]() |
Fractal Design Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Case | Base$149.00 |
Promo |
Shipping |
Tax |
Price$149.00 |
Where![]() |
Buy | |
Power Supply | ![]() |
Corsair TXM Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply
From parametric selection: Show |
Base$115.00 |
Promo |
Shipping |
Tax |
Price$115.00 |
Where![]() |
Buy | |
Total: | $2260.30 |
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Wattage Breakdown
Note: Wattages are estimates only. Actual power draw may differ from listed values.
Component | Estimated Wattage |
---|---|
Intel Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor | 11W - 95W |
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler | 5W - 10W |
MSI Z390-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard | 17W - 70W |
GeIL EVO POTENZA 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | 14W |
Crucial P1 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | 2W - 10W |
Seagate Barracuda 3 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive | 4W - 20W |
Asus GeForce RTX 2080 8 GB DUAL EVO OC Video Card | 53W - 215W |
Total: | 434W |
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