Build decisions for a 4k gaming, 3D modeling, web development rig
I'm a software engineer and UX designer currently running a 13" dual core 2016 MacBook Pro (mainly for design software like Sketch and InVision, Xcode, and Logic Pro X) through a 27" 4k 60Hz Dell U2718Q. The display is perfect for doing design work (high resolution, great color accuracy, low price), though my dual core i7 with integrated graphics is starting to kill my ability to run this 4k display with just Logic or Sketch open, let alone with anything else on top of it.
I plan to upgrade my machine to a 15" quad or 6 core MacBook pro once the non-butterfly keyboards are released in the next 1-2 years, but I'm starting to wonder if I should be considering alternative solutions in the meantime, especially since I want to start gaming again... on my same 4k monitor.
I've figured my best options were:
- Run bootcamp Windows with a Razer Core X eGPU and a Radeon VII or Vega 64
- Build a separate Linux machine with a Ryzen 5 3600, RTX 2080 Super for doing 4k gaming, web development and 3D modeling (dual boot into Windows for some games, Solidworks)
Option 1 is cheaper up front but has the following issues: the Radeon VII is overpriced versus the 2080 Super and the eGPU kills the performance of the card, getting even less bang for my buck. As a hobbyist iOS developer, lack of day 1 Nvidia driver support means running an RTX card in here would be a bitch and a half.
Option 2 is more expensive up front, is less elegant a solution (now I have 2 PCs and Logic/Sketch do not run on Linux), but affords me more of the graphics power I need to drive my 4k display. I can also later use it as a HTPC/NAS type machine, so it's flexible.
The games I plan on playing: Civ VI, Modded Minecraft, Battlefield 4, Metro Last light redux, WarThunder, World of Tanks, Ghost Recon, maybe Far Cry 5. Ideally those older titles at max settings 60fps, newer titles at 60pfs max settings minus some effects. I don't care about ray tracing. For the eGPU setup I'd take a small performance hit for the simplicity of the setup but from reading around the internet it seems like even with a Radeon VII I'd struggle to get any game running smoothly with my measly little laptop off a TB3 cable.
My budget: $1300 USD
An idea of what I'd be building:
| Type | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $194.79 @ OutletPC |
| Motherboard | MSI B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard | $114.85 @ OutletPC |
| Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory | $74.99 @ Newegg |
| Storage | Samsung 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $169.89 @ OutletPC |
| Video Card | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB Video Card | $699.99 @ Best Buy |
| Case | Corsair SPEC-05 ATX Mid Tower Case | $49.99 @ Newegg |
| Power Supply | Corsair VS 650 W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply | $43.99 @ Newegg |
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | ||
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $1403.49 | |
| Mail-in rebates | -$55.00 | |
| Total | $1348.49 | |
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-10-06 19:40 EDT-0400 |
My questions:
- Is my Option 1 eGPU setup even worth considering?
- What tweaks would you make to my Option 2 build to maximize 4k gaming performance per dollar without completely crippling 3D modeling performance?
- What am I overlooking here in my decision making process?
Posted Oct 6, 2019, 11:37 PM UTC · edited
So firstly the links broken just fyi mate. (Pc part picker link)
eGpu is a perfectly fine solution. Linus done a build like this. I believe the title of the video was something like "this is the cleanest desk set up".
In terms of builds, do you need something that you can bring to and from an office & home? As I'd assume this is why you'd consider laptop & eGpu.
Let us know and update the link and I'll let you know what I think man.
Update after link fix: perfectly fine in the pc parts you've picked. But I would recommend an MSI b450 mortar max if you want to stick with b450's. It's a board basically designed to accommodate 3rd gen ryzen, as well as having better ram speed opportunities for future upgrades. Which btw 3600 is perfect for 3rd gen so you're spot on there. Also, you can get MSI b450m mortar max motherboards in a micro ATX format too, which if you're looking for a slightly more portable form factor then you'd be in luck there.
I've had some issues with the formatting, let me know if it works for you now.
My only issue with the GPU is I'm worried about the 4k gaming performance and the lack of proper Nvidia support (limiting me to headaches or the Radeon VII/Vega 64). Does Linus run 1440p or 4k in his setup?
As for the build, I figured at-home under-the-desk ATX setup would work fine since I don't need to game on the go and 3D modeling is just a side hobby.
I need to bring a laptop around for music production and work on the go, but at home I would be either plugging it into an eGPU for everything or plugging it in directly to my monitor for most development, design and music work while running the dedicated machine for gaming and 3D modeling. I can do most of my development on that machine, but not any design or music production.
Maybe the real problem here is I have too many hobbies :p
I'd say it's capable. The 2080ti is really the 4k card, for respectable framerates. 2080 super can achieve 4k 60fps in a lot of titles, but it also falls short into the 50's in quite a few too. With next gen coming next year the demand for games with better graphics on pc will also be impacted, just as happened on current gen release. So if the 2080s is pushed to its limits now, then the TI is really the way to go, but it'll cost a fair bit more unfortunately. If you're competent with a card clean up then you could always consider a used 2080ti if there's any on the market?
I can't remember what Res Linus was playing at unfortunately, but egpus are a fine solution, I'd say more for 1440p highest though, unless you're looking at less demanding games in 4k. Not only will the eGpu be limited but the laptop processor is gonna have a bad time.
But again, the list you've put down is completely viable, the 2080s will work fine, just struggle down to about 45-50fps on some major titles, but nothing a few detail corrections can't fix. The only major thing I'd change is the motherboard to either a x570 or if it must stay a b450 then to go for a "MAX" variant just to increase the upgradability and current stability of your build.
Really appreciate the help, I'll go hunt down that Linus video and poke around for some used 2080 TIs. The $400-500 premium over the Super is pretty bad performance per dollar but if I can snag a used one for around or under 1k I would not be opposed to that. Maybe I'll see what black friday deals are around next month.
As for my build, what's better about a x570 vs a b450/450max in terms of features and upgradeability that I'll be wanting? Also on that topic, should I consider a higher-wattage PSU as well (750-850W)?
Psu should be fine if you stick with Nvidia based cards. AMD are getting better but they're typically more power hungry.
Yeah the price to performance difference is pretty shitty and very intentional from Nvidia because they know the small(ish) difference between the two is light and day to the consumer. For sure if you can find a second hand one for at least $200 cheaper than RRP then you're golden. You're right on deals, black Friday deals aren't that crazy here in the UK but I've seen some hardware prices in the USA and the deals are ridiculous, I'd 100% wait at this point, especially if you're thinking 2080ti, could even get that second hand price for brand new. But have eBay open in the meantime just incase, I'd say if you can get a 2080ti more than $200 cheaper than original price in perfectly fine condition then just snap it up.
So b450 originally wouldn't be ideal for 3rd gen ryzen, a lot of them had below 3600 ram capability, which as you know is ideal for 3rd gen, also they'll require a bios update before the CPU actually works. The MAX range (which you can find on pcpartpicker by selecting b450m chipset and typing 'max' into search) combat this by going up to around 4000 ram speeds and not needing a bios update.
Here's the way I'd make my decision, do you want mini/micro/atx? If you want standard ATX then go for x570 chipset. If you want micro ATX go for b450m max chipset. If you want mini ATX, go for a b450m (there aren't any mini max as far as I'm aware) and update bios with usb.
Why? Because normal ATX x570 aren't ridiculously expensive, unless you go for the stupidly good ones.
Micro ATX and mini ATX x570 aren't common and cost a bomb. So they aren't worth it, not at the moment anyway.
Besides, the micro ATX b450 max boards will fulfil all your needs. Especially with the better ram capability and not needing to mess about with external flashes.
So to summarise, don't go mini itx if you're going 3rd gen. Go for b450 max board if you're going micro ATX, and go for one of the cheaper but still good x570 boards if you're going full ATX.
(Sorry that was a long message)