Update: Replaced my rtx 2070 with a rtx 2080ti. I guess I got unlucky with my 2070 because it started acting up and I got loads of different bosd :/ It might have been driver related but after trying every fix myself that I could think of and look up online, I even had an IT guy come over and try help me. Ended up doing a factory reset and manually installing drivers etc, but that still didn't fix it. Anyways I am really happy with the rtx2080ti. It is running perfectly and is a powerhouse ( as it should for that pricetag ^{^).}

haha I ended up doing exactly that a few month later^{^}

Hey, I am not using all the available features of the mobo, so I can only speak for my uses, but if the red light doesn't bother you I would definitely recommend it. Easy enough bios, other visual RGB's make up for that annoying red info panel and offers great features. Don't know your planned build, but I presume you did enough research to know that this mobo supports your rig.

Hope this helped and good luck with the build!

I had one issue with the game Dead by Daylight, which for some reason wouldn't allow the GPU overclock I was using and I had to turn it down a little. Kinda strange since the game doesn't really have a high requirement and I play way more GPU intensive games that could handle my old overclock without issues, not to mention all the stress tests I did.

Another temporary issue I had was with screen flickers. Thought at first it was some connectivity or monitor issues but turned out to be a bad driver. this fixed it back then and latest driver works without issues again. https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/1012081-rtx-2070-flickering-screen/

Hope this helps! :)

Hey, sorry for the late reply.

why didn’t you use the RGB header(s) from the motherboard?

I didn't use them, because the RGB controller (comming with the AIO cooler) from coolermaster should be connected to an USB header according to its manual. So all my RGB cables from fans are connected to the RGB controller, which is connected to an USB header.

Just wondering if there is some compatibility issue

Not sure what you are trying to say with this. if this answers your question, I could have connected my front RGB fan cables to RGB headers and have the other RGB fans runs trough the USB header. I just wanted to avoid too many showing cables and since it was my first RGB experience, I wasn't sure if I could control them all via the controller otherwise. There are usually only compatibility issues when trying to use RGB from different companies (e.g. coolermaster and corsair). But this would be a different problem than headers I believe.

Hopefully this helped and if not feel free to ask anything else! Good luck with your build!

Yup, I spent another hour or so working on cable management whilst trying to figure out why the RGB controller isn't working and now the back plate can be closed relatively easy at least.

Maybe yeah, but as stated, so far I can play whatever I want at ultra quality :) Don't really play BF5, just played it for a RTX test and hoping future games will support both DSLL and RTX allowing for higher RTX settings.

It definitely is overkill for my purposes. However, since I got one as a gift after I bought my own, I couldn't just reject it^{^.} Also adds to the aesthetics and might come in handy in the future.

Yeah that could be it too! Maybe I spread my paste badly aswell during the pump application. For now I am pretty happy with how its running and 4.8GHz is still good enough I feel. I want to enjoy the pc for a while and maybe when Coolermaster finnaly replies regarding my RGB controller issue, I will also give lapping a try! Thanks for the suggestion.

Yes. Originally wanted to go with LL120 from corsair but compatibility would have been an issue and I was also pleasantly surprised by CM's fans!

Finished OC'ing! :)

• CPU to 4.8GHz at 1.275 Vcore
• GPU core clock +155MHz, Memory clock+950MHz

I could probably have pushed it higher (especially CPU), but I rather go with more stable safer OC's for now. Thanks again for the help.

Also it plays a role how you have mounted the fans on the radiator.

In my setup the 3 fans are mounted below the radiator, facing inwards the case. As a reference, the stock 200mm fans in my case are facing outside the case.

Thanks for the replies! I believe I found the issue, which was not having the mobo's fan controller software installed (Smart Fan 5), thus the fans always stayed at its lower frequency.

Did another Prime95 stress test with the software and hit a stable average temp of 79C over all 8 cores. This was at a 4.6GHz clock @ ~1.25Voltage.

Just ran another 30 min prime95 test with fans set to maximum and the temperatures ranged from 75C - 82C, which is wayyyy better than before. This would suggest that the AIO works and is plugged in correctly right? (My main worry^{^)} Also I believe the reason the mobo didn't automatically adjust the fans before was because I didn't have this software...

According to CPU-Z and Core Temp, the core speed was a stable 4.6GHz with a ranging Voltage of 1.24V - 1.26V. Do you think I could push the CPU to its advertised 4.9GHz OC clock, since I doubt I will ever have a similar CPU usage to prime95. I actually heard that the 9th gen chips should easily reach 5.0GHz with this mobo, so I am slightly disappointed.

Yup just found it. (Smart fan5) Will give prime95 another try once I figure out the software and update here after. Thanks!

Gygabyte Z390 Auros Master.

I haven't! Sorry for a probably dumb comment, but how would I do that?^{^} I figured the mobo would do it automatically according to temps.

I just did another prime95 stress test and after 2 minutes temps were already up to 80C... Fans are working, the pump made some spinning water noise and I tried to feel the tubes for movement of water, but they were only vibrating the whole time? Maybe I couldn't feel the movement due to the movement? What would be a reason for no water going trough the tubes?

Are you sure the pump is spinning? (working)

I don't know how to check a working pump tbh, but the 3 fans from the radiator are working/spinning? Also, as mentioned the AIO definitely made sound for the first time during the stress test, that I presume was water pumping trough the tubes.

Dose this AIO comes with an 3 to one fan adapter? Connect the three fans to that adapter and then to the board. And connect the pump to the board as well.

Yes, I have done that, but I should maybe mention that the aio pump cable, as well as 3 to one adapter come with 3-pin cables, but the mobo has 4-pin headers for both the sys/pump and sys/fan. Could that be the problem?

Just leave out the controller for now.

This is where my only 'error' existed previously, since I can't seem to control it via coolermaster's software (RGB LED Controller), however I doubt this is related to the temperature issue?

Alternative, this would be a freesync version which is cheaper.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Just saw that a m.2 ssd is pretty much the same price as its 2.5" counterpart.

What about this list? No case added yet, since I am hoping to find a smaller than the Q300L one, but will otherwise stick with it. As it is slightly above his budget I might downgrade the GPU a little to add a noctua cooler depending on whether he wants to spent the extra or not.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Hmm 2070 for 474€ is a great deal I believe? Performance is about 8% better than 1080 and they both go for 450-500 euro (not used). I agree the RTX seems to be pretty useless for this card (looking at battlefield V performance), but the DLSS looks promising. So I would say if you can get a 2070 below 500€ it is definitely worth it.

Than again I feel that both the 1080 and 2070 are overkill for his current uses, but if the budget allows it its a nice future proof.

Sorry I meant the freesync with vega was an option. Monitor is a must.

And conversion rate is similar but sadly the prices can differ greatly.

Didn't expect a 2070 and gsync monitor to fit within the budget! Few questions/concerns tho:

• Will the stock cooler with the CPU be enough? I checked a few reviews and most people seem to have exchanged it.
• Never heard/seen that storage before and I feel an m.2 is kinda overkill and I believe more space should be needed? Maybe a small SSD + HDD is the better choice?
• Do you by any chance know of a bit smaller case? Showed my buddy the Q300L and he said it is slightly too large or absolute maximum

Thanks for the suggestion, but this is in pounds and doesn't include a monitor? :/

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/alienware-34-curved-gaming-monitor-aw3418dw/apd/210-amsv/monitors-monitor-accessories

Alienware 34", IPS, 4ms, G-sync, 100hz stock --> 120hz OC. I think this monitor fits your description perfectly and is also on an amazing sale atm.(40% off-- 600$ less) Still pretty expensive though.

I ordered one for myself for my RTX 2070 build (paired with i7-9700), which will only achieve slightly higher fps in most games than you. Sadly here in Europe the sale is not as good as the US.

Only 'downside' is that e-sports kinda games your gonna be maxed at 120fps, which is more than enough, but your setup should be able to run higher in most of these types of games (CS:GO, League, Overwatch) For AAA games however, if you were intending to play at ultra quality you won't get above 100 fps anyways with modern AAA games. All of this is regarding 1440p.

Edit: You will have to decide fast since the sale is almost over

Damn, thats some nice black and red theme you got going on there! It's a shame there aren't many white mobo's. Really excited for the extensions now!

Found somewhat of a solution for the aio sleeve, but still couldn't find the length of the tubes and coolermaster is not replying :/

Great build! Saw this comment and In case you were still planning on buying an 860 evo, they are currently on a great sale @ amazon. ^{^}

• EU (germany): https://www.amazon.de/Samsung-MZ-76E500B-EU-interne-schwarz/dp/B078WQT6S6?ref_=Oct_DLandingS_PC_8097cc00_NA&smid=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF&th=1
• US: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Inch-Internal-MZ-76E1T0B-AM/dp/B0781Z7Y3S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543008991&sr=8-2&keywords=amazon%2B860&th=1

hmm 27" 1440p, 165hz is too measily? I was conviced that this is the 'sweet spot' for this new card? I still got two old Dell monitors from my previous budget build, where I will use one as a secondary screen for work/stream/videos etc.

Haven't put the acer predator as purchased yet since I am still looking to buy one of these kind of monitors during black friday. Gonna end up getting one of these or if another amazing deal with similar quality comes up.

• Acer Predator XB271HU
• Rog swift PG279Q
• Alienware AW2518H

Hey thanks for the answer. Tbh I have no clue regarding how many cables I need, but after looking up a few guides etc., I think I will try the Antec extensions you recommended. Only waiting until I find an AIO sleeving solution since I rather have all cables black than a mixture of black and white from the start. The ML360R is rather new, thus it might take a while :/

Hey, thanks for the build and loving the considerate 100€^{^.} I will probably be using german amazon ( cheaper prices than belgium) during blackfriday/cybermonday and my friend offered me his old razer keyboard/mouse for free, so I can spent a bit more in the other parts now.

A few questions I have:

• Was originally looking at the ryzen 2700x. I understood that Intel is way superior in terms of single core threading, which is better for gaming, but I also heard that in 1440p, fps is mostly relying on the GPU. I saw loads of AMD vs Intel discussion online but I feel like the 100€ isn't worth the loss in multitasking performance over minimal fps at 1440p?
• I was looking at that exact screen you linked and https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01LWQGIUR/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF&psc=1 , which is 15% cheaper atm. I never really 'used' black friday before, but do you think I should wait that extra week and rope for a bigger reduction or go for the deal? (According to reviews, the rog swift monitor is the absolute best in that 1440p 27" range but bit overpriced)
• Would I need to change the PSU with the new CPU?
• I am considering getting an extra Storage, but not sure whether I should get another smaller SSD or bigger HDD?
• Is it possible to control the RGB/Fan speed of the GPU, AIO, MOBO and case fans with one Program?
• Are the following build both capable of the requirements I want/need?

I came up with these two builds with your suggestion:

• Intel Version:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

• AMD Version:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

p.s. Thanks again in advance and sorry if I asked something stupid. With BlackFriday/CM comming up I want to be prepared when I spent all this money.