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Compensator 4 - How to Waste $30,000 on a Gaming PC

Linus Tech Tips・30 minutes read

The Compensator series build includes high-end components like an Intel Core i9-13900KS CPU, MSI Z790 GODLIKE motherboard, and DDR5-6800 system memory, resulting in a powerful system with complex cooling installations and cable management challenges. Despite the premium components and intricate build, the system faces issues with high power consumption, overheating, and performance throttling under overclocking, highlighting the trade-offs of exotic enterprise hardware configurations.

Insights

  • The Compensator series prohibits the use of customized, high-end hardware, opting for pre-built components to maintain standardization.
  • The intricate build details of the system, including the specific components chosen like the Core i9-13900KS CPU and the MSI Z790 GODLIKE motherboard, showcase a focus on performance and capacity, with unique configurations for storage and cooling systems to optimize functionality.

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Recent questions

  • What are the key components in a high-end PC build?

    The key components in a high-end PC build include the Core i9-13900KS CPU from Intel, MSI Z790 GODLIKE motherboard, DDR5-6800 system memory, PCIe Gen 4 M.2 storage drives, EK Quantum Delta Squared Tech cooling system, and ROG Thor 1600 watt titanium power supply from ASUS ROG.

  • How is the cooling system in a high-end PC installed?

    The installation of the cooling system in a high-end PC involves complex steps, including managing power and thermal sensors, running custom cables due to limited space for cable management, improving the appearance of cable turns behind the reservoir, and positioning the EPS connector for a unique glow effect with expensive RGB strips.

  • What challenges are faced during the water cooling setup in a PC build?

    Challenges faced during the water cooling setup in a PC build include using ZMT tubing and fittings to avoid high costs, dealing with a design that limits the use of one pump, facing difficulties in installing components like a high-end graphics card and water cooling loop due to design constraints, and mistakenly considering carbonated mineral water for the loop.

  • What are the specifications of the Razer Viper Mini Signature Edition mouse?

    The Razer Viper Mini Signature Edition mouse weighs 49 grams, has 30,000 DPI, an 8,000 Hertz polling rate, and can increase CPU usage by 5% when maxed out.

  • What are the performance characteristics of the Audeze LCDX gaming headset?

    The Audeze LCDX gaming headset costs $900, has an outdated model replaced by the Audeze Maxwell at half the price, offering high-quality sound but at a premium cost.

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Summary

00:00

"Ultimate Gaming PC Build Specifications Revealed"

  • The Compensator series rules prohibit exotic enterprise build-to-order hardware.
  • The build involves purchasing the most expensive item in each category, resulting in 11 8TB SSDs.
  • The Cooling System Pro case from Regner features two full side panel radiators.
  • The CPU chosen is the Core i9-13900KS from Intel, with 8 performance cores and 16 efficiency cores.
  • The MSI Z790 GODLIKE motherboard boasts DDR5-7600, 7 M.2 slots, 2.5 gig and 10 gig Ethernet, and a touchscreen.
  • The system memory includes DDR5-6800 with a total of 192 gigabytes of RAM.
  • The build incorporates PCIe Gen 4 M.2 storage drives, with some disabled to increase total storage capacity.
  • The EK Quantum Delta Squared Tech cooling system is designed to cool the cooler of the CPU.
  • The installation of the cooling system involves complex steps, including managing power and thermal sensors.
  • The ROG Thor 1600 watt titanium power supply from ASUS ROG is used to power the system, featuring a high number of modular connectors and a screen display.

14:06

"Custom Cable Management Challenges in PC Build"

  • Custom cables were run in the case due to its design lacking space for cable management, requiring longer runs.
  • Efforts were made to improve the appearance of cable turns behind the reservoir for a neater look.
  • An EPS connector was challenging to position, prompting the purchase of expensive RGB strips for a unique glow effect.
  • Despite the appealing appearance of RGB strips, the wiring behind them was not as tidy.
  • SSDs were mounted in a unique configuration, with three 2.5-inch SSDs per 3.5-inch drive bay.
  • A 16 terabyte two and a half inch SATA drive was sought after but found to be discontinued, with a listing later appearing on Newegg.
  • The water cooling setup involved two pumps, with one being unused due to the case's design limitations.
  • ZMT tubing and fittings were used for water cooling to avoid the high costs associated with custom hardline setups.
  • The installation of components, including a high-end graphics card and water cooling loop, posed challenges due to the case's design.
  • Carbonated mineral water was mistakenly considered for the water cooling loop, leading to concerns about pressurization and mineral content.

27:24

High-performance gaming gear and cooling issues

  • The Razer Viper Mini Signature Edition mouse weighs 49 grams, has 30,000 DPI, and an 8,000 Hertz polling rate, increasing CPU usage by 5% when maxed.
  • The Audeze LCDX gaming headset costs $900 but has an outdated model replaced by the Audeze Maxwell, half the price.
  • The CPU idles at 20 to 22 degrees, below the dew point, with a water block working efficiently.
  • Despite the potential for a 6 gigahertz turbo behavior, it's rarely seen in real-world scenarios due to background processes affecting performance.
  • The system weighs almost 100 pounds, consumes over 700 watts with the CPU alone, and can reach 1,300 watts with a quick overclock, leading to throttling due to high CPU temperatures.
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