$1.4k - 1.6k USD PC Build Help

BarbaricGoose · Dec 8, 2015

Hey there.

So most of my PC is going on five years old, and I think it's time to get a new one. I've replaced a couple parts over the years, and some of them are new enough that I'd like to use them in a new build. Specifically, I'd like to continue using my RAM and PSU, as both were bought earlier this year.

The RAM is 2 x 8gb Corsair Vengeance DDR3 sticks:
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Desktop-Memory-CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10/dp/B006EWUO22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449565593&sr=8-1&keywords=corsair+16gb

The PSU is the Corsair RM 750:
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-80PLUS-Gold-Certified-Power-Supply/dp/B00EB7UITQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449565669&sr=8-1&keywords=rm750+corsair

This is going to be a gaming PC. As I mentioned earlier, if it's possible I'd like the build to include the RAM and PSU listed above. I have a fairly new hard drive as well, so that can be skipped. I am planning to get an SSD, so if you know a solid one, go ahead and include it in the budget.

I also have this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

It's five years old (obviously), and some of the front ports aren't working any more. Beyond that, it still works fine. Should I stick with it, or get a new one? I'll leave that up to your wisdom...

As for extra peripherals (Mouse, monitor, OS, etc), I have everything I need.

Though, on the subject of monitors, I was thinking of upgrading to a 1440 monitor. (Currently using a 1080). I'm not anal about maxing all the graphical settings--I usually turn off DoF and lower shadows straight away--but I like the actual textures to look good. Would it be possible, on average, to get a steady 60 FPS on a 1440 monitor with the aforementioned $1.6k budget, and decent graphical settings? Or would that just not happen, regardless of the game being played?

If 1.6k isn't enough for a 1440 setup, how much would I be looking at?

One last question: I'm wondering whether it's better to buy an expensive graphics card once every couple years, or a cheaper card every year? Personal opinion? I could increase my budget if you think it's more cost effective to buy a really beefy GPU once every couple years.

g1abhi · Dec 8, 2015

Honestly you should sell those ddr3 ram sticks and go for skylake , since you will use it for 5 years atleast.
[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/k3gsdC) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/k3gsdC/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80662i56600k) | $289.99 @ B&H
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2) | $19.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [MSI Z170 Krait Gaming ATX LGA1151 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z170kraitgaming) | $144.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2k4g4d240fsa) | $52.99 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003) | $45.88 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [Zotac GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB AMP! Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/zotac-video-card-zt9050310p) | $629.99 @ SuperBiiz
**Case** | [Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phes614pbk) | $99.99 @ Amazon
**Monitor** | [Asus PB258Q 60Hz 25.0" Monitor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-pb258q) | $318.99 @ SuperBiiz
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $1612.81
| Mail-in rebates | -$10.00
| **Total** | **$1602.81**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](http://pcpartpicker.com) 2015-12-08 05:18 EST-0500 |
For SSDs wait a few months , new gen SSDs are way better : like this one- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147467
they outperform sata ssds like sata one did to mechanical.

BarbaricGoose · Dec 8, 2015

Thanks for the input--good to know about the SSDs. What are the next gen SSDs called? "M.2"? Or are they the ones that use PCI-E, or something? Just so I have some idea of what to look for in an SSD...

g-unit1111 · Dec 8, 2015

BarbaricGoose :

No you don't want to purchase those PCI-E Intel SSDs - they're mainly meant for enterprise storage, not really to be used on a consumer / gaming PC. M2 is definitely the way to go, especially if you get the Samsung 950 Pro. But on your budget I'd rather go with better graphics and CPU than fancier storage.

The above build is pretty decent, this would be my suggestion with an i7:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($372.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($184.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($76.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($508.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($87.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1545.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-08 21:34 EST-0500

I'd put Z170 with a 6700K, but those prices. Holy crap.

g1abhi · Dec 8, 2015

g-unit1111 :

BarbaricGoose :

No you don't want to purchase those PCI-E Intel SSDs - they're mainly meant for enterprise storage, not really to be used on a consumer / gaming PC. M2 is definitely the way to go, especially if you get the Samsung 950 Pro. But on your budget I'd rather go with better graphics and CPU than fancier storage.

The above build is pretty decent, this would be my suggestion with an i7:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($372.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($184.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($76.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($508.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($87.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1545.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-08 21:34 EST-0500

I'd put Z170 with a 6700K, but those prices. Holy crap.

buddy you forgot the 300$ monitor . And buying the gtx 980 when the 980TI is out, isnt a very wise choice unless you are dead fixed on the budget.

g1abhi · Dec 8, 2015

http://techreport.com/news/28851/coming-in-2016-intel-optane-ssds-based-on-3d-xpoint-memory
this is what i mean by new gen SSDs , samsung is building his own .

g-unit1111 · Dec 8, 2015

g1abhi :

Do you really need a $300 monitor on a $1500 budget? That's literally 1/5 of it spent on just the monitor, when the rest could be going to graphics and CPU. And I know about the 980, but when games are starting to take advantage of higher end CPUs for higher resolutions and VR, don't you think the money on a $1500 budget should be going toward an i7? Oh and your build also forgot the power supply - the most critical part of a PC.

g1abhi · Dec 9, 2015

g-unit1111 :

g1abhi :

Do you really need a $300 monitor on a $1500 budget? That's literally 1/5 of it spent on just the monitor, when the rest could be going to graphics and CPU. And I know about the 980, but when games are starting to take advantage of higher end CPUs for higher resolutions and VR, don't you think the money on a $1500 budget should be going toward an i7? Oh and your build also forgot the power supply - the most critical part of a PC.

You really need to study the first post thoroughly. Please do.

g-unit1111 · Dec 9, 2015

g1abhi :

Yeah but you can *EASILY* get a 1440P monitor without breaking the bank. This is definitely one of the best times in history to buy a monitor - you can get 1080P for $120 and you can get 1440P for $250, or you can get 4K for $450. You can definitely reuse the case and PSU, but for a Skylake build using Z170, you cannot under any circumstances reuse that RAM. And on this budget if you're not overclocking or at least using auto OC, you're doing it wrong. But a 5 year old power supply should definitely be replaced on a new build - those things have limited life spans, even the best Leadex and Seasonic units won't last beyond the 7 year warranty.

g1abhi · Dec 9, 2015

g-unit1111 :

Since you wont read it properly i will make the highlights for you:
" I'd like to continue using my RAM and PSU, as both were bought earlier this year."
Me "Honestly you should sell those ddr3 ram sticks and go for skylake"
"**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2k4g4d24...) | $52.99 @ Amazon "
Theres a z170 board, an i5 6600K, an air cooler, did we mention somewhere we are not overclocking?
If you know about a 2k monitor for 250$ please post the link, it would be a great help.

BarbaricGoose · Dec 9, 2015

g-unit1111 :

The PSU is new. My old one went bad and I had to replace it. RAM too. They were both bought about a year ago, hence why I was hoping to reuse them. Hell, they're both still under warranty. It looks like I can still use the PSU, but if I want to get a Skylake--and it looks like that's what I'll be doing--then no, I can't keep using DDR3.

Thanks again for all the help, guys.

g-unit1111 · Dec 9, 2015

g1abhi :

Yes you are correct that the OP should definitely sell that RAM. But you have an overclock capable motherboard and a locked processor. Why wouldn't you pay the extra money to OC? And if you're not overclocking, why buy the aftermarket cooler? Makes absolutely no sense if you ask me. And yes there are inexpensive 1440P panels. Yes I maybe underestimated their value, but you still don't need to break the bank on any budget to buy something ridiculously expensive.

If the power supply is new you can also definitely reuse that.

g1abhi · Dec 9, 2015

BarbaricGoose :

BTW there is one more possible build using your ddr3 ram , but that would be quite peculiar , you will lose overclocking but can gain a locked i7 .
http://www.gigabyte.in/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5517
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z170%20Pro4D3/

Its a DDR3 compatible motherboard

there is a motherboard that supports both ddr3 and ddr4 , but only available for h170 and b150 models:
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H170%20Combo/

Although they are very hard to find , ever since Intel issued a statement that using ddr3 ram with skylake might damage the processor in the long run frying the memory bus due to higher voltages.

I wont really recommend it though.

Darkbreeze · Dec 9, 2015

I think the important, and unasked question here, is what is the model number of the new PSU you purchased? Just because it's new doesn't mean, by any stretch of the imagination, that it ought to be used with hardware of this caliber, if you value it. There are tons of power supplies out there with high capacity according to the label, and gold or platinum 80plus efficiency ratings, that shouldn't be used to power a light bulb much less a high end machine. And then there are very good 650w units that can easily, and safely, push more than their labeled capacity. Knowing which type you have should be the first question, not whether or not to spend 300 dollars on a monitor that you may not be able to use if the power supply takes it all out in a nice, pretty flash of light.

Darkbreeze · Dec 9, 2015

g1abhi :

I'm glad you added that last part, and just to further the idea, do not plan to use any DDR3 on any Skylake motherboard unless it's DDR3L low powered RAM. Intel has clearly stated this WILL damage the memory controller sooner or later. It's not just NOT recommended, it's a bad idea.

Also, if you're going to post build code on the forum, use the bbcode option from PCPP. What you have posted above is a distracting, hot mess, and is frowned upon. The bbcode option on every build on PCPP above the build list results in a clean, easily read post, like that in G-unit's post, unlike what's up there in the BA selection. Please do so in the future. Thanks.

BarbaricGoose · Dec 9, 2015

Darkbreeze :

It's the model I linked to in the first post. CP-9020055-NA. (Or is that not what you're talking about?)

Apparently some of them needed to be recalled, but I looked into it and mine's alright. Plus, it's been working fine for the year that I've had it.

Darkbreeze · Dec 9, 2015

Ok, I didn't see that before. The RM750 is "ok", but may not have an extremely long lifespan if you decide to overclock, or even for use with a discreet GPU card. The CX, CS, RM and VS units are specifically outlined by Corsair as meant for use with mainstream systems rather than being recommended for use with overclocked or gaming systems. It's not likely to blow up or damage hardware, but it's at higher than desired risk of having a short lifespan with high load use. Tier 3 unit as seen here and as well documented in hundreds and hundreds of forum failure posts.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

g1abhi · Dec 9, 2015

Darkbreeze :

I'm glad you added that last part, and just to further the idea, do not plan to use any DDR3 on any Skylake motherboard unless it's DDR3L low powered RAM. Intel has clearly stated this WILL damage the memory controller sooner or later. It's not just NOT recommended, it's a bad idea.

Also, if you're going to post build code on the forum, use the bbcode option from PCPP. What you have posted above is a distracting, hot mess, and is frowned upon. The bbcode option on every build on PCPP above the build list results in a clean, easily read post, like that in G-unit's post, unlike what's up there in the BA selection. Please do so in the future. Thanks.

Thanks for the tip, I will keep that in mind.

g1abhi · Dec 9, 2015

g-unit1111 :

I am sorry , forgive my ignorance. I didnt knew I5 6600K is a locked processor.

Would you like to shed some light on it?
For the monitor , please discuss with the OP . I just picked a random monitor with 2k resolution.

@BarbaricGoose Hes right you dont need to break the bank with such a ridiculously expensive 300$ monitor , Especially when 5820K and x99 motherboards are dirt cheap.

logainofhades · Dec 9, 2015

I am going to go against some of the earlier statements, and say keep ram, and PSU, and go with a 4790k build. Skylake isn't worth the added cost. Haswell E is nice, but also costs more. There is no reason a 4790k, and 980ti cannot handle what you are wanting.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Nepton 280L 122.5 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($122.39 @ B&H)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($77.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB FTW ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($649.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($94.99 @ Adorama)
Total: $1523.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-09 09:50 EST-0500

Darkbreeze · Dec 9, 2015

^^This too. Unless you simply MUST have the newer platform or wish to invest in DDR4, the Devil's canyon choice is going to give you very similar performance for a bit less.

BarbaricGoose · Dec 9, 2015

Darkbreeze :

Wow. That bums me out.

Hah. Okay, so I think my new plan is to go ahead with a Skylake build, with everything but the new GPU. I'll build the foundation for a better machine, use it with my 670 for now, and then upgrade to a better card in a few months. The 670 is still capable enough for me; I'm managing to play Fallout 4 with medium-highish settings at 60 FPS. Loading times are annihilating me psychologically, but I'm hoping the new CPU, RAM and all that jazz, plus a little SSD in the mean time, will alleviate that somewhat.

Any glaring flaws you see with idea?

Oh, and for a PSU, I was looking at THIS. I believe that's the Corsair AX mentioned in the tier 1 list, no? Or is there a PSU you'd recommend?

logainofhades · Dec 9, 2015

Skylake isn't worth the added cost. It is only 5-10% faster, and that comes at quite the premium. Evga G2 750w is cheaper, better, and comes with a 10yr warranty.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IKDETOW/?tag=pcpapi-20

g-unit1111 · Dec 9, 2015

logainofhades :

Yeah that's why I recommended an X99 build because the stock on Z170 CPUs is very shaky and right now some wanker is charging $700 for them. :fou:

This is even cheaper and still the same quality as the G2:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438028

The bad thing is those 10 year warranties don't cover user error. They only cover manufacturer error.

Darkbreeze · Dec 9, 2015

Definitely not a Corsair unit, unless you absolutely are a fan and are willing to pay a premium just to have the word Corsair on the side. You don't get what you pay for and a Super Flower built EVGA unit like the B2 and G2 series is a better purchase in my opinion.

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