First PC Gaming Build, Need Community Guidance

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BruhLogic

BruhLogic

Commendable
Apr 20, 2016
7
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1,510
Hey guys,

So after my first PC (pre-built) started showing less performance with today's games, I decided it was time to get a new PC, and actually build it.

I've come up with a draft build, however I want to make sure everything is compatible and I also want to hear the community's opinion about any errors or mistakes I've made with my build.


CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($307.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($84.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($629.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($85.49 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 39.9 CFM 120mm Fans ($25.88 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Red 66.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($15.09 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Red 66.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($15.09 @ Amazon)
Total: $1552.24

I also wanted to ask if my motherboard and GPU would fit into the case.

Some things to note:
- I am not overclocking at all (hence the non-k 6700)
- I want to be able to run games like GTA 5, Batman Arkham Knight, and COD: BO3 at 1080p 60fps.
- I'd also like to be able to run photo and video editing programs such as, Adobe Photoshop CC, Vegas Pro 13, Cinema 4D, and Adobe After Effects.

My budget is around $1500 but I can go up a couple bucks if it's really worth it.

Looking forward to replies, thanks in advance!
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
Jul 27, 2011
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You are off to a good start, just a couple of minor suggestions:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($307.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H170-GAMING 3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($84.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.77 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($629.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($85.49 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1482.08
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-21 10:48 EDT-0400

- Swapped the PSU for something much better (the CX750 is a terrible unit)
- Better case
- Upped RAM speed to DDR4-3000
 
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BruhLogic

BruhLogic

Commendable
Apr 20, 2016
7
0
1,510


Thanks for the suggestions! Really appreciate it, and will input into the build for sure. Just for the case, I was really looking for a case where the the front input panel is sort of slanted diagonal as you can see in the SPEC-01 case, do you know anything good with that preference?

Also, about the Motherboard. Is there a big difference between Gigabyte and ASUS?
 
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BruhLogic

BruhLogic

Commendable
Apr 20, 2016
7
0
1,510


I plan on adding another GPU in the future.
 
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S

Super_

Reputable
Sep 26, 2015
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4,690


ASUS is the better brand and is much more reliable in getting what you pay for. One of their strong suits is overclocking, which you will not use due to the non k cpu. So in your situation, no, there is not a big difference between the two companies.
 
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R

Russell_3

Reputable
Nov 19, 2015
5
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4,510
I'd drop to an i5
Pick up a hyper 212 for cpu cooling
Increase to a z170 board (most h170's can't supports sli)
throw out the 850 evo for a 950 pro
Go to a 850 W power supply but drop to bronze (because you wanted to add a second 980 ti down the road)
Get a more expensive case and drop the extra case fans

Just my own opinion though.

It should be noted that this machine and budget is excessive for 1080p at 60 Hz. If you do a lot of gaming, i'd suggest spending some cash on a 1440p @ 144 Hz first.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.48 @ B&H)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($124.95 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($181.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card ($599.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($85.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1475.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-22 22:43 EDT-0400
 
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R

Ronnie Dean Davidson

Reputable
May 13, 2015
32
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First...dump the i7-6700 and get the i5-6600K...you wont see hardly any difference. Next, get the Z170 Motherboard just in case you would like to try "Overclocking". Most of the Motherboards these days have a built in "Overclock Feature" that does all the work for you. For Photoshop and Video Editing...use the money you saved on the CPU and kick up your RAM to 32gb.

 
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Q

QuickRick

Commendable
Apr 27, 2016
14
0
1,510


 
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Q

QuickRick

Commendable
Apr 27, 2016
14
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1,510
BruhLogic I've had a similar situation; after being frustrated with ZT systems completely screwing up a custom computer build, where I had to replace both the power supply and the motherboard after many months of poor performance...I decided that the only real solution was to build a computer myself. That was a daunting challenge after years of forking over tons of money to Dell and not getting what I needed. I'm a high end computer user but I'm not into gaming. I run every kind of software imaginable. Compatibility was the single most important characteristic for a computer that I would build. There is nothing worse than compatibility problems.

I did lots of research on each and every component. From my bad experience with 'ZT' I learned that the power supply really IS important. And, the Motherboard is the single most component of all. Afterall, it is the motherboard that largely controls compatibility. The motherboard either has the protocols to handle all those lovely components...or, it doesn't. Keep THAT in mind. And, I would like to emphasize that since no one knows for sure what they might decide to add in the future, the best approach is to use a motherboard that will accommodate just about anything. THAT is what makes for a smooth build and start up also. In other words, where should the money go? Motherboard first and foremost. Then, the CPU, the power supply, then the Video and the case (also very important). Most commercial computers, I'll use Dell as the example, have the minimal cooling necessary to accommodate the internals. I would also submit to you that the CASE is every bit as important to cooling. Good air flow-through is the foundation for keeping your components running as cool as possible. That alone will extend the life of each component.

Now, so you fully understand what I'm trying to share with you, I had a really nice Dell Precision 690. When that died (motherboard)...it had some good hard drives, a brand new LG BluRay Burner a new DVD burner. So naturally I planned to use these components in my new build.

You should also know that I really wanted to stay below $1,000 but still end up with a very high end, high performance computer. I'm now going to share with you what I did because the results were phenomenally good. And, just to put your concerns at ease about the fact that I'm not into gaming - the end product is a very respectable gaming computer.

I started with the case because I know how important good air flow is. I chose the CoolerMaster 690 II Advanced for $99.99. Check out the reviews, it is a phenomenal case. Since this was two years ago, they may have something better, I don't know. The little extra money was well worth it!

Next, the Power Supply: I went with the Corsair Pro Series HX750 (750 watts) ATX/EPS MODULAR 80+ Gold. I paid $115 two years ago. Amazon has it now for $95. The 'modular' characteristic made is so easy to assembly the computer and it has excellent specs and warranty!

Next, The CPU. I started the major component search with the CPU because I needed to know what the motherboard must accommodate. Again, this was two years ago, and I chose the Intel Quad Core i-7 3770 (Ivy Bridge) 3.4 Ghz (3.9 Ghz Turbo) LGA 1155. I chose the 3770 (can be overclocked but not intended for that) because I have absolutely no interest in spending my time overclocking. AND, it has more capability than the overclocking version (k), I paid $300 at the time.

For RAM I used the 16Gb kit from Crucial (best price/performance I could find) (8Gb x 2) memory module. 240 pin DIMM, DDR3. This is the very fast 1600 speed low profile memory with exceptional voltage tolerance (1.35v).

Now, for the MotherBoard. I did a lot research on this. I learned that it is the included protocols for all kinds of things that make the difference when it comes to avoiding compatibility issues. Whatever you decide to add on...this board will handle it. I chose the ASRock Z77 extreme9. I paid $300 for it and I am so glad I went with this high end motherboard. It was this motherboard that made my new computer build easy and very successful. Everything went smoothly - no glitches, no problems everything just worked. It is now two years later and this computer has continued to performed flawlessly. Put the money into the Motherboard. You'll be glad you did.

Now, to stay within my budget, I went with the graphics built into the CPU (it'll handle two monitors). I would wait a year to add on a Graphics Card - which was OK.

Next, the Graphics card. I went with Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB GDDR5 DVI-I/DVI-D/HDMI/DP Dual-X with PCI-Express Graphics Card Boost 11230-00-20G for several reasons. While it makes an OK gaming card, the >2 Gb of GRAM was important because of my heavy use of graphs, charts and large spreadsheets. I often run with 40 to 60 graphics windows at the same time. Another reason for choosing this card was I happened to hit a good sale for $149.

I'll spare you the rest of the minutia as this is already quite long. My reason for posting this is to provide the logic and reasoning behind the selections. Good luck with YOUR build.





 
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