Strictly gaming build ~$2,000 ish budget - Followed sticky thread instruction format

[bmwm3oz]

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP - As soon as I can find a GTX 1080
Budget Range: ~$2,000ish Bought $500 monitor today and would like to ideally spend $1,500 on rest of parts but if that's not possible, it's okay to push it to $2K on the rest of the parts. Goal is ultra settings 1440p!
Purpose : Strictly gaming at 1440p
Are you buying a monitor: Yes - Bought today, 27 Inch 1440p 144hz G-Sync
Parts to Upgrade: Everything. Currently own Antec 900 and love it, want something comparable
Do you need to buy OS: Yes
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon, Newegg, don't really care too much
Location: City, State/Region, Country - Seattle
Parts Preferences: GTX 1080, SSD Drive, (Probably no CD-Rom, Haven't used it in years)
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Your Monitor Resolution: 1440p
Additional Comments: Goal is to play latest games at 1440p, including BF4, BF1, GTA 5, ultra settings 144 hz
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Current build is 3 years old, looking to go from 1080p to 1440p! =)!

Also, thank you to this community a million times. Since 2008, you guys have helped me build two computers so far and also helped troubleshoot them as I built them. Definitely thankful for this website and its members.

 

[jtabb1256]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VIII HERO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($203.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($84.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($317.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB STRIX Video Card ($629.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($97.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 750W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1915.20
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-08 00:03 EDT-0400

That cooler is about $90, but doesn't show up for some reason. Kraken x61 is a liquid cooler option.
The 980ti is just there for a price reference.
The mobo is overkill, so you can definitely go cheaper with it.
Also, apparently you can get windows 10 from kinguin for way cheaper, but I'm not sure i trust it.

 

[bmwm3oz]

Thank you, Jtabb.

A couple questions for you if you don't mind.

If I wanted to shave a couple hundred bucks off this build, what parts would be the ones to change?

I'm thinking the SSD. Why is that one so expensive BTW? Is it like insanely fast compared to what most people use today?

I like the rest of the parts. I'll probably change the mobo and SSD to save a bit extra since I already spent $550 on this monitor.

 

[jtabb1256]

Thank you, Jtabb.

A couple questions for you if you don't mind.

If I wanted to shave a couple hundred bucks off this build, what parts would be the ones to change?

I'm thinking the SSD. Why is that one so expensive BTW? Is it like insanely fast compared to what most people use today?

I like the rest of the parts. I'll probably change the mobo and SSD to save a bit extra since I already spent $550 on this monitor.

The 950 pro is nvme and is very fast in benchmarks. Several people say its real world performance isn't that much better than others. If you want to save money, I'd recommend the 850 evo.

Also, you can change the RAM to 2400 cas 15 DDR4. If you want to save even more, you could get 8GB instead of 16.

If you do not want to overclock, you can save money on the CPU cooler. Coolermaster Hyper 212 evo, Cryorig H7, or Noctua NHu14s are my recommendations for that.

Also, there is a cheaper enthoo pro case without a window.

The reason I chose some of these parts is because I thought they would all look cool together, but I can definitely understand wanting to save money.

Update: You may be able to use some of your old parts. Could you list them out here?

 

[sadams04]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($137.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk X400 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($132.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Blue 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card ($533.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX PRO Black Edition 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1577.56

 

[bmwm3oz]

Thanks. I just built my own build using most of your parts (not sure how to link it). Changing out the SSD for a 850 Evo, and a diff cooler for $72.53. Didn't do much to the price honestly. I was looking at mobos but I'm not caught up on what to look for.

LOVE that case by the way. Had the Antec 900 for ten years now and never thought I would change. But, I'm sold.


Edit: On the old parts, my plan is to give the entire thing to my brother. Otherwise, I would.

 

[g-unit1111]

If you're going to be gaming on 1440P with GSync, I would heavily suggest taking a look at an X99 build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6800K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor ($437.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG A80 128.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($124.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI X99A GAMING 7 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($238.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill TridentZ Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($118.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Founders Edition Video Card ($699.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2104.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-08 11:08 EDT-0400

A little over budget but all the newest hardware.

 

[jtabb1256]

Thanks. I just built my own build using most of your parts (not sure how to link it). Changing out the SSD for a 850 Evo, and a diff cooler for $72.53. Didn't do much to the price honestly. I was looking at mobos but I'm not caught up on what to look for.

LOVE that case by the way. Had the Antec 900 for ten years now and never thought I would change. But, I'm sold.


Edit: On the old parts, my plan is to give the entire thing to my brother. Otherwise, I would.

Okay. And it probably did do more for than you thought. The list I had there didn't add in the price of the cooler. Also, unless you want absolute silence, the cryorig h7 or the hyper 212 evo are great cheaper options.

 

[VR PC-BUILD]

Here is the build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($119.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($137.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($600.00)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($600.00)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2098.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-08 12:09 EDT-0400

It can handle 1440p for long time.

 

[Simon Anderson]

In my experience it's worth getting a decent motherboard. I always buy Asus, and sware by them... but then again i've never bought any other brand so I'm sure others are OK too I guess my advise would be don't just write that off as an area you can save money: read a few reviews to find a brand or brands that folks like, then pick a few models from those brand which have the "special" features you want (built in wifi, firewire etc..) then go back and read reviews again for those models. Should be something nice within the $150 - $200 range, like I see the examples above I wouldn't spend less than that.

 

[g-unit1111]

In my experience it's worth getting a decent motherboard. I always buy Asus, and sware by them... but then again i've never bought any other brand so I'm sure others are OK too I guess my advise would be don't just write that off as an area you can save money: read a few reviews to find a brand or brands that folks like, then pick a few models from those brand which have the "special" features you want (built in wifi, firewire etc..) then go back and read reviews again for those models. Should be something nice within the $150 - $200 range, like I see the examples above I wouldn't spend less than that.

Not true anymore. Asus used to be the best, but Asrock, MSI and Gigabyte all make quality motherboards. The only brand I'd still avoid is Biostar. You can definitely spend less on a motherboard if you're not overclocking. If you're overclocking then I agree to spend in that price range. More is overkill, go less and there are some junkers but you will find a few quality ones like the Asrock H170 series. But that is about the sweet spot, maybe $250 on an X99 build.

 

[bmwm3oz]

Weighing my options here. Just returned my monitor that I received last night because it had a huge white circle bleed right in the middle of it.

Now in the market for a monitor again!

Looking forward to finalizing the build by this Sunday! Thanks guys

 

[logainofhades]

As it sounds like you had about $2500 total to play with, for PC and monitor, I used it as a budget, but stayed under it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG A80 128.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($124.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z170 S ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Z400s 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Founders Edition Video Card ($699.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 530 ATX Full Tower Case ($82.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Dell S2716DG 27.0" 144Hz Monitor ($509.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2307.20
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-09 09:47 EDT-0400

 

[bmwm3oz]

Nice build logain. That monitor you listed is the one I returned. It's 479.99 now by the way!

I might consider it again but I'm tempted to go to Frys to see some in person. How much of an effect do you think my GTX 670 Card has on the monitor/quality of picture? In other words, will my new 1080 GtX make the picture a lot better? Or is it pretty minimal?

 

[logainofhades]

Picture quality, I do not think would be horribly different, but your gaming performance would be horrible. The 1080 is far faster, than that card. GTX 670 would be like GTX 950/960 like performance.

 

[bmwm3oz]

In that case, I might have to go IPS even if I suffer from a bit of input lag. That Dell monitor looked really washed out and the viewing angles were worse than most TN models I've seen. I think finding a decent monitor is going to be the most difficult part of this build.

 

[jtabb1256]

In that case, I might have to go IPS even if I suffer from a bit of input lag. That Dell monitor looked really washed out and the viewing angles were worse than most TN models I've seen. I think finding a decent monitor is going to be the most difficult part of this build.

I'm probably going to build a computer for myself this fall, and finding a monitor is pretty tricky for me, too.
I'm considering this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236294

 

[bmwm3oz]

Thanks Jtabb. I'll check that one out.

 

[logainofhades]

A non gsync, IPS monitor would be the cheaper route. I am not convinced that g-sync is worth it.