Build advice for Animation/Rendering/Gaming Desktop

Embrust

Honorable
Oct 21, 2013
19
0
10,510
Hey all, I'm looking to get some help with a PC that I'll be building soon. I'd greatly appreciate any advice/assistance.


Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as possible, I'd prefer to order parts this week.

Budget Range: $1500 total, I don't want to go over this limit, but if there's something that I'm missing that would make this build a lot better, I'm open to the possibility.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Animation, rendering, watching movies, browsing the Internet, and gaming.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes.

Parts to Upgrade: This is a fresh build, so everything.

Do you need to buy OS: No.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon firstly because I have Prime, then Newegg.

Location: Tri-Cities, Tennessee, US.

Parts Preferences: I prefer Intel CPUs and Nvidia GPUs, but I really just want durable, reliable parts.

Overclocking: Maybe, more on the "no" side than "yes."

SLI or Crossfire: No.

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I'm looking to have a white/teal theme with this build, but it won't hurt me to have some black thrown in as well. I'll need a case with a window, and overall I'd like the build to be quiet, but as long as it isn't making tons of noise it should be fine.

Programs/Games that I'll be running:

  • Autodesk Maya
    Mentalray/Renderman (rendering capabilities)
    Photoshop (Adobe CC in general)
    Unreal Engine

    Skyrim
    Elder Scrolls Online
    Etc.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Graduating with a degree in 3D Animation soon, so I want to have something that I can do professional work on. I've been using the department's computers so far, so it's time to get one of my own.

Also, I put together a build myself so I'll list the parts below, but I'm not too confident in my PC building skills, since this is my first one. Let me know what you all think.

CPU:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012M8LXQW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER ] Intel Core i7 6700K 4.00 GHz Unlocked Quad Core Skylake Desktop Processor, Socket LGA 1151 [BX80662I76700K] [/url]

CPU cooler:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005O65JXI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2EUTVCJXLAJ4K ] Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2) [/url]

Motherboard:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012NH05UW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER ] ASUS Z170-A ATX DDR4 Motherboards [/url]

Memory/RAM:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014UYPEXE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER ] Corsair LPX 32GB DRAM 3000MHz C15 Memory Kit for DDR4 Systems [/url]

Storage:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AAKZRP2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A23NVCSO4PYH3S ] Samsung 750 EVO - 250GB - 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-750250BW) [/url]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FJRS628/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER ] WD Black 2TB Performance Desktop Hard Disk Drive - 7200 RPM SATA 6 Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch - WD2003FZEX [/url]

GPU:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IR5MR32/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER ] PNY GeForce GTX 1060 6GB Graphics Card - (VCGGTX10606PB) [/url]

PSU:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0092ML0OC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_10?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER ] Corsair CX Series, CX600, 600 Watt (600W) Power Supply, 80+ Bronze Certified [/url]

Case:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006I2H04I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER ] NZXT Phantom 410 Mid Tower USB 3.0 Gaming Case - White [/url]

Monitor:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BV1PWJU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER ] LG 27MP58VQ-P 27-Inch IPS Monitor with Screen Split [/url]

Other:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J5F11LM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_11?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AOKE1QN9G0NQD ] Rayhoo Computer RGB LED Light Strip with Remote control, RGBW LED Light Flexible Lamp Strip DC 12V for PC Computer Case, 2*50cm [/url]


Total: $1471.50
 
Solution
MB + CPU- Since you are not sold on overclocking or SLI, look toward something more like the build below on the B150 or H170 chipset. Four memory slots is desired for upgrade options.
CPU COOLER - When not overclocking, the aftermarket CPU cooler is not needed.
MEM - Always install modules in matching pairs to take advantage of the dual memory controllers. A single module will have you in single channel mode (reduced performance).
GPU - Upgraded to the GTX 1070
PSU - XFX, Seasonic, the EVGA G2 lineup or filter through the Tier 1 or Tier 2 list. The Corsair CX you listed is OK at best... www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html
MONITOR - Note the 2k display instead of the 1k.

PCPartPicker part list / Price...

Wilhem991

Reputable
Sep 15, 2016
163
1
4,765
Just one thing on your parts list that i do not like and would change. Video card... The thing is you have reliable parts on your list and PNY Video card. I do not say that it would not last you but you should buy some quality with all the other parts.
Lets say this video card:
https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GAMING-GeForce-GTX-1060/dp/B01IEKYD5U/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1474373258&sr=1-1&keywords=MSI+GeForce+GTX+1060+DirectX+12+GTX+1060+GAMING+X+6G

It is the same gpu but Video card in total is better.


For power supply i am thinking that Corsair TX series is way better. I have it, i did take advice from this thread http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1796899/psu-corsair.html

I suggest you do the same. You will not regret. I have TX650W for more than 4 years by now and never had any issues with it.

This is my opinion on this build. For saving some money i would suggest maybe take 1 stick of ram and when you get some money take another one.
 
MB + CPU- Since you are not sold on overclocking or SLI, look toward something more like the build below on the B150 or H170 chipset. Four memory slots is desired for upgrade options.
CPU COOLER - When not overclocking, the aftermarket CPU cooler is not needed.
MEM - Always install modules in matching pairs to take advantage of the dual memory controllers. A single module will have you in single channel mode (reduced performance).
GPU - Upgraded to the GTX 1070
PSU - XFX, Seasonic, the EVGA G2 lineup or filter through the Tier 1 or Tier 2 list. The Corsair CX you listed is OK at best... www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html
MONITOR - Note the 2k display instead of the 1k.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($304.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($77.12 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX300 275GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Blue 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC GAMING Video Card ($414.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black/Blue) ATX Mid Tower Case ($81.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer K272HULbmiidp 27.0" 60Hz Monitor ($301.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1466.00
 
Solution