Building a New Gaming PC ($800-$950) 2016-2017

Vorzo · Oct 13, 2016

Hey guys...
So its my first time building my own PC. I've already watched/read tutorials, reviews and things like basic computer knowledge. However I would still like to ask your suggestions, advice and general opinion about my build and possibly how to improve it.

Approximate Purchase Date: The following 3-6 months

Budget Range: $800-$950

Main Purposes:
Mostly Gaming, along with some academic work (MS Word, Researching, etc.) as well as everyday browsing on the internet.

Parts Not Required:
Monitor: Will be re-using my monitor from my old pre-built PC
(Samsung SyncMaster P2250 - 1920x1080)
HDD: Already listed above, also re-using from my old PC
OS: Windows 10 Pro already on my HDD

My Current Build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212X 82.9 CFM CPU Cooler
Thermal Compound: Noctua NT-H1 3.5g Thermal Paste
Motherboard: Asus H170M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: MSI Radeon RX 480 8GB GAMING X Video Card
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-10-13 08:21 EDT-0400

Additional Comments:
Any advice is appreciated, I'm trying not to make any mistakes in building my PC so that I won't regret using up my money on it later on. Thanks for the help!

ComputerSecurityGuy · Oct 13, 2016

Looks good. I would spend more for 16GB of RAM, though, these days, even though RAM has gone up again.

hdmark · Oct 13, 2016

looks solid to me! only thing i would suggest would be bumping the ram to 16gb if you can, and potentially getting a 250gb ssd. Neither would be required, but both are nice to have

superninja12 · Oct 13, 2016

this is a better build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($196.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus H170M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($109.17 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB GAMING Video Card ($249.99 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $884.10
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-10-13 09:04 EDT-0400

not much off your original build.
- higher quality MODULAR psu , handy with tight cases.
- stronger gpu
- cpu cooler -> the 212 is a pain too install and however it cools 2-3c better this one is just as quiet and way easier to install.
( if u can find the h7 for around 35 dollars defenetly get it http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2768727/cryorig-hyper-212-evo-killer.html)
- u need a 250gb ssd for main programs to install on 120 is just too short ( add 1tb hdd later its plug and play)

great build don't forget the antivirus

Vorzo · Oct 13, 2016

superninja12 :

this is a better build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($196.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus H170M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($109.17 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB GAMING Video Card ($249.99 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $884.10
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-10-13 09:04 EDT-0400

not much off your original build.
- higher quality MODULAR psu , handy with tight cases.
- stronger gpu
- cpu cooler -> the 212 is a pain too install and however it cools 2-3c better this one is just as quiet and way easier to install.
( if u can find the h7 for around 35 dollars defenetly get it http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2768727/cryorig-hyper-212-evo-killer.html)
- u need a 250gb ssd for main programs to install on 120 is just too short ( add 1tb hdd later its plug and play)

great build don't forget the antivirus

Alright thanks for the input, sadly the CPU cooler isn't available here. But will look into your suggestions.

King Dranzer · Oct 13, 2016

Here is the build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($196.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus B150 PRO GAMING/AURA ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($91.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($72.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB ACX 3.0 Video Card ($394.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Core 2300 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $956.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-10-13 09:12 EDT-0400

hdmark · Oct 13, 2016

^^^^^^ that build

Vorzo · Oct 13, 2016

ComputerSecurityGuy :

Hmm, since my Motherboard has 4 DIMM slots, will it be okay to upgrade when its already necessary to, like say buying another pair of Corsair Vengeance LPX? Because as for now I'm trying to save where I can just to get it started.

Vorzo · Oct 13, 2016

King Dranzer :

Hmm, I see. Thanks for the suggestions. It's quite unfortunate though that not all those parts are available here. And if I may ask, what features do I lose if I chose a B150 Motherboard instead of the H170? Also, I prefer having a small form factor case, and a mATX because my PC will be sitting on my desk with limited space.

superninja12 · Oct 13, 2016

absolutely

and tbh 8gb is plenty.. also u dont even need an aftermarket cooler , you get a nice stock cooler that isn't even that loud...

King Dranzer · Oct 13, 2016

For your budget you are getting complete build for which there will be no need of upgrade for a very long time.

superninja12 · Oct 13, 2016

you will lose a m.2 slot thats basically it. (m.2 is the new hard drive storage option or wifi or bluetooth.. or gps..

King Dranzer · Oct 13, 2016

Vorzo :

The board I went for has all the features of H170 board you provided. Some B150 boards have 2 RAM slots but this B150 board has 4 RAM slots and 6 SATA 6GB/s Slots.

There is no need of CPU cooler for non K CPU as they come with CPU cooler in the package. That cooler is good enough.

Vorzo · Oct 13, 2016

King Dranzer :

I see, but even if that's the case, as I prefer having a small form factor build, and mATX is preferable. Its going to be sitting on my desk with limited space. Any suggestions for that? (Also I read that the GTX 1070 is more towards DX11 while the RX 480 towards DX 12. Is it logical to assume that the RX 480 will be better for future use, when a lot of games are already DX12?)

King Dranzer · Oct 13, 2016

That case is very thin less than 200mm only bit tall width and depth no problem so it will not consume the space as much as you imagine it to. In fact it consumes less space than some mini towers for example the one you listed will practically consume more space than this one.

King Dranzer · Oct 13, 2016

Nope it is wrong information. The performance difference between them is a huge one you will easily get 20-25fps gain. For 1080p GTX1070 is best suited.

Vorzo · Oct 13, 2016

King Dranzer :

Alright, thanks man! Hopefully my budget can include the GTX 1070, but if not, is the RX 480 an option to consider, or shall I look elsewhere?

King Dranzer · Oct 13, 2016

Where do you live?

Try getting i5-6500 and GTX1070 combo

Vorzo · Oct 13, 2016

superninja12 :

Okay, will remove the cooler and thermal paste for now, hopefully my CPU won't overheat (But I could always buy them). Anyways thanks!

Vorzo · Oct 13, 2016

King Dranzer :

I currently live in the Philippines because my father had to temporarily move here for his job, so my only trustworthy option right now is from dynaquestpc.com, which as you may observe has limited options.

Vorzo · Oct 13, 2016

King Dranzer :

In getting the GTX 1070, which aftermarket brand should I go for? MSI Gaming X, Zotac Founder's Edition or Zotac's AMP?
https://dynaquestpc.com/?orderby=price&s=gtx+1070&post_type=product

King Dranzer · Oct 13, 2016

Your budget

ScrewySqrl · Oct 13, 2016

King Dranzer :

which is typical for something with a over $100 cost differential. if you are at 1080p the 480 is plenty to keep 60fps, and much cheaper than a 1070. at 1440p, the 1070 is better, but the 480 can run most things pretty well. (40-60 fps, sometimes turning off AA)

Vorzo · Oct 13, 2016

ScrewySqrl :

Oh, thanks for the info! I'll be playing at 1080p and trying to keep a low budget, in that case, would the RX 480 be optimal/a better decision?

King Dranzer · Oct 13, 2016

Nope RX480 is no good at 1080p

Here is the list of games in which RM480 is giving less than 60fps.

Here is the list of games in which RM480 will give 60fps or less because test setup consists of i7-6700K@4.5GHz and OP has i5-6500.

This big list of games are not able to provide 60fps at ultra settings and it will get worse in coming time.

Building a New Gaming PC ($800-$950) 2016-2017

Commendable

Admirable

Distinguished

Glorious

Commendable

Splendid

Distinguished

Commendable

Commendable

Glorious

Splendid

Glorious

Splendid

Commendable

Splendid

Splendid

Commendable

Splendid

Commendable

Commendable

Commendable

Splendid

Champion

Commendable

Splendid

Share this page