1st Time Builder looking for advice on build

magishine · Nov 2, 2016

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the whole PC building scene and I would love some advice on what I should do.

Approximate Purchase Date: Before the end of the year

Budget Range: $3000 to $4000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Mostly gaming and internet surfing. Maybe a little bit of movie watching

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Parts to Upgrade: All of them

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No real preferences

Location: Lafayette, IN

Parts Preferences: CPU I want an Intel. The rest of the parts I'm open to suggestions

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Your Monitor Resolution: 2560 x 1440

Additional Comments: I mainly play Overwatch, LOL, WoW, GTA V, and Battlefield 1

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My computer is 4 years old and I can't really play anything modern these days without bumping down the graphics settings a lot. Also with some life plans coming up, I won't really have an opportunity to build a machine like this again for some time.

Here is a list of parts I am looking at. Please tell me what you all think. Thanks again

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Corsair H115i 104.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus ROG MAXIMUS VIII HERO ALPHA ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
RAM: G.Skill TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory
SSD: Samsung 950 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Asus ROG STRIX-GTX1070-O8G-GAMING
Case: Corsair 780T ATX Full Tower Case
Case Fans: Corsair Air Series AF140 Red 66.4 CFM 140mm Fan x 3
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 850W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit
Keyboard: Corsair K95 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse
Monitor: Asus PG279Q ROG Swift 27.0" 165Hz Monitor

Links to parts:

CPU: http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=I7-6700KBX&c=CJ
CPU Cooler: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019955RNQ/?tag=pcpapi-20
Motherboard:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132699&cm_re=maximus_Viii_hero_alpha-_-13-132-699-_-Product
RAM: http://www.outletpc.com/es9378-g-skill-f4-3200c16d-16gtzb.html
SSD: http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MZ-V5P512B&c=CJ
Hard Drive: http://www.outletpc.com/ji0939-seagate-st3000dm008-barracuda-3tb-35-7200rpm-inte.html
Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814126109&cm_re=ASUS_ROG_GeForce_GTX_1070_STRIX-GTX1070-O8G-GAMING_8GB_256-Bit_GDDR5_PCI_Express_3.0_HDCP_Ready_Video_Card-_-14-126-109-_-Product
Case: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LA6POK4/?tag=pcpapi-20
Case Fans: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F6S0XL2/?tag=pcpapi-20
PSU: http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=EV-PP850X1&c=CJ
Operating System: https://www.mychoicesoftware.com/products/microsoft-windows-10-professional-license-64-bit?dfw_tracker=14813-22821038279
Keyboard: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014W1Z4S0/?tag=pcpapi-20
Mouse: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002J9GDXI/?tag=pcpapi-20
Monitor: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-27-ips-led-hd-gsync-monitor-black/4854304.p?skuId=4854304&ref=199&loc=8BacdVP0GFs&acampID=1&siteID=8BacdVP0GFs-RD09yJIQ_NSzK2yL7dGtcw

Again thank you all for any help you can give a newbie like me

Isokolon · Nov 2, 2016

looks like a good list. personally I'd go with a 1080 instead of a 1070
and get a decent aircooler instead of the H115i (but that's just preference)

oh and don't get the Corsair Air Series fans. they're mediocre at best. go with Noctua A-14 or any Phanteks fans.

Chugalug_ · Nov 2, 2016

The build can be greatly improved.

I can put in a better water cooler, but if corsair is your preference let me know.
The 950 Pro is definitely overkill though, I recommend a 500GB 850 Evo.
I'll post in a bit.

Chugalug_ · Nov 2, 2016

Top of the line system, I'll post a toned down one in a sec.
I've included two fans for the radiator (HP-14s) as they have great static pressure, and the Silent Wings 3 for case fans because they're really the best you can get in terms of acoustics.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($114.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VIII FORMULA ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($343.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($91.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($157.10 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1080 8GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($629.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1080 8GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($629.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 780T ATX Full Tower Case ($176.34 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($84.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Fractal Design HP14-PWM 78.1 CFM 140mm Fan ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: Fractal Design HP14-PWM 78.1 CFM 140mm Fan ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: be quiet! SilentWings 3 59.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($20.81 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: be quiet! SilentWings 3 59.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($20.81 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: be quiet! SilentWings 3 59.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($20.81 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer XB271HU bmiprz 27.0" 165Hz Monitor ($789.99 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Corsair K70 LUX RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard ($159.99 @ Corsair)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma Wired Optical Mouse ($51.79 @ Newegg)
Total: $3844.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-02 18:42 EDT-0400

ryguybuddy · Nov 2, 2016

Oh man, I love making these expensive builds. Yours can be improved but is pretty good for a beginner!

I have a few questions regarding your build, however:

1. Would you mind custom watercooling? Do you feel up to the task (it isn't as hard as people make it seem)?

2. Do you video edit or do anything CPU-intensive?

3. What resolution do you want to play at?

Thanks for answering and I will make a build as soon as you answer.

Chugalug_ · Nov 2, 2016

Toned down build, best value imo.
You're unlikely to use G-Sync with SLI 1080s in most cases, so i've put in an IPS 1440p 144hz monitor without G-Sync for $200 less, swapped out the LED RAM for non-LED, and lowered the SSD storage to 250GB which is pretty much standard.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($114.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VIII HERO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($204.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($94.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1080 8GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($629.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1080 8GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($629.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 780T ATX Full Tower Case ($176.34 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($84.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Fractal Design HP14-PWM 78.1 CFM 140mm Fan ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: Fractal Design HP14-PWM 78.1 CFM 140mm Fan ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: be quiet! SilentWings 3 59.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($20.81 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: be quiet! SilentWings 3 59.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($20.81 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: be quiet! SilentWings 3 59.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($20.81 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus MG279Q 27.0" 144Hz Monitor ($549.99 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Corsair K70 LUX RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard ($159.99 @ Corsair)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma Wired Optical Mouse ($51.79 @ Newegg)
Total: $3386.11
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-02 18:48 EDT-0400

Chugalug_ · Nov 2, 2016

If you don't feel confident assembling this, I know as a first time building i'd be very intimidated with this; ask a local PC store to assemble it for you at a small fee, but I think its all part of the experience, and if anything you should build it yourself and exchange PMs or thread messages on steps on how to assemble it.

magishine · Nov 2, 2016

ryguybuddy :

Hi,

Thank you for answering,I don't think I'm up to doing a custom watercooling unit just yet. I'm already nervous enough putting this all together

Besides gaming, no I don't do anything really CPU-Intensive

]I would like to play at 2K so 2560 x 1440?

Thank you for any help you can give

ryguybuddy · Nov 2, 2016

magishine :

ryguybuddy :

Hi,

Thank you for answering,I don't think I'm up to doing a custom watercooling unit just yet. I'm already nervous enough putting this all together

Besides gaming, no I don't do anything really CPU-Intensive

]I would like to play at 2K so 2560 x 1440?

Thank you for any help you can give

OK.

At this point I have to recommend Chugalug's build. I would have made a very similar if not same build.

magishine · Nov 2, 2016

Chugalug_ :

Wow SLI on two 1080's...I'll be able to play everything under the sun for about 5 years lol.

I've heard there is a new Kraken CPU Cooler coming soon. Do you think it might be worth it to wait and see how that one is?

Why Corsair for the RAM? Just curious. I've heard good things about their memory.

Also why the Acer monitor? Again, heard really good things about that one too

Thank you for your suggestions. I'll do some more reading and see if this is the way to go. Honestly, I love this build you made

ryguybuddy · Nov 2, 2016

magishine :

Chugalug_ :

Wow SLI on two 1080's...I'll be able to play everything under the sun for about 5 years lol.

I've heard there is a new Kraken CPU Cooler coming soon. Do you think it might be worth it to wait and see how that one is?

Why Corsair for the RAM? Just curious. I've heard good things about their memory.

Also why the Acer monitor? Again, heard really good things about that one too

Thank you for your suggestions. I'll do some more reading and see if this is the way to go. Honestly, I love this build you made

The new Kraken X62 is out but doesn't show in PCPP ATM so he can't add it w/ out a custom part.

Corsair RAM is pretty high quality but all RAM is kinda the same.

Acer is a good company for monitors, i guess.

Chugalug_ · Nov 2, 2016

Take a look at the builds i've listed above and get back to me.
I'd still go with a 6700k due to the higher clock speeds and more threads which should help with SLI 1080s.

ryguybuddy · Nov 2, 2016

Chugalug_ :

Yes, I agree. Although a i7-6700k bottlenecks Titan X(P) in SLI....

still fine though.

Niklas_13 · Nov 2, 2016

for 3 to 4 K I would shy away from a i7 6700K and go more 6 or 8 core for the long run of things

Chugalug_ · Nov 2, 2016

I wouldn't say so, the extra clock speeds offered over an x99 counterpart still offer far better performance over say a 5820k.
An i7 won't bottleneck SLI 1080s at all, nothing to worry about.
The extra threads won't be utilized regardless until much later down the line, we're talking 3 years time at least.

magishine · Nov 2, 2016

Chugalug_ :

I'm very interested in your high end build. For now, I think I'll go with one 1080 and then down the road get the 2nd one but depending on how Black Friday and Cyber Monday goes I may be able to get awesome deals on the rest of the parts and could swing the 2nd 1080. I'll need to read up more on the monitor since I'm a bit weary of Acer but again I've heard really good things about their high end monitors.

Chugalug_ · Nov 2, 2016

The only issues with Acer monitors I've had are with the PG278Q, which is notorious for heavy backlight bleed even today, and the PG279Q.
Both of these have poor QC in my experience as I run a small shop and have had a tonne of returns on these monitors specifically.
There is an identical Acer option for a few bucks more: http://pcpartpicker.com/product/sqp323/acer-monitor-xf270hu

magishine · Nov 2, 2016

Chugalug_ :

I do like the one Acer you posted

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/ttnG3C/acer-monitor-xb271hubmiprz

The reviews are solid so I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for this monitor as well. May have to make a trip to Fry's and see the monitor in person so I can compare

Chugalug_ · Nov 2, 2016

Yeah, I own one, it looks great and the backlight bleed is very minimal, not noticeable at all in use which is especially impressive given that I just played through the Metro Redux series.

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