First build - what am I missing here?

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ehoeck

Commendable
Feb 10, 2017
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1,510
Hi Tom's!

So as far back I can remember and until I was around 14 I found computers incredibly fascinating. I have no idea what happened, but since then I got a mac, played games on console, and only occasionally have I been able to run new-ish games on potato settings in BootCamp.
Almost 10 years later, 5 years of university education is finally paying off and I have some money to spend on a proper gaming computer. And, in the spirit of rekindling my 14-year old pc enthusiast, I have decided to go ahead and build it myself - however! I have never done this before... So, the parts are on the way now, and beyond what is listed below, I have a screwdriver, velcro ties and zip ties - Are there anything I am missing? Cables? I just have this feeling "It can't be that simple, you're overlooking something crucial, dumbass!"...

The case I am aiming at will be the Corsair Crystal Series 460X RGB:
http://www.corsair.com/en-au/crystal-series-460x-rgb-compact-atx-mid-tower-case

Rest of build:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Ymg6m8

CPU
- Intel I7-7700K

Cooling
- Corsair H100i v2

GPU
- Asus GeForce GTX 1080 8GB ROG STRIX (A8G)

Motherboard:
- Asus MAXIMUS IX CODE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

RAM:
- Corsair Dominator Platinum 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2666

Storage:
- Samsung 960 Evo 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive

Optical drive:
- Corsair RMx 850W 80+
Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader

Thanks for your time, I have learned alot from scouring the forums, but the chipset is new, I am new, and the "how to build pc" post was updated last in 2012 - since I am spending on the bad side of $2000 on this build I thought I would consult with somebody before I start tinkering. Hope I am not breaking any rules and such.
 
Solution
Eximo
Intel chips will automatically shut off if they hit 100C. So if the pump fails, you just won't be able to use it until you get a new cooler.

You could easily get away with a 550W power supply if you don't intend to overclock.

Memory speed isn't that critical, and neither is having 32GB if you don't use that much. 8GB is almost enough these days, so a sensible plan for the future is 16GB. You can always add more later if necessary.

You've set yourself up for quite the light show. I went with a black/white build so the LEDs could change to any color without clashing. Works pretty well, though I've not been a big fan of having a side panel window. I may still pick up a plain panel and turn off the LEDs, is good for monitoring the fan...
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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Jul 27, 2011
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It's a decent start but I think you have way too many Corsair products. I would change a few things up - mainly ditching the liquid cooler and going for a higher end air cooler. I would do something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($349.38 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS IX HERO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($232.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill TridentZ RGB 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($147.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Superclocked Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card ($594.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Crystal 460X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.89 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($92.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2021.16
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-02-10 16:38 EST-0500
 
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Eximo

Eximo

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Not that I am one to talk, since I have the Corsair RMx 850W, and that exact CPU/GPU, but an 850W supply is a little overkill for a single GPU system. (I do have a full water cooling loop and 7 140mm fans and have overclocked everything but the memory, so I have a little justification)

Nothing wrong with the ASUS GPU or Corsair memory. I didn't go with dominator platinum. Overclocking memory just doesn't seem worth it. Those G.Skill Tridents or Corsair Vengeance LPX are enough in the 3000-3200 range.

If there is any intention of overclocking, a slightly larger cooler might be advisable. H100i v2 isn't a bad choice, but there are other options.
 
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Eximo

Eximo

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Since the case is 'crystal' clear. May want to focus on as many matching components as possible.

ASUS Strix GPU would proably match better than the ACX3.0 SC (It only lights up white)

Samsung Drive is a nice red/black and it will be easily visible with a liquid cooler. The noctua would stand out a bit without some replacement fans.
 
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E

ehoeck

Commendable
Feb 10, 2017
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1,510


Thank you for your response!
Except from budget, where do you think I will feel the impact of having this many Corsair products? Will the 16gb G.Skill memory be better than 32 GB Corsair? What about the power supply is better?

I understand your view on the H100i, but for me the choice was based on aesthetics - I feel like the air coolers are clunky and will impact the overall look of the build, and on the other hand I will probably not be pushing the processor too hard anyway.
 
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Eximo

Eximo

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Do you know what color you are going for? The Code board has some red highlights, while the Strix and Hero boards are more gray with RGB. Could easily pick out some red memory, even LED lit memory. (I don't think the RGB memory has hit the streets yet, it was at CES though)
 
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E

ehoeck

Commendable
Feb 10, 2017
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1,510

Yeah I thought so, but this being the first build I thought I better not spend $2000 on gear and not have the PSU to run it haha



Mostly took them for the looks. From what I can gather, ram speed will not have a significant impact of what I do. I could be wrong

fa5.jpg




Probably will use some of the presets, but nothing beyond that. Is there a failsafe if the CPU runs so hot the cooling cant keep up, or will I die?


 
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E

ehoeck

Commendable
Feb 10, 2017
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1,510


The Code is all black/grey - the red you saw was the RGB lights.
I believe Corsair will make a kit available to add RGB lights to the RAM when they are ready.
I haven't really decided on a color, but being all RGB, I don't really have to decide just yet
 
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Eximo

Eximo

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Intel chips will automatically shut off if they hit 100C. So if the pump fails, you just won't be able to use it until you get a new cooler.

You could easily get away with a 550W power supply if you don't intend to overclock.

Memory speed isn't that critical, and neither is having 32GB if you don't use that much. 8GB is almost enough these days, so a sensible plan for the future is 16GB. You can always add more later if necessary.

You've set yourself up for quite the light show. I went with a black/white build so the LEDs could change to any color without clashing. Works pretty well, though I've not been a big fan of having a side panel window. I may still pick up a plain panel and turn off the LEDs, is good for monitoring the fan speed and pump noise while I tinker though.
 
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Solution
g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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Jul 27, 2011
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32GB of RAM is overkill on a gaming rig. Even the most high end games won't use more than 8GB. I generally prefer G. Skill over Corsair.

Air coolers may not be as aesthetically pleasing, but they're far less likely to fail on you than a CLL will. There's no CLL on the market that's 100% effective, and most will fail after about a year or so. Defective pumps are usually the culprit. Having a strong air fan is generally safer and will not fail on you.

Mostly took them for the looks. From what I can gather, ram speed will not have a significant impact of what I do. I could be wrong
Click to expand...

It will when you start getting into higher level overclocking. The faster RAM speeds allow for a smoother overclock when you move beyond 5 GHz.
 
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Eximo

Eximo

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My h80i has been running for years now cooling an i7-950 and before that my i7-4770k.

The late model Corsair's use that new Asetek design which is actually pretty good compared to the older ones. Heck they offer a 5 year warranty.

You can get some pretty snazzy air coolers. Noctua just decides to keep making brown fans for reasons... There are the Phanteks models that are fairly comparable and come in all kinds of colors. Nothing stopping you from replacing the fans on them either.

I have an Evo 212 with Corsair SP 120 in push/pull on my i7-4770k right now.

 
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