Building a gaming PC for the 1st time & could use some assistance

jraymondsheil · Mar 20, 2017

Hey all,

I was hoping that I could use your collective expertise to assist me as I begin to build my first gaming PC. I've built out the core elements of it here [permalink: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/PvXwKZ] for review.

All in all, I would love to bring the cost of this down a bit, but understand that you ultimately get what you pay for. Is there anything on here that seems like it might be a little too 'overkill' or anything I could do without? On the flip side, am I forgetting any integral pieces?

Haven't picked monitors yet, but was hoping to look into some multi screen set ups if the budget allows for it.

GamingEnthusiast420 · Mar 20, 2017

Why that motherboard? There are much newer maximus models out there...
And 32 GB of ram????

GamingEnthusiast420 · Mar 20, 2017

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/vvPpM8
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/vvPpM8/by_merchant/

CPU: *Intel Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($327.49 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z270 GAMING PRO CARBON ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($164.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: GeIL EVO X 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($109.45 @ Jet)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($93.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.33 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB Founders Edition Video Card ($698.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair Crystal 460X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($135.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($98.56 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($88.58 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1822.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-03-20 21:35 EDT-0400

jraymondsheil · Mar 20, 2017

I was told that 32gb of RAM would get the job done initially. I plan to have 64gb total, so double up the link that I provided.

No real response for the motherboard. Was reading a ton of forums and that one kept coming back up. From the little information I can gather online, I was under the impression that the motherboard was less integral than the rest of the items and to look for the number of DIM slots and overall size.

GamingEnthusiast420 · Mar 20, 2017

Note: Windows 10 PRO is probably the most useless thing since 128 GB ram came out. Try to avoid it

GamingEnthusiast420 · Mar 20, 2017

jraymondsheil :

While that is true, depending on what you're looking for, its either the most important or the least.

jraymondsheil · Mar 20, 2017

The computer will primarily be for gaming, and then just for miscellaneous day-to-day work related use. I don't think I'll go too far beyond that. Even the games that I'll be playing aren't super demanding, at least for right now. Overwatch requires very little, haha. I just want something that really makes it in lieu of longevity. Do you think the motherboard I selected is a decent, price effective option with that in mind or would you still think an upgrade is of value?

Also, how many of those cooling fans would I really need?

Taking a look at your buildout now. Pretty different than mine. Do you have loyalties to particular brands or anything that I should know when going through?

jraymondsheil · Mar 20, 2017

I'll do Windows Home, not sure why I selected Pro, haha. I haven't used Windows in a long time. Finding my way back over from years of a Mac. Really ready for a PC again, haha.

CRO5513Y · Mar 20, 2017

Looks good to me although i have 3 suggestions. 1) As GamingEnthusiast420 said, 32GB RAM is way more than you need for Gaming unless you do some intense video editing/rendering or want to have upgradeability for a long while yet. 2) Do you specifically need Windows Pro? it offers very little over Home for a Gaming PC it's more for workstation PCs or those just trying to spend as much as possible haha. 3) The cooler is an excellent air cooler but since your on a high budget and buying a overclockable CPU and high-end Z270 board i would recommend grabbing a dual radiator Liquid cooler especially if you are planning some mad overclocking in the future. Hope this helps, build looks good!

GamingEnthusiast420 · Mar 20, 2017

jraymondsheil :

Not really. I guess you could say that I know my way when it comes to brands. Most brands are reliable when they're on PCPP, but there are always a couple sketchy ones that manage to sneak in. If you have any questions just ask.

jraymondsheil · Mar 20, 2017

I really appreciate the response, thank you! I'll be going with Windows Home and will take the 32GB into consideration. I honestly thought that 32GB would be on the low end, but in knowing that it's not, maybe I'll scale down a bit. Do you think that 16GB would suffice with the option to build out more later?

Going to look into dual radiator coolers now - thanks for the suggestion. Any particular one that you've had luck with to use as the standard barer?

IceMyth · Mar 20, 2017

Hi,

This build has everything including a monitor,

Regards,

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($327.49 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Enermax Liqmax II 120 96.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus STRIX Z270-E GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($188.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill TridentZ Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($214.97 @ Jet)
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($139.71 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.33 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 8GB AMP! Edition Video Card ($534.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($98.56 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Corsair SP120 57.2 CFM 120mm Fan ($12.69 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair SP120 57.2 CFM 120mm Fan ($12.69 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor ($249.10 @ Amazon)
Total: $2055.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-03-20 21:47 EDT-0400

GamingEnthusiast420 · Mar 20, 2017

16GB is the gold standard for now and probably the next couple years. Even 8GB will have no problems today.
What do you mean by dual radiators? Are you experimenting with custom cooling?

jraymondsheil · Mar 20, 2017

@gamingenthusiast - the dual radiators was just as suggested above by cro55. Still looking into that now.

GamingEnthusiast420 · Mar 20, 2017

jraymondsheil :

Ahh I see what he means. Something like this:

Yes you should definitely invest in a 240mm water loop, it will keep your rig cool and quiet.

jraymondsheil · Mar 20, 2017

Here's the update. I feel like this is looking better.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rxhzjc

GamingEnthusiast420 · Mar 20, 2017

jraymondsheil :

There are still things to be improved here:
No need for 32 GB Ram
No need for an 850W PSU (650 will do the trick)
Take these out of the equation and you can get a 1080 ti
An SSD would be nice. Putting OS + Online games will make them faster.

Unfortunately I have to leave for now, we can continue where we left off tommorow.

jraymondsheil · Mar 20, 2017

EDIT:

Really appreciate all this help. Additional tweaks based on your notes here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/PBGC9W

jraymondsheil · Mar 20, 2017

Thought about the TI but I don't know if I can wait until late April when the backorders are accounted for! :x

GamingEnthusiast420 · Mar 21, 2017

Very good choice on your new parts. The 100i is a very powerful cooler but any old h60 will do. Not that you shouldn't go with the 100i, but if you want to save some money the h60 will do.
The SSD you picked is SUPER fast, (the fastest to date I believe) but is very expensive (very expensive)
Other than that it looks good. If you want to wait for the 1080ti backorders thats fine, although I should advise that you don't buy a PC yet because when the 1080ti is stable and everything, you will regret having a basic 1080, especially since you can get one now.

jraymondsheil · Mar 21, 2017

GamingEnthusiast420 :

Made some additional changes, now located here! Updating lots based on user feedback, these forums [thanks so much!!] and research in general. [Permalink: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/YFDLHN]

I purchased the Operating System, CPU, storage, CPU cooler & memory today because those were the items that I felt the most confident with.

RE: the video card, are you saying to not buy anything at all until the 1080ti comes out? I am going to be purchasing these items in batches so it doesn't hurt my bank account too hard, so by the time I've purchased everything else, the graphics card that I want should be available. I've updated the permalink with a 1080TI that should price in the wheelhouse of what I'll end up purchasing.

RE: the motherboard that I have selected, I'm reading lots of reviews about it not having enough USB ports, particularly because the cooling system takes most / all of them up. Any suggestions? I hear ASUS is the way to go, but I believe all their models share this problem?

GamingEnthusiast420 · Mar 21, 2017

The reason that I said you may want to wait is because companies are still developing they're own custom editions of the 1080 ti (Asus strix, MSI armor) and that those may be more powerful (not much) and may fit you're theme better. But it won't make much of a difference as long as you have a 1080ti and not a normal 1080.
As for the motherboard, USB slots won't be a concern, especially when you factor in USB ports that are available on your case, monitor and sometimes even keyboards. I personally would have gone with the Maximus IX Apex, but I do alot of Overclocking so thats mostly why.

Other than that, you have yourself a Great part list and I wish you luck

Building a gaming PC for the 1st time & could use some assistance

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