All Components are DDR4 except the GPU, which is GDDR5. Is this a problem?

WhiteReaper777

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Jun 2, 2017
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Here is the build I want to build:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/7NZKVY

The mobo and the memory are DDR4, but the GPU is GDDR5. I'm new to building computers and this will be my first one. I know it says there are no compatibility issues but I would still like to know if I am wasting money on this or not getting the best performance possible for my money because of the difference in memory type.

The more detailed answers the better, because I'd like to know what I'm talking about when I explain things to my boyfriend, whom is letting me do this entire process alone but still wants the best product possible.
 
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As far as the memory types are concerned, the RAM's memory type (DDR4) is in no way related to the GPU's memory...


As far as the memory types are concerned, the RAM's memory type (DDR4) is in no way related to the GPU's memory type (GDDR5). They are completely different things, so, they don't have to match.

Now, as far as your question "but I would still like to know if I am wasting money on this" for the other components in your partslist, allow me to give you some detailed answers on specific components in your list that you can modify:

CPU and Motherboard:
Though the CPU you selected (Intel Core i7-6700) will be physically compatible with the motherboard you picked (Msi Z170A Gaming M5), you will be paying for features that you cannot use. The "Z170" motherboards are intended to be used for overclocking, such that, an unlocked (i.e., overclockable) CPU should be pair with it to use such feature. Overclockable Intel CPUs are the ones with the "K"-suffix at the end (e.g., i5-6600K, i7-6700K). But such CPUs do not come with a stock cooler, so you have to spend some money on those.

If this PC is not intended to be overclocked, it is more logical (and budget-friendly) to pair that locked (i.e., non-overclockable) i7-6700 CPU with a non-overclockable motherboard. These non-overclockable motherboards are the "H110", "B150", or "H170" motherboards. This way, you save more money. Locked CPUs come with a stock cooler already.

The i7-6700 is also an older (6th) generation CPU. The new (7th) generation is the i7-7700, which is slightly faster. More often than not, I find in the stores that the price of the new i7-7700 is close to the price of the older i7-6700. So, price/performance-wise, it will serve you well to get the latest i7, instead of the older one, if the price is almost the same.

If you get the new (7th) generation, locked, non-overclockable i7-7700, then, the best motherboard to pair it with is also the new-generation non-overclockable motherboards which are the "B250" or the "H270". If you get the overclockable i7-7700K, then, the motherboard to pair it with would be the new "Z270".

My recommendation is to get the i7-7700 CPU and a B250 Motherboard (to replace the i7-6700 CPU and the Z170 Motherboard you initially selected).

RAM:
The 2133MHz speed of the RAM you selected is the lowest (default) speed for DDR4 memory. If this PC is intended to be overclocked (i.e., going for that Z170 Motherboard which is overclockable), it is best to get a RAM that has overclockable speeds (e.g., 3000MHz or 3200MHz). If this PC is not intended to be overclocked, such as my recommendation for the i7-7700 CPU and B250 Motherboard above, then, the maximum non-overclocked speed for DDR4 RAM that you can get is 2400MHz. Price of the 2133MHz versus the 2400MHz is close to none.

My recommendation is to get the DDR4-2400MHz RAM modules (same 2x8GB capacity) to pair with my recommended CPU and Motherboard above.

PSU:
The 750W PSU is way too much for the parts you listed. The EVGA NEX750 is also not good in terms of quality and warranty. It is also already discontinued. You can save more money for better performance by getting a good quality PSU that has ample wattage for the PC. I would recommend getting a ~550W PSU, which is still more than enough for your parts, such as the affordable Seasonic M12II-520 EVO or the Corsair CX550M, or if budget allows, the EVGA SuperNOVA G3 550 or the Seasonic G-550. These suggested PSU's have better quality and longer warranty than the EVGA NEX750.

Wireless Network Adapter:
You can get a faster Wi-Fi card that can support faster speeds. The card you selected only supports up to 802.11 n. Faster speed is the 802.11 ac.

Suggested parts list to modify your $1103 build into a $1015 (savings of ~$88) for better compatibility and price/performance:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($294.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI - B250 PC MATE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($88.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Team - Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($107.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB AMP! Edition Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Deepcool - TESSERACT SW ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($92.99 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte - GC-WB867D-I PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1015.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-05 08:28 EDT-0400

 
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