Is This A Good Gaming Build? [ ANY SUGGESTIONS :)? ]

Azaren

Prominent
Jun 27, 2017
48
0
530
I'd like to know if I can play games in a way that it's smooth and doesn't lag atleast at Medium settings. I have a laptop with 740M GPU, etc, but it's overheating and I'm not liking it so I'm selling it and probably going to build this PC. I just want to see if you guys can tell me if I can improve on this build or change something, how good it is for 2017 games nowadays, etc :)

Intel - Core i5-7500 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
ARCTIC - Alpine 11 GT Rev. 2 28.6 CFM CPU Cooler
Asus - PRIME H270-PLUS-CSM ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory
Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB SC GAMING Video Card
Corsair - 100R ATX Mid Tower Case ( Don't know if I'm staying with this, might change it... )
EVGA - 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply

The build holds around 300W I believe, I got a 600W PSU just to be safe. I'd also like some suggestions of what Tower Case I could get where there is a lot of air flow and for the parts to stay cool :)!

OR

AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor [ Changed from AMD Ryzen 5 1500X ]
MSI B350M PRO-VDH
MSI GTX 1060 6GB [ Changed from GTX 1070 8GB, I think the price was too much :/ ]
Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory
Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Fractal Design - Define Mini C with Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case [ Changed from VIVO01 ]
EVGA - 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply [ Changed too ]

Thanks and have a nice day :)
 
Solution

MerrJ0210

Commendable
Jan 22, 2017
71
0
1,660
The second build is for sure better, due to the cpu being unlocked and have better capabilities at tasks other than gaming. Only issue is ram spees, make sure it's high.

The 1070 will be fit for 1440p gaming whilst the 1060 is perfect for 1080p.

I would steer clear from the EVGA PSU as a fair few people have had a bad track record, although I haven't personally used them for a few years.
 


The build you made above would cost you around $1105:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-7500 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($187.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC - Alpine 11 GT Rev. 2 28.6 CFM CPU Cooler ($7.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME H270-PLUS-CSM ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($108.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($58.80 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.44 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB SC GAMING Video Card ($599.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Corsair - 100R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.34 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA - 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.89 @ B&H)
Total: $1105.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-27 19:04 EDT-0400

Here are my thoughts on your above build:

An Intel i5-7500 CPU + a GTX 1060-6GB GPU is a very powerful high-end pairing that can handle 1080p/60Hz gaming at Very High settings at very acceptable frame rates (even at Ultra settings in some games that are not too GPU-intensive). Smoothness/response time is generally determined by your monitor-GPU synchronization technology on the frames the monitor can display versus the frames that your GPU can output at a given resolution.

The EVGA GTX 1060-6GB model you selected is a single-fan GPU (usually used in mini-ITX builds for lack of space inside the case). It would be better for noise and thermal heat dissipation if you select a dual-fan model of the same chip. As mentioned, the GTX 1060-6GB is a top-of-the-line GPU for 1080p/60Hz gaming. If your monitor is either a 1440p/60Hz or a 1080p/120Hz, then, consider a much beefier GPU such as the GTX 1070. If your monitor is much more powerful, either a 1440p/120Hz or a 1080p/144Hz, then, look no further down below than a GTX 1080.

Note that the i5-7500 is a locked CPU (cannot be overclocked) and has 4 cores and 4 threads (no hyperthreading technology). Nowadays, games are starting to optimize and use more cores (and threads) than before. So, consider this for longevity of your chosen CPU. An Intel build, at this point in time, an i7 (with 4 cores and 8 threads) is starting to be the norm for CPU even in gaming as the i5 is beginning to lose its beef, esp. with the recently-released AMD Ryzen CPUs (see my recommended build below) that are hyperthreaded and overclockable, for a much lower cost, that gives the i5 a run for its money.

If you want to stick with Intel, take a long look ahead if you plan to overclock or not. As the choice of CPU and motherboard would be critical when starting a new build.

If you do intend to OC on an Intel platform, you should get either an i5-7600K or an i7-7700K CPU and pair that with a Z270-chipset motherboard. The motherboard you selected (H270-chipset) does not support overclocking should you get any of those two OC'able CPUs in the future. Note that unlocked/OC'able CPUs do not have an included stock CPU Cooler, so, you'll need to purchase an aftermarket CPU Cooler for that.

If you do not intend to OC on an Intel platform, your current i5-7500 CPU is 'okay' (recommended though is the i7-7700). You can get a better price/performance by just selecting a B250-chipset motherboard (instead of the H270). All Intel locked/non-OC'able CPUs does have an included sotck CPU Cooler in the box, which, if you want to save costs, will be sufficient (though not as good-performing and nice-looking).

You can get a much better-performing CPU Cooler that is affordable compared to the one you selected (esp. if you are going to OC).

The 8GB RAM capacity is considered as bare minimum today. 16GB is the norm (recommended). As to the number of modules you should get, it is also highly recommended to get a 2-stick kit, instead of just a single stick (and adding one later on). The 2-stick kit takes advantage of the motherboard's dual-channel memory speeds (significant in most games) and also eliminates the probability of RAM stick incompatibilities as the 2 sticks sold as a pair in a kit were tested to work together. For a locked CPU/non-OC'able motherboard, your choice of the 2400MHz speed is good (as it is the max. the B250 motherboard can support). For an unlocked CPU/OC'able motherboard, consider getting a faster RAM speed such as 3000MHz or 3200MHz.

The 600W PSU is way too much for your system listed above. Increasing the wattage rating does not necessarily translate to "safer" power supply. It is the build-quality (components used, efficiency, and reliability) that determines whether a PSU is good/safe/stable than the actual wattage it can provide. With your intially-selected i5-7500 + GTX 1060-6GB, a good-quality 450W PSU is more than enough to power your entire rig. A good-quality ~550W PSU would give you more headroom for future upgrades and better efficiency.

If you budget still permits, consider also getting an SSD to pair with your HDD. The SSD can be used as your System Drive (where the OS and applications are installed). It will dramatically reduce boot up and loading times (but no performance difference during gameplay).

Here are modified parts list (from your initial Intel build), to get better price/performance (assuming you really prefer Intel):

OPTION 1 (Intel Build - with no intention to overclock): At ~$1040

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($292.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - M9i 48.4 CFM CPU Cooler ($26.97 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B250M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($67.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team - Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($107.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial - MX300 275GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($97.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.44 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PNY - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Case: Thermaltake - Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1037.11
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-27 19:15 EDT-0400

OPTION 2 (Intel Build - with intention to overclock): At ~$1090

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($326.49 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! - Dark Rock 3 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($64.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z270M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($113.45 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.44 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PNY - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Case: Thermaltake - Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1092.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-27 19:20 EDT-0400

Here is a much recommended parts list to take a closer look at, this time using the AMD Ryzen CPU/platform (if you are open to using this instead of Intel), for the reasons I mentioned in my thoughts above:

OPTION 3 (AMD Ryzen Build - with possibility to overclock, but may choose not to): At ~$1060

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350M Pro4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.44 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Dual Series Video Card ($463.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design - Define Mini C with Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1059.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-27 19:25 EDT-0400

The Ryzen 5 1600 is a 6-core/12-thread CPU, overclockable, only 65W TDP (low heat and power consumption), and includes a decent stock cooler (better performing and more aesthetically-pleasing than Intel's stock cooler). It is paired with an affordable B350-chipset motherboard that also supports OC'ing with good number of power phases for better voltage regulation. Faster and higher capacity RAM is included. GPU was upgraded to a GTX 1070 (instead of the GTX 1060-6GB in the previous builds) in case you want higher graphics power.
 
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