Future proofing gaming build

fresco91

Reputable
Dec 5, 2017
9
0
4,510
Hi all,

Below is a custom gaming build I have created and I'm just looking for some thoughts on it.

As the title suggests I'm looking to future proof (4 year minimum if possible) this new build, I'm also looking for it to be VR ready (not a main priority but would be nice to have the option) and want to run the latest games as smooth as possible as well as not produce an awful lot of noise.

Its not mandatory to be playing in 1440p, if the new build can play play the latest games 1080p @ 60fps then I'm happy enough with that and OC is a nice option to have. This will be purely for gaming with some general web browsing although if it is good enough to stream also then that'd be great!

The build will be done over time, I'm in no rush so even buying a part every month I'm happy to do. Will the cooler I have selected do the part and help keep temps low as well as sound? Or would liquid cooling be better? Budget isn't unlimited (if only) but if I can save money on some parts then that's great.

If someone is going to recommend a different build please keep with Intel, its just a personal preference.

[PCPartPicker part list](https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/qDXtVY) / [Price breakdown by merchant](https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/qDXtVY/by_merchant/)


**CPU** | [Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7GHz 6-Core Processor](https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/sxDzK8/intel-core-i7-8700k-37ghz-6-core-processor-bx80684i78700k) | £353.79 @ Alza

**CPU Cooler** | [CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler](https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/93Crxr/cryorig-cpu-cooler-h7) | £34.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk

**Motherboard** | [MSI - Z370 GAMING PLUS ATX LGA1151 Motherboard](https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/rXCrxr/msi-z370-gaming-plus-atx-lga1151-motherboard-z370-gaming-plus) | £121.49 @ CCL Computers

**Memory** | [Kingston - FURY 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory](https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/fmcMnQ/kingston-fury-16gb-2-x-8gb-ddr4-2666-memory-hx426c16fb2k216) | £156.04 @ Ebuyer

**Storage** | [Kingston - A400 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/btDzK8/kingston-a400-240gb-25-solid-state-drive-sa400s37240g) | £69.98 @ Novatech

**Storage** | [Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/MwW9TW/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | £37.79 @ Aria PC

**Video Card** | [Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB WINDFORCE OC 8G Video Card](https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/V4M323/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1080-8gb-windforce-oc-8g-video-card-gv-n1080wf3oc-8gd) | £483.59 @ Aria PC

**Case** | [Phanteks - ECLIPSE P400S ATX Mid Tower Case](https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/WC648d/phanteks-case-phec416pswwt) | £71.98 @ AWD-IT

*Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| **Total** | £1329.65

Thank you for any replies on this.
 
Solution
Very nice initial choices on the parts. I've made some very minor changes, please see the notes below:

- A slightly better cooling solution, you would be fine with the H7 without an overclock, but better to have the headroom.

- The A400 is fine, but the increase in price is worth it for a better Crucial SSD IMO.

- Not sure if you meant not to add a PSU, so I've added a high quality unit with enough power for your rig.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7GHz 6-Core Processor (£353.79 @ Alza)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler (£49.23 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370 GAMING PLUS ATX LGA1151 Motherboard...

Budge414

Distinguished
Jan 2, 2013
387
9
18,965
Very nice initial choices on the parts. I've made some very minor changes, please see the notes below:

- A slightly better cooling solution, you would be fine with the H7 without an overclock, but better to have the headroom.

- The A400 is fine, but the increase in price is worth it for a better Crucial SSD IMO.

- Not sure if you meant not to add a PSU, so I've added a high quality unit with enough power for your rig.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7GHz 6-Core Processor (£353.79 @ Alza)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler (£49.23 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370 GAMING PLUS ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (£121.49 @ CCL Computers)
Memory: Kingston - FURY 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory (£156.04 @ Ebuyer)
Storage: Crucial - MX300 275GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£77.90 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£37.79 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB WINDFORCE OC 8G Video Card (£483.59 @ Aria PC)
Case: Phanteks - ECLIPSE P400S ATX Mid Tower Case (£71.98 @ AWD-IT)
Power Supply: XFX - XTR 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (£79.99 @ Box Limited)
Total: £1431.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-21 00:45 GMT+0000

This unit will fit all the needs you have laid out. Streaming will be fine, but much better at 1080p.
 
Solution

Rexper

Respectable
BANNED
Apr 12, 2017
2,132
2
2,510


That PSU is overpriced. Here are better options: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/3zNypg,CZvZxr,Y3X2FT,bkp323/

OP, slowly buying the parts isn't a great idea. By the time you get to the last part, you would've noticed there is a better deal/new part that you've already bought. Also makes some of this post partially irrelevant as prices are ought to change and possibly new parts.
 

Budge414

Distinguished
Jan 2, 2013
387
9
18,965
It's older than the suggested ones, yes, but I wouldn't say overpriced. The extra 100w will make the fan run quieter as the load will be less, which is why I suggested it after initially having chose the G3 550w.

All are quality PSUs, if one is even required (we haven't gotten that far!), OP now has a few to choose from.

If you're selective with your timing when purchasing certain parts, it's usually fine, you could just keep an eye out for great deals. The only part I see being superseded by the time all are purchased might be the GTX 1080. I'd probably purchase this last and wait for a good price, worst case scenario any GPUs being released will likely be announced and you could make a decision then.
I can't see you having any issues with the 8700K. Maybe an M2 SSD would be a better idea to keep the unit relevant speed-wise in 4 years. Mobo and RAM aren't going to care. That just leaves the GPU. My 10c.

 

Rexper

Respectable
BANNED
Apr 12, 2017
2,132
2
2,510
"The extra 100w will make the fan run quieter as the load will be less"

You're comparing apples to oranges. Doesn't work like that. For example the average noise output by an RMX 550 is 21.19 Decibel. For XFX XTR 650 it's 47.39.

Even if the was a set power draw by the system, say 300w, the RMX would still be much quieter.

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/XFX/XTR650/10.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/corsair-rm550x-power-supply,4484-9.html

Also, there is much more to a PSU rather than noise. Those reviews say it all. All 4 units I suggested are better than that XTR in quality and performance by a considerate margin.

Why bother with the XTR when there are better quality, quieter units in the price range.

m.2 SSDs aren't any faster than 2.5" ssds. It's just a form factor. It doesn't define speed. Even if we're dealing with an NVM PCIe SSD like the 960 evo, little noticeable benefits would be gained from a decent sata SSD like the MX300 unless there are large file transactions.

The could be better priced CPU coolers at the time. Heck, there already are: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/4TCrxr/thermalright-cpu-cooler-machorevb

How aren't motherboard and RAM going to care? At the time of buying, there could be a cheaper and/or faster frequency kit and ram prices are changing.
Same goes for PSU, and new ones could come out.
 

Budge414

Distinguished
Jan 2, 2013
387
9
18,965
You know you could just leave that aggressive writing style for somewhere that isn't meant for assisting people. You can make your points (a few valid points, mind you) and prove me wrong without it.

That said, I should have been a little more specific. I was referring more to how these parts that the OP has selected will hold up in 4 years time, as that was his/her initial question. Better prices and parts can always be found if you wait longer, but the OP explicitly says that it will be built over time, I'm trying to explore that as an option and give advice on how that might turn out.

Just so we're clear, you're suggesting that OP holds off on buying all parts until he/she is ready to purchase them at once? It's sound advice.

OP - If it's at all possible, save your money for now, come back to the forum when you have the funds to purchase the lot, it will be easier to help.

 

Rexper

Respectable
BANNED
Apr 12, 2017
2,132
2
2,510
Didn't mean for it to be. I often can rush my comments. Thank you for notifying me, I'll try to improve.

That is the general point I'm trying to give, to group the purchases fairly close together.
Though if they find some DDR4, quality ram for example, along the way at a very good deal, it's probably a good idea to go for it as the ram will likely be compatible.

 

Budge414

Distinguished
Jan 2, 2013
387
9
18,965
Can't tell you how much I respect that, Rexper. Thank you. I also tend to rush my suggestions without proper, case-by-case research, as you've effectively pointed out. :)

With RAM pricing the way it is, it would be a good idea to check regularly. Shifts in pricing can occur within a week or two.
Volta GPUs from nVidia will likely be announced by March-April, it would be a good idea to wait it out until then, as the GPU is the most significant part for gaming/streaming especially. Purchasing the latest generation of GPU will also set you up nicely for that 4 year target.
 

fresco91

Reputable
Dec 5, 2017
9
0
4,510
Sorry for the very very late reply as I have been very busy over the holidays. I appreciate the help and advice provided. I didnt include a psu as I have a 650w gold spare.