Feedback on my first gaming PC build?

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DirtySprite

DirtySprite

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Oct 16, 2015
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I'm looking to build a desktop primarily for modern gaming. I've got a budget of $1400 CDN.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($225.25 @ shopRBC)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z370 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($155.50 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($119.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: ADATA - Ultimate SU650 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($44.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card ($594.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: NZXT - S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus - PCE-AC55BT B1 PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($45.75 @ Vuugo)
Total: $1401.44



Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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Nice, you can build as is.

I like paying a bit more for a Z370 based motherboard; it permits a future upgrade to a K suffix processor which can be overclocked.

8gb is fine for gaming.

One problem is that 120gb is too small for a windows C drive.
240gb is ok.
I like Samsung evo better for performance and reliability.

Consider deferring on the hard drive until you actually need the space.
 
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anoori9000

anoori9000

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($225.25 @ shopRBC)
Motherboard: MSI - H310-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($98.00 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2800 Memory ($189.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: ADATA - Ultimate SU650 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($44.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card ($594.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: NZXT - S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus - PCE-N15 PCI-Express x1 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($35.50 @ Vuugo)
Total: $1403.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-06-09 23:01 EDT-0400

You are spending way to much on a motherboard when you don't even have an overclocking CPU or CPU cooler.

So I added an extra 8gb of ram and changed out the motherboard
 
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DirtySprite

DirtySprite

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Thanks for the feedback. Would it make more sense to get a better motherboard now or go with what @anoori9000 is saying and go for a cheaper motherboard in order to get the 16gb of ram? Do you have any recommendations on a better motherboard for my build if i were to upgrade my CPU in the future?
 
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anoori9000

anoori9000

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You wouldn't want to waste money on a CPU upgrade because they only get marginally better every release. You won't see a boost in gaming performance. If you were to upgrade your CPU in the future, it would be 5 years from now when the chipset and architecture is completely different. If you aren't overclocking (and I don't suggest that you do), then you don't need a better motherboard.

I would even get one of those cheap mATX boards and just build an mATX PC. mATX is so underrated.

I want to reiterate that buying this PC now with an overclocking motherboard, then buying a K CPU as an "upgrade in the future" would actually be a major waste of money.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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It is much easier to change out ram in the future than it is to change out a motherboard.
You can save a whopping $1.51 if you go with the M-ATX version; that is what I use and I have had no issues:
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/Vys8TW/asrock-z370m-pro4-micro-atx-lga1151-motherboard-z370m-pro4

The ram issue warrants some thought.
If your use is for just gaming, then 8gb is enough.
I suggest you defer on the 16gb issue if your future needs are not clear and you have a budget issue.
Once you start to add in multitasking you might find that you need 16gb.

Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
The internal workings are designed for the capacity of the kit.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this.
This is more difficult when more sticks are involved.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.

If you do buy more disparate sticks, they must be the same speed, voltage and cas numbers.
Even then your chances of working are less than 100%

What is your plan "B" if the new stick/s do not work?

Sometimes increasing the ram voltage in the bios will make things work.

If you want 16gb, my suggestion is to buy a 2 x 8gb kit that matches your current specs.
Then, try adding in your old 8gb,
If it works, good; you now have extra ram.
If not, sell the old ram or keep it as a spare.





 
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geofelt

geofelt

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To muzzy the waters a bit....

What kinds of games do you play?
How many threads do you need?

Most games can effectively use only 2-3 threads.
Most depend on a single fast master thread.
The I3-8350K does not get a lot of love, but look at the reviews.
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117823&nm_mc=AFC-C8JunctionCA&cm_mmc=AFC-C8JunctionCA-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10592396&PID=3938566&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-PCPartPicker%2C+LLC&reviews=all
It will OC to the 5.0 level., and yes, you need some sort of a cooler.

If your games tend to sims, mmo and strategy games, look at the 8350K.
If your games are multiplayer, more threads is better.
 
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DirtySprite

DirtySprite

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I play multiplayer games, was looking to get Rust running smoothly. Made some changes and added the motherboard you recommended plus 16gb of RAM. https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/7hN9Cb
 
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