Mostly complete build for gaming and Lightroom photo processing. Questions about specific hardware.

[valzi]

I'm in the USA.

I know the i7 can improve Lightroom work (but has no gaming benefit), but it doesn't seem to help enough to be worth $80. Is it? I also like to do a lot of multitasking (file operations + lightroom + chrome tabs + game on one monitor while watching a movie on the other is not unusual.)

I already ordered the GPU. The rest is PROBABLY what I want to buy, but I'd really appreciate advice on replacement parts or manufacturer changes (recommending EVGA over Gigabyte for a specific part, for example) as well as suggestions for getting better prices than are listed here.

I already have an 120gb SSD and some regular SATA drives.

Is this mobo better than the one I chose? I find mobo comparison to be an impossible headache. It's going to be on sale for the same price on Newegg on Black Friday, supposedly: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132566

Do I need to buy thermal paste? What should I get?

I like the idea of a case that's easy to maneuver around in and has good cable management, which is why I chose the case I chose. Would you suggest an alternative? Someone suggested this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119265

I'll probably overclock.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: *Team Elite Plus 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB 6GT OC Video Card ($258.99 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $863.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-22 20:56 EST-0500

 

[USAFRet]

You don't need thermal paste. That cooler comes with it.

Parts list looks fine.

Nitpicks-
That Phanteks case is pretty large.
You might want to think about another SSD for the OS, etc., larger than a 120GB.
Motherboards within a specific socket lines are mostly about features, not performance.

 

[Chugalug_]

The Seasonic G 550w is an absolute steal atm.
Also an i7 is definitely worth it in your case.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H5 Ultimate 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($78.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB 6GT OC Video Card (Purchased For $258.99)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $907.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-22 22:30 EST-0500

 

[valzi]

Why are you recommending that case? Can you explain why you prefer it? Thanks for the Seasonic suggestion. I've decided to get the i7.

 

[valzi]

You don't need thermal paste. That cooler comes with it.

Parts list looks fine.

Nitpicks-
That Phanteks case is pretty large.
You might want to think about another SSD for the OS, etc., larger than a 120GB.
Motherboards within a specific socket lines are mostly about features, not performance.

I want a somewhat large case for expandability but especially to make it easy to work in and manage cables. Can you recommend something else that will do that? Maybe this is too large.

 

[USAFRet]

You don't need thermal paste. That cooler comes with it.

Parts list looks fine.

Nitpicks-
That Phanteks case is pretty large.
You might want to think about another SSD for the OS, etc., larger than a 120GB.
Motherboards within a specific socket lines are mostly about features, not performance.

I want a somewhat large case for expandability but especially to make it easy to work in and manage cables. Can you recommend something else that will do that? Maybe this is too large.

A case is very much personal preference.
Anything mid-tower would do.

But if you really want a large one, go for it.

 

[Chugalug_]

I recommended the S340 as it is a somewhat universally liked case, the build quality is good and it is well priced atm.
Feel free to add in any preferences you might have.