Building a 1080p Gaming Rig (under $2000), final selection advice

[Maniac3020]

Since my main computer is down for the count, I want to build this computer as soon as possible (Without paying extra for express shipping)

Budget Range: ($1000-$2000)

I want to play modern, AAA titles at 1080 with 60fps on at least high settings. I'm looking at mid-high end hardware, not the latest and greatest, but enough to ensure stellar performance, and leave room for overclocking. I'm going for high-airflow cooling, for low noise and cool operation. I am not planning to go into VR at this time, the hardware is expensive, but I am planning with future upgrades as a possibility.

I already have the monitor(s)


I am shopping on Amazon(ca), Newegg, NCIX, and Tiger Direct (Open to shopping suggestions)

I am buying everything except for the Power Supply, which I already have from my last build.
(OCZ ZX 850W)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7213993&CatId=5441

I already bought a case, the Corsair Air 540 $154.99
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811139022

Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero LGA1151 DDR4 DP HDMI M.2 USB 3.1 ATX $289.99
https://www.amazon.ca/ROG-Maximus-IX-LGA1151-Motherboard/dp/B01NBHXSP6?tag=tomshardware-geoca-20

Graphics Card: Gigabyte GV-N1060G1 ROCK-6GD GeForce GTX Boost 1809 Windforce $377.20
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01N25BVCT/ref=twister_B01M0681S0?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

Processor: Intel i5-7600K $319.99
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117728

CPU Cooler: Dark Rock 3 190W TDP
http://www.ncix.com/detail/be-quiet-dark-rock-3-3c-93614.htm

Ram: G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000 (PC4 24000) Intel Z170 Platform $159.99
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820232298

SSD: Plextor px-128Â m8pey m8p Series 2.5" (512GB m2 SSD with heatsink) $334.94
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01JCXXRVE/ref=twister_B01LQ3X9KW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
(OS and Games go on SSD)

HDD: Reformatted 2TB Seagate from my old computer

OS: Windows 7 Professional 64bit (Already purchased months ago)

Total before Shipping and Taxes: $1722.09


I live near Edmonton Alberta. Although I've done all my computer parts shopping online up to this point, if anyone has any suggestions for stores, online or retail, I'm open to suggestions.

I picked the Graphics card because it seems to have the best performance/dollar ratio. I have no preference for AMD vs Nvidia

I used Crossfire on my old build, but seeing as there was only one game where I got it to work right (Skyrim) in the 5+ years I've had that computer, I'm not going to bother again.

I'm upgrading because I was stupid, and broke the plastic brackets of the PCI-X slots off my old motherboard.
I also had only 1 working USB port for years.
And it's over 5 years old, with parts that were a generation or 2 old at purchase.

I've spent nearly a week reading up on the new developments in computer tech since my last build (like PCI SSDs. WOW!), tried to pick out parts that will fill my needs and a little extra, but not overboard, with room for overclocking. That said, I got some great advice on my last build here, so I'm looking to see if anyone has any pointers.

 

[Chugalug_]

Put 90% of games on the HDD, only put maybe 80GB tops of games on the SSD, the only benefit they get is faster loading times. Leave at least 40GB spare at all times in order to stop performance taking a dive.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($459.50 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! - Dark Rock 2 57.9 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($59.90 @ Newegg Canada Marketplace)
Motherboard: Asus - STRIX Z270H ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($204.25 @ shopRBC)
Memory: Team - Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($179.99 @ Memory Express)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB FTW DT GAMING Video Card ($695.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $1749.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-04 19:34 EDT-0400

 

[Mike3k24]

Really? An i5 for $2k? Go for an i7 or an R5 or R7

 

[elbert]

I made a few changes but this would be a much faster build. The H5 should get the i7 to 4.5~4.6Ghz which the i5 can not match in performance.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($459.50 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($62.75 @ Newegg Canada Marketplace)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME Z270-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($204.25 @ shopRBC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($323.95 @ shopRBC)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB WINDFORCE OC 6G Video Card ($324.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair - Air 540 ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1635.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-04 19:43 EDT-0400

 

[Chugalug_]

The H5 can cool far better than that, it'll handle any OC you throw at the thing.
A good starting point is 1.4v 4.7GHz, then try to just adjust up to 4.8, which you'll hit if you have a good chip, if not just turn it back down.

 

[Maniac3020]

Okay, my revised build is:

CPU: i5 7600K $319.99
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117728

CPU Cooler: Cryoig H5 Universal $62.75
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAATB47Y2454

Motherboard: Asus Strix Z270H $204.25
http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/product_details.php?pid=22731789

Memory: Team Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000 $141.99
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313807

Storage: Plextor M8Pe M.2 2280 512GB NVMe PCI-Express 3.0 x4 MLC SSD $314.99
http://www.ncix.com/detail/plextor-m8pe-m-2-2280-512gb-91-137457.htm?promoid=1388&affiliateid=7474144

Video Card: Gigabyte Windforce GTX 1060 $377.20
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01N25BVCT/ref=twister_B01M0681S0?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

Case: Corsair Air 540 $164.99 (Already bought it, can't get the lower priced one. )
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811139022

Total: $1586 Before Shipping

- Notes

Memory: elbert, why did you suggest 8 gigs of ram? It won't be enough for long, and I've already had at least one game use it all up.

Video Card: I need to be able to connect 2 Displayport and 1 HDMI cables, so the model I picked stands. As for getting the 1060 vs the 1080, it's a several hundred dollar price difference, and the 1060 can already run most games at ultra @ 60fps.

CPU: My old cpu was an i5 3570K. (3.4GHZ 3.6GHZ Boost) I overclocked it to 4GHZ near the end of the computers lifetime, when a game with CPU hogging issues needed it. No other game did. I was originally going to go with the i5 7500, then I thought about how newer processors aren't much faster, and the 7500 couldn't be overclocked (much), so I looked at the i5 6600K, then it was only $60 up to the i5 7600k. But the i7 7700K is over a $200 price increase, and I'm already getting more CPU power than I think I will need, before I even get into overclocking.

SSD: My old computer had a 2TB hard drive. I manage to fill up 3/4 of that. (Admittedly, it wasn't all games) I'm a bit of a storage hog, I put down a game for a while and don't want to uninstall it until I complete it. I figure 512GB is a compromise. As for the specific SSD, I like the look of the heat spreader, and the cooling it will provide.

 

[Chugalug_]

I'd go with a 1070 then if you don't plan to upgrad monitors.
Grab this, the Dark Rock 2 is much quieter and cools about the same.
250GB is heaps for OS and software, and as I mentioned it only helps loading times in games.
If you're set on 500GB though get the 500GB 960 Evo.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($459.50 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! - Dark Rock 2 57.9 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($59.90 @ Newegg Canada Marketplace)
Motherboard: Asus - STRIX Z270H ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($204.25 @ shopRBC)
Memory: Team - Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($179.99 @ Memory Express)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB FTW Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card ($549.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1603.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-05 00:00 EDT-0400

 

[Lehan123456789]

Okay, my revised build is:

CPU: i5 7600K $319.99
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117728

CPU Cooler: Cryoig H5 Universal $62.75
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAATB47Y2454

Motherboard: Asus Strix Z270H $204.25
http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/product_details.php?pid=22731789

Memory: Team Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000 $141.99
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313807

Storage: Plextor M8Pe M.2 2280 512GB NVMe PCI-Express 3.0 x4 MLC SSD $314.99
http://www.ncix.com/detail/plextor-m8pe-m-2-2280-512gb-91-137457.htm?promoid=1388&affiliateid=7474144

Video Card: Gigabyte Windforce GTX 1060 $377.20
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01N25BVCT/ref=twister_B01M0681S0?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

Case: Corsair Air 540 $164.99 (Already bought it, can't get the lower priced one. D
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811139022

Total: $1586 Before Shipping

- Notes

Memory: elbert, why did you suggest 8 gigs of ram? It won't be enough for long, and I've already had at least one game use it all up.

Video Card: I need to be able to connect 2 Displayport and 1 HDMI cables, so the model I picked stands. As for getting the 1060 vs the 1080, it's a several hundred dollar price difference, and the 1060 can already run most games at ultra @ 60fps.

CPU: My old cpu was an i5 3570K. (3.4GHZ 3.6GHZ Boost) I overclocked it to 4GHZ near the end of the computers lifetime, when a game with CPU hogging issues needed it. No other game did. I was originally going to go with the i5 7500, then I thought about how newer processors aren't much faster, and the 7500 couldn't be overclocked (much), so I looked at the i5 6600K, then it was only $60 up to the i5 7600k. But the i7 7700K is over a $200 price increase, and I'm already getting more CPU power than I think I will need, before I even get into overclocking.

SSD: My old computer had a 2TB hard drive. I manage to fill up 3/4 of that. (Admittedly, it wasn't all games) I'm a bit of a storage hog, I put down a game for a while and don't want to uninstall it until I complete it. I figure 512GB is a compromise. As for the specific SSD, I like the look of the heat spreader, and the cooling it will provide.

You could get Ryzen. At 1080p the Ryzen 5 1600 won't show much of a performance difference compared to an i5, and it would be much better for streaming, video editing or almost any workload other than gaming. If you are planning to solely game on this system it will likely not be worth it, however if you plan on doing other things then it is worth it!

 

[Maniac3020]

I'd go with a 1070 then if you don't plan to upgrad monitors.
Grab this, the Dark Rock 2 is much quieter and cools about the same.
250GB is heaps for OS and software, and as I mentioned it only helps loading times in games.
If you're set on 500GB though get the 500GB 960 Evo.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Okay, I can see the speed increase of the 960Evo. As for the size, the laptop I used before my previous computer had 2 256GB hard drives, and I was always running out of space.(7+ years ago) That's when games were at most 20 gigs. Now games are sometimes 60 gigs. I would run out of space so fast on a 256GB SSD with modern games, and games are going to get even bigger.

First you recommend the H5, then you change your mind to the Dark Rock 2? I'm feeling a bit confused and conflicted.

Isn't the 1070 a bit overkill for 1080p? I was making do with Radeon HD 7950, and I don't need absolutely every setting cranked to max. It is quite a bit more expensive than the 1060. What sold me on the 1060 was the "best bang for buck" rating on several websites. I looked at the RX 480, which was supposed to be even better, but the prices are higher, when it's even available.

What are your reasons for recommending the 1070?

Any suggestions on how I can run 5 case fans on a Motherboard with only 3 fan connectors?

 

[Chugalug_]

That's why I'm saying, you don't need SSD storage for games since it is of little benefit, put the games on the HDD, it's an inefficient use of space and costs a bomb for slightly faster loading screens.
The 1070 is a perfect fit for 1080p, the 1060 may be bang for buck, but keep in mind these were at ultra 60fps, not necessarily maxed out with HBAO 16x AA etc.
Combine that with the fact games just get more demanding over time and it suits well.

 

[Maniac3020]

After a lot of humming and hawing, I decided to go with the 1070. Since I'm going with a more powerful cpu than my first pick, and the graphics card is the most important part for gaming, I should upgrade that too. It also brings the price back up to just over the original total, before the cost savings on the motherboard.

So, my second revision is:

CPU: i5 7600K $319.99
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117728

CPU Cooler: be quiet! SHADOW ROCK 2 CPU Cooler 180W TDP $59.90
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA8X13526392

Motherboard: Asus Strix Z270H $204.25
http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/product_details.php?pid=22731789

Memory: Team Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000 $141.99
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820313807

Storage: Samsung 960 EVO 500GB M.2 PCIe SSD $341.00
http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/product_details.php?pid=22093191

Video Card: GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1070 G1 Gaming 8GB 1822MHZ / 1746 MHz Video Card $559.99
http://www.ncix.com/detail/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1070-g1-b1-132462.htm?promoid=1388

Case: Corsair Air 540 $164.99 (Already bought it, can't get the lower priced one. )
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E168...

Total: $1792 Before Shipping

 

[Chugalug_]

The FTW is a much better 1070 card, EVGA also have far better build quality, warranty and service over Gigabyte.
You can get a 7700k if you just bring down the SSD space, which is unnecessary for a gaming rig.
It only improves game loading times, not worth it.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($459.50 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! - Dark Rock 2 57.9 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($59.90 @ Newegg Canada Marketplace)
Motherboard: Asus - STRIX Z270H ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($204.25 @ shopRBC)
Memory: Team - Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($179.99 @ Memory Express)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB FTW Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card ($549.99 @ NCIX)
Other: Corsair Carbide Series Air 540 (CC-9011048-WW) Arctic White Cube ($169.99 @ Memory Express)
Total: $1773.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-05 18:00 EDT-0400

 

[varis]

I'm running 6 fans with 3 connectors, using 2 different methods. Check my building thread.

You can also install aftermarket fan connectors into 5" slots or use cables that power the fans straight out of old style molex connectors.

Low noise adapters can be magic - especially on fans where you don't control!

 

[Maniac3020]

After yet more humming and hawing, I decided to switch to the EVGA card Chugalug recommended. I am kinda stuck on the 3 fan design for the Gigabyte cards, but I compared benchmarks. The EVGA card outperformed the Gigabyte one, despite having lower default clock speeds, and succeeded in a higher final overclock speed. The only thing the Gigabyte card seems to do better is full load temperature.

3rd build revision:

CPU: i5 7600K $319.99
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117728

CPU Cooler: be quiet! SHADOW ROCK 2 CPU Cooler 180W TDP $59.90
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA8X13526392

Motherboard: Asus Strix Z270H $204.25
http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/product_details.php?pid=22731789

Memory: Team Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000 $141.99
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820313807

Storage: Samsung 960 EVO 500GB M.2 PCIe SSD $341.00
http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/product_details.php?pid=22093191

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW $579.99
http://www.ncix.com/detail/evga-geforce-gtx-1070-ftw-89-133336.htm?promoid=1388&affiliateid=7474144

Case: Corsair Air 540 $164.99 (Already bought it, can't get the lower priced one. )
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E168...

Power Supply: DARK POWER PRO 11 550W $169.90
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA8X14GR0893&cm_re=be_quiet-_-9SIA8X14GR0893-_-Product


Total: $1961 Before Shipping

I had been hoping to reuse the power supply from my previous build; maybe if I had listened to the advice on this forum, and NOT gone with mineral oil cooling. One thing about it that I've never seen mentioned, is that the oil makes cables extremely stiff and brittle. I don't want my components being fried by a damaged PSU cable. All the techniques for cleaning the oil off won't bring back the flexibility. I guess I'll try using that PSU for an experiment in resuing the old parts, not much to lose.

I'm running 6 fans with 3 connectors, using 2 different methods. Check my building thread.

You can also install aftermarket fan connectors into 5" slots or use cables that power the fans straight out of old style molex connectors.

Low noise adapters can be magic - especially on fans where you don't control!

I spent half an hour searching for "your building thread". The lack of the ability to search for posts by username really hampers searching.

 

[Chugalug_]

Please, pay attention to the list I posted, you can get a 7700k setup for even less!
See above.

 

[varis]

I spent half an hour searching for "your building thread". The lack of the ability to search for posts by username really hampers searching.

Try accessing the desktop version of the forum, the threads for my builds are linked in my sig. (It's the newer machine and its building thread.)

And yeah - it's a REAL bummer you cannot even see a user's threads in her/his profile!

 

[-HH-]

to the budget limit:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($459.50 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! - Dark Rock 3 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($75.71 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-Z270XP-SLI ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($187.15 @ shopRBC)
Memory: GeIL - EVO POTENZA 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($129.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($114.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.50 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB FTW DT GAMING Video Card ($695.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Cooler Master - MasterCase 5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Total: $1942.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-06 05:53 EDT-0400

For solid 1080P gaming at a lower price point:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($280.25 @ shopRBC)
Motherboard: MSI - B350 TOMAHAWK ARCTIC ATX AM4 Motherboard ($164.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: GeIL - EVO POTENZA 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($129.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($114.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.50 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Video Card ($509.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Cooler Master - MasterCase 5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $1439.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-06 06:00 EDT-0400

 

[Maniac3020]

I kinda feel like I'm being pummeled into submission by a monkey.

Every time I think I've decided, I get some more advice, do some more research, and end up with better choices.

It looks like the i5 7600K would be enough if I got the GTX 1060, but with the 1070, it might be a bit of a bottleneck after all. As for the size of the SSD, I'm not going any smaller than 500GB. I was originally going to go 1TB. It will be a little over $2000, but it's just a rough budget anyway. Between all the monitors and other accessories, I spent nearly $3000 on my last computer.

4th Revision:

CPU: i7 7700K $459.99
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01MXSI216/?tag=pcp0f-20

CPU Cooler: be quiet! SHADOW ROCK 2 CPU Cooler 180W TDP $59.90
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA8X13526392

Motherboard: Asus Strix Z270H $204.25
http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/product_details.php?pid=22731789

Memory: Team Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000 $141.99
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820313807

Storage: Samsung 960 EVO 500GB M.2 PCIe SSD $341.00
http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/product_details.php?pid=22093191

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW $579.99
http://www.ncix.com/detail/evga-geforce-gtx-1070-ftw-89-133336.htm?promoid=1388&affiliateid=7474144

Case: Corsair Air 540 $164.99 (Already bought it, can't get the lower priced one. )
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E168...

be quiet! STRAIGHT POWER 10 500W $139.90
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA8X13526384

Total before shipping: $2092.10

 

[Chugalug_]

Looks good, PSU is overpriced though.
Use the one you have atm, no point buying a new one.

 

[Maniac3020]

Looks good, PSU is overpriced though.
Use the one you have atm, no point buying a new one.

I was going to, until I found out black stuff is coming off the cables like wet ink.

I hummed and hawed again, this time over the power supply, and decided to switch from the Dark Power Pro 11 to the Straight Power 10, $30 cheaper.

 

[Lehan123456789]

Looks good, PSU is overpriced though.
Use the one you have atm, no point buying a new one.

I was going to, until I found out black stuff is coming off the cables like wet ink.

I hummed and hawed again, this time over the power supply, and decided to switch from the Dark Power Pro 11 to the Straight Power 10, $30 cheaper.

You could get a more budget power supply like an EVGA G2 unit.

 

[Chugalug_]

The Seasonic G 550w is a fantastic unit and goes for $49 right now.

 

[Maniac3020]

Okay, I ordered all my parts. I ended up getting the 960 Evo from Newegg, RBC was out of stock, and it was $329.99 on Newegg.

Thank you for all the advice, and the time it took to give it.
Thank you for being patient with my indecisiveness.

"I'm so excited, I just can't hide it!"

 

[varis]

Huh, just 2 days running time for the design thread would be a stunning record for me! (This time I had 1 week I think, previous was 1 month or so.)

It looks like the i5 7600K would be enough if I got the GTX 1060, but with the 1070, it might be a bit of a bottleneck after all.

Curious which data indicates that (as I'm looking to pair the CPU with a GPU) - over all of my recent years of reading benchmarks, it always seemed to be the GPU. 7600K is top tier in the Hieararchy Chart (in Tom's articles).

 

[Chugalug_]

The 7700k beats the 7600k easily, same with the 7700, which despite having a slightly lower clock speed performs much better due to the extra threads.