PC Building/Upgrading/Parts-picking Megathread Reloaded

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Serious Hardware/Software Crap > PC Building/Upgrading/Parts-picking Megathread Reloaded

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

I've been out of the pc game for a long long time. I have this monitor sitting around and have the itch to get back into pc gaming

https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-elitedisplay-e241i-led-monitor-24-smart-buy/specs/

Assume I'll have this monitor for a while.

Also assume I already have storage and OS taken care of.

How's this look?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.53 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i v2 70.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($96.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: MSI Z170M Mortar Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB WINDFORCE OC 6G Video Card ($239.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Air 240 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($77.88 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair ML120 Pro LED White 75.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($24.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair ML120 Pro LED White 75.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($24.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair ML120 Pro LED White 75.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($24.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1029.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-02-20 19:47 EST-0500

Anyone see any spots that need to be changed?

# ¿ Feb 21, 2017 01:49

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# ¿ Apr 25, 2024 23:36

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

Let's try this again

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-7600K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Motherboard: MSI Z270M MORTAR Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($123.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($127.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Dual Video Card ($264.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Air 240 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($60.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($50.89 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Thermaltake Riing 12 LED White 40.6 CFM 120mm Fan ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Thermaltake Riing 14 LED White 51.1 CFM 140mm Fan ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Thermaltake Riing 14 LED White 51.1 CFM 140mm Fan ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $950.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-02-21 18:07 EST-0500

I know I mentioned above I'd be on that HP IPS monitor, but let's say I've reconsidered and will upgrade to a better monitor in the next 4-6 months. I figure the 1060 will be plenty for now and if I feel the need to upgrade when I get a new monitor it'll be easy and probably cheaper by then.

# ¿ Feb 22, 2017 00:09

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

Eletriarnation posted:

Considering recent improvements in the RX 480's performance and the price superiority of FreeSync, I'd be tempted to recommend an 8GB model of one of those over the 1060 6GB. ~~Also, is there a reason you're using a low-profile cooler?~~ Nevermind, didn't realize how small that case is. Looks good otherwise.

Cool I'll look into the 480s.

# ¿ Feb 22, 2017 00:54

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

Filthy Monkey posted:

Yeah, the RX480 is a better value, and roughly equivalent to the 1060. That said, I do understand sticking with one company or the other if you have a preference, and especially depending on monitor eventual monitor choice. I am pretty locked into NVIDIA myself with my gsync monitor.

Seasonic is a good manufacturer, but I would probably get a gold rated PSU. This gold seasonic isn't much more, and it has a rebate to make it cheaper. Is only semimodular, but in theory I think that should be okay with that case...probably? It is also a touch shorter too, which can't hurt.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...ID=3938566&SID=

I know I gave you grief over the water cooler, but looking at the cooling options in that case you are pretty limited. If you could use a standard tower cooler like the H7 it would be different, but you are limited to lower profile top-down coolers. Some of them aren't bad, like the bequiet or the noctua, but they are generally expensive themselves. If you are dead set in love with the case, don't feel too bad about going back to the water.

Everything else looks fine though.

I have no preference for companies, I haven't built a gaming PC in, 10+ years so this is all new and fresh to me.

Is there something wrong with the cooler I changed it to? I actually like that top down one.

I'll switch out the PSU as well.

# ¿ Feb 22, 2017 01:10

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

Ok, I think this is it.

Gaming at 1080P for the foreseeable future.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-7600K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Motherboard: ASRock Z270M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($113.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 480 8GB NITRO+ Video Card ($219.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define Nano S Mini ITX Desktop Case ($78.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($52.98 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Fractal Design GP14-WT 68.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Other: Silverstone Tek Sleeved Extension Power Supply Cable with 1 x Motherboard 24-Pin Connector (PP07-MBW) ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Other: Silverstone Tek Sleeved Extension Power Supply Cable with 1 x 8-Pin to EPS12V 8-Pin Connector (PP07-EPS8W) ($9.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $897.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-03-03 09:51 EST-0500

Seems like a pretty solid build and I don't think I can do any better price wise.

# ¿ Mar 3, 2017 15:54

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

Filthy Monkey posted:

I have the same case. It is a good case, but one thing I will mention is that the video card will sit tight with an ATX PSU, possibly choking it of air.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiDZNT7mxLQ

Most people either go with a blower GPU, a hybrid GPU, or an SFX/SFX-L PSU with the silverstone bracket in order to manage that issue. Personally I went the SFX route.

I have since replaced that last fan, so it is all noctua now.

I see what you mean about it being tight. This guys build says it works out ok

Hmm, my GPU under load right now is about 70-73C.. about 45-50C on idle!

# ¿ Mar 3, 2017 17:04

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

I managed to score a 1070 straight from EVGA for non stupid dollars so now I need to build a system around it.

Will be used for FPS type gaming(pubg mostly) and designing/editing 3d stuff for my 3d printer.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-7600K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.90 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks - PH-TC12LS_BK 53.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($31.93 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - H270M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($95.39 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($108.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Phanteks - Enthoo EVOLV ITX Mini ITX Tower Case ($73.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: *SeaSonic - G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $589.10

I already have storage as well.

Wanted to keep it as a smaller build size wise. Would've loved to build it in a Dan A4 or NCase M1 but those are more than what I want to pay for case.

Also, I'll need a decent 23/24" monitor to pair with this if anyone has any suggestions.

# ¿ Jan 21, 2018 00:18

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

Llamadeus posted:

Maybe a Cougar QBX? It's larger than the NCase M1 but a lot cheaper, and much smaller than the Evolv. Though it might need one or two extra intake fans. It also takes ATX PSUs that are 140mm deep PSU like the Seasonic Focus Plus.

Also obligatory: the 7th gen Intel CPUs are basically obsolete now, the equivalent 8th gens are either better value or have more cores, eg the new unlocked i3 is $170 but faster than the previous i5. Also might as well get a Z board for an unlocked chip anyway.

I looked at that case too, it's an option.

So basically the i3-8350K is an equivalent to the i5-7600K?

I'm so out of the cpu game I have no idea anymore.

If that's the case I'll def switch to that.

edit:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i3-8350K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks - PH-TC12LS_BK 53.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($31.93 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z370M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory
Case: Phanteks - Enthoo EVOLV ITX Mini ITX Tower Case ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: *SeaSonic - G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $490.81

I do like the cougar case, can't select it on pcpartpicker though

mattfl fucked around with this message at 01:06 on Jan 21, 2018

# ¿ Jan 21, 2018 00:57

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

Llamadeus posted:

If you do go with the QBX, it can't fit PSUs longer than 140mm though, which most higher end units are. Corsair CXM/TXM and Seasonic's Focus Plus are exceptions.

I changed up to this one -> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073GY89G5/?tag=pcpapi-20

# ¿ Jan 21, 2018 01:27

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

One last post before I pull the trigger

This will suffice as a decent gaming pc paired with a 1070 and put into a Cougar QBX case correct?

CPU: Intel - Core i3-8350K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z370M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($131.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($108.89 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $504.76

# ¿ Jan 22, 2018 16:48

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

orcane posted:

I don't know what they go for specifically, but I'd imagine the step up to the i5-8400's 6 cores/threads is not very much in terms of money over an unlocked i3, but it would let you keep the new setup before you have to upgrade the next time, while games keep getting better at using more than 4 cores.

It's about $40 or so to move to that CPU.

# ¿ Jan 22, 2018 17:50

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

VulgarandStupid posted:

How much is the rest of your system that you've priced out? I have a similarly specced system that I'm going to sell once I fix the power button. It's an 8400 with the same board and a RX580 4gb in a RVZ02,

I have a 1070 on the way that's already paid for and a SSD on hand for storage. The only thing missing from this list is the case which will run me about $50.

# ¿ Jan 22, 2018 19:50

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

BCRock posted:

My only concern with your build is the 8GB of RAM. RAM prices are stupid right now, but you're still better off spending another $80-$100 to get 16GB even if it's slightly slower than 3200.

8GB in that system is sort of like spending $1500 on a new set of clubs, but only playing with beat up range balls

Aw poo poo, ok, I'll bump up the ram then since you put it in such an elegant way for me to completely understand lol

# ¿ Jan 22, 2018 20:35

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# ¿ Apr 25, 2024 23:36

mattfl: Aug 27, 2004

Bumping it up to 16, even in DDR3200 bumped it up about $70

CPU: Intel - Core i3-8350K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - M9i 48.4 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z370M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($131.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot - Viper 4 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($192.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $573.85

# ¿ Jan 22, 2018 20:57

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Serious Hardware/Software Crap > PC Building/Upgrading/Parts-picking Megathread Reloaded