Thoughts on Gaming build?

[BigBarney]

Will be used for gaming, webdesign, some programming and a bit of mining for fun.

Anywhere you see some areas to save some $$? would love to get this under $2k with very very similar performance.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($283.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($7.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($153.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($70.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290X 4GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Cooler Master VSM 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM (64-bit) ($130.65 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Dell P2415Q 60Hz 23.8" Monitor ($399.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Plus Wired Gaming Keyboard ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2122.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-02 01:44 EST-0500

 

[RussianSensation]

Will be used for gaming, webdesign, some programming and a bit of mining for fun.

Anywhere you see some areas to save some $$? would love to get this under $2k with very very similar performance.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($283.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)

This is not a smart combo. i7 6700K/i7 4790K with a $15 CPU cooler would beat i5 6600K in almost all scenarios. You should only get a $90 after-market CPU cooler with a top-of-the-line processor but with an i5, it's honestly a waste of $. Heck, a $40 cooler will give you the exact same overclock on that i5, guaranteed.

i7 4770K OC:

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/71...irit-140-bw-rev-cpu-cooler-review/index6.html

For the $40 price and noise levels, the Thermalright True Spirit 140 is an epic win.

Also, I won't recommend an i5 with a $2000+ build. Given how long Intel CPUs last, you should be looking at the i7 4790K/i7 5820K (esp. if willing to overclock) or i7 6700K.

Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($7.98 @ Newegg)

Straight up waste of $8 right there. Noctua or Thermalright Chillfactor 3 thermal pastes included with those CPU coolers are better than the overrated AS5.

Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($153.88 @ OutletPC)

imo Asus = mainstream boards are overpriced / lack features for the price. Plus, this Z170-A board has crappy on-board sound. Less features, and worse sound but costs more? Doesn't sound like a winning combo to me.

Gigabyte Z170 UD3 smashes that Asus board on features, costs less and has a better Realtek ALC1150 chip:
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-LGA1...=1451719025&sr=8-1&keywords=gigabyte+z170+ud3

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($169.99 @ Newegg)

Why do you need 32GB of memory and slow DDR4-2400 memory to boost?

The $ saved here is better used towards an i7 CPU such as the i7 6700K/i7 4790K or i7 5820K or a faster video card.

I'd start with 16GB DDR4 3000 for $90-92. Either of these kits is good:
G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000
G.SKILL TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000

In some poorly optimized games, faster memory > more memory.

Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($189.99 @ Newegg)

With your budget and parts, I'd rather buy a 500GB Samsung 850 EVO. The main advantage of M.2 driver is sequential reads and writes. That means for loading games and snappiness in the OS environment, the advantage over the standard SSD is close to non-existent but you pay a big premium and get 1/2 the storage of a 500GB SSD.

You can find more real world data in this review:
http://techreport.com/review/29221/samsung-950-pro-512gb-ssd-reviewed/4

I would take more SSD storage over less M.2 storage simply because with 256GB you'll run out of storage much quicker with game installs and it's not as if the standard 850 EVO is slow.

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($70.99 @ Newegg)

I don't like the price/TB ratio. I'd get the 4TB external and if the external aspect bothers you, just take the drive apart and put it inside the case. Having said that, if budget is a factor and you don't need as much storage, better spend every $30-40 saved from the 4TB I recommended on a Core i7.

Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Newegg)

I'd also consider these 2 cases:

Phanteks “ Enthoo Pro Series “. This case costs $10 less, $10 that can be used towards a better EVGA G2 PSU below.

NEW NZXT H440 STEEL Mid Tower Case. Next Generation 5.25-less Design. Include 4 x 2nd Gen FNv2 Fans

Power Supply: Cooler Master VSM 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)

I'd spend the extra $10 on this EVGA 650W G2.

Monitor: Dell P2415Q 60Hz 23.8" Monitor ($399.99 @ Amazon)

This is exactly why buying a $90 CPU cooler is $ that could be used on a larger/better monitor too.

For $100 over that monitor, you can move up to a 27" 4K Dell, and for $150 extra to an 27" 4K LG with FreeSync. Considering a single 290X won't be fast enough for most modern games at 4K, you should strongly consider a FreeSync 4K monitor or even if not, I'd honestly prefer a 27-28" 4K over 24", but that's me.

Just be prepared to turn down settings a lot on a $300 graphics card with a 4K monitor. This is where you have to make a decision if it's better to go with a 1440P monitor instead or I guess you are thinking you'll play some games @ 1080P on a 4K monitor?

 

[BigBarney]

I can run that gigabyte with a 4790k???

I'm trying to find the overall cost savings in your suggestions... it comes out like $20 less expensive...

 

[DigDog]

damn you russian .. once you post, there is nothing left for me to say. stahp!

 

[cyclohexane]

Glad I built my new rig just before Thanksgiving, as prices seem to have stalled or gone up. For < $1200 bucks, I got much better specs:

CPU: i7-6700k, $359 from microcenter
GPU: Gigabyte R9-390, $260 newegg deal
PSU: Antec 850W, $60
Case: NZXT S340, $70
MOBO: Gigabyte Z170-HD3P: $90
cooler: Hyper 212 EVO: $25
RAM: 16GB DDR4-2800, $90
SSd: 256GB Transcend, $55
HDd: Seagate 4Tb, $110

Total: $1,119

 

[Yuriman]

I can run that gigabyte with a 4790k???

I'm trying to find the overall cost savings in your suggestions... it comes out like $20 less expensive...

4790K needs a Z97-based motherboard. 6600K/6700K needs a Z170-based motherboard. Personally, I would not consider Haswell at this point. It's still very good in terms of costerformance, but there are a lot of small reasons that add up to disincline me to buy last-generation hardware.

Cost savings:
Heatsink : -$75 or -$50
Thermal paste : -$8
Motherboard : -$20
RAM : -$80
SSD : -$12
HDD : +$40
Case : -$10
PSU : +$10
Monitor : +$100

My math is coming up with approximately $50 saved, though you're coming away with a far, far superior monitor, twice the SSD and HDD space, a better power supply and faster RAM, in exchange for less RAM and a SSD that's slower in synthetic benchmarks.

 

[Arachnotronic]

OP, I'm working on a build for you...

 

[Arachnotronic]

OK here goes. All parts from Newegg.com.

CPU: Core i7-4790K - $339.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117369)

Cooler: CM Hyper 212 EVO - $29.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099)

Motherboard: MSI Gaming Z97A - $129.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130844)

RAM: G.SKILL Sniper Gaming Series 32GB DDR3-1600 - $149.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231610)

GPU: ASUS GeForce GTX 970 STRIX - $349 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121899)

Monitor: ASUS PB258Q - $319.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236453)

Hard Disk: WD Black 2TB - $119.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236624)

Solid State Disk: Crucial BX200 480GB - $129.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820156067)

Case: Corsair Carbide 200R - $59.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139018)

Power Supply: CORSAIR RM650X - $109.99 (also has $20 MIR) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139143)

Keyboard: Logitech G710 - $84.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126299)

Mouse: Logitech G502 - $64.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104934)

OS: Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit - $139.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832588491)

Total: $2019.87

I believe this build is better than the one you had in a number of ways:

1. Monitor goes from 4K down to 2K, but it has slightly faster response time, is slightly larger (25 inch), and frankly Windows DPI scaling is still not really great. Unless you HAVE to have 4K, I'd recommend 2K with the panel size range you seem to be looking at (24-inch class).

2. CPU is faster. You get an older platform + DDR3 instead of DDR4, but by the time you actually need to upgrade you will probably need to build a new system anyway and will need to buy new RAM.

3. Motherboard is cheaper and still has more than enough features to get the job done.

4. Went with a much cheaper cooler...it'll do the job of keeping the 4790k cool and will be much quieter than the stock fan.

5. Went with a pricier PSU but it's full modular (much easier to work with) and IMO a better unit, and this is one area where saving a few bucks is a bad idea.

6. Went with a slightly better HDD and a slower SSD, but in practice SSDs are just so frigging fast that I'd rather have you save the money here and put it towards higher impact areas (like better CPU, higher quality PSU, etc.)

7. Swapped out the R9 290X for a GTX 970. Lots of overclocking headroom & much quieter/cooler than the Radeon, which is something that I prefer, but of course the 290X is fast and will get the job done too.

 

[Erithan13]

IMO going with the BX200 to save money is a poor decision. The reviews for the drive are pretty unanimous in saying it really struggles with heavy workloads and simply can't compete performance wise with the BX100/850 Evo/Sandisk Plus etc. In fact it's one of the few modern SSDs that is markedly inferior to the others in performance and from what I've seen the prices simply can't justify that. You'd be giving up a lot of potential performance for a very small saving compared to the overall budget.

If this was a budget/casual use build the BX200 could be justified. As it is with i7s being recommended I think they should be paired with proven SSDs.

 

[Piroko]

Hello Barney,

I would also recommend the 6700k (as it will be faster for both compiling and gaming) and the cooler RussianSensation recommends (and don't buy extra thermal compound).

For the Ram, depends on how you multitask on your current PC. If you easily get to >8GB with normal usage, then go for 32GB. Else pick some cheaper&faster 16GB kits. Most Games don't really need >8GB by themselves yet, so 16 GB easily covers gaming for now.

For the SSD, perhaps pick a regular SATA SSD. A 250 GB 850evo or a 250GB MX200 is only around 85$, the 190$ for that m.2 drive seem like a bad deal to me. Also take note that m.2 drives can overheat and throttle.

The motherboard seems on the too expensive side for me, even though I like the Asus UEFI bios. But that's your choice.

The case, if you're not going to display it then perhaps think about "only" getting a 300R to save 40$.

And lastly, the Dell monitor is an awesome deal for a 4k monitor, but take note that it's a really high dpi for a desktop. I'd only pick it if you're used to super high dpi screens, else go for a 27" model or even larger.

 

[fourdegrees11]

Add whatever monitor and peripherals you want. Prices shown with $50 worth of rebates, so buy another 16gb of RAM in a few months if you feel the need.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($419.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright TS-140 73.6 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 4 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($81.49 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 Fury 4GB Tri-X Video Card ($511.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Suppressor F51 ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G-750 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($102.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM (64-bit) ($130.65 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1593.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-02 18:39 EST-0500

You're definitely going to want the GPU bump I have in here if you want 4K. I agree with everyone else about going with 1440 though

If there's an extra $90 to squeeze a 980ti is an even better option

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($419.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright TS-140 73.6 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 4 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($81.49 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($599.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Suppressor F51 ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G-750 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($102.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM (64-bit) ($130.65 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1681.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-02 18:44 EST-0500

 

[BigBarney]

Theoretically, let's say in 6 months I want to go dual video card.

Does ATI or Nvidia benefit more?

IE: Dual 290x/Fury vs 980TI/whatever

 

[nsafreak]

Theoretically, let's say in 6 months I want to go dual video card.

Does ATI or Nvidia benefit more?

IE: Dual 290x/Fury vs 980TI/whatever

In 6 months it's quite likely that both AMD & nVidia will have released their next gen GPUs if not at least nVidia. Generally if you're going to go SLi or CrossFire you're better off doing it upon initial build rather than down the road. I personally don't recommend going SLi or CrossFire unless you plan on running demanding games in 4K and want all of the effects cranked up. I also don't recommend doing it unless you're aware of all of the drawbacks, such as:

• You are in the minority of gamers in system configuration. It's quite likely that new games published will not take full advantage (and may actually run slower in some cases) upon initial release
• You'll likely have to wait for a driver update (although both nVidia and AMD have gotten better at this) in order to get full performance from a game
• DirectX 12 will likely help alleviate the above issues but you'll have to run Windows 10 in order to use it (not everybody wants to)

In terms of performance AMD has a better implementation currently with CrossFire with their R9 Fury based cards in terms of frame pacing allowing for a better experience. This is not to say nVidia's SLi implementation is bad, for a long time it was actually superior to CrossFire, it's just that AMD addressed some long standing issues and because of their implementation it's a bit better currently.