1440p Gaming Build

CV_Taihou

Reputable
Dec 3, 2015
649
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5,165
Wanted to run a build my friend came up with for 1440p gaming past you fine folks. He's going for a complete Red/Black theme, and wants the best performance for 1440p 144hz gaming. Any changes you might suggest? Budget was around 3k CAD including everything (monitor, OS, peripherals etc)

Not sure on the fans personally as I'm not sure how good the stock NZXT fans are for PWM control or how loud they are. If he takes them out he could go with the 6700k instead of the 6600k

[url=http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/VpvVWX]http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/VpvVWX[/url]
 


I talked him out of that GPU. They want way too much money for it, and the G1 Gaming has RGB lighting. Best cost compromise I can find.
 
I edited your config a bit:

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($428.94 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.98 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus Z170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($199.98 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($94.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($199.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card ($837.11 @ DirectCanada)
Case: NZXT H440 (Matte Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.98 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($115.90 @ DirectCanada)
Monitor: BenQ XL2730Z 27.0" 144Hz Monitor ($529.99 @ Memory Express)
Keyboard: Corsair K70 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($159.99 @ Memory Express)
Mouse: Asus ROG Gladius Wired Optical Mouse ($89.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud II 7.1 Channel Headset ($104.98 @ DirectCanada)
Other: NZXT Sleeved Red LED Kit ($14.99)
Total: $3071.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-09-08 13:11 EDT-0400

For the case fans, pick the Corsairs twin packs of the SP fans matching your color.
Noctua are great, just way too overpriced.
 


Any reason for the change to the motherboard and CPU Cooler? The intent is to overclock the CPU, and I would trust a 212 EVO about as far as I could throw my car on an overclocked chip. I do agree on the i7 though.
 
Generally, Asus boards are more reliable and have better QC, BIOS and SW (like AI Suit) quiality. That particular MB is very good and still matching the black/red theme.
i changed the cooler due to the change to a i7 as you said yourself - for 144Hz monitor i would not trust the i5 even overclocked over 4.5GHz. In a short term it will be probably fine, though in some games, i suspect FPS will be limited by i5. For example 1080p@144Hz, in some games GTX 1070 is utilized at only 70-80% when paired with i5.
212 will let you go to 4.5 easily. but of course you can pick any other cooler - it's just they are getting close to liquid in price :)
if you want to go liquid, do it properly.
Kits from swiftech and alphacool a way better quality at the ~ same price. EKWB is a bit more expensive, but IMHO is overall the best AiO kit.
 


I wouldn't personally touch an ASUS board with a 10 foot pole 😛 Had 2 show up DOA in a row, and the third died within a week of use. Switched to MSI and have had nothing but quality products since. I'll pose the idea to my friend, but I'm not sure he'll want to go for it. He's even debating upgrading to the Gaming M7 since he loves the look.

I'll have a look at the suggested coolers, though at first glance I can't seem to find any Canadian retailers that sell them
 
Amazon FTW 😉
IMHO both GB and MSI are "wanna be top tier" - they made some progress, but not there yet. you have very special luck with Asus :)
I had so many of them and every one worked perfectly. all GB boards had issues or died too soon.
MSI - well no personal experience, but i don't drive hyundai either :)
BTW - the PSU change is not important. RM650x is marginally better than the G2 :)
 


I'll have a look for the coolers when I get home. After talking with him, he's going to stick with the MSI board. Looks are an important concern for him and he's just not a fan of the ASUS board, regardless of improvements it might have over the MSI option