1st time PC build by Beginner (Need Help Please)

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doubleacity

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Jan 26, 2018
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Hi Everyone

I'm getting ready to build my first PC and I was hoping to know if there was anything more I could do to improve my first build. I've been researching parts for the last 5 weeks so far and I think I have it down. Here is my setup so far. (note: I haven't bought these parts yet, except for the GPU)

CPU: Intel Core i7-7700K $339.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117726

CPU Cooler: Nocuta NH D15 $87.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608045

Motherboard: MSI: Z270 Gaming Pro Carbon $164.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130973

GPU: ASUS Strix 1070ti $650
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA85V6UM4858&cm_re=asus_strix_1070ti-_-9SIA85V6UM4858-_-Product

RAM: G.SKILL Trident Z RGB 16gb (2x8) DDR4 3000 RAM $229.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820232498

Optical Drive: Pioneer 16x BDR-211UBK Internal UHD 4K Blu-ray player/writer $159.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3V65XV3802

PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 850W $119.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153311

WLAN: Rosewill RNX-AC1900PCE $59.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166121

PC Case: RAIDMAX ALPHA Prime $75.19
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156365

Monitor: ASUS MG28UQ Black 28" $419.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236688

OS: Windows 10 Home - 32&64 bit Full Version $129.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832397825

Edit: Almost forgot the storage
Seagate 2TB HDD 7200RPM $79.99
from a random store at Best Buy.

So as you may have noticed, I am going with an RGB build at 4k. My main concern for performance is the CPU cooler which is good but not ideal for some Overclocking. I do want to try some liquid cooling but my choices are limited as I am going with an RGB build. my budget is $2500

My first option is

Thermaltake Floe AIO Riing RGB 240 TT Premium Edition
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106505&cm_re=Thermaltake_RGB_liquid_cooling-_-35-106-505-_-Product

but I am not entirely sure if it is compatible with my PC case. Most notably, to place it on the top fan section without losing the optical drive.


Please, if there is any suggestions you can spare I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank You.
 
Solution
geofelt
Some thoughts:
1. I5-8600K or I7-8700K will be a better gamer for less.
You will need a Z370 based motherboard

2. Noctua NH-D15 is a top cooler.
But, the NH-D15s is a better one
Either will support a highly overclocked cpu
https://noctua.at/en/tdp-guide
With three front 120mm intakes, you need nothing more.
See my rant on liquid coolers at the end.


3.
I will never again build without a ssd for the "C" drive. It makes everything you do much quicker.
120gb is minimum, it will hold the os and a handful of games.
But, many things default to the "C" drive.
When a SSD nears full, it will lose performance and endurance.
240gb is the recommended minimum.

If you can go 240gb, or 500gb you may never need a hard drive.

You can...
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volkgren

volkgren

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Aug 13, 2017
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You definitely should get a solid state drive along with your hard drive.
Samsung 860 Evo 250GB or higher (Just released this week.)

You should go with 8th-gen i5-8600K instead of i7-7700K.
http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-7700K-vs-Intel-Core-i5-8600K/3647vs3941

I'm not sure I haven't seen that AiO but it might be good. Other option would be NZXT Kraken X52/62.

Noctua NH-D15 is good. 280mm AiO can be better.

I'm not entirely sure about your case. Can you get a different one?
 
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Bob125484

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Jun 13, 2015
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You should go for 8th gen i5 8600K (6 cores) or i7 8700K (6c/12t). You will need Z370 mobo for 8th gen CPU.

i5 8600K for $245
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?sdtid=11201547&SID=464c5fe602f411e8a01e162af5eba7fc0INT&AID=10446076&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-Slickdeals%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16819117825&ignorebbr=1&cm_sp=

i7 8700K for $330
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Intel-Core-i7-8700K-Coffee-Lake-Six-Core-3-7-GHz-BX80684I78700K-Processor/273038575709?hash=item3f925e085d%3Ag%3APhwAAOSw2LZaZ-fV&afepn=5337259887&rmvSB=true
 
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maxalge

maxalge

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May 31, 2012
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the power supply is overpriced and inferior

better price better components

focus 650w



also +1 on a z370 mobo with i7 8700k or i5 8600k

the 7700k platform is obsolete
 
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doubleacity

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Jan 26, 2018
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510


I wouldn't mind a better case honestly. It's just that the only reason is that we need an Optical Drive. Normally I would let that go but the family is asking me to build a pretty computer. If you know a better case for RGB lighting and has a 5.25'' drive bay. That would help greatly.

And I checked the budget currently. I am at $2438.06 so I have some left over cash to swap to a better PC case.

 
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doubleacity

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Jan 26, 2018
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As much as I wish I could go there, the budget is to close now to the $2500 mark as I agreed on so I will have to unfortunately pass on it. Unless I stick to Air cooled and the same PC Case. So your idea just might work out.
Thank You, and I will put your advice into heavy consideration.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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Some thoughts:
1. I5-8600K or I7-8700K will be a better gamer for less.
You will need a Z370 based motherboard

2. Noctua NH-D15 is a top cooler.
But, the NH-D15s is a better one
Either will support a highly overclocked cpu
https://noctua.at/en/tdp-guide
With three front 120mm intakes, you need nothing more.
See my rant on liquid coolers at the end.


3.
I will never again build without a ssd for the "C" drive. It makes everything you do much quicker.
120gb is minimum, it will hold the os and a handful of games.
But, many things default to the "C" drive.
When a SSD nears full, it will lose performance and endurance.
240gb is the recommended minimum.

If you can go 240gb, or 500gb you may never need a hard drive.

You can defer on the hard drive unless you need to store large files such as video's.
It is easy to add a hard drive later.

Samsung EVO is a good choice for performance and reliability.


4. MY build process:

Before anything, while waiting for your parts to be delivered, download
and read, cover to cover your case and motherboard manual.
Buy a #2 magnetic tip phillips screwdriver.

1. I assemble the critical parts outside of the case.
That lets me test them for functuonality easily.
A wood table or cardboard is fine.
2. Plug in only the necessary parts at first. Ram, cpu, cooler, psu.
Do not force anything. Parts fit only one way.
Attach a monitor to the integrated motherboard adapter.
3. If your motherboard does not have a PWR button, momentarily touch the two pwr front panel pins
4. Repeatedly hit F2 or DEL, and that should get you into the bios display.
5. Boot from a cd or usb stick with memtest86 on it. memtest will exercise your ram and cpu functionality.
6. Install windows.
7. Install the motherboard cd drivers. Particularly the lan drivers so you can access the internet.
Do not select the easy install option, or you will get a bunch of utilities and trialware that you don't want. Drivers only.
7. Connect to the internet and install an antivirus program. Microsoft security essentials is free, easy, and unobtrusive.
8. Install your graphics card and driver.
You will need to remove the graphics card later to install your motherboard in the case.
Make a note of how the graphics card latches into the pcie slot.

9. Update windows to currency.
10. Only now do I take apart what I need to and install it in the case.
11. Now is the time to reinstall your graphics card.

Lastly...

My canned rant on liquid cooling:
------------------------start of rant-------------------
You buy a liquid cooler to be able to extract an extra multiplier or two out of your OC.
How much do you really need?
I do not much like all in one liquid coolers when a good air cooler like a Noctua or phanteks can do the job just as well.
A liquid cooler will be expensive, noisy, less reliable, and will not cool any better
in a well ventilated case.
Liquid cooling is really air cooling, it just puts the heat exchange in a different place.
The orientation of the radiator will cause a problem.
If you orient it to take in cool air from the outside, you will cool the cpu better, but the hot air then circulates inside the case heating up the graphics card and motherboard.
If you orient it to exhaust(which I think is better) , then your cpu cooling will be less effective because it uses pre heated case air.
And... I have read too many tales of woe when a liquid cooler leaks.
google "H100 leak"
I would support an AIO cooler only in a space restricted case.
-----------------------end of rant--------------------------

Your pc will be quieter, more reliable, and will be cooled equally well with a decent air cooler.

 
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Solution
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doubleacity

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Jan 26, 2018
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510


Thank You so much on your advice. I did a revise of my parts and found a good Z370 Motherboard. It's a little more pricier than the Z270 Gaming Pro Carbon I had but it comes with better appeal and an integrated Wi-FI so I can remove my seperate wireless card. This is it right here.

ASUS ROG Strix Z370-E Gaming
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813119033

As for the processor. I will go with the i7-8700K as Bob said. Though I am not sure whether to trust the Ebay seller or not but if you all say it's a good seller, I will buy from him/her.
 
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doubleacity

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Jan 26, 2018
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Hmm never knew that. 650W does seem enough for my computer. I calculated my PSU consumption to be using about 470W so far so I suppose it is best to drop the Watts down to 650. I think I over assumed the overclocking demands. But I do have a question to ask. There is a 650W version of the one I have listed in my original part list for $89.99. Both the PSU you shown me and the RGB PSU I saw are both Gold types. What can you do to see the difference in performance and reliability between the 2 PSUs. I'm now stuck deciding between these 2 PSUs now.
 
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volkgren

volkgren

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Aug 13, 2017
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A good way to tell PSU quality is by the warranty. Both the Thermaltake and SeaSonic seem to have 10 year warranties. But even then they can have different quality components.

There are online reviewers who post their professional reviews of the different PSUs. You would have to read each to find out for yourself the differences or find someone who knows. THen you can reference some lists other's "attempt" to compile to place PSUs in tiers of quality.

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/631048-psu-tier-list-updated/

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

But even then, there are some differences in quality within each tier and you don't always know why something is in a different tier. It could be something simple that doesn't really affect much of anything, or there could be something that is a big deal that didn't get counted.

ToughPower Grand RGB 750W scored 8.8 by JohnnyGuru http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=499

SeaSonic FOCUS Plus 750W score 9.6 by JohnnyGuru http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=524
550W scored 9.8 http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=529
 
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maxalge

maxalge

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May 31, 2012
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the seasonic focus platform is superior

and yes 650w is plenty even if overclocking
 
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doubleacity

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Jan 26, 2018
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Thank you very much Grandmaster Maxalge. I will make an exception to this PSU even though I prefer an RGB version. Like you said, Quality over looks.
 
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superninja12

superninja12

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May 18, 2015
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Idk if this makes you feel better but... you couldn't see the psu anyways, and the the fan goes towards the bottom always if possible.
 
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doubleacity

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Jan 26, 2018
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510

Yeah you are right. Upon closer inspection of the PC case I have. The PSU is under heavy metal. So I guess it will have to do.
 
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doubleacity

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Jan 26, 2018
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Thank You all for your help and I have now mapped out my new PC build thanks to your help. I wish I could select all of you for as the solution but the site only allows one. So I will choose one at random. Thank you all again and wish you all the best of life.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Here is a nice chart to size a psu. It depends primarily on the graphics card.
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm
Your GTX1070ti is efficient, 550w is about right.
I have no problem overprovisioning a PSU a bit. Say 20%.
It will allow for a stronger future graphics card upgrade.
It will run cooler, quieter, and more efficiently in the middle third of it's range.
A PSU will only use the wattage demanded of it, regardless of it's max capability.

As to the 650w Seasonic focus, I think it is an excellent psu. I used one in a recent build for my son.
 
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doubleacity

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Jan 26, 2018
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Thanks geofelt. I really appreciate the help. I've learned a lot more about PC parts today and I'm very glad I can now know what I need to do to build a good PC for the family.
 
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