2-3k budget build sugestions

[Justin_57]

I'm looking to spend 2-3k on a windows 7 build.
Looking for at least an m.2 ssd and some other ssds and hdds for storage

Everything else is up for grabs, what would you recommend for a kick ass setup?

 

[dreamalittle]

Hello, this is how I would spend $2200USD:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Scythe Kotetsu 79.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.88 @ OutletPC)

quiet with beautiful acoustic signature, amazing temps on i7/6700k overclocks

Motherboard: Asus Z170-DELUXE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($299.99 @ B&H)

best fan controls, stable overclocks, and features for z170 imo.

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($169.99 @ Newegg)

cheap and 32gb means you'll probably never want to upgrade this. 3200 with crazy good cas is the sweet spot in ddr4 imo.

Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($317.00 @ Amazon)

there's the beautiful user friendly m.2 system drive + apps.

Storage: Mushkin Reactor 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($219.99 @ Newegg)

why even bother having a stupid noisy spinning HDD in your nice new quiet $2-3k monster? this cheap 1tb ssd will be perfect for downloads. if you need more than 1tb just buy another one or ideally have a NAS in another room with the 3-6TB WD RED HDD's. (QNAP ts251 2 bay will almost fit within your budget, even)

Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz)

amazing case to build in. heavy as a tank. awesome cable management, runs so cold, sound dampening materials included inside, and even has a version without the window if you dont care to look at your parts

Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)

850W gives you room to grow for SLI if you want. If you don't want to SLI then you have more power than you need which is not a bad thing and this is on tom's top tier list of PSUs.

Other: GTX 1080 ($600.00)

obvious choice for the premium build.

Total: $2203.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-22 09:56 EDT-0400

Adding a second 1080 in SLI brings the price up to $2800.

 

[Icaraeus]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2630 V4 2.2GHz 10-Core Processor ($649.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Water 3.0 Ultimate 99.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($119.72 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme6/ac ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($233.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($172.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.29 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Other: GTX 1080 ($600.00)
Total: $2170.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-22 10:05 EDT-0400

Far better PC. 10 cores / 20 threads

 

[dreamalittle]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2630 V4 2.2GHz 10-Core Processor ($649.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Water 3.0 Ultimate 99.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($119.72 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme6/ac ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($233.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($172.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.29 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Other: GTX 1080 ($600.00)
Total: $2170.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-22 10:05 EDT-0400

Far better PC. 10 cores / 20 threads

actually a far worse PC for applications like most games and windows apps which use 4 cores (or less).

 

[Icaraeus]

With all due respect, you're very much wrong. I'm assuming you're referring to clockspeed. The Xeon boosts above 3ghz.

 

[dreamalittle]

you're recommending a more expensive cpu with 10 cores, 6 or more of which that will be unused in nearly every single game and application currently on the market.

what's worse, the 2630 has PITIFUL clock speeds compared to the 6700k. even without overclocking the 6700k will perform at the very least, THE EXACT SAME in every game. in cpu bound games the higher clock speeds will obviously put the 6700k ahead of the 2630.

here is a basic video explaining why games and most consumer applications favour fewer cores with higher clock speeds over more cores with lower clock speeds. there is even a xeon vs core i7 benchmark there if you don't believe the LTT anecdotes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ59vHSFfZA

 

[Icaraeus]

There are a great deal of professional applications that do take advantage of more than 4 cores, including applications geared towards software development. "Pitiful clockspeeds" Sorry but that's just nonsense.

 

[dreamalittle]

it's not nonsense. lots of people overclock their 6700k to 4.7, 4.8Ghz. the two processors are just chalk and cheese for MOST people (where the 6700k will win).

i know you like xeons, but unless OP specifies he's using software development or rendering, why on earth would you recommend it over consumer enthusiast. you must be taking crazy pills. keep hitting that downvote button if it makes you feel better btw bud, must be like a stress ball for you.

 

[Icaraeus]

Intel Xeon E3 = 10 cores / 20 threads / 3.1ghz
Intel Core i7 6700 = 4 cores / 8 threads / 4ghz (of which games do not need more than 3ghz)

For software development, video editing, etc - Xeon will completely annihilate the Intel i7 in terms of speed. Keep this discussion civil please.

 

[dreamalittle]

as i posted in the other threads, here are current benchmarks showing i7-6700k beating higher core count processors (such as the amazing 5960)

source: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2016-what-is-the-fastest-gaming-cpu

edit: wow look at that far cry advantage! 25 FPS faster for the quad core i7-6700k compared to the much more expensive, eight core 5960X!!

youtube guide for showing live frame by frame data difference in CPU bound games performance difference in benchmarks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocwwaVGUFtk

 

[Justin_57]

Hello, this is how I would spend $2200USD:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Scythe Kotetsu 79.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.88 @ OutletPC)

quiet with beautiful acoustic signature, amazing temps on i7/6700k overclocks

Motherboard: Asus Z170-DELUXE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($299.99 @ B&H)

best fan controls, stable overclocks, and features for z170 imo.

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($169.99 @ Newegg)

cheap and 32gb means you'll probably never want to upgrade this. 3200 with crazy good cas is the sweet spot in ddr4 imo.

Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($317.00 @ Amazon)

there's the beautiful user friendly m.2 system drive + apps.

Storage: Mushkin Reactor 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($219.99 @ Newegg)

why even bother having a stupid noisy spinning HDD in your nice new quiet $2-3k monster? this cheap 1tb ssd will be perfect for downloads. if you need more than 1tb just buy another one or ideally have a NAS in another room with the 3-6TB WD RED HDD's. (QNAP ts251 2 bay will almost fit within your budget, even)

Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz)

amazing case to build in. heavy as a tank. awesome cable management, runs so cold, sound dampening materials included inside, and even has a version without the window if you dont care to look at your parts

Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)

850W gives you room to grow for SLI if you want. If you don't want to SLI then you have more power than you need which is not a bad thing and this is on tom's top tier list of PSUs.

Other: GTX 1080 ($600.00)

obvious choice for the premium build.

Total: $2203.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-22 09:56 EDT-0400

Adding a second 1080 in SLI brings the price up to $2800.

Thank you Dreamalittle, This seems like an awesome build, I'll use this a reference or even just build exactly this! I plan on using this system for mostly basic office functions and VR/Gaming. I definitely don't need the xenon.

So this would be your best recommendation?

 

[dreamalittle]

Glad to hear that my common sense assumption that you don't need a 10 core processor was the correct one.

It's my best recommendation, besides of course you can change which SSD brand as you might find one which has more storage for cheaper etc. Generally using ANY SSD as a storage drive will give fantastic results. For example I have setup on my desk right now two computers, one has a SSD for files and the other has a HDD for lightroom libraries and some CAD projects.. the HDD one just feels sluggish whenever I pull up files. The SSDs, even the 5+ year old models the response times are just so snappy.

The only other part you may personally want to swap is the CPU cooler. The scythe kotetsu has the nicest acoustic signature of the 30+ I've used in builds, and the temperatures are within a few degrees of the grossly loud AIO's, even the really expensive ones. As you can tell, "quiet" computing is one of my biases (but I'm careful to mention it!!). If you personally don't mind a bit of radiator fan noise, feel free to go an AIO water cooler, which of course look much prettier through a window, and have thermal paste pre-applied generally. Or a different air cooler like the noctua 15, which has a real beige vibe happy building!

edit: also scythe has had some issues with skylake boards and their screw length, so just be careful with those coolers if you do choose one. they have replacement screws for free if you think it'll be an issue.

 

[VR PC-BUILD]

Here is a kick ass setup:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($119.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus X99-A ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($215.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($67.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($67.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($172.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($316.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($316.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Other: GTX1080 ($600.00)
Other: i7-6900X ($875.00)
Total: $3033.59
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-22 12:21 EDT-0400

PC-PartPicker is showing that mobo dose not support M.2 but it is not true. Below is the link

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/X99A/

 

[Icaraeus]

Downvoted for stating facts. How nice.