Advice on new Gaming/VR build

[Charybdis9]

Hey everyone, I am looking for some feedback on some potential builds. My current system is a few years old, and I have been having trouble using my Oculus Rift with the Asmedia 3.0 controller on the Asus motherboard that I have. I could correct that with an addon card, but a fresh start could be nice.

So far I have come up with two potential part lists, the only difference between them is that one uses an MSI 1080 and the other uses an Asus ROG 1080. I am looking for any kind of feedback that could make it better, or cheaper even, while still making it really nice all around. What do you guys think?

Asus ROG 1080 Build

MSI 1080 Build

Approximate Purchase Date: A few weeks

Budget Range: ~1700 after rebates and shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming/VR, SolidWorks, Misc (Any gaming would currently be either through 1080p monitors or the VR headset, though the system may at some point be hooked up to a 4k TV or possible new monitors down the line)

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon or Newegg, but any can work

Location: Napa County, CA

Parts Preferences: Trying out an Intel build, staying away from anything that uses an Asmedia 3.0 controller

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Additional Comments: Really like the case in the part lists because of the HDMI pass through for the VR headset, and I just like the way it looks. Also, I have tossed around the idea of water cooling the system at some point down the line, but no solid plans at the moment.

 

[esco_sid]

Well from performance/cost perspective i think you are spending a lot more for 0 performance gain over other comparable parts.
and 212 evo wont overclock too well with 6700k.
Heres what i tought would be better

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.44 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($87.49 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($152.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($99.99 @ Jet)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($94.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card ($597.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($78.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1531.52
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-09 16:39 EST-0500

 

[greens]

There is ostensibly no difference between any of the GTX 1080s on the market. They all overclock about the same, and all encounter stability issues long before cooling becomes an issue.

Therefore the builds you have linked are, for our intent and purpose, identical.

That said it looks like a great build.... comments below
The 212 is an economy cooler, i'd like to see something a bit higher end just given the build as a whole Cryorig makes some very nice tower coolers.

15 17 17 35 @ 3000 isn't the best ram you can get for the money. It isn't that it is bad, you're just paying for some flashyness that could go towards performance. 14 CAS @ 3200 is possible.

$200 for an EVGA case seems like robbery to me, but i can also see why you like it.

 

[Geekwad]

Trekking down to the local Microcenter may help save some:

 

[Charybdis9]

@esco_sid I had a question about a few of the changes you made. With the storage, what makes the standard SSD a better choice than the m.2? Is there a stability difference between them, or is the m.2 performance difference not noticeable in terms of boot times and loading times for games and programs? Also, would going with the 550W PS now limit me in terms of future updates if I decide to go with a second GPU or move to water cooling or anything like that?

@greens Just based on the price of it I was afraid that cooler would not be enough lol, but I was struggling to figure out if I would have a ram clearance issue with some of the other beefier coolers. I will take a look at the Cryorig, and I was also looking at the Dark Rock or possibly even one of the corsair water coolers. As far as the RAM, do you think this would be a better option? G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB

@Geekwad I wish I lived closer to a microcenter, but the closest one it 6.5 hours away 🙁 Maybe I can find a family member that is down there to pick it up, thanks for the tip

Edit: I just realized through all of this I have failed to mention - I was going for a black and red build because of some theme ideas for the case. Whoops :/

 

[esco_sid]

@esco_sid I had a question about a few of the changes you made. With the storage, what makes the standard SSD a better choice than the m.2? Is there a stability difference between them, or is the m.2 performance difference not noticeable in terms of boot times and loading times for games and programs? Also, would going with the 550W PS now limit me in terms of future updates if I decide to go with a second GPU or move to water cooling or anything like that?

@greens Just based on the price of it I was afraid that cooler would not be enough lol, but I was struggling to figure out if I would have a ram clearance issue with some of the other beefier coolers. I will take a look at the Cryorig, and I was also looking at the Dark Rock or possibly even one of the corsair water coolers. As far as the RAM, do you think this would be a better option? G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB

@Geekwad I wish I lived closer to a microcenter, but the closest one it 6.5 hours away 🙁 Maybe I can find a family member that is down there to pick it up, thanks for the tip

Edit: I just realized through all of this I have failed to mention - I was going for a black and red build because of some theme ideas for the case. Whoops :/

You are correct on the m.2 the cost difference is not worth it you wont notice real world performance improvement.
As far as the PSU everything should be fine as long as you don't add a 2nd gpu if you do plan a future SLI go with 650+ Watt one and as far as the water cooling stuff it is usually a waste of money to get it done for few % points in performance for the amount of money it costs.