Building a PC

[Tom01]

Hi guys, I would like to build a new PC mainly for games, but I will be working with AUTOcad in school, so I might use it for some rendering.

So far I came up with this:
GPU: Asus ROG Strix 1070 8GB
CPU: i5 6600K / i7 6700K
MOBO: one with overclocking support like this one: ASUS Z170-E
RAM: any 16GB ~3000Mhz
PSU: any
CASE: CoolerMaster MasterCase 5 PRO
COOLING: closed water cooling like this: Corsair H115i Extreme
SSD: I've found this one: SanDisk Ultra II - 480GB
MONITOR: I'd like a 75+Hz 2560 x 1440p like this one: ASUS MG278Q

I'm open to any suggestions you guys have. Thank you for your time
Tom

 

[ravenjedmanicdao]

You will need at least a 600W power supply to power all those components. If you are only working solely for AUTOcad, that build is really overkill. You don't need 16GB of RAM unless you are an extreme multitasker, 8GB is enough for most operations (even gaming) right now, remember that unused RAM is waste RAM, if you think you will utilize every byte of 16GB, why not go for it. Now, for your GPU, you don't something that expensive if you are not going 4k resolutions, because that's what the GeForce 10 series are built for. It's just a complete waste if you are not going to utilize it properly, especially when your monitor only supports 2k. Go for a GTX 980 instead, it's so much cheaper, and it can run the games, even the latest ones at ultra settings at your current monitor resolution. Also, I presume your PC will be running completely on the SSD? I would recommend getting a 1-2tb hard drive for main storage and the SSD for faster OS operations.

In short: Complete overkill specs with minimal utilization of components, you should get cheaper components.

 

[gondo]

Nice build. Here are a few tips.

- RAM - not really any brand. But a good brand like Crucial, Corsair, Mushkin, Geil, Kingston, etc... for the lifetime warranty. Stay away from value RAM.
- PSU - Get a top tier from XFX, Silverstone, EVGA, Corsair, Antec, etc... Check the Tier 1 list from Toms. EVGA G2/P2/T2 are always good with an even better warranty. The Skylake and 1070 use very little power. A 550W would be enough.
- Get the case you like. Phantek has some nice ones with tempered glass. Corsair 600C is a nice inverted case. Fractal Design Define S is a top quality case at a wicked price since they dropped the drive bays. Great value and room for water cooling. Just some choices if you want to look around.
- A water cooler is not required. Skylake and the 1070 are not heaters. A heatsink is fine. If you want water just for the sake of having liquid, try going all out with a custom open loop just for the bling factor.
- Nice monitor. Yes 144Hz is nice, but don't forget GSync. Even a 1080p 24" version would work as long as it's 144HZ and Gsync....those are worth more than bigger resolutions.

 

[amtseung]

Autocad likes more ram, so find a 16 or 32GB kit out there that fits within the budget. Ram speed is pretty irrelevant nowadays, as long as you have enough of it.

May I recommend getting a cheaper case? If this is going to be used at school, that means it's going to need to get moved around a lot. I would honestly say go microATX or miniITX, go small form factor, and be a bit more flexible in where you can put your machine, and how easy it is to move in and out of your dorm/apartment.

On the topic of moving around, a CLC water cooler is usually a bad idea. The more you move it around, the more chances of air getting into the loop. Once air gets in, it's useless. A Hyper212 or Cryorig H7 will go a long way. If you do decide to go miniITX small form factor, a low profile cooler like the Cryorig C1/C7 or the Scythe Shuriken is pretty adequate. I know you want the best temps, but from first hand experience, CLC cooler will only last a year or two under ideal conditions before the thing sounds like a drowning man and needs to be retired.

Lastly, 750W if you want to go overclocking your whole system. It doesn't have to be a top-of-the-line 750W like a lot of other people here will tell you, but if it does have an 80plus rating, it's probably half decent.

I agree with raven: Complete overkill specs with minimal utilization of components, you should get cheaper components.

 

[gondo]

OP mentions gaming therefore the 1080 will kill it. Great 1080 performance, and playable 1440 specs. As far as RAM goes it's cheap. yes 8GB is enough, but it's cheap so go 16GB. As far as air goes, the Cryorig is nice, the Coolermaster Hyper 212 is more readily available. Noctua coolers are the bling bling of the heatsink world and super nice and expensive. 3000MHz RAM is actually a good thing. It's practically the same price as 2133MHz RAM, and with a Z170 based motherboard you can take advantage. I remember an article where Toms tested higher speed RAM with Skylake and showed it actually made a difference compared to older generations. As far as power supplies go, 450W will work, but they arn't common. A 550W will be fine. You want top tier. Just because it's 80% bronze rated or 800W means nothing, you want tight regulation, amps on the rails, etc.... Quality power means tier 1 or 2. Not Tier 3-5. EVGA G2 is very good and not over priced, if you can't decide on another model.

 

[Isokolon]

just to correct a few things:

"Now, for your GPU, you don't something that expensive if you are not going 4k resolutions, because that's what the GeForce 10 series are built for. It's just a complete waste if you are not going to utilize it properly, especially when your monitor only supports 2k. Go for a GTX 980 instead, it's so much cheaper, and it can run the games, even the latest ones at ultra settings at your current monitor resolution."
No. The GTX 1080 was build to run 4k at 60fps on ultra. The 1070 was made for 2k or 1080p/144Hz ultra, although it being overkill for 1080/60Hz it certainly doesn't hurt.
The 980 is on par with a GTX 1060. The 1060 was not designed for 4k resolution and struggles at 2k at times.
In most cases it's also a lot cheaper than the 980. Furthermore the Geforce 1000 series does much better in Dx12 than the 900 series so there's really no reason to go for a 980 unless it's significantly cheaper than a 1060.


coming to your build:
usually the Gigabyte Z170 UD§ / Gaming 3 provides better value than the ASUS boards. you get better components and better performance for the $ as Gigabyte doesn't charge the "Asus Tax".
water cooling is pretty much unnecessary with this generation. if you like water cooling go for it. but there's literally no need for that.
for RAM, if you go air cooling, I recommend Corsair Vengeance LPX as they fit with every cooler
for the PSU: depends on your money. right now Super Flower Leadex or EVGA Supernova G2 / P2 / GS seem to be the go to units. Corsair Ax/Hx/RMx series are very good as well. So are Seasonic (everything basically) and XFX (all but the XT series, XTR is great). I'd pick one of those units. 550W should suffice, 650W for overclocking CPU + GPU.




"if it does have an 80plus rating, it's probably half decent." that's sadly the biggest bullsh*t ever. efficiency says nothing about build quality. I can build a 750W PSU that can only deliver 300W on the 12v rail, comes without any safety protocols and still get a 80+ rating.


also even when overclocking 650W will be MORE than enough


as OP stated he'd "like to build a new PC mainly for games, but I will be working with AUTOcad "
I disagree with the overkill statement. this is a fine gaming build. for his screen a GTX 1070 is basically mandatory to max settings out, 16GB RAM is the go to, as there are several games using more than 8GB right now
if you can afford it, the 6700k is nice as it performs better in rendering
but rather get the 6600k if it otherwise means to "save" on other parts

 

[gondo]

As far as the GPU goes. A 1080 is just enough to go 4k with a single card compared to SLI required with the last generation. A 1070 will approach 144Hz with 1080p or give you 60FPS+ at 1440P. A 1060 will be good for 1080p.

A 1070 is not overkill. I'd go for it and stay away from the the 9xx series old generations. Those 1440P or 1080P Asus monitors you mentions are very nice and GSync equipped. Some bad info floating around here. And you probably want 1440p just for the extra realestate when autocadding.

Or get a nice 1080p 24" for gaming, and a second cheaper 27"+ 4k monitor just for the autocadding and desktop use. That is an option.

 

[Tom01]

I would like to thank everybody for their answers, I'll look at Gigabyte motherboards and the PSUs you suggested.
I accidentally selected the first answer as the best one, however I wanted to select Isokolon.
Thanks Tom

 

[Rogue Leader]

Best Answer changed at OP request