Building Entry-Level Pc

[boveniccolo2]

Hi, i'm building a pc for the first time and i really need some advice. I've created this setup on pcpartpicker:
CPU:Intel - Core i3-8100 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte - B360M DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Memory: Patriot - Viper Elite 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory
Storage:Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Mini Video Card
Case: Apevia - X-Harmony (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Cooler Master - MasterWatt 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
Monitor: Asus - VS228H-P 21.5" 1920x1080 Monitor

Including Windows, the total is around 850 $. Since i have pretty basic knowledge on pc building i'd like to know if this build has any compatibility issues, if i should opt for better components or cheaper ones, or if i should get a better monitor. It would also help if someone provided a sort of benchmark of what this build is capable of.

 

[volkgren]

Looks good except I would use the stock Intel CPU cooler if I could get an SSD for the OS with the money saved.

Actually, you could just swap to the Cryorig H7 (or M9i would do just as well with i3) and get an SSD (the stock cooler can get noticeably loud at times).

I would also change the case for a better brand, Phanteks, NZXT, or Fractal Design. And the monitor for 75Hz at least. And 2666MHz RAM since it only costs $2 more.

*Wait, you said including Windows the price is $850? Why don't you just share the list from PCPartPicker? That woudl make things easier.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i3-8100 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($118.69 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - B360M DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($68.09 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot - Viper Elite 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($83.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: ADATA - Ultimate SU800 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($61.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.90 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Mini Video Card ($229.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT - S340 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Cooler Master - MasterWatt 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: AOC - G2260VWQ6 21.5" 1920x1080 75Hz Monitor ($99.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $855.60
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-06-16 09:46 EDT-0400

 

[geofelt]

Your build is much better than "entry level"
You are compatible and could build as is.

I have some thoughts:

1. I3-8100 comes with a stock cooler that does the job.
Noctua NH-U12s is an excellent cooler that will be quieter.
I would use the stock cooler and use the savings elsewhere.

2. Coolermaster psu's have variable quality.
I would pick a top quality unit like the Seasonic focus 550w:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151189
It will be strong enough to handle a future graphics card upgrade as good as a GTX1080.

3. Cases are a personal thing.
Apevia is not highly thought of, but I see no problem with it.
It has room for two front 120mm intake fans which is sufficient.
Keep it in your list.

4.
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.

 

[boveniccolo2]

Looks good except I would use the stock Intel CPU cooler if I could get an SSD for the OS with the money saved.

Actually, you could just swap to the Cryorig H7 (or M9i would do just as well with i3) and get an SSD (the stock cooler can get noticeably loud at times).

I would also change the case for a better brand, Phanteks, NZXT, or Fractal Design. And the monitor for 75Hz at least. And 2666MHz RAM since it only costs $2 more.

*Wait, you said including Windows the price is $850? Why don't you just share the list from PCPartPicker? That woudl make things easier.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i3-8100 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($118.69 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - B360M DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($68.09 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot - Viper Elite 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($83.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: ADATA - Ultimate SU800 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($61.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.90 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Mini Video Card ($229.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT - S340 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Cooler Master - MasterWatt 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: AOC - G2260VWQ6 21.5" 1920x1080 75Hz Monitor ($99.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $855.60
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-06-16 09:46 EDT-0400

Your build is much better than "entry level"
You are compatible and could build as is.

I have some thoughts:

1. I3-8100 comes with a stock cooler that does the job.
Noctua NH-U12s is an excellent cooler that will be quieter.
I would use the stock cooler and use the savings elsewhere.

2. Coolermaster psu's have variable quality.
I would pick a top quality unit like the Seasonic focus 550w:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151189
It will be strong enough to handle a future graphics card upgrade as good as a GTX1080.

3. Cases are a personal thing.
Apevia is not highly thought of, but I see no problem with it.
It has room for two front 120mm intake fans which is sufficient.
Keep it in your list.

4.
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.

Thanks a lot, i've upgraded my pc build, but i still have a few problems: what kind of monitor and keyboard/mouse should i get for this pc? Also right now i can't include a windows os in the budget, so is there a free os that i can use until i get windows? https://pcpartpicker.com/list/4DvLcY

 

[geofelt]

You can download windows 10 from Microsoft for free.
You can use it for 30 days without activation.
After that you can use it with limitations.
You can buy a license activation code from newegg and it will be delivered via email.
Do not try to buy a cheap version of windows; it will not be legitimate and may be filled with malware.

Why not defer on the hard drive initially?
It is easy to add one later when you actually need the room.

Go to a pc store to buy a cheap used keyboard and mouse.
Possibly a monitor also.