First PC build ~$1000 really need feedbacks please!

[pjs1310]

Hi guys,

I’m about to build my first ever gaming computer and I want to get your insight. I’m really debating on getting one for overclocking vs. not. I have never overclocked before, so I have no idea if it’s really worth the additional buck i’ll have to put in. I’m hoping to play Battlefield on high settings, if not moderately high settings with this build. Could you guys please take a look at it and also see if I had missed anything? Like I said, this is my first build and I have absolutely no knowledge at this. Also, please feel free to give me other options on saving some $$ and still have a equal performing or biggest bang for the buck! I’ll look forward to your feedback! Here is the link to my build: http://amzn.com/w/GA8LN6N5KT8E

Thank you guys so much!

 

[basroil]

1) Use 2x4gb of memory instead of 1x8
2) Get the G2 model of the PSU, not the B1
3) If you need to keep to a budget, use the Gigabyte Z170 D3H (saves you ~$40, which is the cost difference for the G2)

 

[smorizio]

if you have a local micro center they have cpu and mb combo deals.
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/1c574222#/1c574222/33

 

[smorizio]

also look out the newer pascal gpu paper launch is in two weeks.

 

[jmsellars1]

Agreed with Basroil, get a 2x4GB kit and you would have slightly better performance. That PSU is OK but I'd get a better one at this budget, I'd get a 500W+ Seasonic or XFX or something.

Overclocking isn't all that great from a price/performance perspective. You need a better CPU, motherboard, PSU and CPU cooler just to get that extra 20% performance. Its more for people that just enjoy doing it I think.

 

[jackspeed]

I totaled your build to come out to 1053 without the monitor or wireless adapter. This build is a little more but the upsides are worth it. the price includes $40 of mail in rebates. Better PSU, more ram and slightly newer case.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($238.87 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($153.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($295.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.98 @ Mac Mall)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($78.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1062.47
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-25 09:46 EDT-0400

This motherboard has a rebate which would reduce the overall cost and match the GPU color scheme that I listed. Its a good board.

Motherboard: MSI Z170A GAMING M5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($132.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $132.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-25 09:57 EDT-0400

 

[pjs1310]

1) Use 2x4gb of memory instead of 1x8
2) Get the G2 model of the PSU, not the B1
3) If you need to keep to a budget, use the Gigabyte Z170 D3H (saves you ~$40, which is the cost difference for the G2)

Thank you for your response here. I have a question though. Can I get SuperNOVA GS instead of G2? What's the difference? which one is better in performance?

 

[basroil]

Thank you for your response here. I have a question though. Can I get SuperNOVA GS instead of G2? What's the difference? which one is better in performance?

GS is ok, but if you're spending $1000 on a computer why settle for "ok" when "great" is only a bit more?

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=429 <--G2
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=424 <--GS

When it comes to transient response, the difference is even larger, and the G2 is a very large improvement

 

[jmsellars1]

Yeah when you're spending 1000USD I'd only settle for a tier one PSU personally:

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

In a good quality PSU you're buying reliability and longevity for your build. More efficient ones will give you less heat and noise generally as well.

 

[pjs1310]

Yeah when you're spending 1000USD I'd only settle for a tier one PSU personally:

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

In a good quality PSU you're buying reliability and longevity for your build. More efficient ones will give you less heat and noise generally as well.

Thanks for your suggestion. I have a question though. As i calculated i'm spending nearly $100 if i go with overclock build as oppose to not. Do you think that potential is really worth that money? Also, do you suggest r9 390 8gb or gtx 970? I see they are about the same price... Thanks again!

 

[jmsellars1]

In terms of the CPU you'd be getting roughly 15-25% more performance for around 30-40% more cash. That's not too bad but I'd put money towards more important things like GPU and SSD first personally.

 

[jackspeed]

Yeah when you're spending 1000USD I'd only settle for a tier one PSU personally:

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

In a good quality PSU you're buying reliability and longevity for your build. More efficient ones will give you less heat and noise generally as well.

Thanks for your suggestion. I have a question though. As i calculated i'm spending nearly $100 if i go with overclock build as oppose to not. Do you think that potential is really worth that money? Also, do you suggest r9 390 8gb or gtx 970? I see they are about the same price... Thanks again!

ON GPU @1080 the 970 and 390 are about the same. above 1080 the 390 is a better card, the extra ram is nice as well. Although the 970 is more power efficient and typically has less bugs on release of new games. Both come with a free game so I would let the game make the decision for you as it looks as if you are planning on gaming at 1080. If you don't care I would go with the 390 or let the warranty decide.

On Overclocking. Giving up that ability saves some money on by removing the "K". Then you get to decide if the stock cooler is ok, some people don't like it because it either makes more noise or is not as high a quality as a third party cooler. Then the other decision is if you want to move down to an h170 board. The Z170 board supports faster ram (negligable) and they only have 16 lanes of pci-e instead of 20 so if you plan on running other pci devices aside from the GPU you may have some impact there.

 

[basroil]

Do you think that potential is really worth that money? Also, do you suggest r9 390 8gb or gtx 970? I see they are about the same price... Thanks again!

In general you should not overclock your first build. Too much of a risk for only a relatively small improvement.

As for 390 vs 970, check the benchmarks for the games you want. After that, check how much you would have to pay for electricity, and add about 1kWHr per day to the price of the 390. You can then compare the real price to performance.

 

[jmsellars1]

Get the 970 unless the 390 is significantly better in games you play or is significantly cheaper. The increased power consumption of the 390 doesn't just mean power consumption, that also means more heat and more noise. This usually means a bigger card requiring more power connectors and with reduced overclocking capability too.