[SOLVED] First PC Build -- Trying to Pick Out Parts

[johnpapa101]

Hey everyone,

I am a first time PC Builder and am in the (lengthy) process to pick out parts for the first time. I have asked a lot of people for advice, but just want to make sure that this list of parts appears compatible (I am mainly concerned about fitting all the stuff into the case, I think the dimensions check out, but I'm not sure. Here's the build:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/8qRs3t

I am primarily seeking to record/stream low demanding games on it. The main area of concerns is the compatibility of parts (as I mentioned above) and I also want to make sure that power supply I chose looks good. I appreciate all feedback good or bad and am very open to any advice you all have for a first time builder. Thanks to everyone in advance

 

[Barty1884]

It's 'compatible', sure - but at $1,400 it's probably not the best use of funds.

Some comments:

1. You're pairing an overclockable CPU (and aftermarket cooler) with a locked chipset. IF
2. Fairly garbage-tier SSD as secondary storage.
3. Pretty poor PSU for the money
4. Memory could be faster
5. If you want to stick with Intel, consider a 10th Gen, locked i5 (6c/12t vs 6/6)
6. Potentially consider Ryzen

An Intel option - Doubles your thread count, increases RAM speed, better secondary SSD & PSU and saves you ~$100 (although drops the aftermarket cooler)

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-10400 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor ($182.00 @ B&H)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B460M DS3H Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard ($79.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL16 Memory ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial BX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($95.00 @ Newegg)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8 GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: Fractal Design Meshify C Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($102.89 @ B&H)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: MSI Optix G24C4 23.6" 1920x1080 144 Hz Monitor ($179.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1301.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-06-30 16:17 EDT-0400

If you wanted lower CPU temps, a basic cooler like a 212 Evo would be more than adequate here.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Hy...ck-edition-420-cfm-cpu-cooler-rr-212s-20pk-r1


A Ryzen5 3600 should net you similar performance (and better in some cases), for similar money - with a motherboard that still has a round of CPU upgrades to go. Their stock cooler is better too (although would still be quieter with an aftermarket)

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($174.49 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B550M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($94.99 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial BX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($95.00 @ Newegg)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8 GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: Fractal Design Meshify C Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($102.89 @ B&H)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: MSI Optix G24C4 23.6" 1920x1080 144 Hz Monitor ($179.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1331.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-06-30 16:19 EDT-0400

OR, you could look to older Ryzen5 CPUs (1600 12nm / "AF" is as 2600 in all but name) and save money while getting very respectable performance - even freeing up some budget to improve the GPU...

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (12nm) 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor ($134.77 @ Walmart)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($72.99 @ Best Buy)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL16 Memory ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial BX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($95.00 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB WINDFORCE OC 3X Video Card ($499.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: Fractal Design Meshify C Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($102.89 @ B&H)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: MSI Optix G24C4 23.6" 1920x1080 144 Hz Monitor ($179.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1347.59
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-06-30 16:22 EDT-0400

 

[Zerk2012]

Besides what is listed above buy a regular HDD to record game play to raw fottage can eat up a ton of space and always record to a different drive than the one the game is loaded on.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Vrf9Dx

 

[johnpapa101]

Barty, thanks for your really detailed reply! I learned a lot from reading it and looking through the three builds you created via modifying the original, so thank you for that! I think I will likely go for the Intel build -- the changes to the storage, PSU, motherboard, etc seem to be for the best. I do have a couple extra clarification questions, however.

Is an aftermarket cooler necessary? I do know the case I chose has two coolers preinstalled, do you think a third is necessary?

Also, do you think it is worth upgrading to the i5-10600 for the extra .4 GHz or would this be unnecessary and a waste of funds?


Thanks again for everything. Based on what I have been able to tell, the hardware I'll be buying is better at the same or a lower cost. And once again, sorry for any shortsightedness on my end, there's a lot to learn!

Also, thank you Zerk for your recommendation as well. I may consider swapping the SSD for HDD for my secondary storage for recordings to save money. Very good point.


Thanks again to both you!

 

[Barty1884]

Is an aftermarket cooler necessary? I do know the case I chose has two coolers preinstalled, do you think a third is necessary?

I think you're confusing aftermarket cooling (ie CPU cooler) vs case fans. The stock Fractal fans are... fine, nothing more. And the stock cooler (either Intel or AMD) is sufficient. You could always add a cooler or additional fans later on - not 'necessary' from the outset.

Also, do you think it is worth upgrading to the i5-10600 for the extra .4 GHz or would this be unnecessary and a waste of funds?

Cheapest I see is a 10600 or 10600K for ~$280 vs $195 for the 10400, so no, I think it's a waste.
The 10400 should be able to be pegged to 4.3GHz and you're not going to see ~40% performance gains for ~40% more money.

Thanks again for everything. Based on what I have been able to tell, the hardware I'll be buying is better at the same or a lower cost. And once again, sorry for any shortsightedness on my end, there's a lot to learn!

Also, thank you Zerk for your recommendation as well. I may consider swapping the SSD for HDD for my secondary storage for recordings to save money. Very good point.

An HDD as your secondary storage is definitely the way to go. I'd suggest a slightly different setup though - bump your primary SSD to 1TB and then have an HDD for bulk storage. Depending on what you do/play, you might benefit from a larger OS drive + frequently used.

The Intel 660p 1TB is $120 vs the 970 Evo 500GB @ $100. It's slower in benchmarks, but in the real world, you'd never notice any difference.

PCPartPicker Part List

Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $119.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-06-30 18:29 EDT-0400

 

[johnpapa101]

Thanks for your response. Here's the modified build that I am currently looking to start purchasing parts for unless I see something that changes my mind (still checking with other friends, etc). https://pcpartpicker.com/list/qHqmMc

Essentially, it is the Intel build you suggested, but with the Intel 660P SSD with the 1TB HDD (Western Digital Caviar Blue) that Zerk recommended. I also added the 212 Evo as the CPU cooler but may or may not purchase depending on what I decide/learn.

Thanks for your help, all of your responses were incredibly useful and also helped me learn a lot (for example, difference between types of fans, lol).

 

[Barty1884]

The 212 will be quieter/cooler, but not inherently 'better' performance wise.

Overall, the build is good for the money. Depending on how much storage you use/intend to use, you can find 2TB options for ~$50. At the end of the day, any modern 7200rpm HDD is much the same as any other modern 7200rpm HDD

$10 +/- in the grand scheme of the build is negligible & gives you a 50% increase in total storage.
Of course, if you don't think you'll need it, it's a moot point.

Example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H2RR55Q?psc=1&th=1&linkCode=gs2&tag=pcp0f-20

 

[johnpapa101]

Thanks so much for your help! I have lots to think about, but this was all very helpful in finalizing my build