[SOLVED] First-time PC Building

[llamaalad]

Hello!!
For more than a decade I've been purchasing and using pre-built PCs from HP and Dell and have finally decided to ditch that habit and build my own PC. The past few days I've done quite a bit of research and picked parts, though I'm still a bit worried on whether or not all of my parts/casing are compatible with one another (despite pcpartpicker saying it is). I want everything to go flawlessly and smoothly as possible when all the parts all put together, and I really don't want to deal with errors, blue screens, or dead parts in 1 year from now. Minimal replacements and maintenance would also be something I'd love!

My budget is currently under $2,000 USD (excluding shipping + fees) and I've tried to pick parts for a PC that can excel in tasks like gaming (MMOs, BRs), graphic design work (Adobe CC, Blender), and just general multitasking between the two and other simple tasks like browsing or watching videos. Additionally, I wanted to build a PC that's "aesthetically" pleasing, hence the LED/RGBs and reds.


Below is the parts I currently have in mind:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/DJTY7W

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 LED 66.3 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus - ROG MAXIMUS X CODE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LED 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LED 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8 GB Video Card
Case: Cooler Master - MasterCase MC500P ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair - HX Platinum 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit


I should also note that I would like to stick to an Intel-based build as opposed to any other for right now.

Thanks so much!!

 

[wujanowski]

For the case you decide a vendor builds the PC for you, here I found one, allowing for high degree of customization. Maybe worth a look before you take the final decision "to build or not to build"? You can still make use of setups proposed by others here
Of course there are many builders, this one is not my recommendation, only the first hit in Google 😉

 

[SgtScream]

What are you talking about?

 

[wujanowski]

What are you talking about?

OP is still not sure, if he will build the PC itself, so why not take a look on the possibility to get a highly customized PC (close to your best hints) from a custom PC vendor, who may have better prices (because of wholesale rebates from part vendors and ability to give rebates to customers because of making and selling more than one computer a year) and offer PC building experience to avoid problems, you can get if you go for a risk to build a PC yourself and you have only instructions how to assemble the components but maybe don't know when to install specific drivers, how to setup the BIOS and - which is maybe most important - to have a PC with guarantee and with support a.s.o.
I guess, the question "to build ot not to build" is something, our OP have still in mind. He wants to build himself. But at the same time he is "a bit worried ..." and wants " everything to go flawlessly and smoothly as possible".
If you have ONLY about 2000 USD for a computer, you don't have the comfort to make it a nice adventure, so if it shows to take too much time or too many problems, you let stay your half-built PC and still have another 2000 USD to buy a custom PC from specialist.
It's up to him and I'm not trying to tell him, he shouldn't go for it, but it's a bit adventurous so always good to think twice before you eventually have more problems than adventure and you start to not like it.
Only an idea?
Yes, I know, you are Gaming expert here and you collect points to upbeat your status but can you give the OP a guarantee, your proposed setup (built by an amateur) will work?

 

[vMax]

What are you talking about?

OP is still not sure, if he will build the PC itself, so why not take a look on the possibility to get a highly customized PC (close to your best hints) from a custom PC vendor, who may have better prices (because of wholesale rebates from part vendors and ability to give rebates to customers because of making and selling more than one computer a year) and offer PC building experience to avoid problems, you can get if you go for a risk to build a PC yourself and you have only instructions how to assemble the components but maybe don't know when to install specific drivers, how to setup the BIOS and - which is maybe most important - to have a PC with guarantee and with support a.s.o.
I guess, the question "to build ot not to build" is something, our OP have still in mind. He wants to build himself. But at the same time he is "a bit worried ..." and wants " everything to go flawlessly and smoothly as possible".
If you have ONLY about 2000 USD for a computer, you don't have the comfort to make it a nice adventure, so if it shows to take too much time or too many problems, you let stay your half-built PC and still have another 2000 USD to buy a custom PC from specialist.
It's up to him and I'm not trying to tell him, he shouldn't go for it, but it's a bit adventurous so always good to think twice before you eventually have more problems than adventure and you start to not like it.
Only an idea?
Yes, I know, you are Gaming expert here and you collect points to upbeat your status but can you give the OP a guarantee, your proposed setup (built by an amateur) will work?

I think the OP is being confused...His question was very simple, in that he has a budget, parts list and was it compatible and what additional options might make it a better build.

He has been provided with some great options on the build and compatibility. In fact some of the builds including the ones from SgtScream are extremely good value especially for the OP's use case, budget and will provide for one hell of a top PC that will last many years and provide both top end gaming and productivity.

As to the question to build or not to build, there are so many guides now on saving money and building your self that I think the OP is on the right route to build his own PC and from personal perspective, building your own PC is a great, great achievement and much easier now....

As to your final point on 'upbeat your status'!!! I think that is not a very good point as we are all here only to help others and quiet honestly do not expect to get anything other than the fact that we might have helped in some way...after all that is what this forum is for.....to help others...nothing more...

And finally, the OP was clear in his initial post as to what he wanted and only when you jumped in with the suggestion of getting someone else to build the PC like a custom PC vendor did things start to get confusing way beyond what was required..He never mentioned a custom PC vendor build option...

It is critically important we listen to the question and answer to those points with any feedback that might help rather than trying to push what 'we' personally might want or like....

 

[wujanowski]

What are you talking about?

OP is still not sure, if he will build the PC itself, so why not take a look on the possibility to get a highly customized PC (close to your best hints) from a custom PC vendor, who may have better prices (because of wholesale rebates from part vendors and ability to give rebates to customers because of making and selling more than one computer a year) and offer PC building experience to avoid problems, you can get if you go for a risk to build a PC yourself and you have only instructions how to assemble the components but maybe don't know when to install specific drivers, how to setup the BIOS and - which is maybe most important - to have a PC with guarantee and with support a.s.o.
I guess, the question "to build ot not to build" is something, our OP have still in mind. He wants to build himself. But at the same time he is "a bit worried ..." and wants " everything to go flawlessly and smoothly as possible".
If you have ONLY about 2000 USD for a computer, you don't have the comfort to make it a nice adventure, so if it shows to take too much time or too many problems, you let stay your half-built PC and still have another 2000 USD to buy a custom PC from specialist.
It's up to him and I'm not trying to tell him, he shouldn't go for it, but it's a bit adventurous so always good to think twice before you eventually have more problems than adventure and you start to not like it.
Only an idea?
Yes, I know, you are Gaming expert here and you collect points to upbeat your status but can you give the OP a guarantee, your proposed setup (built by an amateur) will work?

I think the OP is being confused...His question was very simple, in that he has a budget, parts list and was it compatible and what additional options might make it a better build.

He has been provided with some great options on the build and compatibility. In fact some of the builds including the ones from SgtScream are extremely good value especially for the OP's use case, budget and will provide for one hell of a top PC that will last many years and provide both top end gaming and productivity.

As to the question to build or not to build, there are so many guides now on saving money and building your self that I think the OP is on the right route to build his own PC and from personal perspective, building your own PC is a great, great achievement and much easier now....

As to your final point on 'upbeat your status'!!! I think that is not a very good point as we are all here only to help others and quiet honestly do not expect to get anything other than the fact that we might have helped in some way...after all that is what this forum is for.....to help others...nothing more...

And finally, the OP was clear in his initial post as to what he wanted and only when you jumped in with the suggestion of getting someone else to build the PC like a custom PC vendor did things start to get confusing way beyond what was required..He never mentioned a custom PC vendor build option...

It is critically important we listen to the question and answer to those points with any feedback that might help rather than trying to push what 'we' personally might want or like....

I agree on most of your points My rermark about "upbeating status" was cause by SgtScream's opinions started to be about me, not about the primary question.
One of OP's wishes was to avoid problems. As you say, building of own PC i sa great achievement, which means, one must be aware, this must not be so easy, like one thinks before one does it. This was the cause of my proposal to take any setup (own, own corrected, others, including the AMD-option) and let the vendor to check compatibility and to do the building job professionally. What OP is eventually risking, is uncertainty of the result and potential problems to solve without having experience and know-how. Everything to take into calculation by OP. Of course we all want to help. And of course only the OP can decide. Picking parts is easy but time consuming, because you can hardly objectively compare different setups and you can find lots of them. Because I' not a gamer (and I have made it clear from the beginning), I tried to put the thing in a broader perspective. Also I can't tell, what will be more or less pleasing for OP, because it's very individual.
For now I think OP has a big input and must decide. You speak about "confusion" and I guess you want to express my hints to be confusing. Maybe they are. But this kind of confusion is just what OP expected. If not, he would only ask, if the parts picked are compatible.
The question of "to build or not to build" arises from the primary post of OP. He wants something, everybody would like to have. But it's simply impossible. Who builds his first PC, is going some risk and if something goes wrong, must resolve problems himself or opening a lot of other threads here or anywhere. This is normal and he must decide, what is worth more for him: peace of mind or the proud of having built own PC.
TBH - I have built some PC's (maybe 6-7 for myself and it was never easy and comfortable. And I have done this only because for some time ago the thing like building custom PC's by professional builders was not available. Since long time it is and since 10 years or more, I'm using configurators available on websites of professional PC-builders, I pick parts according to my imagination but then I listen to comments and hints from professional engineer, who will then build my PC. On the end I have a custom PC built by professional, professionally tested and certified (as a complete computer, not single components). And I know, if some single component, say a harddisk, shows to not pass such tests, the builder takes another one from the shelf and the replacement is his job, not mine. In my country such "building" does not cost more than if I would buy single parts and build the PC myself. This is my experience but I can understand, if someone wants to go for a risk and the pride as reward plus eventually save some money (but it's rather symbolic. because buying all parts from the same vendor I can negotiate some additional bonus).
So our friend have now two substantial questions - which parts set to take and "to build or not to build". This is he must do on his own And we all wish him to be happy with the outcome

 

[wujanowski]

Another argument to rethink building the PC on your own. I have seen on many sites of custom PC-builders the following remark. Picking parts with compatibility test is no guarantee of optimal setup, because manufacturers of parts&components often use own patented solutions, so it can show first during the assembly, some substantially compatible components are not working or not working optimal or some special features of some components (mobo, graphic card, SSD) will actually not work and then the builder offers you to replace some components, which will work as expected. For example you can pick any of Samsung SSD (SATA or NVMe) and the compatibility test (of the picker software) will accept them as compatible. Well, they are. But for some motherboards they, or for some Windows versions or models of SSD, the RAPID mode will not work, even with the latest Samsung Magician. Some special features of advanced motherboards will not work with some power supply models.
If you build the computer yourself, these are all your models and no any vendor of parts/components gives you guarantee for the part(/component to work with any other. And even if the vendor is ready to replace given component by other one, you will still not know, which one would work and no vendor will replace your component many times. So you lose time and money or in worst case you are in a blind corner and don't know, what to do. It's a huge argument against self-building or you take exactly the configuration proposed by experts here and the respective expert tells you, he has build at least one computer with this parts set and it works and eventually tells you, what are specific issues, you would not find in the general instructions, videos, whatever.
Maybe you have luck and everything works fine and you are not hit by any issue. But you should have some strategy, what to do, if some component does not work in a given set, even if it's not faulty.The best expert is a professional PC builder. Not necessarily a big brand. It Maybe you find someone here, who will not only propose the set but also offers (for free?) to build the PC and responsibility for delivering you perfectly working PC. These days I would definitely not build a PC myself.