Gaming PC under $2,000 USD - been a while since I did this

[controlfreak]

I'd like to build a new gaming machine. The last one was built around 2009. Here are a few details about my requirements:

• 
  ■ I don't plan to go over 1920x1080, but I will probably add a second Monitor at that resolution (my current one is 144hz)
  ■ I play League of Legends, Fallout 4, XCOM 2, Cities: Skylines, etc
  ■ I am NOT an overclocker
  ■ I will definitely have Visual Studio 2015 installed, and probably SQL Server as well
  ■ I am partial towards Intel CPUs and GeForce GPUs
  ■ I plan to upgrade the GPU when the next generation is released

I would appreciate any advice on mistakes/pitfalls in the build.

Thanks in advance ... here's where I am now:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper D92 54.8 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($38.71 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Extreme3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($101.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme Pro 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($187.75 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.80 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($304.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ B&H)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home Full - USB (32/64-bit) ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Other: Corsair Professional Series Individually Sleeved AX 860/760 ATX 24-Pin (Generation 2) Modular Cables - Red (CP-8920073) ($20.99)
Total: $1433.16
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-09 18:21 EDT-0400

 

[Anonymous09]

This is much better for the same price, although I don't know why you need that fast of ram for gaming, it's over kill, but if you insist:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper D92 54.8 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($38.71 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme Pro 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($187.75 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($304.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home Full - USB (32/64-bit) ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Other: Corsair Professional Series Individually Sleeved AX 860/760 ATX 24-Pin (Generation 2) Modular Cables - Red (CP-8920073) ($20.99)
Total: $1437.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-09 18:44 EDT-0400

You couldn't go wrong with that asrock board either tbh, this is just an alternative.

 

[superninja12]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper D92 54.8 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($38.71 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($55.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($304.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($85.49 @ OutletPC)
Other: Corsair Professional Series Individually Sleeved AX 860/760 ATX 24-Pin (Generation 2) Modular Cables - Red (CP-8920073) ($20.99)
Total: $1318.09
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-09 18:54 EDT-0400

 

[Anonymous09]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper D92 54.8 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($38.71 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($55.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($304.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($85.49 @ OutletPC)
Other: Corsair Professional Series Individually Sleeved AX 860/760 ATX 24-Pin (Generation 2) Modular Cables - Red (CP-8920073) ($20.99)
Total: $1318.09
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-09 18:54 EDT-0400

This would be an excellent alternative build if you want to get slower ram op. Actually ninja I had this same exact build open in another tab ready to post as an alternative for slower ram, HA! Very strange

 

[superninja12]

ooh i forgot you want to host a server with that rig, yeah than faster ram can help.

 

[Anonymous09]

ooh i forgot you want to host a server with that rig, yeah than faster ram can help.

Don't feel bad, I missed that too lol.

And yeah, faster ram would most definitely help. If you wanted, you could up it to 32gb for $60 more:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f43000c15q32gvrb

 

[superninja12]

than your build is great mate

 

[Anonymous09]

I actually have a bit of a revised build here, taking into account the ram:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper D92 54.8 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($38.71 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($212.19 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($304.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home Full - USB (32/64-bit) ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Other: Corsair Professional Series Individually Sleeved AX 860/760 ATX 24-Pin (Generation 2) Modular Cables - Red (CP-8920073) ($20.99)
Total: $1516.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-09 19:19 EDT-0400

 

[controlfreak]

A lot of the items I chose were based on reviews, but some were based on history, such as the Corsair power supply. I also went for a bit of overkill on the wattage since I don't know what kind of power requirements will be on the new GeForce cards when they are released in a few months. I've left that alone, but if there's a solid reason to go with less wattage and steer away from Corsair, I can revise this again.

As I had said, I'll probably install SQL Server, but only for local development purposes, so it won't be used as a server per se. However, the price difference for the faster RAM is so minor that I'd rather not change it.

I saw a lot of good reviews on the Hitachi drive, but I'm far from married to that .. I would have gone with a WD, but the price difference was so significant.

Anyway, I've updated based on the advice here:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper D92 54.8 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($38.71 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme Pro 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($187.75 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($304.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ B&H)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home Full - USB (32/64-bit) ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Other: Corsair Professional Series Individually Sleeved AX 860/760 ATX 24-Pin (Generation 2) Modular Cables - Red (CP-8920073) ($20.99)
Total: $1451.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-09 19:48 EDT-0400

 

[superninja12]

3000mhz ram speed dont go on a h170 board, well it works (most likely)but u don't benefit above 2133 mhz.
and why are you getting that overpriced psu.
the leadex is is just as good if not better.

 

[controlfreak]

3000mhz ram speed dont go on a h170 board, well it works (most likely)but u don't benefit above 2133 mhz.
and why are you getting that overpriced psu.
the leadex is is just as good if not better.

I really don't know brands these days. Last time I built the Corsair PSUs were the best on the market. If people here say that's no longer the case, I'll switch.

 

[superninja12]

3000mhz ram speed dont go on a h170 board, well it works (most likely)but u don't benefit above 2133 mhz.
and why are you getting that overpriced psu.
the leadex is is just as good if not better.

I really don't know brands these days. Last time I built the Corsair PSUs were the best on the market. If people here say that's no longer the case, I'll switch.

that is an excellent power supply, but so is so is super flower, but if u want to spend extra money go on.

 

[ChrisCarbomb]

If you're not overclocking then no need for that Z170 mobo

 

[Anonymous09]

If you're not overclocking then no need for that Z170 mobo

Not true at all, if he wants that fast ram, he NEEDS a z series mb. If he gets an h series mb, the ram will be downclocked to 2133.

 

[Anonymous09]

3000mhz ram speed dont go on a h170 board, well it works (most likely)but u don't benefit above 2133 mhz.
and why are you getting that overpriced psu.
the leadex is is just as good if not better.

I really don't know brands these days. Last time I built the Corsair PSUs were the best on the market. If people here say that's no longer the case, I'll switch.

The evga p2 psu I have on my list is tier 1 platinum. The corsair series is tier 2ish gold. Plus, the p2 is CHEAPER. You also definitely don't need a 750w psu for the pascal, their wattage will be very similar to maxwell.

 

[superninja12]

3000mhz ram speed dont go on a h170 board, well it works (most likely)but u don't benefit above 2133 mhz.
and why are you getting that overpriced psu.
the leadex is is just as good if not better.

I really don't know brands these days. Last time I built the Corsair PSUs were the best on the market. If people here say that's no longer the case, I'll switch.

The evga p2 psu I have on my list is tier 1 platinum. The corsair series is tier 2ish gold. Plus, the p2 is CHEAPER. You also definitely don't need a 750w psu for the pascal, their wattage will be very similar to maxwell.

some corsair are thrash but the rmx rim ax series are solid t1

 

[Anonymous09]

Yeah, the rmx series is extremely close to tier 1, if not tier 1. IDK, I'm kinda torn, either way they definitely are one of the best lines corsair makes so you can't go wrong with it. It's just that the p2 is $60 cheaper and pretty much better and or on par performance, so op should definitely go with it.

 

[controlfreak]

Ok .. doing the suggested revisions .. brb

 

[Anonymous09]

Also, here a consideration for another case at the same price:
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-cc9011016ww

It looks great, and it's a treat to work in.

 

[controlfreak]

Realized there wasn't wireless, so I added one. Changed the PSU and RAM based on suggestions.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper D92 54.8 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($38.71 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($61.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme Pro 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($187.75 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($304.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home Full - USB (32/64-bit) ($119.00 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($32.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1405.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-09 21:36 EDT-0400

 

[controlfreak]

Also, here a consideration for another case at the same price:
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-cc9011016ww

It looks great, and it's a treat to work in.

The most important thing for me in a case is dust-protection (and dog hair protection)

The R5 looks pretty good in that area .. how is the Corsair for that?

 

[Anonymous09]

Corsair is fine when it comes to dust, I can't personally speak for the fractal but I'm sure both are great. It has dust filters and what not at every opening.

Other than the sandisk(I would still pick the 850 pro any day), it looks great.

 

[controlfreak]

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Anonymous09]

Don't mention it, if you need anything else post back here

(And don't forget to pick a solution)

 

[controlfreak]

I picked your first response, since I used much of that in my final list. Will be placing orders tomorrow.