Hey, all.
Looking for some advice on building my very first PC. Finally looking to get into gaming after feeling a little stale towards console games.
I’m coming from using Macs at home and at school, so I know there will be a bit of a learning curve, but I’m up for the challenge. Going into this totally blind to PCs and their components, but I’m the type who will spend months researching before making a big decision. And I've been researching enough that I feel confident in asking for help. Any and all input/criticism is more than welcomed.
Approximate Purchase Date: Sometime in 2020, absolutely no rush. Willing to wait if better parts are about to be released.
Budget Range: I’m the kind of person that follows the “buy once, cry once” style of advice. In other words, I’d rather spend money now and not have to worry about something breaking or being replaced. I’d like to save money where I can, but if I can get much better performance out of a $50 increase, I’d like to. Tentatively set the budget at $3500ish.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Almost exclusively for gaming in FPS. I may browse the internet, and use Spotify/discord, with the occasional word document and very rarely, a photo edit with Adobe Creative Cloud, but that’s it.
Do you need to buy OS: Yes, I assume Windows 10 is the way to go here?
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Not opposed to buying online. Amazon, Newegg, and B&H seems like the norm, and I have no issue with any of those. I doubt I’ll find quality components locally.
Location: In the midwestern portion of the USA.
Parts Preferences: No real preference as far as brand loyalty, but I do certainly enjoy certain aesthetics. I enjoy the looks of RBGs and AIO coolers, but I’m not handcuffed to them, by any means. Would prefer an all matte black type of build.
Overclocking: Yes. Would prefer to squeeze as much out of my CPU as I can, reasonably.
Additional Comments: I’d like to have a smaller PC, I make smaller car trips a bit, and it would be nice to be able to bring my computer with me, if needed. Obviously, quiet is better, and I’d like at least one window on the case. I could definitely use help with case fans, though.
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/cDr98M
CPU: Intel Core i9-9900KF 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($478.89 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool Castle 240 RGB 69.34 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Thermal Compound: Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut 1g 1 g Thermal Paste ($6.85 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX Z390-I GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($213.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB ROG Strix Gaming OC Video Card ($1199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H210i Mini ITX Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P2 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($169.99 @ Best Buy)
Mouse: Logitech G502 HERO Wired Optical Mouse ($48.58 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Logitech Pro X Gaming 7.1 Channel Headset ($118.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $3187.22
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-01-13 18:17 EST-0500
Thoughts/rationale on each component.
CPU: Not entirely opposed to an AMD like the 3900, but it seems like for gaming, Intel is still king. All other components seem to play nicely for AMD as well, so if there’s a reason I should go AMD, I’m all ears! Looking to overclock the 9900K to about 5.0 all cores. But admittedly, I’ve done very little research into how besides utilizing BIOS.
Cooler: Going more for aesthetic here than anything. Really love the way this looks, as well as the fact that the logo on the pump is removable/customizable. RGB doesn’t hurt, either. NZXT x52 was another I was looking at, but the software seems to be a nightmare, and the logo isn’t even rotatable.
Thermal Compound: Just going off the reviews. This seems good, and liquid metal scares me.
MoBo: Z390 seems like the logical choice for ITX. I was looking at Micro ATX, but it seems to be dying out. There’s a version of this board for AMD, as well. I also like the idea of Aura Sync.
Memory: These seem popular, and priced reasonably. Everything I read seems to indicate you don’t get much of a difference over 3200. Liked the Corsair Vengeances, too, but these seemed a little better looking to me.
Storage: Not much to say here.
GPU: Another one of the items I’m putting the most money into. Would like a 2080 Ti, but I’ve done zero research into what is coming or about to be released. If I’d be wise to wait, let me know. Also, unsure if I should go with an open air like this one, or something with a blower to make the most out of a cramped ITX case.
Case: Probably the least happy with this choice. It seems like EVERY new build features a random NZXT case. But ITX choices are limited, and I couldn’t find anything that stood out. I like the Razer Antec Cube a lot, but they’re discontinued. I’d like to have a case that isn’t as universal as this, but what can you do.
Case Fans: I have no idea what I’m doing. I know I’d likely run the AIO Rad up front, pulling air in. With a two fans in the rear/top working as exhausts. Not sure if that’d be enough to keep things cool with an OC, but I’m not opposed to using better fans to help out. Open to any and all options here. Preferably RGB.
Power Supply: Not much to say here. Wanted to get enough W to cover everything and then some.
OS: Apparently you can buy a windows key on Ebay for a lot less. Is that the way to go?
Keyboard: I know peripherals are getting into the weeds, but it was between this and a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate. Much prefer the look of the Razer, but the switch choices for the K70 make it edge out the Razer a bit.
Mouse: More clueless here. I use a fingertip grip, and would like some extra buttons. Extremely lightweight seems to be the move nowadays. Was also looking at the Logitech G Pro Wireless, Razer Basilisk Ultimate, Razer Mamba Elite, and Razer Viper Ultimate.
Headphones: Another person preference item. These seem to be getting great reviews for the money. And the Blue software integration is pretty nifty.
Sorry for such a long-winded post. Just wanted to give my thoughts and show that I’m not just clicking random things on PCpartpicker. Any and all help/suggestions/hate would be appreciated. I’m venturing into no man’s land as far as this goes, and don’t have any friends that can offer guidance as far as part selection is concerned.
Thanks!
Looking for some advice on building my very first PC. Finally looking to get into gaming after feeling a little stale towards console games.
I’m coming from using Macs at home and at school, so I know there will be a bit of a learning curve, but I’m up for the challenge. Going into this totally blind to PCs and their components, but I’m the type who will spend months researching before making a big decision. And I've been researching enough that I feel confident in asking for help. Any and all input/criticism is more than welcomed.
Approximate Purchase Date: Sometime in 2020, absolutely no rush. Willing to wait if better parts are about to be released.
Budget Range: I’m the kind of person that follows the “buy once, cry once” style of advice. In other words, I’d rather spend money now and not have to worry about something breaking or being replaced. I’d like to save money where I can, but if I can get much better performance out of a $50 increase, I’d like to. Tentatively set the budget at $3500ish.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Almost exclusively for gaming in FPS. I may browse the internet, and use Spotify/discord, with the occasional word document and very rarely, a photo edit with Adobe Creative Cloud, but that’s it.
Do you need to buy OS: Yes, I assume Windows 10 is the way to go here?
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Not opposed to buying online. Amazon, Newegg, and B&H seems like the norm, and I have no issue with any of those. I doubt I’ll find quality components locally.
Location: In the midwestern portion of the USA.
Parts Preferences: No real preference as far as brand loyalty, but I do certainly enjoy certain aesthetics. I enjoy the looks of RBGs and AIO coolers, but I’m not handcuffed to them, by any means. Would prefer an all matte black type of build.
Overclocking: Yes. Would prefer to squeeze as much out of my CPU as I can, reasonably.
Additional Comments: I’d like to have a smaller PC, I make smaller car trips a bit, and it would be nice to be able to bring my computer with me, if needed. Obviously, quiet is better, and I’d like at least one window on the case. I could definitely use help with case fans, though.
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/cDr98M
CPU: Intel Core i9-9900KF 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($478.89 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool Castle 240 RGB 69.34 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Thermal Compound: Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut 1g 1 g Thermal Paste ($6.85 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX Z390-I GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($213.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB ROG Strix Gaming OC Video Card ($1199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H210i Mini ITX Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P2 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($169.99 @ Best Buy)
Mouse: Logitech G502 HERO Wired Optical Mouse ($48.58 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Logitech Pro X Gaming 7.1 Channel Headset ($118.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $3187.22
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-01-13 18:17 EST-0500
Thoughts/rationale on each component.
CPU: Not entirely opposed to an AMD like the 3900, but it seems like for gaming, Intel is still king. All other components seem to play nicely for AMD as well, so if there’s a reason I should go AMD, I’m all ears! Looking to overclock the 9900K to about 5.0 all cores. But admittedly, I’ve done very little research into how besides utilizing BIOS.
Cooler: Going more for aesthetic here than anything. Really love the way this looks, as well as the fact that the logo on the pump is removable/customizable. RGB doesn’t hurt, either. NZXT x52 was another I was looking at, but the software seems to be a nightmare, and the logo isn’t even rotatable.
Thermal Compound: Just going off the reviews. This seems good, and liquid metal scares me.
MoBo: Z390 seems like the logical choice for ITX. I was looking at Micro ATX, but it seems to be dying out. There’s a version of this board for AMD, as well. I also like the idea of Aura Sync.
Memory: These seem popular, and priced reasonably. Everything I read seems to indicate you don’t get much of a difference over 3200. Liked the Corsair Vengeances, too, but these seemed a little better looking to me.
Storage: Not much to say here.
GPU: Another one of the items I’m putting the most money into. Would like a 2080 Ti, but I’ve done zero research into what is coming or about to be released. If I’d be wise to wait, let me know. Also, unsure if I should go with an open air like this one, or something with a blower to make the most out of a cramped ITX case.
Case: Probably the least happy with this choice. It seems like EVERY new build features a random NZXT case. But ITX choices are limited, and I couldn’t find anything that stood out. I like the Razer Antec Cube a lot, but they’re discontinued. I’d like to have a case that isn’t as universal as this, but what can you do.
Case Fans: I have no idea what I’m doing. I know I’d likely run the AIO Rad up front, pulling air in. With a two fans in the rear/top working as exhausts. Not sure if that’d be enough to keep things cool with an OC, but I’m not opposed to using better fans to help out. Open to any and all options here. Preferably RGB.
Power Supply: Not much to say here. Wanted to get enough W to cover everything and then some.
OS: Apparently you can buy a windows key on Ebay for a lot less. Is that the way to go?
Keyboard: I know peripherals are getting into the weeds, but it was between this and a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate. Much prefer the look of the Razer, but the switch choices for the K70 make it edge out the Razer a bit.
Mouse: More clueless here. I use a fingertip grip, and would like some extra buttons. Extremely lightweight seems to be the move nowadays. Was also looking at the Logitech G Pro Wireless, Razer Basilisk Ultimate, Razer Mamba Elite, and Razer Viper Ultimate.
Headphones: Another person preference item. These seem to be getting great reviews for the money. And the Blue software integration is pretty nifty.
Sorry for such a long-winded post. Just wanted to give my thoughts and show that I’m not just clicking random things on PCpartpicker. Any and all help/suggestions/hate would be appreciated. I’m venturing into no man’s land as far as this goes, and don’t have any friends that can offer guidance as far as part selection is concerned.
Thanks!