How Do I Manage PC Components

[Deleted member 2528441]

I am trying to plan a PC build, but after doing some research I found it is much more difficult than just putting the parts together in a case and turning it on. Nearly every component I want to put in my PC has some sort of manufacturer software that can be used to manage the device. It is very overwhelming and since I am new at building PCs I need someone to explain to me how all of this works.

For example I want an NZXT AIO cooler and case fans. I know they offer the cue software to control these things, but how is this different than the hue+ system they offer? Also, do all of my peripherals such as headsets, keyboards, and mice require their own software for tweaking and driver updates or something?

Sorry if this request sounded kind of dumb, I am just not educated in these areas of PC building.

 

[vapour]

Nah, it is just a software for AIO. keyboard/mouse/headset should be plug it in -> the driver installs by itself (no hands) -> use

Care to share your choice and major usage of pc?

 

[Deleted member 2528441]

Nah, it is just a software for AIO. keyboard/mouse/headset should be plug it in -> the driver installs by itself (no hands) -> use

Care to share your choice and major usage of pc?

This is going to be a gaming pc.

 

[vapour]

All the parts?

 

[Deleted member 2528441]

All the parts?

i7 8700k
MSI Tomahawk Z370
MSI GTX 1080
Corsair Vengeance 16gb (2x8)
Western Digital Black 2Tb hdd
Samsung Evo 250Gb ssd
NZXT kraken x52
Corsair RMx 650w 80+ gold psu

 

[vapour]

Tomahawk is not very good for Z370
what ram speed is it?
cooler -> X62 is better
Living in US? Total budget?

 

[Deleted member 2528441]

Tomahawk is not very good for Z370
what ram speed is it?
cooler -> X62 is better
Living in US? Total budget?

What motherboard would you recommend. The ram is 2666 MHz. I was going for the x52 to save money. I am in the US and I'm trying to keep the build under $2000.

 

[vapour]

If only gaming, 8600k is much better bang for the money and will be close to 8700k in most games. Do you have budget for a 1440p 144hz Gsync monitor? Best with the setup:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8600K 3.6GHz 6-Core Processor ($237.69 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z370 Extreme4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($147.28 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($165.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.79 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB SC2 Video Card ($999.89 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT - S340 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G3 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1879.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-10 00:09 EDT-0400

 

[Deleted member 2528441]

If only gaming, 8600k is much better bang for the money and will be close to 8700k in most games. Do you have budget for a 1440p 144hz Gsync monitor? Best with the setup:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8600K 3.6GHz 6-Core Processor ($237.69 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z370 Extreme4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($147.28 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($165.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.79 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB SC2 Video Card ($999.89 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT - S340 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G3 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1879.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-10 00:09 EDT-0400

Thank you for the info. I chose a lot of my parts just so I would have multiple made by the same manufacturer (i.e. the MSI motherboard and MSI graphics card). I did this so that I wouldn't have to download each companies software for every part. Would I not really have to do that if I bought parts from many different companies?

 

[vapour]

1. GPU driver is from Nvidia...
2. Same brand may not be the best combination, most drivers come from motherboard website anyway.

 

[Deleted member 2528441]

1. GPU driver is from Nvidia...
2. Same brand may not be the best combination, most drivers come from motherboard website anyway.

I have a follow up question about software and firmware. I want to get a mionix castor and on their website they say they have a program for controlling the rgb and firmware updates for the mouse. Does everything with rgb need a different program to control? Also, which parts of a pc other than the mouse need firmware updates? How will I know when I need to update them?

 

[vapour]

yes, if the rgb component has a software. For rgb on mb, mb software should handle it. Go to official website to check for firmware updates. As long as it is functional, I don't think you need firmware update.

 

[dontlistentome]

There are two kinds of software for components. First, drivers that you need to install so the component can function properly. A videocard driver is an example of this. The second kind are extra programs that enable you to use features of the component, you don't need to use this software.

So if you buy a keyboard with RGB lighting, the keyboard may be plug and play. You plug it in and use it. It may also have software that allows you to control the lighting. No one is forcing you to use this software. However, if you want to control the lights then you are also choosing to use the lighting software.