[SOLVED] If I gave you $2000 to build your best PC what would you build?

[prodigyboss]

If possible please include a Pcpartpicker.com list. This DOES NOT include monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

Looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with. As you can imagine I am thinking about going with a brand new build. The $2000 is marginally flexible.

Thanks!
Prodigy


EDIT

Here is my final build after the help of the entire community. Thank you everyone for your suggestions and input. If there ends up being any killer black friday deals please feel free to shoot me message with a link. I would greatly appreciate it. Until next time!

-Prodigy


PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor | $471.99 @ B&H
CPU Cooler | Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler | $89.95 @ Amazon
Motherboard | Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO WIFI ATX LGA1151 Motherboard | $183.98 @ Newegg
Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory | $144.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $89.99 @ Amazon
Storage | Samsung 860 QVO 2 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive | $199.99 @ Amazon
Video Card | EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB XC GAMING Video Card | $499.99 @ Newegg
Case | Phanteks Enthoo Pro M TG ATX Mid Tower Case | $84.99 @ Newegg
Power Supply | SeaSonic FOCUS Plus Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $105.98 @ SuperBiiz
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $1901.85

 

[jojesa]

If possible please include a Pcpartpicker.com list. This DOES NOT include monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

Looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with. As you can imagine I am thinking about going with a brand new build. The $2000 is marginally flexible.

Thanks!
Prodigy

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/HKDBZf

 

[Wolfshadw]

This is the system I'd build. I'd put the rest towards a Steam gift card.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-9700K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($359.99 @ Best Buy)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z390-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($142.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 860 QVO 2 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card ($519.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Plus Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($105.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($99.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $1793.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-14 13:48 EST-0500

-Wolf sends

Edit: Make that a case of beer and a Steam gift card.

 

[King Dranzer]

Here is the list:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($326.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H115i PRO 55.4 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($136.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS ATX AM4 Motherboard ($164.99 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB XC ULTRA GAMING Video Card ($1099.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks PH-ES614PC_BK ATX Full Tower Case ($92.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx (2018) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2096.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-14 13:48 EST-0500

Would get something like this.

 

[RodroX]

There you go, of course the case is a very personal choice and maybe the cpu cooling solution may be something you also wana choose yourself.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor | $326.99 @ SuperBiiz
CPU Cooler | Noctua NH-U12S chromax.black 55 CFM CPU Cooler | $69.95 @ Amazon
Motherboard | Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) ATX AM4 Motherboard | $194.99 @ B&H
Memory | G.Skill Trident Z RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory | $129.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Crucial P1 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $95.99 @ B&H
Storage | Crucial P1 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $95.99 @ B&H
Video Card | Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card | $698.70 @ Amazon
Case | Fractal Design Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Case | $89.99 @ Walmart
Power Supply | SeaSonic FOCUS Plus Platinum 850 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $168.98 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $1871.57
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-14 14:44 EST-0500 |

 

[logainofhades]

Mini-ITX build

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($327.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($219.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper Steel 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3733 Memory ($79.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($97.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB Black Video Card ($1099.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Metallic Gear NEO MINI Mini ITX Tower Case ($64.76 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB Sync Edition 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($103.09 @ Amazon)
Custom: MetallicGear Skiron RGB MG-F120PRGB_BK RGB LED Case Fan ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Custom: MetallicGear Skiron RGB MG-F140PRGB_BK 140mm RGB LED Case Fan ($18.99 @ Newegg)
Custom: MetallicGear Skiron RGB MG-F140PRGB_BK 140mm RGB LED Case Fan ($18.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2050.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-14 14:50 EST-0500

 

[velocityg4]

This would be a good fit for my uses. Unfortunately. An AMD CPU and nVidia GPU wouldn't work for my interests.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($471.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright MACHO Rev.C 84.97 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($184.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($299.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Crucial P1 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($95.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Seagate IronWolf NAS 6 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate IronWolf NAS 6 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card ($398.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M TG ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA G5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-16D1HT Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($74.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $2065.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-14 15:07 EST-0500

 

[Finstar]

This would be what i would do:
You could definitely get more performance at the same budget but i prefer stability, long term reliability and ability to run at 100% utilization for days.
It's not a full gaming build either as i prefer an all-around solid system that can do anything i want it to do from gaming to experimenting with virtual servers.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 3.8 GHz 12-Core Processor ($499.99 @ Best Buy)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 SE-AM4 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte X570 AORUS ELITE WIFI ATX AM4 Motherboard ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Crucial P1 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($95.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB XC GAMING Video Card ($499.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 275R Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G3 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($113.48 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 109.89 CFM 120 mm Fan ($25.95 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 109.89 CFM 120 mm Fan ($25.95 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 109.89 CFM 120 mm Fan ($25.95 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 109.89 CFM 120 mm Fan ($25.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $1948.11
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-14 14:55 EST-0500

About the part choices:
CPU: 3700x would have been enough but i went with the 3900x as it gave bigger overall performance increase than going from a 2070 super to a 2080 super would have given.
Motherboard: Wifi is a must as is solid power delivery.
GPU: Would have gone for the RX 5700 XT but the 2070S has better support for older games alongside raytracing (for all that's worth)
Case: I prioritized airflow which can also be seen from the fan choices.
PSU: Super flower based platform and overspeccing on the wattage for maximum reliability and long term use.
Fans: the Noctuas would be used to replace the stock fans and would fill up the 3 front slots and the 1 rear slot.

 

[prodigyboss]

This would be a good fit for my uses. Unfortunately. An AMD CPU and nVidia GPU wouldn't work for my interests.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($471.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright MACHO Rev.C 84.97 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($184.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($299.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Crucial P1 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($95.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Seagate IronWolf NAS 6 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate IronWolf NAS 6 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card ($398.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M TG ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA G5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-16D1HT Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($74.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $2065.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-14 15:07 EST-0500

Would you mind explaining why "AMD CPU and nVidia GPU wouldn't work for my interests. "?

Thanks,
Prodigy

 

[DeauteratedDog]

This is super interesting, here is what I'm thinking about for my niece and nephew for Christmas.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor ($219.95 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12S 55.44 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z390 M GAMING Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($136.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3333 Memory ($158.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Pro 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate IronWolf Pro 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($92.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB WINDFORCE OC 3X Video Card ($499.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SG02B-F-USB3.0 (Black) MicroATX Desktop Case ($83.14 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair SF 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($66.98 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($139.99 @ Other World Computing)
Total: $1778.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-14 17:11 EST-0500

-DD

 

[velocityg4]

Would you mind explaining why "AMD CPU and nVidia GPU wouldn't work for my interests. "?

Thanks,
Prodigy

I don't know what your interests are. As you make no mention of build requirements for yourself. This build is just what I would build for myself.

While I don't have much interest in a hackintoh. Beyond tinkering. It would bug me to know I could not turn my main computer into one. Although I already have an iMac and Macbook Pro.

Not that it matters much. The CPU and GPU I listed are far beyond anything I have use for.

 

[Flayed]

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($326.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Slim CPU Cooler ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte X570 AORUS MASTER ATX AM4 Motherboard ($359.00 @ B&H)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory ($72.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Corsair MP600 Force Series Gen4 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB STRIX GAMING Advanced Video Card ($784.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: Fractal Design Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Walmart)
Power Supply: Corsair RM (2019) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1983.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-14 19:43 EST-0500

I've never owned a really fancy motherboard before, I#ve always bought boards for 100 to 120. If I had 2k to spend I would buy a system with a fancy motherboard lol

I have an Asus Vega 56 I got used for a great price and have been impressed with the heatsink/fan on it it's damn good so that's why I went for an Asus video card for some extra monies.

 

[Flashgo1]

This is super interesting, here is what I'm thinking about for my niece and nephew for Christmas.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor ($219.95 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12S 55.44 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z390 M GAMING Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($136.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3333 Memory ($158.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Pro 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate IronWolf Pro 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($92.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB WINDFORCE OC 3X Video Card ($499.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SG02B-F-USB3.0 (Black) MicroATX Desktop Case ($83.14 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair SF 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($66.98 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($139.99 @ Other World Computing)
Total: $1778.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-14 17:11 EST-0500

-DD

if you know what you are doing. best buy has 8TB easy store externals on sale for 118. shuck it and you have a 8tb white labeled red.

 

[Flayed]

This is super interesting, here is what I'm thinking about for my niece and nephew for Christmas.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor ($219.95 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12S 55.44 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z390 M GAMING Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($136.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3333 Memory ($158.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Pro 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate IronWolf Pro 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($92.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB WINDFORCE OC 3X Video Card ($499.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SG02B-F-USB3.0 (Black) MicroATX Desktop Case ($83.14 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair SF 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($66.98 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($139.99 @ Other World Computing)
Total: $1778.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-14 17:11 EST-0500

-DD

I would make some savings in places in order to step up to a 9700 or 9700k, or go for an AMD 3700x. A 6c6t cpu makes no sense in an $1800 system IMO.

 

[KraskataBGPro]

https://imgur.com/X3qmRgc

View: https://imgur.com/X3qmRgc

Win 10 pro key could be found for really cheap nowadays, like 5-10 bucks. DVD drive is useless.

 

[DeauteratedDog]

I would make some savings in places in order to step up to a 9700 or 9700k, or go for an AMD 3700x. A 6c6t cpu makes no sense in an $1800 system IMO.

Thanks Flayed. I agree that a 9700(k) would be very appropriate for this build.
There is a weird social component to this too. Of course, I asked their parents for permission to give this to the kids, and their mom isn't thrilled about me spending a lot on a gift - she was (somewhat) convinced by the "nothing too powerful or expensive, just a little i5" argument.

Apologies to Prodigy for hijacking his thread.

-DD

 

[brokeBuilder2019]

This is super interesting, here is what I'm thinking about for my niece and nephew for Christmas.

Wish I had an uncle like you

And like someone else said, yes, thanks so much uncle bob, but a 9700k would have been great !

 

[DeauteratedDog]

Wish I had an uncle like you

And like someone else said, yes, thanks so much uncle bob, but a 9700k would have been great !

Do you think it NEEDS more processor? I'm not a gamer (much) - all my previous builds have been HEDT workstations with raid cards and stacks of disks, this is my first gaming oriented machine, so I'm a little bit out of my area with this build. My research indicated that the 9600k should be enough to push that 2070S, but maybe not?

 

[brokeBuilder2019]

Do you think it NEEDS more processor? I'm not a gamer (much) - all my previous builds have been HEDT workstations with raid cards and stacks of disks, this is my first gaming oriented machine, so I'm a little bit out of my area with this build. My research indicated that the 9600k should be enough to push that 2070S, but maybe not?

Whether it's "enough" or not depends on what it's used for, I suppose. I think what the other person (and I) was referring to is perhaps the fact that, if you're willing to spend so much, it makes sense to compromise on something else and somehow fit a 9700K in there.

 

[Flayed]

Do you think it NEEDS more processor? I'm not a gamer (much) - all my previous builds have been HEDT workstations with raid cards and stacks of disks, this is my first gaming oriented machine, so I'm a little bit out of my area with this build. My research indicated that the 9600k should be enough to push that 2070S, but maybe not?

It's the online fps games such as Battlefield V I believe which tend to micro stutter on 6c6t cpu's