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Is this a decent build for gaming?

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felixmarcoux1

Aug 20, 2018
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First of all, thanks for stumbling upon this question. I am currently trying to come up with a build for gaming (with the help of https://ca.pcpartpicker.com) and I finally ended up with these components:

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor
Motherboard: MSI - B360 GAMING PLUS ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
RAM: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory
Storage: -SSD: Samsung - 970 Evo 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
-Hard drive: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
GPU: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition Video Card
Case: Corsair - 200R ATX Mid Tower Case
Power supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G3 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Monitor: Acer - GN246HL 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor

For more details about the parts, you can see the build here: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/6btwyX

I plan on going for 1080p. Of course, I also plan to buy a keyboard and a mouse. Since I don't have any Ethernet outlet in the room where I want to put it, I will need a wireless adapter (TP-Link - TL-WDN4800 PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter). The only incompatibility noted by the site (to my understanding) implies that one of the 5 SATA port will be disabled. I figured it shouldn't pose a problem since I should have 4 other SATA ports available. Here's the message:

The motherboard M.2 slot #1 shares bandwidth with a SATA 6.0 Gb/s port. When the M.2 slot is populated, one SATA 6.0 Gb/s port is disabled
Click to expand...

My question is: Will this work as a gaming build? This is my first time trying to do this and I am pretty anxious about its validity. Also note that at the time I'm writing this, the site is telling me this build would cost roughly 1911.77$.

All comments are appreciated.
 
Solution
B
In the first set of recommended changes I kept the 8400. I really like that CPU, if you have the budget an overclockable 8600k has the ability to last longer by maybe another year or so based on your use.

The original motherboard, while a bit cheap, is perfectly fine. I recommended the opportunity to upgrade both the motherboard AND the wireless network card for similar price.

The wireless care selected by the OP is a wireless N card. The wireless AC on the gigabyte motherboard is superior.

The faster RAM I recommended will likely give you zero performance boosr, but if you upgrade to a higher end CPU in the next few years it will keep you from buying additional RAM and it was cheaper.

I kept the hard drives because they are...
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Memory Express)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - B360 AORUS Gaming 3 WIFI ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Memory: Team - Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($185.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($229.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition Video Card ($549.99 @ Mike's Computer Shop)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($88.99 @ PC-Canada)
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($23.95 @ Vuugo)
Monitor: Acer - GN246HL 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor ($249.99 @ Memory Express)
Keyboard: Logitech - K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($16.99 @ PC-Canada)
Total: $1835.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-08-20 22:11 EDT-0400

Got you a better motherboard with built in Wi-Fi. Faster RAM JUST cause it's cheaper in case you upgrade later. Better case and cheaper PSU thats just a bit better than the EVGA.

Don't worry about the message, its the same for every motherboard with m.2. Another though is getting a less expensive SSD and better CPU.

Less than $100 more.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8600K 3.6GHz 6-Core Processor ($329.99 @ Mike's Computer Shop)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($44.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370M GAMING PRO AC Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($205.99 @ Mike's Computer Shop)
Memory: Team - Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($185.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Crucial - MX500 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($124.50 @ shopRBC)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition Video Card ($549.99 @ Mike's Computer Shop)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($88.99 @ PC-Canada)
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($23.95 @ Vuugo)
Monitor: Acer - GN246HL 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor ($249.99 @ Memory Express)
Keyboard: Logitech - K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($16.99 @ PC-Canada)
Total: $1926.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-08-20 22:18 EDT-0400
 
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I think what Geofelt means is your build has no problems. Most of computer building and parts selection is personal preference. If you are happy with the parts that you selected, they will work just fine. My selections are based on personal preference and my OPINION of what I would do in your situation with a similar budget. This doesn't make me right or wrong, just different. It is up to you to take what information I gave and decide what is the best route for you to take.

 
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Yes, it would. I'd advise taking his build with the slight performance gains you'd get for cheaper. Even the second build is a great choice if you're happy to spend the extra for the 8600K.
 
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I must say I find the built-in wifi, the lower cost and the little performance gain of your first option pretty interesting. If no better solution comes up tomorrow, I'll pick your option as the answer
 
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OK.
Let me expand.
The original post asked if this was a decent build, and it is.
The budget for the graphics card is 2x the budget for the cpu which is a good rule of thumb for a balanced gamer. Spot on there.
If one played fast action shooters, budget more for the graphics card like a GTX1070ti.
If one plays sims, mmo and strategy games, budget more for a high speed core like a I5-8600k, a good cooler, a z370 based motherboard and plan on overclocking a bit.
On balance, I like the i5-8400 for the build.

How many expansion slots would anybody use?
The answer is typically one for the graphics card.
A M-ATX motherboard will usually be less expensive.
For example, I find the asrock Z370m pro4 to be perfectly appropriate.
The ATX version is on sale for $90 after rebate:
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157796

If you need wifi, buy a discrete wifi adapter card. They will have stronger antennas and better performance.
A usb dongle is cheap but not so good.

Seasonic focus gold 550w is perfect. It is a tier 2 card.
It will run a graphics card as good as a GTX1080


Love the Samsung ssd line.
In practice, you would not detect any difference in performance between a pcie based 970 m.2 EVO and a cheaper sata based 860 EVO.
There is an opportunity for savings.
I would consider spending a bit more on a 1tb 860 evo and deleting the HDD from the build. Cost would be similar.
One can always add a hdd later and it is simpler to have one large space to manage.

I like the EVGA graphics cards, they have better warranties and there is a 90 day trade up option if you decide you want stronger.

Cases are a personal thing.
The corsair 200r is ok so long as you are using a i5-8400.
It is less than good for a stronger processor because it has only room for one 120mm front intake to supply cooling.
If you go the 8600K route or plan to, buy a case with two 120/140mm front intakes that are filtered.
That will keep your parts cleaner.
I would want 160mm cooler space available for a good air cooler like the noctua NH-D15s.
The NZXT will be similar with good airflow:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146190
 
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In the first set of recommended changes I kept the 8400. I really like that CPU, if you have the budget an overclockable 8600k has the ability to last longer by maybe another year or so based on your use.

The original motherboard, while a bit cheap, is perfectly fine. I recommended the opportunity to upgrade both the motherboard AND the wireless network card for similar price.

The wireless care selected by the OP is a wireless N card. The wireless AC on the gigabyte motherboard is superior.

The faster RAM I recommended will likely give you zero performance boosr, but if you upgrade to a higher end CPU in the next few years it will keep you from buying additional RAM and it was cheaper.

I kept the hard drives because they are perfect. Second option gives you similar every day performance while allowing money to be spent elsewhere for a more noticeable performance increase.

I changed the PSU from EVGA to Seasonic. That EVGA is a good PSU and will work fine. The Seasonic is slightly better and cheaper.

The case you selected, while personal preference, is not good for airflow and overpriced. The focus G us cheaper and better for airflow and aesthetics.

Hope that clears it up.
 
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Solution
Thank you everyone for the answers and details you provided. You also made me realize I did not look into some details as much as I should have and provided helpful advices and alternatives for them. If I could choose multiple best answers, I would.
 
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