Is this a good PC to build?

[ApprenticePCBuilder]

This would be my first time building a PC, and I don't know if this would run all/most games at good settings. Is it good/high end? https://pcpartpicker.com/list/2NXPQV

I also don't know what the compatibility note "Some Intel B85 chipset motherboards may need a BIOS update prior to using Haswell Refresh CPUs." means, do I need to get a more expensive motherboard?

 

[DSzymborski]

In truth, this build has a lot of problems.

- No reason at this price to go Haswell instead of Skylake.
- Too much spent on an i7 for a gaming rig with this budget.
- Two very low-quality monitors and 900p, instead of one decent 1080p one.
- Low-quality power supply
- Even if you needed an i7, you have an unlocked processor with an unsuitable motherboard.

What's your budget? This really needs a total do-over. Some parts are suitable for a $500 build, some are suitable for a $1500 one and a lot of the money is allocated into the wrong places - you're trying to squeeze multiple monitors and an i7 into a rig without the budget and spending more on a basic keyboard than power supply or motherboard, actually crucial components.

 

[ApprenticePCBuilder]

In truth, this build has a lot of problems.

- No reason at this price to go Haswell instead of Skylake.
- Too much spent on an i7 for a gaming rig with this budget.
- Two very low-quality monitors and 900p, instead of one decent 1080p one.
- Low-quality power supply
- Even if you needed an i7, you have an unlocked processor with an unsuitable motherboard.

What's your budget? This really needs a total do-over. Some parts are suitable for a $500 build, some are suitable for a $1500 one and a lot of the money is allocated into the wrong places - you're trying to squeeze multiple monitors and an i7 into a rig without the budget and spending more on a basic keyboard than power supply or motherboard, actually crucial components.

A budget of $1500 would do. Could you choose the parts for me?

 

[ApprenticePCBuilder]

The thread has died 🙁

 

[DSzymborski]

Sorry, work has called. I'll put together a $1500 build when I'm done what I'm working on.

 

[ApprenticePCBuilder]

I tried to improve it, how does this look? https://pcpartpicker.com/list/9TYH7h

 

[DSzymborski]

I tried to improve it, how does this look? https://pcpartpicker.com/list/9TYH7h

It's looking a lot better. For the PSU, you want an EVGA with a 2 in the product line, an EVGA G2, B2, P2, etc. The B1/W1/G1, etc. used lesser parts. They're about the same price, so shouldn't be a bump.

Keeping as many of your choices as was practical, I get something like this as a more practical build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($137.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($84.97 @ Jet)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($75.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 7K3000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB WINDFORCE OC 6G Video Card ($234.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT S340 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($84.58 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor ($250.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Cooler Master OCTANE Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($47.88 @ OutletPC)
Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse ($57.51 @ Jet)
Headphones: Logitech G430 7.1 Channel Headset ($47.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $1476.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-29 18:29 EST-0500

However, I'd either bump up the GTX 1060 6 GB to a GTX 1070 (which would put it about $20 more than your build you posted) or cut back down on the monitor since the 1070 is far better suited for 144 hz than the 1060 (in which case we'd cut this down to a little under $1400).

Better power supply, newer platform, don't really need a 500 GB SSD if you're going to have a 2 TB storage drive anyway.

 

[ApprenticePCBuilder]

I tried to improve it, how does this look? https://pcpartpicker.com/list/9TYH7h

It's looking a lot better. For the PSU, you want an EVGA with a 2 in the product line, an EVGA G2, B2, P2, etc. The B1/W1/G1, etc. used lesser parts. They're about the same price, so shouldn't be a bump.

Keeping as many of your choices as was practical, I get something like this as a more practical build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($137.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($84.97 @ Jet)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($75.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 7K3000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB WINDFORCE OC 6G Video Card ($234.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT S340 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($84.58 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor ($250.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Cooler Master OCTANE Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($47.88 @ OutletPC)
Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse ($57.51 @ Jet)
Headphones: Logitech G430 7.1 Channel Headset ($47.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $1476.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-29 18:29 EST-0500

However, I'd either bump up the GTX 1060 6 GB to a GTX 1070 (which would put it about $20 more than your build you posted) or cut back down on the monitor since the 1070 is far better suited for 144 hz than the 1060 (in which case we'd cut this down to a little under $1400).

Better power supply, newer platform, don't really need a 500 GB SSD if you're going to have a 2 TB storage drive anyway.

Thank you! I have set up a gofundme for $1600, $11 over the cost of the PC after I removed the SSD and upgraded the GTX 1060 to a 1070. I'm going to have so much fun playing games that actually look good 😀