Need advice for a balanced gaming build

[highlanderfil]

I am planning to re-build my gaming system (currently i7-4790, if memory serves, from a Dell XPS 8700, with the Dell motherboard) around an RX480 and 24GB RAM (4 DIMMs). Wanted to find out which processor (and motherboard) would be good for a build that would be fairly well-balanced (i.e. one component not being held back by others). Would like for the (micro-ATX, preferably) motherboard to have on-board Wi-Fi. Thanks!

 

[CTurbo]

I do not recommend upgrading your cpu. The i7 4790 is still GREAT. You could even re-use your motherboard. Just put them into a new case. I recommend the GTX1060 over the RX480 if the price is similar.

Why 24GB RAM?

 

[highlanderfil]

I do not recommend upgrading your cpu. The i7 4790 is still GREAT. You could even re-use your motherboard. Just put them into a new case. I recommend the GTX1060 over the RX480 if the price is similar.

Why 24GB RAM?

Good shout on keeping the CPU. I don't want to reuse the motherboard, so I'd still like advice on a good replacement. Also, I found the CM212 a bit too difficult to install, so are there good HSF combo alternatives? I do already have the whole lot in a new case.

Can't do 1060 because of Freesync monitor and different prices. 24 GB RAM because the Dell originally came with 2x4 and I didn't want to buy 4 new DIMMs.

 

[CTurbo]

What parts are you going to keep and what is your budget for the upgrades? If you're looking for a motherboard with wifi, I recommend going with a miniITX board/build.

 

[Chugalug_]

I agree with CTurbo here.
I think that you should get a new motherboard however, because the included ones are very basic in AIOs.
Use the 16GB kit of RAM that you added to the build in slots 2 and 4.
What is your budget for a new motherboard?

 

[Chugalug_]

I recommend this if you want to keep the cost low.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/9WMFf7/asrock-motherboard-h97mitxac
$55.99 after rebate, and pretty decent quality.
If you can spend the extra bit of money, get this with a separate wireless USB.
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-H97MPLU

If you don't have the RX 480 already, get this when it comes back into stock.
The 480 is sold out almost everywhere.

 

[highlanderfil]

What parts are you going to keep and what is your budget for the upgrades? If you're looking for a motherboard with wifi, I recommend going with a miniITX board/build.

I am only changing the motherboard and HSF. Not sure my case supports miniITX.

I ordered the 480 from Best Buy yesterday when it came into stock for a brief moment.

 

[sizzling]

If you are running the copy of Windows that came from Dell you need to budget for a new Windows licence. That copy will be OEM and is tied to the original motherboard.

You should also plan to do a full reinstall of Windows, when changing motherboard it is highly recommended to do a fresh install to avoid issues.

A final point is Dell usually use low quality PSU's, if investing in a new GPU you need to be sure its up to the job. If it fails under load it could damage the whole PC. Safest option is to replace the psu with something of known quality and wattage.

PC's from companies like Dell and HP are a pain to upgrade and often its just easier to start from scratch.

 

[highlanderfil]

If you are running the copy of Windows that came from Dell you need to budget for a new Windows licence. That copy will be OEM and is tied to the original motherboard.

Ugh, good point. I'm not running that exact copy but I am running the Windows 10 upgrade TO that copy.

You should also plan to do a full reinstall of Windows, when changing motherboard it is highly recommended to do a fresh install to avoid issues.

Yep, that goes without saying.

A final point is Dell usually use low quality PSU's, if investing in a new GPU you need to be sure its up to the job. If it fails under load it could damage the whole PC. Safest option is to replace the psu with something of known quality and wattage.

I have swapped to an Antec 850W unit a while back.

PC's from companies like Dell and HP are a pain to upgrade and often its just easier to start from scratch.

Yeah, that's why I am looking to change things around now. Half-assed the upgrade before and am tired of it.

 

[highlanderfil]

It looks like my case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811353063) CAN support mini-ITX. That's good - thanks, guys, I'm going to give your suggestions a look. What about the HSF, though?

Oh, and another thing. As I've always been wary of onboard audio (and have a decent set of Klipsch speakers), I have an Audigy FX installed. I'm not against dropping it if need be (fewer hardware = fewer driver issues), but would I lose any sound quality of note?

 

[highlanderfil]

I agree with CTurbo here.
I think that you should get a new motherboard however, because the included ones are very basic in AIOs.
Use the 16GB kit of RAM that you added to the build in slots 2 and 4.
What is your budget for a new motherboard?

Around $100 or so. Can you clarify about the RAM? Why 2 and 4?

 

[CTurbo]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($17.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($58.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $76.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-18 12:17 EDT-0400

 

[highlanderfil]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($17.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($58.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $76.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-18 12:17 EDT-0400

Solid. Thanks! Only two DIMM slots, though? Is there a version of this with four?

 

[CTurbo]

No miniITX is going to have 4 dimms and you're not going to find a microATX with built in wifi.

 

[highlanderfil]

No miniITX is going to have 4 dimms and you're not going to find a microATX with built in wifi.

Got it, thanks for clarifying. So looks like I'm stuck between two choices, then. Going to do some more research on this.

 

[highlanderfil]

Any chance you guys could help me reconcile these options? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?CompareItemList=280%7C13-157-512%5E13-157-512%2C13-157-511%5E13-157-511%2C13-157-528%5E13-157-528%2C13-157-508%5E13-157-508%2C13-157-507%5E13-157-507

They look way too similar on the comparison sheet... Would there be any reason not to get the cheapest one?

 

[CTurbo]

I've used the ASRock H97M Pro4 a lot. Great little board.

 

[highlanderfil]

I've used the ASRock H97M Pro4 a lot. Great little board.

Sold. Pretty sure it has all I need.

 

[Chugalug_]

Ditto.
If you can find it cheap, another good option is the H97 anniversary, but it's not great value at the moment sadly, the Pro4 is a much better value option.
Enjoy!

 

[highlanderfil]

Kind of considering replacing the case as well. Any opinion about http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156335 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=2AM-002C-00035 ?

 

[Chugalug_]

Both are relatively low quality, and overpriced.
Get either the Zalman Z3 Plus, or the NZXT S340 if you want something in the $60 range, which is my personal recommendation for a good value case.
The Zalman is still very good though.
Zalman links: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/KsR48d/zalman-case-z3pluswhite
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/xRjG3C/zalman-case-z3plus

S340s: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/tD38TW/nzxt-case-cas340wbr1
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Vpdqqs/nzxt-case-cas340ww1
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/ms6BD3/nzxt-case-cas340wb1
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/pP648d/nzxt-case-cas340wbb1
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/GZfmP6/nzxt-case-cas340wra

 

[highlanderfil]

Both are relatively low quality, and overpriced.
Get either the Zalman Z3 Plus, or the NZXT S340 if you want something in the $60 range, which is my personal recommendation for a good value case.
The Zalman is still very good though.
Zalman links: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/KsR48d/zalman-case-z3pluswhite
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/xRjG3C/zalman-case-z3plus

S340s: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/tD38TW/nzxt-case-cas340wbr1
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Vpdqqs/nzxt-case-cas340ww1
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/ms6BD3/nzxt-case-cas340wb1
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/pP648d/nzxt-case-cas340wbb1
Not]https://pcpartpicker.com/product/GZfmP6/nzxt-case-cas340wra

Not a fan of the size of either, although I do like the NZXT on principle.

 

[Chugalug_]

The H440 is the larger version of the S340, what do you think about that?

 

[highlanderfil]

The H440 is the larger version of the S340, what do you think about that?

Wrong way. I'm looking to downsize, hence the two I mentioned.

 

[CTurbo]

I absolutely love my Cooler Master N200. Great microATX case.