(Need Help) i5/DDR4 Gaming PC Build: 700-1000$ CAD

[TorterraX]

Hey guys!

My old GTX 560 Ti broke a while ago, so I thought that instead of constantly pouring money in a not-that-good pc I'd build a good one once and for all.

So without further ado, here's my current planned build. (very subject to change, prices are in CAD)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($300.98 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.35 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($189.98 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($49.50 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($274.99 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $842.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-26 18:31 EDT-0400

I already have the PSU, HDD and SSD so they're not included
PSU: Orion 685W Silent 80+ bronze
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5'' 7200 RPM
SSD: Sandisk SSD Plus 240 Gb 2.5''

So, feel free to tear this list apart because I'm not sure about a lot of things 😀
(Keep in mind I'd like to run games like The Witcher 3, Mass Effect Andromeda, Civilization VI and No Man's Sky at Med-High settings, if not I can go with lower, though I'd rather not. I don't mind FPS dips)

Processor: Wanted a Skylake i5 because I want to go DDR4. I could downgrade to a 6500 I guess, what do you guys think? Is the 6600k worth the price, will I notice the difference performance-wise? (My wallet sure will) If I choose to get a DDR3 build, I can cut the price on a few things, including on the processor if I get a Haswell, but obviously DDR4 is better.

CPU Cooler: I don't know anything about those, so feel free to suggest any. Just clicked on one to see the price XD.

Motherboard: Wanted a Z170 but I have to cut the price someplace, so I got the Z170-A. From what I saw, the difference doesn't seem too big? Again, if I go DDR3, I can downgrade this as well.

RAM: Starting with 8 Gb with the possibility of adding some later. Am I better off getting a higher/lower speed?

GPU: God I'm really hesitant on this one. I'm considering the 750 Ti, which is a lot cheaper but obviously not as good. I've found a used GTX 770 for 200$ CAD, but I'm not so sure since my GTX 560 was used when I bought it and it broke after a year and a half. Also considering the GTX 950. I'm not very familiar with AMD GPUs, so feel free to suggest a similar one.


Feel free once again to suggest a modification to any component, I'm really open to suggestions!
So, my questions are, as well as those mentioned above:

- DDR3 vs DDR4. I'd like to go DDR4 since it is newer and will leave more room for future improvement, and is obviously faster. But if I choose to go with a DDR3 build, I can downgrade the CPU, Mobo and RAM, which will cost a heck less. What do you guys suggest?

- Which CPU cooler company/model is the best for price vs performance? Air or liquid?

- As for the GPUs I listed, which one do you suggest? Another one?

- Obviously I'd like to cut the price of the build as much as possible (who wouldn't want), where would it be the best to cut, if I choose to do so?

- RAM speed?

- Overall, what improvements do you think I can make to the build?

Thanks a lot guys!
TorterraX

 

[BadActor]

At stock speeds, the difference between the two CPU's isn't very dramatic, but when overclocked the K would really shine. You can also take a look at the Asrock Hyper series motherboards which allow you to overclock locked processors. Performance will be the same when clocked to the same speeds. Use the fastest RAM you can afford as some games and apps will benefit from it. The cooler you have listed is decent for the money, but first choice would be the Cryorig H7. You build looks quite good as it stands. The only thing that may be sketchy is the PSU.

 

[TorterraX]

At stock speeds, the difference between the two CPU's isn't very dramatic, but when overclocked the K would really shine. You can also take a look at the Asrock Hyper series motherboards which allow you to overclock locked processors. Performance will be the same when clocked to the same speeds. Use the fastest RAM you can afford as some games and apps will benefit from it. The cooler you have listed is decent for the money, but first choice would be the Cryorig H7. You build looks quite good as it stands. The only thing that may be sketchy is the PSU.

Ok thanks for the tips! I know the PSU might not be the best, I bought it when I began getting interested in PC hardware 😛 I might replace it at a later point. So, as I understand it, you would suggest going DDR4 for the higher speeds?

 

[ScrewySqrl]

yes, ddr4 is faster, and the price difference with DDR3 is negligible ($5-6 between DDR3 1333 and DDR4 2133)

 

[BadActor]

I was suggesting Skylake in general, not just for the faster DDR4 RAM. Better performance and the Z170 boards have a lot of useful features. If you wanted to do the i5 on a budget with overclocking, you could do something like this. It would run any video card out.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.98 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($36.98 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock B150 GAMING K4/HYPER ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($178.50 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($61.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($239.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $772.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-26 19:26 EDT-0400

 

[TorterraX]

yes, ddr4 is faster, and the price difference with DDR3 is negligible ($5-6 between DDR3 1333 and DDR4 2133)

Yeah, I know that DDR4 is faster and not that higher priced, but the thing is that if I choose to go with DDR3, I can get a Haswell build instead of Skylake, and downgrade the Mobo as well, cutting the price a lot. (I'll probably go DDR4 though)

 

[Hlsgsz]

Your build is solid. definitely go for DDR4, but theres no point in going over 2400Mz if you are not using integrated graphics. Get the cheapest 2x8 2400mhz kit from a reputable maker. No sense in going for anyhting premium, It all has lifetime warranty.

Like this: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/geil-memory-gpr416gb2400c16dc

And yeah, you should be getting 16 gigs these days as its dirt cheap.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

ctually, haswell is not cheaper than skylake now.

 

[Hlsgsz]

yes, ddr4 is faster, and the price difference with DDR3 is negligible ($5-6 between DDR3 1333 and DDR4 2133)

Yeah, I know that DDR4 is faster and not that higher priced, but the thing is that if I choose to go with DDR3, I can get a Haswell build instead of Skylake, and downgrade the Mobo as well, cutting the price a lot. (I'll probably go DDR4 though)

Bad idea. Go with Skylake. If you need to cut costs get this motherboard. It's a cut down version of teh a but still overclocks does SLI etc: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z170e