You can build as is.
One rule of thumb for a balanced gamer is to budget 2x the cost of your processor for the graphics card.
You are spot on there.
I have some thoughts:
1. I like the choice of a Z390 based motherboard.
It gives you the option of using a K suffix processor upgrade and overclocking it.
2. 240gb is OK for a windows C drive. You can hold a handful of games on it. But, considering that SSD prices are down, I would opt for at least a 500gb SSD.
Samsung EVO is my suggestion for performance and reliability.
A m.2 format device(about the size and shape of a stick of gum) will plug into the motherboard and avoid the need for sata and psu connections.
There are pcie versions that have higher sequential speeds, and higher costs.
But the big benefit of a ssd is random I/O which is what Windows does 90% of the time.
On a budget, pcie is not so much worth it.
3. Since a 9400F can not be overclocked, the stock intel cooler will do the job.
If you want a better cooler, do not buy the hyper212.
It is difficult to install and it will not fit in the 155mm you have available for a cooler.
A better unit would be a cryorig H7
4. I like your case for a budget build.
It comes with a 120mm exhaust fan pre-installed.
I would add two front 120mm intake fans, about $ 7 each. Nothing special needed.
Any cooler needs a good source of fresh air to do it's job.
5. Your GTX1660ti should run on a good 450w psu, I agree with a stronger unit up front to allow for a future graphics card upgrade.
550W should run a card as good as a RTX2080.
650w will run even a GTX2080ti.
A psu will consume only the wattage demanded of it, regardless of the max capability.
As others have mentioned, Quality is a different issue.
Corsair CXM newer units are OK.
For a similar price, you can buy a superior 550w Seasonic focus gold with 7 year warranty.
https://www.newegg.com/seasonic-focus-550-gold-ssr-550fm-550w/p/N82E16817151203
the 650w version is about $15 more.
Some advice for a first time builder:
MY build process:
Before anything, while waiting for your parts to be delivered, download
and read, cover to cover your case and motherboard manual.
Buy a #2 magnetic tip philips screwdriver.
I find it handy to buy a power switch like this for testing.
https://www.ebay.com/p/4in1-PC-Powe...or-Computer/631889283?iid=142232821294&chn=ps
1. I assemble the critical parts outside of the case.
That lets me test them for functionality easily.
A wood table or cardboard is fine.
2. Plug in only the necessary parts at first. Ram, cpu, cooler, psu.
Do not force anything. Parts fit only one way.
Attach a monitor to the integrated motherboard adapter if you have one, otherwise to the graphics card.
- If your motherboard does not have a PWR button, momentarily touch the two pwr front panel pins with a flat blade screwdriver.
- Repeatedly hit F2 or DEL, and that should get you into the bios display.
- Boot from a cd or usb stick with memtest86 on it. memtest will exercise your ram and cpu functionality.
- Install windows.
- Install the motherboard cd drivers. Particularly the lan drivers so you can access the internet.
Do not select the easy install option, or you will get a bunch of utilities and trialware that you don't want. Drivers only.
- Connect to the internet and install an antivirus program. Microsoft security essentials is free, easy, and unobtrusive.
- Install your graphics card and driver if you tested with integrated graphics.
You will need to remove the graphics card later to install your motherboard in the case.
As a tip when screwing the motherboard into the posts, give the screw a small counterclockwise turn until you feel a click.
That lets you know that the screw will engage properly.
Make a note of how the graphics card latches into the pcie slot.
The mechanism will be hidden under the card and may be difficult to work if you have not previously checked how.
- Update windows to currency.
- Only now do I take apart what I need to and install it in the case.
- Now is the time to reinstall your graphics card.
And, for installing a stock intel cooler:
----------------how to mount the stock Intel cooler--------------
The stock Intel cooler can be tricky to install.
A poor installation will result in higher cpu temperatures.
If properly mounted, you should expect temperatures at idle to be 10-15c. over ambient.
To mount the Intel stock cooler properly, place the motherboard on top of the foam or cardboard backing that was packed with the motherboard.
The stock cooler will come with paste pre applied, it looks like three grey strips.
The 4 push pins should come in the proper position for installation, that is with the pins rotated in the opposite direction of the arrow,(clockwise)
and pulled up as far as they can go.
Take the time to play with the pushpin mechanism until you know how they work.
Orient the 4 pins so that they are exactly over the motherboard holes.
If one is out of place, you will damage the pins which are delicate.
Push down on a DIAGONAL pair of pins at the same time. Then the other pair.
When you push down on the top black pins, it expands the white plastic pins to fix the cooler in place.
If you do them one at a time, you will not get the cooler on straight.
Lastly, look at the back of the motherboard to verify that all 4 pins are equally through the motherboard, and that the cooler is on firmly.
This last step must be done, which is why the motherboard should be out of the case to do the job. Or you need a case with a opening that lets you see the pins.
It is possible to mount the cooler with the motherboard mounted in the case, but you can then never be certain that the push pins are inserted properly
unless you can verify that the pins are through the motherboard and locked.
If you should need to remove the cooler, turn the pins counter clockwise to unlock them.
You will need to clean off the old paste and reapply new if you ever take the cooler off.
Clean off old paste with alcohol and a lint free paper like a coffee filter.
Apply new paste sparingly. A small rice sized drop in the center will spread our under heat and pressure.
Too much paste is bad, it will act as an insulator.
It is hard to use too little.
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