Pretty new to PC gaming/building, could someone tell me if this is a solid build, and what range it is?

[ryandawson.gm]

My first build, pretty sure it's in the mid-low range. Suggestions welcome!

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1400 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor

Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard

Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Dual Video Card

Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory

Hard Drive: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

SSD: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

PSU: Corsair - CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply

 

[vapour]

What is your total budget and where do you live? What is your major usage? I guess gaming.

I would say 1400 is not much better than 1200 and much worse than 1600, kind of dilemma. I don't like the psu, it is OK, but could be better.

 

[ryandawson.gm]

What is your total budget and where do you live? What is your major usage? I guess gaming.

I would say 1400 is not much better than 1200 and much worse than 1600, kind of dilemma. I don't like the psu, it is OK, but could be better.

I don't necessarily have a budget right now, but probably not more than $1,400.

I live in the US, North Carolina specifically. And yes, mostly gaming.

Would it be better to simply use a pre-designed build? (Not pre-built) I've seen a few nice ones in my range, but I figured I could get a better deal by making my own.

 

[Shektron]

You could aim for a much more high-end build for that budget easily. Here's a build with quite a lot of improvements, and still way under your budget:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($194.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - B350 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($156.34 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($98.94 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.69 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI - Radeon RX 580 8GB ARMOR OC Video Card ($309.89 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT - S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G3 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1030.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-07 01:37 EDT-0400

 

[vapour]

For prebuilt, very good deal: https://slickdeals.net/f/10626800-ibuypower-desktop-i7-8700k-16gb-ddr4-240gb-ssd-gtx-1080-1421-free-shipping?src=SiteSearchV2_SearchBarV2Algo1

Good thing is you don't need to do a thing, free games and peripherals. Bad thing is they cut on MB, case (ventilation), ram and PSU. Maybe you don't need everything the best

With your budget, I recommend, 1080p gaming:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($194.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - B350 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($156.34 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($98.94 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.69 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB SC GAMING Video Card ($264.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT - S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - EVO Edition 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $926.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-07 01:38 EDT-0400

 

[constantine_99]

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mGZQm8
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mGZQm8/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($194.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - B350 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($156.34 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($98.94 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.69 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition Video Card ($394.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT - S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - TXM Gold 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: QNIX - QX2710 Matte 27.0" 2560x1440 60Hz Monitor ($219.00 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Total: $1395.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-07 02:47 EDT-0400

with your budget, u can easily afford a 2k gaming rig like this one instead
it'll be on the middle-high rig imo

 

[FD2Raptor]

My first build, pretty sure it's in the mid-low range. Suggestions welcome!

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1400 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor

Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard

Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Dual Video Card

Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory

Hard Drive: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

SSD: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

PSU: Corsair - CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($194.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - X370 GAMING X ATX AM4 Motherboard ($111.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Tactical 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($157.94 @ Adorama)
Storage: Crucial - BX300 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.69 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI - Radeon RX 580 4GB GAMING X Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks - ECLIPSE P400 TEMPERED GLASS ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - TXM Gold 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Phanteks - PH-F120MP 53.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1070.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-07 02:37 EDT-0400

It is possible for you to stay well under the 1400 mark while still having a mid-high range build that will look good and perform well.

Newegg promocode "EMCBRRG34" for another $10 off of the TXM 750W price, not depicted on PCPP; it is overkill on the watts but 650W is priced the same, but without the promocode, so you might as well go for the 750W.

Phanteks P400 support for up to three front intake fans for better cooling, spacious enough for almost any components available on the market; it also features tempered glass window for a classier look + extra RGB case lighting included.

If you'd prefer a black/white look then swap the MB to the ASROCK X370 Killer SLI/ac and the graphic card to Zotac GTX1060 6GB AMP Edition. It'd cost you ~$20 more.

 

[ryandawson.gm]

edit: whoops

 

[ryandawson.gm]

My first build, pretty sure it's in the mid-low range. Suggestions welcome!

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1400 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor

Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard

Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Dual Video Card

Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory

Hard Drive: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

SSD: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

PSU: Corsair - CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($194.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - X370 GAMING X ATX AM4 Motherboard ($111.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Tactical 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($157.94 @ Adorama)
Storage: Crucial - BX300 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.69 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI - Radeon RX 580 4GB GAMING X Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks - ECLIPSE P400 TEMPERED GLASS ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - TXM Gold 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Phanteks - PH-F120MP 53.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1070.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-07 02:37 EDT-0400

It is possible for you to stay well under the 1400 mark while still having a mid-high range build that will look good and perform well.

Newegg promocode "EMCBRRG34" for another $10 off of the TXM 750W price, not depicted on PCPP; it is overkill on the watts but 650W is priced the same, but without the promocode, so you might as well go for the 750W.

Phanteks P400 support for up to three front intake fans for better cooling, spacious enough for almost any components available on the market; it also features tempered glass window for a classier look + extra RGB case lighting included.

If you'd prefer a black/white look then swap the MB to the ASROCK X370 Killer SLI/ac and the graphic card to Zotac GTX1060 6GB AMP Edition. It'd cost you ~$20 more.

This looks really good!

Another question, do the brands matter much? Of course, I wouldn't go and buy a Chinese knock-off, but is there a big difference between Asus/Nvidia/MSI?

 

[constantine_99]

My first build, pretty sure it's in the mid-low range. Suggestions welcome!

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1400 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor

Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard

Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Dual Video Card

Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory

Hard Drive: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

SSD: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

PSU: Corsair - CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($194.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - X370 GAMING X ATX AM4 Motherboard ($111.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Tactical 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($157.94 @ Adorama)
Storage: Crucial - BX300 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.69 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI - Radeon RX 580 4GB GAMING X Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks - ECLIPSE P400 TEMPERED GLASS ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - TXM Gold 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Phanteks - PH-F120MP 53.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1070.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-07 02:37 EDT-0400

It is possible for you to stay well under the 1400 mark while still having a mid-high range build that will look good and perform well.

Newegg promocode "EMCBRRG34" for another $10 off of the TXM 750W price, not depicted on PCPP; it is overkill on the watts but 650W is priced the same, but without the promocode, so you might as well go for the 750W.

Phanteks P400 support for up to three front intake fans for better cooling, spacious enough for almost any components available on the market; it also features tempered glass window for a classier look + extra RGB case lighting included.

If you'd prefer a black/white look then swap the MB to the ASROCK X370 Killer SLI/ac and the graphic card to Zotac GTX1060 6GB AMP Edition. It'd cost you ~$20 more.

This looks really good!

Another question, do the brands matter much? Of course, I wouldn't go and buy a Chinese knock-off, but is there a big difference between Asus/Nvidia/MSI?

Nvidia made the GPU chips
ASUS and MSI are the 3rd party manufacturer, so in this case, they made the cooler and such

overall performance they are on par, difference would be only 5%ish between all the brands (MSI, Gigabyte, Asus, etc)

 

[ryandawson.gm]

My first build, pretty sure it's in the mid-low range. Suggestions welcome!

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1400 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor

Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard

Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Dual Video Card

Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory

Hard Drive: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

SSD: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

PSU: Corsair - CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($194.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - X370 GAMING X ATX AM4 Motherboard ($111.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Tactical 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($157.94 @ Adorama)
Storage: Crucial - BX300 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.69 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI - Radeon RX 580 4GB GAMING X Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks - ECLIPSE P400 TEMPERED GLASS ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - TXM Gold 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Phanteks - PH-F120MP 53.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1070.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-07 02:37 EDT-0400

It is possible for you to stay well under the 1400 mark while still having a mid-high range build that will look good and perform well.

Newegg promocode "EMCBRRG34" for another $10 off of the TXM 750W price, not depicted on PCPP; it is overkill on the watts but 650W is priced the same, but without the promocode, so you might as well go for the 750W.

Phanteks P400 support for up to three front intake fans for better cooling, spacious enough for almost any components available on the market; it also features tempered glass window for a classier look + extra RGB case lighting included.

If you'd prefer a black/white look then swap the MB to the ASROCK X370 Killer SLI/ac and the graphic card to Zotac GTX1060 6GB AMP Edition. It'd cost you ~$20 more.

This looks really good!

Another question, do the brands matter much? Of course, I wouldn't go and buy a Chinese knock-off, but is there a big difference between Asus/Nvidia/MSI?

Nvidia made the GPU chips
ASUS and MSI are the 3rd party manufacturer, so in this case, they made the cooler and such

overall performance they are on par, difference would be only 5%ish between all the brands (MSI, Gigabyte, Asus, etc)

Thanks! I appreciate the help.