Questions About Hardware Choices for a New Build

[revanfan]

Sorry if this is the wrong subforum for this question. I'm looking to upgrade my PC over the next several months. I do game quite often, in 4K, and I try to get as close to 60 FPS as I can. I don't have any real desire to overclock, though. I have my eye on a few parts, but I'm unsure where to go on a few others. First, here's what I already have:

• ■ Boot Disk - 1 2.5" SSD
  ■ Storage - 2 3.5" HDDs
  ■ GPU - 1 Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
  ■ PSU - Can't remember the exact model off the to of my head (not near the computer), but it's more than enough for what I have now, at least.

Next are the parts I'm pretty sure I want to buy:

• ■ CPU - Intel Core i7-6700K (I plan to use Windows 7, so Skylake is a must)
  ■ RAM - Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8) DDR4 @ 3000/3200 (haven't decided between 3000 and 3200 yet, and if anyone has alternatives, I'd be interested in hearing.)
  ■ Motherboard - I was thinking the ATX board ASUS Prime Z270-A (though I'm open to suggestions)

My main issues are with the case and the cooling. As the CPU I'm looking at doesn't come with a stock fan, I want to get an all in one liquid cooler. Preferably something on the lower cost end (if possible), with only one fan (if possible,) and coming pre-pasted. If that won't work for my computer, though, I'm open to suggestions. As for the case, again I'm looking for something on the lower end of the cost spectrum, but has enough room to fit everything I plan to include. And it has to have built in bays for 2.5" and 3.5" drives. I am at a loss right now, and would take any suggestions. One note is that I do NOT require a panel to see inside the computer. I won't be showing off to anyone, and I don't need to see what's in there unless I'm working on it. I also don't 'need' space for an optical drive, though I may one day want to add one. Room for that is just a bonus. I've been doing some research into Corsair, and they have some lower priced cases, but I don't know if they'll fit my needs. Also, my desk is not very large. Well, it's large enough for a 4K monitor, but I don't want a tower that's too tall if it can be avoided.

Additionally, as I said above, I plan to install Windows 7 (as it's what I currently have), but I'm aware that Windows 7 will not, by default, install on USB 3.0. How would I go about allowing myself to install 7 on USB 3.0?

Sorry for the long, long post. If anyone has any advice or suggestions, I'd appreciate it, and if anyone has any follow up questions, I'll do my best to answer.

 

[KahouAoki]

Windows 7 doesn't officially support skylake anymore, so if you run into any problems the first solution you're going to hear is "install windows 10".

 

[revanfan]

Windows 7 doesn't officially support skylake anymore, so if you run into any problems the first solution you're going to hear is "install windows 10".

I read that Skylake will still be supported until the end of the Windows 7 life cycle, but that Kaby Lake is not supported. In fact I just read right now that Skylake will be supported until the end of the Windows 7 extended support. Is that not the case?

 

[KahouAoki]

That sounds dumb, since they're both the same core.

 

[revanfan]

That sounds dumb, since they're both the same core.

It's basically just Microsoft saying, "buy Windows 10." There's no real reason for them not supporting Kaby Lake on 7 and 8.1.

 

[Vic 40]

For your windows 7 "problem",
https://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiikvvTy7jWAhXFYlAKHRdkBdQQFggmMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloadcenter.intel.com%2Fdownload%2F25476%2FWindows-7-USB-3-0-Creator-Utility&usg=AFQjCNHfCPGtlq2RD1dHrD5AEM88GPB4xQ
you can use your windows key with this new install device. It should work on any usb port anyway which is supported by the chipset anyway since usb 3.0 ports support usb 2.0 as well,only added drivers need to be installed to get them to work at 3.0. Means not to use ports supported by a third party chip.

For a case and cooler,
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/cTQypg,Rz2kcf,y7YWGX,tFTrxr/
The Corsair 200 seems to be a good option between these.but look at some reviews for yourself and what you like about looks as well.
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/Vwdqqs,sFzv6h,GGGj4D,c2mxFT/
The Enermax would be my choice.
Don't know why you like an aio watercooler since some aircoolers are more quiet and better or similar performing while cheaper,but it is in the end your choice.

For the ram are the speeds you look at good.Litle difference between those other than in synthetic benchmarks. Often is 3200mhz a higher cas latency so little performance difference again.Nice option,
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/3CdFf7/gskill-ripjaws-v-series-16gb-2-x-8gb-ddr4-3000-memory-f4-3000c15d-16gvkb

You understand that even since having Windows 7 updates are limited and in time will stop? It seems that you can still upgrade windows 7 to 10 for free if you use hardware that is supported by W10,means the latest cpu's for instance.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=822556
well if i'm not mistaken that is.
With this in mind could you look at the 7700K as well i suppose which is the same price.Newer cpu's are also coming.Check it out for yourself as well.

Haven't mentioned AMD yet, since playing at 4k will the cpu not be the bottleneck so you could look at Ryzen as well so save some money.

 

[revanfan]

I fully understand that Windows 7 only has a year left of extended support. I currently have an Enterprise version of 7 (put on by the person who originally built my computer), and I'd like to keep it. If I install Windows 10 at all, it would be a dual boot. And I have a copy of Windows 10 Education (functionally identical to Enterprise) from my school, but I'd like to stay with 7 if I possibly can.

What air cooler would you recommend instead of a water cooler for my system?

 

[Vic 40]

For your windows 7 "problem",
https://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiikvvTy7jWAhXFYlAKHRdkBdQQFggmMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloadcenter.intel.com%2Fdownload%2F25476%2FWindows-7-USB-3-0-Creator-Utility&usg=AFQjCNHfCPGtlq2RD1dHrD5AEM88GPB4xQ
you can use your windows key with this new install device. It should work on any usb port anyway which is supported by the chipset anyway since usb 3.0 ports support usb 2.0 as well,only added drivers need to be installed to get them to work at 3.0. Means not to use ports supported by a third party chip.

.

New devices probably only come with usb 3.0 drivers so i'm not entirely correct here.But this download should give a valid option to install W7 anyway.


The cooler is it just for cooling or do you want to overclock anyway. (an imo not very productive thing since at max turbo these already go very far which any "Z" board should be able to do with all cores).

Some options,
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/jK8H99,93Crxr,LPVBD3/
looks like i'm a hugh Cryorig fan,but these are all very good possibilities for their price point.The highest costing one best for some overclocking.At max turbo all should be good although with price performance goes up as well.
All three can be found in this review,
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/CRYORIG/M9i/6.html
The H7 is a good middle ground cooler,but if you just want a cheap kinda "stock" cooler should the M9i be fine.

 

[revanfan]

As I said, I don't want to overclock. I just want to keep my system cool at max graphics without resorting to overclocking.

 

[Vic 40]

Well you got all the options you need and i told why each one would work for you. The M9i seems fine for your usage and since wanting to keep costs down a good enough choice. It even comes with a tube of paste so enough for a few times to use.

 

[revanfan]

Are there any decent ones that come with the thermal paste already applied? I don't mind applying it myself, I'd just like the option of not having to do it myself.

 

[Vic 40]

This one,
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/cwPzK8/be-quiet-cpu-cooler-bk009
it's smaller cheaper "brother",
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/hyQRsY/be-quiet-pure-rock-slim-351-cfm-cpu-cooler-bk008
Don't see the problem of applying paste ,but it's up to you.