Should i get a cpu cooler and would it fit on my motherboard

[Jupiter1605]

hello there, I'm planning to build a cheap PC that is capable of running VR and I can't get a full tower because the PC will be in my living room. I'm trying to build a Micro/Mini ATX PC Powerhouse.
Here are the PC specs : https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/L2GK2R
I have two questions, would I be able to run the HTC Vive with this PC? and would the CPU cooler fit on the motherboard without blocking other parts such as the RAM slots?
If the PC can't run the HTC Vive or the CPU Cooler doesn't fit can you recommend another CPU Cooler and PC parts.
Thanks.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

The cooler will fit.
You would be better getting single 8GB module to have an option to upgrade to 16GB later as the MB has only 2 memory slots.
regarding the Vive, it will run. The question is how good. It supposed to run fine on 1060 6GB, and with 3GB there could be some performance/experience issues.
Many people recommend GTX 1070 as baseline for VR headsets

 

[Jupiter1605]

The cooler will fit.
You would be better getting single 8GB module to have an option to upgrade to 16GB later as the MB has only 2 memory slots.
regarding the Vive, it will run. The question is how good. It supposed to run fine on 1060 6GB, and with 3GB there could be some performance/experience issues.
Many people recommend GTX 1070 as baseline for VR headsets

Yes. im aware the gtx 1070 being the baseline, but many people in tech stores and on websites have said that the minimum would be a GTX 970/980, is this true? Considering the GTX 1060 has similar benchmarks would this be fine?
Thanks for the quick response.

 

[aquielisunari]

The cooler will fit.
You would be better getting single 8GB module to have an option to upgrade to 16GB later as the MB has only 2 memory slots.
regarding the Vive, it will run. The question is how good. It supposed to run fine on 1060 6GB, and with 3GB there could be some performance/experience issues.
Many people recommend GTX 1070 as baseline for VR headsets

Install a single RAM module in a dual channel board? Would that affect the RAM's speed? Bandwidth(possibly impacting FPS)?

 

[n0ns3ns3]

The performance impact of single ram module is between none to very low. yes, memory bandwidth will be lower, but it's noticeable on systems with integrated graphics that use system memory. for general/gaming use with dedicted GPU it's small to none.
As for the GPUs, both GTX 970 and 980 have over 3GB of vRAM. So GTX 1060 6GB is fine, but the 3GB is in question.

 

[Jupiter1605]

The performance impact of single ram module is between none to very low. yes, memory bandwidth will be lower, but it's noticeable on systems with integrated graphics that use system memory. for general/gaming use with dedicted GPU it's small to none.
As for the GPUs, both GTX 970 and 980 have over 3GB of vRAM. So GTX 1060 6GB is fine, but the 3GB is in question.

And also, do you think having to buy a CPU cooler is a good idea or do you think the intel stock cooler is fine? like I said i'm going to use this PC to play games at Ultra and with the HTC Vive and im not going to overclock.
Thanks.

 

[aquielisunari]

The cooler will fit.
You would be better getting single 8GB module to have an option to upgrade to 16GB later as the MB has only 2 memory slots.
regarding the Vive, it will run. The question is how good. It supposed to run fine on 1060 6GB, and with 3GB there could be some performance/experience issues.
Many people recommend GTX 1070 as baseline for VR headsets

Yes. im aware the gtx 1070 being the baseline, but many people in tech stores and on websites have said that the minimum would be a GTX 970/980, is this true? Considering the GTX 1060 has similar benchmarks would this be fine?
Thanks for the quick response.

Fine? Yes, as far as raw horsepower is concerned. The Vive and The Riftloves VRAM. IT's like you have a full screen for each eye. The 970 comes with 4GB RAM. You are choosing something with less VRAM than what the basic rec. specs. ask for.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

you don't need the aftermarket CPU cooler. it will just make your system quieter than it would be with stock cooler.

 

[Jupiter1605]

you don't need the aftermarket CPU cooler. it will just make your system quieter than it would be with stock cooler.

okay perfect. I have now updated the list, would this build be fine or do you recommend anything to change?
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/Jupiter1605/saved/QnYgsY

 

[aquielisunari]

The performance impact of single ram module is between none to very low. yes, memory bandwidth will be lower, but it's noticeable on systems with integrated graphics that use system memory. for general/gaming use with dedicted GPU it's small to none.
As for the GPUs, both GTX 970 and 980 have over 3GB of vRAM. So GTX 1060 6GB is fine, but the 3GB is in question.

The performance impact of single ram module is between none to very low. yes, memory bandwidth will be lower, but it's noticeable on systems with integrated graphics that use system memory. for general/gaming use with dedicted GPU it's small to none.
As for the GPUs, both GTX 970 and 980 have over 3GB of vRAM. So GTX 1060 6GB is fine, but the 3GB is in question.

And also, do you think having to buy a CPU cooler is a good idea or do you think the intel stock cooler is fine? like I said i'm going to use this PC to play games at Ultra and with the HTC Vive and im not going to overclock.
Thanks.

you don't need the aftermarket CPU cooler. it will just make your system quieter than it would be with stock cooler.

okay perfect. I have now updated the list, would this build be fine or do you recommend anything to change?
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/Jupiter1605/saved/QnYgsY

You just saved a good chunk of change removing the aftermarket cooler. Why not move that over to your RAM? 2x8GB. With that in place I wouldn't change a thing. Looks very good.

 

[Jupiter1605]

The performance impact of single ram module is between none to very low. yes, memory bandwidth will be lower, but it's noticeable on systems with integrated graphics that use system memory. for general/gaming use with dedicted GPU it's small to none.
As for the GPUs, both GTX 970 and 980 have over 3GB of vRAM. So GTX 1060 6GB is fine, but the 3GB is in question.

The performance impact of single ram module is between none to very low. yes, memory bandwidth will be lower, but it's noticeable on systems with integrated graphics that use system memory. for general/gaming use with dedicted GPU it's small to none.
As for the GPUs, both GTX 970 and 980 have over 3GB of vRAM. So GTX 1060 6GB is fine, but the 3GB is in question.

And also, do you think having to buy a CPU cooler is a good idea or do you think the intel stock cooler is fine? like I said i'm going to use this PC to play games at Ultra and with the HTC Vive and im not going to overclock.
Thanks.

you don't need the aftermarket CPU cooler. it will just make your system quieter than it would be with stock cooler.

okay perfect. I have now updated the list, would this build be fine or do you recommend anything to change?
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/Jupiter1605/saved/QnYgsY

You just saved a good chunk of change removing the aftermarket cooler. Why not move that over to your RAM? 2x8GB. With that in place I wouldn't change a thing. Looks very good.

I'm on an incredibly Limited budget but i don't really see the need for 16GB yet, I'm trying to save as much as possible as well as making a PC that can run VR, would you recommend me to downgrade the CPU to a I5 6500 or would the i5 6600 be fine?

 

[n0ns3ns3]

that's what i'd do within the same budget.
b]CPU:[/b] Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor (£188.49 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (£62.65 @ CCL Computers)
Memory: Kingston FURY 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory (£34.99 @ Novatech)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£41.99 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB WINDFORCE OC 6G Video Card (£239.99 @ Ebuyer)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1300 MicroATX Mini Tower Case (£38.94 @ Ebuyer)
Power Supply: Corsair VS 550W ATX Power Supply
Total: £607.05

have to note that i don't like the PSU. Corsair's VP is very basic series. But I guess you already have it.

 

[Jupiter1605]

that's what i'd do within the same budget.
b]CPU:[/b] Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor (£188.49 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (£62.65 @ CCL Computers)
Memory: Kingston FURY 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory (£34.99 @ Novatech)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£41.99 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB WINDFORCE OC 6G Video Card (£239.99 @ Ebuyer)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1300 MicroATX Mini Tower Case (£38.94 @ Ebuyer)
Power Supply: Corsair VS 550W ATX Power Supply
Total: £607.05

have to note that i don't like the PSU. Corsair's VP is very basic series. But I guess you already have it.

I do not yet own any of the parts listed, where are those parts from, mine are different.
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/Jupiter1605/saved/QnYgsY
Keep in mind I'm on a very limited budget, but what PSU would you recommend? whats wrong with the Corsair VS series?

 

[n0ns3ns3]

Yes, it's different from your list because I changed it.
The mother board and GPU received an upgrade and i selected i5-6500 since 100Mhz do not worth the premium over 6500. the perfromance difference is next to none.
The above list is basically a suggestion (with better parts IMHO) within the same budget

 

[Jupiter1605]

Yes, it's different from your list because I changed it.
The mother board and GPU received an upgrade and i selected i5-6500 since 100Mhz do not worth the premium over 6500. the perfromance difference is next to none.
The above list is basically a suggestion (with better parts IMHO) within the same budget

ok great thanks for the help, so what do you think about the PSU why do you think its bad, should I change? also why the change of motherboard?
thanks for the help!
EDIT: I think im going to get the CX 500 instead seems like more reviews. Would 500w's be enough?

 

[n0ns3ns3]

MB - better quality, more ram slots, more features.
About PSU - will this fit your budget ? https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/N6X2FT/evga-power-supply-220gs0550v1
it's not about watts, it about quality. even 400watts of good PSU is enough.
The older green CX and CXM are not good at all.

 

[Jupiter1605]

MB - better quality, more ram slots, more features.
About PSU - will this fit your budget ? https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/N6X2FT/evga-power-supply-220gs0550v1
it's not about watts, it about quality. even 400watts of good PSU is enough.
The older green CX and CXM are not good at all.

Yeah, that's kinda above my price limit i have about £50 for the PSU. Any other recommendations?

 

[n0ns3ns3]

in that order:
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/FQ648d/corsair-power-supply-cp9020101na
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/zNK7YJ/evga-power-supply-100b10500kr