[Build Log] Application to PC Master Race (i7-6700K/GTX 980)

[StackUnderflow]

Hi, 
 
A little bit of back ground first: I never built my own PC that was not scrap (I did build a scrap PC with back in the Pentium 3/IDE cable days out of scrap 7-8 years ago). I never had my own tower PC (always laptops), Back in the days computers were expensive, we had a family tower PC, but that had a Intel GMA 850 series graphics. My laptops had (in sequence) a GMA 950 (Toshiba), GTX 320M (Macbook), and HD4400 (surface pro 3). I got the surface due to the laptop/tablet promise, as I had an iPad before, but the syncing was awful. In any case, I didn't let the lack of graphics hardware prevent me from playing games. I remember running TES Oblivion with the GMA 950 and having external software to turn off hardware shaders calls by the game that the intel chip wasn't providing in order to get it to run. I've mostly grew accustomed to 10-30 fps (I used consider 30 fps to be extremely good, after this PC I don't know what to do with all 'em frames). For work, I code and use AWS when I need a computer with a large amount of memory that can run 24/7 (trust me, the surface can't run 24/7). After getting to know the surface, which is an excellent tablet/ultrabook, it cannot handle large loads without thermal throttling and the back gets hot anytime an app/website gets too intensive (e.g. browse Imgur for more than 20 minutes on IE or just use chrome in general, and the back will get hot). This is where I'm coming from. I have also never owned or played on a console before. Ever (OK maybe a couple of times at a friend's house).
 
So this is my build, I want to reduce EC2 usage by running an Ubuntu instance in Hyper-V, as well as play games "the way it's meant to be played" (in 1080p at least, I probably will upgrade to 3x1080p or 1x4K before the end of life for the PC/graphics card). I also plan on travelling home for a few weeks a couple of times a year, so this thing has fit in a carry on and go through air port security.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
 
CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($390.00) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($75.00) 
Motherboard: MSI Z170I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($145.00) 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2666 Memory  ($200.00) 
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($80.00) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked Video Card  ($380.00) 
Case: Fractal Design Core 500 Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($77.00) 
Power Supply: Cooler Master VS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($80.00) 
Total: $1427.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available (purchase prices/no taxes)
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-29 23:56 EST-0500
 
Pictures:










Final clock settings: CPU multiplier: 45, Voltage: default/did not change (1.2-1.3 adaptive), GPU: Factory clocked to ~1300 MHz/did not change.
I got the GTX 980 in EVGA's B-stock section, it works (AFAIK, I tried DVI and HDMI ports, no display cables/monitors) and there are no visible blemishes.
I'm aware the cable management is down right awful, but the PSU didn't come with any zip ties, so I had to make do with the little metal wire that came with some components. Plus there really is not that much room for it.
I have too many external HDDs to justify getting a internal 1-4TB HDD, hence only the boot drive.

Things that went wrong:

I originally got a Corsair CX 500 but I think there was something wrong with the 24 pin connector. When plugged in 1 of 3 things would happen: 1. Boots fine, but no USB ports work, 2. Fans turn on for less than 1 second and everything goes off again, 3. Nothing. After RMAing that unit and getting a (more expensive) cooler master VS550 everything seemed to work fine.

Things I learned:

• Heat sink fins are really REALLY sharp.
• The Noctua D14 is a MASSIVE cooler for mini ITX, and the MSI motherboard is designed in such a way that you should plug in all headers into the motherboard before installing the cooler.
• The Core 500 doesn't leave a lot of room to plug in things after you install the motherboard and power supply. Between the large heat sink and the power supply clamping down right next to the motherboard, you pretty much can't plug anything in after all 3 are installed. So I don't recommend the directions that the Core 500 manual provides (Install PSU first, then motherboard with heat sink attached). I'd recommend putting all the connectors in out of the case (including case headers), carefully move the motherboard (with heat sink) into the case, then moving the power supply in. (refer to 3rd image down to see the tight squeeze)
• When fans don't turn on, it's most likely a power supply thing (assuming the motherboard works)
• If you're buying a computer piece meal, use Newegg's offer where if you download their app, it gives you free premier for 3 months. It is EXTREMELY worth it, no RMA shipping label fee and free 3 day delivery for actually free.
• Price matching on Newegg is a bit finicky, I had to contact them twice for it to go through (both times, the agent said they'll get a gift card to me in 1-2 days, the 2nd one delivered). There also seems to be the rare agent that directly refunds to paypal rather than through gift cards. And if a non-Newegg seller posts something on Newegg (aka if not Sold and shipped by Newegg, the price match doesn't work).

I got $107 back, $30 in paypal refunds and $76 in Newegg credit. I'm thinking of getting a mechanical keyboard, since I had to borrow someone else's keyboard to setup the computer because all I had was a bluetooth keyboard, any suggestions?

Thanks for reading.

[ThatOneRussian]

Can we reject applications is that a thing?

[Sam Z Man]

Can the whole PCMR committee just die overnight please.

 

Its just the biggest fucking cringe shit-show on the planet.

[Jacktastic-Mofo]

Nice build, but clean up your cables- I'm a bit of a cable management snob.

[Jacktastic-Mofo]

ALSO NEVER TAKE PHOTO'S OF COMPUTER PARTS WITH FLASH.

[Enderman]

you dont need a PC to be part of PCMR

[Enderman]

Can the whole PCMR committee just die overnight please.

 

Its just the biggest fucking cringe shit-show on the planet.

there is no "PCMR committee".....

 

PCMR = people who know PC is better than consoles

so based on your 3 builds, it looks like you're also included

[StackUnderflow]

Nice build, but clean up your cables- I'm a bit of a cable management snob.

 

I really should do that, but I ran out of adequate sized twist-wrap wire things. Nothing came with zip ties and I don't have a car. (I pretty much live and work on campus, and haven't gotten out in a few months). I'll do that when I'm at home for Christmas though...

 

ALSO NEVER TAKE PHOTO'S OF COMPUTER PARTS WITH FLASH.

 

I know that 1 picture of the front is blurry, but my dorm is lit up with a incandescent bulb so it'll be really shadowy and the camera won't be able to focus if I leave flash off. Why is flash such a bad thing?

 

Can the whole PCMR committee just die overnight please.

 

Its just the biggest fucking cringe shit-show on the planet.

 

I always found the depiction a bit .... what's the right word... cute...

[Sam Z Man]

there is no "PCMR committee".....

 

PCMR = people who know PC is better than consoles

so based on your 3 builds, it looks like you're also included

I'm talking about the little shits who go out of there way to start arguments with anyone who has a console in there house, and the whole " Brother's I Have Ascended" load of BS on there subredit.

[melias24]

Very nice PC

[Enderman]

I'm talking about the little shits who go out of there way to start arguments with anyone who has a console in there house, and the whole " Brother's I Have Ascended" load of BS on there subredit.

yeah well don't generalize, cause those people are the vocal minority

and there are always vocal minorities everywhere, nothing we can do about that

but there are plenty of people who know PCs are better than consoles, and are part of PCMR, even if they have nothing to do with reddit

[Jacktastic-Mofo]

I'm talking about the little shits who go out of there way to start arguments with anyone who has a console in there house, and the whole " Brother's I Have Ascended" load of BS on there subredit.

Yeah, people who follow PCMR need to learn that the whole thing was a joke in the first place. Personally I have like 6 consoles in my home- and I think they're great.