Yota_Ninja

This is what I ended up going with btw https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Yota_Ninja/saved/L3rpbv PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($189.98 @ SuperBiiz) CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - MasterLiquid 240 66.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($87.89 @ OutletPC) Motherboard: ASRock - AB350M Pro4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($74.33 @ OutletPC) Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($188.88 @ OutletPC) Storage: Intel - 545s 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.00 @ Amazon) Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Mini Video Card ($259.99 @ B&H) Case: Fractal Design - Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Case ($86.99 @ SuperBiiz) Power Supply: EVGA - 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($28.98 @ Newegg) Monitor: Acer - GN246HL 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor ($198.88 @ OutletPC) Total: $1214.92 Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-05 01:29 EST-0500

Any particular reason why you feel these parts would be a better fit? I'm not very concerned about price, just would like some more input as to why you feel this is a better build. Also, I should mention my brother is young, 5th grade currently.

No, it's a plugin I use on Chrome and Firefox to help get the best deals on things, and you can add items to your watchlist and they will notify you the moment it drops.

Lol.. Southern California has its perks, but cost of living is unfortunately not one of them. They're moving somewhere a bit cooler, I'd rather not disclose. Yeah, I updated the OP. I have a 2TB drive I'll be tossing in as well. And yup, I plan on adding all the items to my wishlist on amazon and newegg, as well as Honey so I get emails of price drops.

1080p and maximum framerate, which is why I opted for a budget 144hz panel. I already have a Windows 10 Pro key, as well as a 2TB hard drive laying around that I plan on throwing in. I'll add that to the OP

My family will be moving away sometime next year, and I'd like to build my younger brother his first PC for Christmas. I've put together a mid-tier build with parts that should last him for quite some time. Let me know what you guys think. Edit: I already have a Windows 10 Pro key, a 2TB drive, and a Corsair Keyboard and Mouse I'm throwing in. https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Yota_Ninja/saved/#view=FzjRGX This is the price breakdown at the time of this post, 11/21/2017 PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Amazon) CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($63.75 @ Amazon) Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-AX370-Gaming K5 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg) Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($154.99 @ Newegg) Storage: Intel - 545s 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon) Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB SSC GAMING Video Card ($259.99 @ Newegg) Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.98 @ Newegg) Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ B&H) Monitor: Acer - GN246HL 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor ($187.49 @ B&H) Total: $1166.16 Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-21 23:00 EST-0500

@TVwazhere Also, took a couple more pictures today, and I just bought an LED strip for the inside of the case as well, waiting for that to arrive.

I finally swapped my case 2 days ago @tvwazhere, haven't had much time to myself, hence my lack of response on this thread. I have not had any of the issues @DarkSmith2 has mentioned, this case seems to be very solid from my perspective. It was more of a pain in the ass to remove my system from the HAF-X than it was to place it in the Luxe. I'm very impressed with this case. I took some pictures during the swap, but not as many as I'd have liked. Also, I have a Nikon D60 and I have no clue how to use it, so the pictures are pretty crap lol. I'll upload them to imgur later. I did take a couple shots on my phone that I'll upload here. Also took the cringey plastic-peel video too. The pictures aren't the best, but gives you a decent take on the case. Also, I took the two 140's in the front and put them on the top. I want to add a 200mm fan to the front (I have 3 spare), just ran out of time + I didn't figure out the drive cages are removable until I was all done. So the current setup (and the reason there is a random multi colored wire coming from the front) is 3 140's on top as intake, 1 140 in front as intake (stolen from HAF-X, stock fan), and 1 140 in the rear as exhaust. I'll most likely replace all of the 140's with better fans down the road. Also, the HAF-X used molex connectors for some stuff, so I didn't have my Sata power connectors on hand. I stopped by Fry's on my way home last night and grabbed a Molex to Sata adapter to hook up the LED's and eventually my Blu-Ray player. That's why it's only the last picture that has the LED on.

@Nightmaresmk Yup! I really love the look of that case, but that was the only drawback for me. I might build in that case in the future, after I learn how to 3D model stuff (to make a shroud). The Phanteks Luxe came in on Friday, and I just pulled it out of the box to snap a quick pic. I'm hoping to swap my build on Tuesday. Going to use this opportunity to teach my younger brother about PC's and see if it sparks his interest. Some PC Case pr0n for those interested. Really loving the look of this case. (Before you judge, crappy lighting, phone pic, and uploaded from discord because 2lazy to upload to my google drive)

@TVwazhere I really like that Luxe. I need to check thermal level reviews for it, but other than that, it's pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. I'm most likely going to pick that bad boy up! Thank you for the recommendation. Funny enough, one of my 5.25 bays is for a fan controller, but the LUXE comes with one already installed. I can re-purpose my manual fan controller, though. Regarding the Dark Base Pro 900, I watched that review prior to leaving my comment. I think it's a great case, just not really what I'm looking for but thank you again for the recommendation.

@System Error Message 1) I believe servers cool well because that's exactly what they're designed to do. Very small, high RPM fans to push/pull as much air through the enclosure as possible with no regard to noise since they are mostly stuffed away in a server closet, or in a communications center. I can't really agree that this same logic applies to cases, as not all smaller cases are designed equally. It's just as much about getting the air in, as it is about making sure the air can maintain its flow. 2) I don't understand why you believe hard drives should be mounted sideways. I'm not opposed to this mounting option, I just don't think it's a "should be." 3) That's a given, and a big reason why I am being so picky. Features are subjective. 5.25 bays nowadays are features, it seems. I don't think you fully read the OP or any of the replies before you came up with your response. I don't plan on water cooling, I am downgrading my HAF-X to a more minimalist styled case. I am not worried about populating the entire system, for instance my HAF-X is currently under-populated. I don't want to add another 5.25 bay expansion just for front I/O and I mentioned that only having 2 USB ports isn't a case killer for me. I don't have any plans now, or for the future to utilize hot swap bays. My current case already offers that ability, and I have yet to utilize it. I do appreciate the reply, and the time you took to explain yourself. It's just not really helping me with my request.

I've listed all the reasons I'm being picky... My personal aesthetic preference differs from yours, and the requirements I'm looking for do as well. I'm not worried about a budget, I just want to get the perfect case to fit my needs.

Yeah, I know it's not hard but it also doesn't fit my aesthetic, and it also kinda goes over my weight preference (which I conveniently didn't list, so I don't fault you for that lol).

Unfortunately not.

@TVwazhere @Haeking Thank you both very much for the replies. I really love the look of both of those cases. Here are my thoughts: The Phanteks Enthoo Pro M seems to only have 1 5.25 bay, unless I'm just being daft and missing something there. And it has budget I/O, which isn't as big a deal to me, but still something I'd like to avoid if at all possible. I really like that it looks like it is optimized for airflow, which I'm big on (not a water cooling guy... yet). I also love the minimalism, tempered glass, dust filters, and modularity. Not sure how I skipped this case in my search. I love the look of the Dark Base Pro 900, and again it has some great features with the modularity, perfect I/O (USB type C would be cool, but not needed), dust filter(s?) look easy enough to remove and clean, and it has 2 5.25 bays. My issues with this case is that 1. I feel like I'm paying for features I don't care for, and would never use (inverted build, silent operation), and 2. With regard to silent operation, I feel this case isn't built with airflow in mind. I don't mind my PC sounding like a jet engine, reminds me of growing up, lol, but I love having an unobstructed airflow from front to rear. That being said, I will do some research on both of these cases, check out some builds and listen to the pro's and con's people list. I really appreciate the quick responses, I was out of town all weekend and was unable to check the thread. If I had the knowledge, I'd design my own case because I'm being so picky. Do you guys/anyone know of any cases that have the 5.25 bays on the bottom of the case? That would be great for airflow imo. Have two 140 fans above the bays that blow directly towards the GPU and CPU. Especially considering most people keep cases on their desks. Does anyone on the forums design and build cases for $$? If so, I might be able to work something out with them. Thanks again!