My first build. Gaming pc, any mistakes?

[Lima.]

All prices are in Australian dollars.  I'll be using this pc for AAA gaming titles (and other mundane stuff but that's besides the point). Mostly shooters, with the occasional rpg, adventure or rts thrown in. I want to spend around $3000 total including peripherals and a windows license. Is this the best build I can get for my money? are there any obvious bottlenecks?  I'm a bit of a noob and could use some advice.

 

CPU: Intel Core i5 9600KF $399
Mobo: ASUS TUF Z390M Pro Gaming $239
RAM: 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3600c16 $264
SSD: Intel 660p NVMe 1TB $208
GPU: 8GB Geforce RTX 2070 $728
Case: Fractal Design Mini C $89
PSU: Seasonic Focus Gold 650W $129
CPU HSF: Be quiet! Dark Rock TF $119
Monitor: AOC CQ32G1 QHD 144Hz FreeSync Curved 31.5 $469

Keyboard: Cougar 650k hybrid mechanical keyboard $60 

Mouse: logitech g502 $99

 

Approx total: $2803 price will vary with specials etc.

[SeraphicWings]

Your i5 won't bottleneck the 2070

But damn those Aussie price choked me

[homeap5]

PC Case looks a little small (in my opinion), I would replace PSU to some good BeQuiet, but everything seems to be ok.

In my case I prefer to use normal SATA SSD for system and NVME for other stuff, but it's everyone's choice (I'm using few SSDs with different systems that I replace when I want - it's easier to do it with SATA cable or special hotplug internal hdd enclosure than M.2).

 

It's also nice to have small system drive (250 GB for example) if you have plan to made system image / backup.

[Stormseeker9]

 @Lima.7/7 zen 2 will be launched, alongside new Navi cards competing with the 2060/2070. 

I would at least wait till then, benchmarks will become available quite quickly after launch. 

 

Make your decision after that point is my advice

[Guest]

That board is not very good. If going mATX then I would go with a Gigabyte Z390M Gaming.

 

Also the Focus psu supposedly has issues with certain gpu's. The Corsair TXM is cheaper anyway on pcpartpicker.

[homeap5]

2 minutes ago, Stormseeker9 said:

 @Lima.7/7 zen 2 will be launched, alongside new Navi cards competing with the 2060/2070. 

I would at least wait till then, benchmarks will become available quite quickly after launch. 

 

Make your decision after that point is my advice

It may have sense... or not. Its always somehing new that coming up, but basically gaming experience or general computer experience is similar. Why wait if you can have fun right now?

[homeap5]

3 minutes ago, lee32uk said:

That board is not very good. If going mATX then I would go with a Gigabyte Z390M Gaming.

 

Also the Focus psu supposedly has issues with certain gpu's. The Corsair TXM is cheaper anyway on pcpartpicker.

TUF may be not state of the art, but it's for sure better than any Gigabyte motherboard. Asus has best BIOS and good quality components.

It may be my bad experience, but I prefer Asus, then MSI or ASRock, then something else, then Gigabyte.

 

Anyway - we should focus on what is really BAD. OP makes pretty nice configuration, maybe not "best of the best", but close enough.

[Jurrunio]

3rd gen Ryzen and Navi are like a month away? Besides Nvidia is also going to refresh their GPU lineup so it's a terrible time to build PCs.

 

14 minutes ago, Lima. said:

CPU: Intel Core i5 9600KF $399
Mobo: ASUS TUF Z390M Pro Gaming $239
RAM: 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3600c16 $264
SSD: Intel 660p NVMe 1TB $208
GPU: 8GB Geforce RTX 2070 $728
Case: Fractal Design Mini C $89
PSU: Seasonic Focus Gold 650W $129
CPU HSF: Be quiet! Dark Rock TF $119
Monitor: AOC CQ32G1 QHD 144Hz FreeSync Curved 31.5 $469

Keyboard: Cougar 650k hybrid mechanical keyboard $60 

Mouse: logitech g502 $99

the board sucks in overclocking CPUs, it's only selling point is to show off to those who have no idea how to build a PC properly

 

I'm certain you can get better coolers (i.e. much bigger) for the same price, at least you can from the internet.

 

2 minutes ago, homeap5 said:

It may have sense... or not. Its always somehing new that coming up, but basically gaming experience or general computer experience is similar. Why wait if you can have fun right now?

because it's not a pointless refresh for the sake of having new names out AND it's only a month if not less away.

[Stormseeker9]

1 minute ago, homeap5 said:

It may have sense... or not. Its always somehing new that coming up, but basically gaming experience or general computer experience is similar. Why wait if you can have fun right now?

Because if all the details are true we know so far, it will be the first time and properly competing against Intel at a better price to performance ratio. 

 

And I’m no fanboy of either side, but so close to the release of something which is being looked at as a major technological improvement, is worth the wait.

[Lima.]

Just now, Stormseeker9 said:

7/7 zen 2 will be launched, alongside new Navi cards competing with the 2060/2070. 

I would at least wait till then, benchmarks will become available quite quickly after launch. 

 

Make your decision after that point is my advice

Yeah, I intend on waiting. I'm hoping the rtx series will drop in price to compete as is the rumor. Australians will still get ripped off either way, we always do. Small population, shipping costs, tax etc. At least that's the excuses they tend to give us.

[Stormseeker9]

Just now, Lima. said:

Yeah, I intend on waiting. I'm hoping the rtx series will drop in price to compete as is the rumor. Australians will still get ripped off either way, we always do. Small population, shipping costs, tax etc. At least that's the excuses they tend to give us.

I know it. Used to live in oz, no cheap living haha. $12 pints 

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, homeap5 said:

TUF may be not state of the art, but it's for sure better than any Gigabyte motherboard. Asus has best BIOS and good quality components.

It may be my bad experience, but I prefer Asus, then MSI or ASRock, then something else, then Gigabyte.

 

Anyway - we should focus on what is really BAD. OP makes pretty nice configuration, maybe not "best of the best", but close enough.

Not sure if serious ? The TUF boards are crap on Z390 as well as AM4 platform. Don't let marketing bullshit sway your judgement. It is well known that Gigabyte Z390 boards have the better VRM's at the same price point. 

[LukeSavenije]

you can do better than this... 2070 is a horrible value card with the exsistance of the 1080 ti, 1070 ti, 2060, 2080, vii and vega 64.

 

focus has shown some ripple problems this year

 

tuf boards suck, they're kinda like flashy versions of prime

 

you can probably find an ryzen 7 2700 for much less, and zen 2 comes out 7/7

 

if you get the 2700 you don't need that cooler anymore, because the stock cooler performs better than a lot of aircoolers

 

hybrid mechanical are just weird membrain keyboards

 

660p is decent, but keep in mind it's qlc

[LukeSavenije]

6 minutes ago, homeap5 said:

but it's for sure better than any Gigabyte motherboard

it's the other way around

 

about any gigabyte z390 is better than a tuf

 

even the UD

[Lima.]

Just now, lee32uk said:

Not sure if serious ? The TUF boards are crap on Z390 as well as AM4 platform. Don't let marketing bullshit sway your judgement. It is well known that Gigabyte Z390 boards have the better VRM's at the same price point. 

So from the replies at the moment, I should be doing some research into the motherboard, the cooling and the PSU. Someone mentioned overclocking on this board isn't great.  This forum is awesome. So quick with the replies.  Also, yeah the case isn't flash... But I don't really mind. I'd spend another  $20 or 30 for something better looking I suppose, but it isn't a priority.

[LukeSavenije]

1 minute ago, Lima. said:

So quick with the replies

you know... i even have some stuff for what you need

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Smj5dh97n32wJqm5dkdDcQt8ID7vH52-lKzaaXUUQx8/edit?usp=sharing

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, Lima. said:

So from the replies at the moment, I should be doing some research into the motherboard, the cooling and the PSU. Someone mentioned overclocking on this board isn't great.  This forum is awesome. So quick with the replies.  Also, yeah the case isn't flash... But I don't really mind. I'd spend another  $20 or 30 for something better looking I suppose, but it isn't a priority.

Pretty much any Z390 will handle an i5 but if you ever want an i7 or 9900K then it will limit you with that Asus board. Also if going with Intel then the 9600K is the same price. Handy to have onboard graphics just in case your gpu messes up any time.

[homeap5]

24 minutes ago, lee32uk said:

Not sure if serious ? The TUF boards are crap on Z390 as well as AM4 platform. Don't let marketing bullshit sway your judgement. It is well known that Gigabyte Z390 boards have the better VRM's at the same price point. 

In theory - yes. In theory ASRock Taichi is one of the best motherboards, but when you start reading about problems people have, it may change your opinion.

 

I am not Asus big fan, I saw some crappy motherboards from them (even some new ones), but that I can say about any brand. What I can say for sure - they have best BIOSes, most flexible and well polished with options that you don't have in other brands. For example - you may SKIP extension SATA card from checking at start if you don't want to boot from it (not only ignore it) and you can disable SATA controller at all (if you want, for example, use only PCI-E sata controller for some reason). My MSI board have no that options and I'm very dissapointed.

[brob]

According to au.pcpartpicker.com the i5-9600K is available for the same price as the i5-9600KF. Even if were AU$15-AU$25 more I think it would be worth the investment. (Having an integrated gpu provides a convenient backup and allows for removal of the discrete gpu when debugging system issues. It also provides features like Quick Sync that improve numerous video processing tasks.)

 

For the same price the Dark Rock Pro 4 is available. I don't think there is any argument against this cooler outperforming most other air tower coolers.

 

Gigabyte Z390 Aorus motherboards have been consistently praised for VRM design and robustness.

 

Seasonic Focus Gold psu have been criticized for having higher than normal overvoltage settings. That makes them less than perfect. I don't think that disqualifies them from consideration. But going with a Corsair RMx eliminates the one negative with the added benefit of being fully modular.

 

I had to guess at the gpu and memory mentioned in the OP.

 

Edit: had the wrong motherboard.

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel - Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($395.00 @ Shopping Express) 
CPU Cooler: be quiet! - Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($119.00 @ PCCaseGear) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte - Z390 M GAMING Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($195.00 @ Umart) 
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory  ($229.90 @ Newegg Australia) 
Storage: Intel - 660p Series 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($175.90 @ Newegg Australia) 
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce RTX 2070 8 GB Video Card  ($739.00 @ Scorptec) 
Case: Fractal Design - Define Mini C TG MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.00 @ Centre Com) 
Power Supply: Corsair - RMx (2018) 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($147.00 @ Shopping Express) 
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($143.00 @ Shopping Express) 
Monitor: AOC - CQ32G1 31.5" 2560x1440 144 Hz Monitor  ($469.00 @ Austin Computers) 
Keyboard: Cougar - 450K Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($85.16 @ Amazon Australia) 
Mouse: Logitech - G502 Proteus Spectrum Wired Optical Mouse  ($89.00 @ Scorptec) 
Total: $2885.96
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-06-14 00:21 AEST+1000

[Guest]

6 minutes ago, homeap5 said:

In theory - yes. In theory ASRock Taichi is one of the best motherboards, but when you start reading about problems people have, it may change your opinion.

 

I am not Asus big fan, I saw some crappy motherboards from them (even some new ones), but that I can say about any brand. What I can say for sure - they have best BIOSes, most flexible and well polished with options that you don't have in other brands. For example - you may SKIP extension SATA card from checking at start if you don't want to boot from it (not only ignore it) and you can disable SATA controller at all (if you want, for example, use only PCI-E sata controller for some reason). My MSI board have no that options and I'm very dissapointed.

The Taichi is one of the best on X470. On Z390 there are boards with better VRM's at the higher end like the Xtreme and Godlike etc. 

 

As for the bios then yes Asus does have one of the better ones, but that can't make up for a weak VRM. The TUF boards used to be very good a few years back but that range has gone downhill since then. The thing with Asus is they charge a premium over other brands because they can mostly get away with it as they have a loyal fanbase so to speak. I personally don't have a preference when it comes to brands. 

[Lima.]

5 minutes ago, brob said:

According to au.pcpartpicker.com the i5-9600K is available for the same price as the i5-9600KF. Even if were AU$15-AU$25 more I think it would be worth the investment. (Having an integrated gpu provides a convenient backup and allows for removal of the discrete gpu when debugging system issues. It also provides features like Quick Sync that improve numerous video processing tasks.)

 

For the same price the Dark Rock Pro 4 is available. I don't think there is any argument against this cooler outperforming most other air tower coolers.

 

Gigabyte Z390 Aorus motherboards have been consistently praised for VRM design and robustness.

 

Seasonic Focus Gold psu have been criticized for having higher than normal overvoltage settings. That makes them less than perfect. I don't think that disqualifies them from consideration. But going with a Corsair RMx eliminates the one negative with the added benefit of being fully modular.

 

I had to guess at the gpu and memory mentioned in the OP.

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel - Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($395.00 @ Shopping Express) 
CPU Cooler: be quiet! - Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($119.00 @ PCCaseGear) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte - Z390 I AORUS PRO WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($258.00 @ Shopping Express) 
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory  ($229.90 @ Newegg Australia) 
Storage: Intel - 660p Series 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($175.90 @ Newegg Australia) 
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce RTX 2070 8 GB Video Card  ($739.00 @ Scorptec) 
Case: Fractal Design - Define Mini C TG MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.00 @ Centre Com) 
Power Supply: Corsair - RMx (2018) 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($147.00 @ Shopping Express) 
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($143.00 @ Shopping Express) 
Monitor: AOC - CQ32G1 31.5" 2560x1440 144 Hz Monitor  ($469.00 @ Austin Computers) 
Keyboard: Cougar - 450K Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($85.16 @ Amazon Australia) 
Mouse: Logitech - G502 Proteus Spectrum Wired Optical Mouse  ($89.00 @ Scorptec) 
Total: $2948.96
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-06-14 00:10 AEST+1000

Awesome, thanks for the time and effort.  I really appreciate it.  Like I said, this is my first build and it's a steep learning curve. That's a few people now who have recommended changing the Mobo in my build, so it's something that I will spend time researching for sure. 

[brob]

Just now, Lima. said:

Awesome, thanks for the time and effort.  I really appreciate it.  Like I said, this is my first build and it's a steep learning curve. That's a few people now who have recommended changing the Mobo in my build, so it's something that I will spend time researching for sure. 

I had the wrong motherboard in that post. I've since changed it to an mATX size model.

[ahmad13610]

your build looking good, except motherboard. i suggesting you to pick msi mag z390 tomahawk for price performance. don't forget to combine with atx case support.

alternative,

for reach 100fps++ mostly in game.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($288.00 @ Shopping Express) 
Motherboard: ASRock - B450M Steel Legend Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($133.10 @ Newegg Australia) 
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory  ($108.90 @ Newegg Australia) 
Storage: Toshiba - P300 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($71.00 @ IJK) 
Video Card: Asus - GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB Dual Advanced Video Card  ($1599.00 @ Shopping Express) 
Case: Cooler Master - MasterBox Lite 5 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($66.50 @ Shopping Express) 
Power Supply: Thermaltake - Toughpower 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply  ($107.00 @ Shopping Express) 
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($143.00 @ Shopping Express) 
Monitor: AOC - CQ32G1 31.5" 2560x1440 144 Hz Monitor  ($469.00 @ Austin Computers) 
Total: $2985.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-06-14 03:59 AEST+1000

[Adsome2007]

Don’t waste that much money on ram it does not even bump your frames by 1 fps