Starting from Scratch Build

[Nikkelz]

Budget (including currency): $3000 USD

Country: USA

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Primarily gaming (MMO, Strategy, Singleplayer); ex WoW, Starcraft, Civ 6, Crusader Kings, Overwatch, Cyberpunk 2077, Witcher 3

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc): 

The build I'm putting together puts in mind that I currently have a https://pcpartpicker.com/product/xWkj4D/benq-ew3270u-315-3840x2160-60-hz-monitor-ew3270u monitor, 4K 60hz, that was given to me, so I am not particularly in a rush to change my monitor (though I am open to suggestions for the future). I'm currently planning on likely purchasing a 3080 or a 3090 as I am not in a particular rush to have a completed build prior to November/December. Looking for additional suggestions and thoughts on where I can improve performance and value/$.

 

Current plan:

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/CbKhsk

CPU: Intel Core i7-10700K 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($393.89 @ Adorama) 
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM 75 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($159.99 @ Best Buy) 
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX Z490-E GAMING ATX LGA1200 Motherboard  ($295.41 @ Amazon) 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  ($129.99 @ Best Buy) 
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($167.78 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: RTX 3080
Case: Lian Li LANCOOL II-X ATX Mid Tower Case  ($89.94 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair HX Platinum 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($226.98 @ Newegg) 
Keyboard: Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.2 Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($149.99 @ Corsair) 
Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud II 7.1 Channel  Headset  ($99.00 @ Amazon) 
Total: $2481.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-09-17 13:20 EDT-0400

 

[Juular]

Do you need RGB ? Anyway, if you really don't :

- CPU and motherboard : i'd get R7 3700X now if you don't want to wait for Zen 3 and you'll still be able to upgrade when it'll be out, i'm pretty sure they will be able to match Intel in gaming performance this time, not that it matters for 4k 60Hz anyway, you're perfectly good even with R5 3600. Get ASUS X570 TUF motherboard for it, a version with Wi-Fi if you want.

- Cooler : If you don't need RGB then go for Arctic Freezer II 280mm or some cheaper air cooler like Scythe FUMA 2 since AMD CPUs, especially in gaming wouldn't be as hot as Intel ones.

- RAM : I'd get cheapest 3600MHz 16CL kit if you don't really need RGB, T-Force Dark Za perhaps. 32GB isn't really needed now but if you want to future-proof it a bit, why not, especially since RAM is relatively cheap rn.

- SSD : Definitely save your money and go for other NVMe SSDs, not Samsung. And 1TB wouldn't cut it. I'd get Mushkin Pilot-E 2TB.

- Case : Get Phanteks P400A if you don't need RGB or P400 Digital if you do. In the latter case you'll need to either get an air cooler or 240/320mm tho as stock fans are 120mm so you'll be able to move them to the AIO.

- PSU : You don't need 1kW PSU for this, get Corsair RM850x.

- Peripheraps : i don't know much about keyboards and headphones can be very subjective so i don't touch them.

[Helpful Tech Witch]

6 minutes ago, Nikkelz said:

ntel Core i7-10700K 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($393.89 @ Adorama) 

I would wait for a 3600 successor from AMD, Since thats probably when you can find a 30 series anyways.

 

7 minutes ago, Nikkelz said:

Samsung 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive

Samgsung SSDs are way overprices. Sabrent is, too, but I usually suggest that when doing a list.

 

8 minutes ago, Nikkelz said:

Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory

You probably wont need 32 gb, and if you do choose a Ryzen 4000 series processor, get faster memory.

9 minutes ago, Nikkelz said:

Corsair HX Platinum 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply

Woah, woah, woah, you dont need a 1000w psu, even for a 3090. A 750w or 850w Cosair RM unit will suffice, as its one of the best you can get.

[poorkidbuild]

All I would change is the CPU, RAM, and PSU. Get the new zen3 chip when they come out, because your getting a better bang for your buck. Also, Intel is overpriced and I would only go for it if it were a work related PC build. The RAM is good, but try and get 3600 speed and 16 GB of it. If you’re going to be doing a lot of gaming, then go with 32. But stick with the RGB, it’s awesome. And finally, the PSU, get an 800 watt PSU, it’s all you'll need.

[Helpful Tech Witch]

2 hours ago, poorkidbuild said:

Also, Intel is overpriced and I would only go for it if it were a work related PC build

No, AMD would be preferable for work. Especially if you plan to go 213214765755432523423549854949494294949461460949842089749410087168790917987980 program multitasking, as so muny people do.

 

2 hours ago, poorkidbuild said:

The RAM is good, but try and get 3600 speed and 16 GB of it. If you’re going to be doing a lot of gaming, then go with 32

Backwards, 16 gb is enough for gaming, but if you play flight sim, then 32.