Trying to help a friend build his first real computer

[skye12977]

Budget (including currency): 800 USD (not including a GPU)

Country: United States

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Diablo 2 Resurrected. Warzone if he was able to find a decently priced GPU (1660 or higher)

Other details: No existing parts, assume he already has a mouse and keyboard, trying to purchase before Diablo 2 Resurrection launch, most like 1080p@60hz

 

 

He wants to build a computer and then buy a GPU when he's able to find one that isn't too overpriced.

He mainly wants to use it for Diablo 2 Resurrected and maybe Warzone.

 

-I personally suggested he look for a 1060 or 1660 (or higher, depending on if he can find a decently priced one).

-I suggested he possibly go for an intel CPU to use the integrated graphics as he should at least be able to use his computer until he finds a GPU.

*Integrated graphics may even be good enough to play Diablo 2 Resurrected, I don't know.

 

This is what he came up with as a start. 

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel Core i7-10700K 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor	$309.99 @ Newegg
CPU Cooler	Scythe Mugen 5 Rev. B 51.17 CFM CPU Cooler	$49.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS ATX LGA1200 Motherboard
Memory	Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL15 Memory	$95.99 @ Amazon
Storage	Crucial BX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$89.99 @ Adorama
Case	Phanteks Eclipse P300 ATX Mid Tower Case	$49.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	EVGA G5 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$89.49 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$685.44
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-04-12 14:16 EDT-0400

I'm wondering if anyone can help me come up with a better build on parts or even find a decent prebuilt (I know it's not the best idea).

-Maybe a non-K skew CPU and thus a cheaper motherboard (that also doesn't have the extra unused 4-pin).

-Someone even suggested a Ryzen CPU with integrated graphics.

-Better RAM to fit the CPU.

-Maybe a combination of a smaller SSD and then also an HDD for storage.

 

 

 

Trying to keep it around 700-800 without a GPU or OS. He's located in NY (not near a microcenter IIRC).

[IHFyrz2812]

get a crucial balistix 3600 cl16 ram instead

[curiousmind34]

2 minutes ago, skye12977 said:

Budget (including currency): 800 USD (not including a GPU)

Country: United States

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Diablo 2 Resurrected. Warzone if he was able to find a decently priced GPU (1660 or higher)

Other details: No existing parts, assume he already has a mouse and keyboard, trying to purchase before Diablo 2 Resurrection launch, most like 1080p@60hz

 

 

He wants to build a computer and then buy a GPU when he's able to find one that isn't too overpriced.

He mainly wants to use it for Diablo 2 Resurrected and maybe Warzone.

 

-I personally suggested he look for a 1060 or 1660 (or higher, depending on if he can find a decently priced one).

-I suggested he possibly go for an intel CPU to use the integrated graphics as he should at least be able to use his computer until he finds a GPU.

*Integrated graphics may even be good enough to play Diablo 2 Resurrected, I don't know.

 

This is what he came up with as a start. 

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel Core i7-10700K 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor	$309.99 @ Newegg
CPU Cooler	Scythe Mugen 5 Rev. B 51.17 CFM CPU Cooler	$49.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS ATX LGA1200 Motherboard
Memory	Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL15 Memory	$95.99 @ Amazon
Storage	Crucial BX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$89.99 @ Adorama
Case	Phanteks Eclipse P300 ATX Mid Tower Case	$49.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	EVGA G5 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$89.49 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$685.44
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-04-12 14:16 EDT-0400

I'm wondering if anyone can help me come up with a better build on parts or even find a decent prebuilt (I know it's not the best idea).

-Maybe a non-K skew CPU and thus a cheaper motherboard (that also doesn't have the extra unused 4-pin).

-Someone even suggested a Ryzen CPU with integrated graphics.

-Better RAM to fit the CPU.

-Maybe a combination of a smaller SSD and then also an HDD for storage.

 

 

 

Trying to keep it around 700-800 without a GPU or OS. He's located in NY (not near a microcenter IIRC).

For storage get the significantly faster sn550 https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zFK2FT/western-digital-blue-sn550-500-gb-m2-2280-nvme-solid-state-drive-wds500g2b0c
 

[tishous]

 

4 minutes ago, skye12977 said:

Someone even suggested a Ryzen CPU with integrated graphics.

Don't bother with this if he has any intention of getting a GPU in the future. The pretty slow 4 core Ryzen chips will bottleneck any mid range GPU.

5 minutes ago, skye12977 said:

Better RAM to fit the CPU.

The RAM isn't too bad of a choice, but for almost $100 you can certainly find some faster RAM.

5 minutes ago, skye12977 said:

Maybe a combination of a smaller SSD and then also an HDD for storage.

I would suggest just getting a 1TB NVMe drive. It'll be plenty for the two games he wants to play, and if he needs mass storage in the future, a 2TB HDD can be found for $50.

 

Also, for about $10 more, the Scythe Fuma 2 performs great, though it might be unnecessary for just gaming.

[Aereto_Compuru]

3 minutes ago, curiousmind34 said:

For storage get the significantly faster sn550 https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zFK2FT/western-digital-blue-sn550-500-gb-m2-2280-nvme-solid-state-drive-wds500g2b0c
 

I can also offer a larger capacity option with a lower SSD size to 500GB and add a HDD for games that have short load times, typically common in indie games, and whatever appdata or non-game files that would otherwise take up the more precious SSD space to keep the OS running  responsively and run games worth shortening loads drastically.

[FireAbyss111802]

12 minutes ago, skye12977 said:

Budget (including currency): 800 USD (not including a GPU)

Country: United States

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Diablo 2 Resurrected. Warzone if he was able to find a decently priced GPU (1660 or higher)

Other details: No existing parts, assume he already has a mouse and keyboard, trying to purchase before Diablo 2 Resurrection launch, most like 1080p@60hz

 

 

He wants to build a computer and then buy a GPU when he's able to find one that isn't too overpriced.

He mainly wants to use it for Diablo 2 Resurrected and maybe Warzone.

 

-I personally suggested he look for a 1060 or 1660 (or higher, depending on if he can find a decently priced one).

-I suggested he possibly go for an intel CPU to use the integrated graphics as he should at least be able to use his computer until he finds a GPU.

*Integrated graphics may even be good enough to play Diablo 2 Resurrected, I don't know.

 

This is what he came up with as a start. 

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel Core i7-10700K 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor	$309.99 @ Newegg
CPU Cooler	Scythe Mugen 5 Rev. B 51.17 CFM CPU Cooler	$49.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS ATX LGA1200 Motherboard
Memory	Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL15 Memory	$95.99 @ Amazon
Storage	Crucial BX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$89.99 @ Adorama
Case	Phanteks Eclipse P300 ATX Mid Tower Case	$49.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	EVGA G5 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$89.49 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$685.44
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-04-12 14:16 EDT-0400

I'm wondering if anyone can help me come up with a better build on parts or even find a decent prebuilt (I know it's not the best idea).

-Maybe a non-K skew CPU and thus a cheaper motherboard (that also doesn't have the extra unused 4-pin).

-Someone even suggested a Ryzen CPU with integrated graphics.

-Better RAM to fit the CPU.

-Maybe a combination of a smaller SSD and then also an HDD for storage.

 

 

 

Trying to keep it around 700-800 without a GPU or OS. He's located in NY (not near a microcenter IIRC).

Couple things- first, get a NVME SSD, like the Crucial p2 1TB or the Samsung 970 evo. Maybe get ddr4-3200? (3000 is fine, but 3200 is better) Also maybe get a cooler that might be better at cooling the 10700k? That thing runs hot. Power supply is good,. but if u want a higher end video card, I would get a 750 or 850w power supply. 

[curiousmind34]

2 minutes ago, FireAbyss111802 said:

Power supply is good,. but if u want a higher end video card, I would get a 750 or 850w power supply. 

one like this: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/CVkD4D/corsair-power-supply-cx750m

[FireAbyss111802]

Just now, curiousmind34 said:

one like this: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/CVkD4D/corsair-power-supply-cx750m

That could work, However it would be better if fully modular and 80+ gold, like this : https://www.newegg.com/evga-supernova-750-g1-120-gp-0750-x1-750w/p/N82E16817438132?Description=evga 750w&cm_re=evga_750w-_-17-438-132-_-Product&quicklink=true

 

I know its more expensive, you could get this one or any equivalent from a reputable brand, like Corsair, seasonic, or others.

[skye12977]

After a few changes: 

I guess the budget is going to have to expanded to between 800-900 (without GPU or OS)

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel Core i7-10700K 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor	$309.99 @ Newegg
Motherboard	ASRock Z490M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard	$179.99 @ Amazon
Memory	Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory	$93.99 @ B&H
Storage	Western Digital Blue SN550 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive	$109.99 @ Newegg
Case	Phanteks Eclipse P300 ATX Mid Tower Case	$49.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	Super Flower Leadex III Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$99.99
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$843.94
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-04-12 18:16 EDT-0400

I can bring it down to a 500gb m.2 to save a bit.

The motherboard he chose isn't in stock, so I put in a filler.

The PSU is on sale on Newegg for 100$ (https://www.newegg.com/super-flower-leadex-iii-sf-650f14hg-650w/p/1HU-024C-00007?Description=Leadex III&cm_re=Leadex_III-_-9SIAMNPAY44593-_-Product)

What would you guys suggest on a CPU cooler, maybe a different motherboard, or first build friendly case.

Evidently he's going to bring the computer in somewhere and have them build it.... so the cast wont matter 'as' much.