Starter Build

[OldManDann]

Budget (including currency): $1500 CAD

Country: Canada

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Minecraft, Nier: Automata, Guilty Gear Xrd Revelator, Warframe

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): 

 

Hi there, I've never built my own rig before - so please do excuse me if I ask a bunch of questions to make sure I understand. I'm looking to use these parts:

PCPartPicker Part List: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/DswGF8

CPU: Intel Core i5-11600K 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($440.19 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Rock Slim 35.14 CFM CPU Cooler  ($65.33 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: *Asus PRIME B560M-A Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard  ($139.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: *Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 CL16 Memory  ($102.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: *Crucial BX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($113.22 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon RX 550 - 512 4 GB Red Dragon Video Card  ($351.41 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: *EVGA B5 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($74.75 @ Vuugo)
Monitor: Philips 242E1GSJ 27.0" 1920x1080 144 Hz Monitor  ($208.36 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $1576.23
 

1. Am I spending too much on these parts?
2. Are there parts here that I should switch out for better alternatives?
3. I've heard about a so-called "wifi-card," what is this? Do I need it or can I just run an Ethernet cord from my router to my computer?
4. What are some beginner mistakes that I shoud look to avoid?
5. Is there any other general things that I've missed that I should look at? What advice would you give for someone starting their first rig?

[Fika]

1. that GPU looks really expensive but that is to be expected, plus its a pretty darn weak card, its a potential bottleneck (depends on you usage though).

2. ABSOLUTELY, that I5 is overclockable yet you have a B560 motherboard which won't allow you to overclock, the I would look for another GPU (a 1060 6GB would do)

3. You won't need a wifi card if you plan to use an ethernet cable.

4. alling the cpu properly without touching the bottom, allign the ram sticks properly, make sure you apply enough thermal paste and tighten everything in a cross pattern.

5. Make sure you cable manage things propely since down the road changing components will become a head ache because the cables would be in the way. That's all I can think of right now.

[OldManDann]

6 minutes ago, Fika said:

1. that GPU looks really expensive but that is to be expected, plus its a pretty darn weak card, its a potential bottleneck (depends on you usage though).

2. ABSOLUTELY, that I5 is overclockable yet you have a B560 motherboard which won't allow you to overclock, the I would look for another GPU (a 1060 6GB would do)

3. You won't need a wifi card if you plan to use an ethernet cable.

 

1. Is there any GPU's you recommend over this one? I'm just worried over compatibility with the rest of the parts.
2. ^Same as above
3. Would you go with a wifi card over an ethernet cable? I imagine a wifi card just makes it so I don't have to run a cord to my PC, right? How much do they generally run for?

[Cheburek]

14 minutes ago, OldManDann said:

 

1. Is there any GPU's you recommend over this one? I'm just worried over compatibility with the rest of the parts.
2. ^Same as above
3. Would you go with a wifi card over an ethernet cable? I imagine a wifi card just makes it so I don't have to run a cord to my PC, right? How much do they generally run for?

1.Dont buy brand new,we have an ongoing chip shortage,stuff is too expensive.

The Rx 550 is weak and should only cost about 120$.

Instead look for a reputable seller selling on the used market something like a GTX 1050 ti-RX 570,GTX 1060 etc.Thats  more than twice as good and should be around the same price or lower.

 

2.The I5 11400 is much much cheaper and obviously slower,but the speed decrease is negligible in most games.

 

3.the Ethernet cable is much much f okaster than WiFi,if you can use a cable then absolutely do it,I see no use for WiFi unless you really have no choice.

Ethernet cables are dirt cheap,like 10 euro for 50 meters.

[King of Memes]

59 minutes ago, OldManDann said:

Budget (including currency): $1500 CAD

Country: Canada

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Minecraft, Nier: Automata, Guilty Gear Xrd Revelator, Warframe

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): 

 

Hi there, I've never built my own rig before - so please do excuse me if I ask a bunch of questions to make sure I understand. I'm looking to use these parts:

PCPartPicker Part List: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/DswGF8

CPU: Intel Core i5-11600K 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($440.19 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Rock Slim 35.14 CFM CPU Cooler  ($65.33 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: *Asus PRIME B560M-A Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard  ($139.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: *Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 CL16 Memory  ($102.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: *Crucial BX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($113.22 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon RX 550 - 512 4 GB Red Dragon Video Card  ($351.41 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: *EVGA B5 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($74.75 @ Vuugo)
Monitor: Philips 242E1GSJ 27.0" 1920x1080 144 Hz Monitor  ($208.36 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $1576.23
 

1. Am I spending too much on these parts?
2. Are there parts here that I should switch out for better alternatives?
3. I've heard about a so-called "wifi-card," what is this? Do I need it or can I just run an Ethernet cord from my router to my computer?
4. What are some beginner mistakes that I shoud look to avoid?
5. Is there any other general things that I've missed that I should look at? What advice would you give for someone starting their first rig?

Just one question? Are you planning on overclocking?

[OldManDann]

No, not particularly - I've never even touched overclocking and have no idea what it does

[King of Memes]

2 minutes ago, OldManDann said:

No, not particularly - I've never even touched overclocking and have no idea what it does

ok then, hear you go, just a couple of things:

 

- I included a cheaper cooler that works very well. Normally, I'd recommend the scythe mugen5, but it is out of stock in canada. 

 

- the cpu is locked as well as the mobo, so, no overclocking (which u said u were ok with)

 

- p300a is a little expensive at $80 cad ($65 usd), but there aren't much better value options. 

 

- I left $500 for a graphics card. Try and get maybe a RTX 3060 ti or an RTX 3070, which ever you can get. 

 

- the ram you chose was slow, so i got faster memory

 

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel Core i5-11400 2.6 GHz 6-Core Processor	$243.00 @ shopRBC
CPU Cooler	Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler	$39.75 @ Vuugo
Motherboard	Asus PRIME B560-PLUS ATX LGA1200 Motherboard	$148.50 @ Vuugo
Memory	Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory	$107.99 @ PC-Canada
Storage	Crucial BX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$113.22 @ Vuugo
Case	Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case	$79.99 @ Canada Computers
Power Supply	SeaSonic FOCUS Plus Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$109.99 @ PC-Canada
Monitor	Philips 242E1GSJ 27.0" 1920x1080 144 Hz Monitor	$208.36 @ Amazon Canada
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$1050.80
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-05-12 15:50 EDT-0400

 

[Downkey]

26 minutes ago, King of Memes said:

ok then, hear you go, just a couple of things:

 

- I included a cheaper cooler that works very well. Normally, I'd recommend the scythe mugen5, but it is out of stock in canada. 

 

- the cpu is locked as well as the mobo, so, no overclocking (which u said u were ok with)

 

- p300a is a little expensive at $80 cad ($65 usd), but there aren't much better value options. 

 

- I left $500 for a graphics card. Try and get maybe a RTX 3060 ti or an RTX 3070, which ever you can get. 

 

- the ram you chose was slow, so i got faster memory

 

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel Core i5-11400 2.6 GHz 6-Core Processor	$243.00 @ shopRBC
CPU Cooler	Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler	$39.75 @ Vuugo
Motherboard	Asus PRIME B560-PLUS ATX LGA1200 Motherboard	$148.50 @ Vuugo
Memory	Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory	$107.99 @ PC-Canada
Storage	Crucial BX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$113.22 @ Vuugo
Case	Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case	$79.99 @ Canada Computers
Power Supply	SeaSonic FOCUS Plus Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$109.99 @ PC-Canada
Monitor	Philips 242E1GSJ 27.0" 1920x1080 144 Hz Monitor	$208.36 @ Amazon Canada
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$1050.80
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-05-12 15:50 EDT-0400

 

-Why the 212 EVO, the stock cooler is more than good enough
-Why a SATA drive? NVME drives are the same price of slightly more expensive, so SATA seems like a bad buy here.
-I'd change the PSU. The Focus Plus Golds have had issues with Ampere, so if OP ever decides to get a Ampere card, then the PSU may have issues.

[King of Memes]

45 minutes ago, Downkey said:

-Why the 212 EVO, the stock cooler is more than good enough
-Why a SATA drive? NVME drives are the same price of slightly more expensive, so SATA seems like a bad buy here.
-I'd change the PSU. The Focus Plus Golds have had issues with Ampere, so if OP ever decides to get a Ampere card, then the PSU may have issues.

- the stock cooler is good enough, thats alright. 

- the difference between sata and nvme is unnoticeable when loading windows and games, only reason he might want it is if he doesn't want sata cables, so either way, he'd be fine

- about the psu, ok, sure

 

[OldManDann]

4 hours ago, Downkey said:

-Why the 212 EVO, the stock cooler is more than good enough
-Why a SATA drive? NVME drives are the same price of slightly more expensive, so SATA seems like a bad buy here.
-I'd change the PSU. The Focus Plus Golds have had issues with Ampere, so if OP ever decides to get a Ampere card, then the PSU may have issues.

So what would you recommend for a PSU?

[Downkey]

9 minutes ago, OldManDann said:

So what would you recommend for a PSU?

MsiA650GF. You can also go with the 750 or 850 model if you are going for a 3080 in the future.

[OldManDann]

11 minutes ago, Downkey said:

MsiA650GF. You can also go with the 750 or 850 model if you are going for a 3080 in the future.

I looked for it on pcpartpicker and I couldn't find it compatible with anything in the edited version of my build:

5 hours ago, King of Memes said:

PCPartPicker Part List

 

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel Core i5-11400 2.6 GHz 6-Core Processor	$243.00 @ shopRBC
Motherboard	Asus PRIME B560-PLUS ATX LGA1200 Motherboard	$148.50 @ Vuug
Memory	Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory	$107.99 @ PC-Canada
Storage	Crucial BX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$113.22 @ Vuugo
Case	Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case	$79.99 @ Canada Computers
Power Supply	SeaSonic FOCUS Plus Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$109.99 @ PC-Canada
Monitor	Philips 242E1GSJ 27.0" 1920x1080 144 Hz Monitor	$208.36 @ Amazon Canada

 

[Downkey]

13 minutes ago, OldManDann said:

I looked for it on pcpartpicker and I couldn't find it compatible with anything in the edited version of my build:

 

Not in stock in canda, sadly 

If you don’t plan on upgrading to a GPU later on, just get a CX550. If you do, I’d get something like a Erenmax D.F Revolution, TXM Gold, Antec Earthwatts pro. There are other good PSUS. 

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel Core i5-11400 2.6 GHz 6-Core Processor	$234.99 @ Memory Express
Motherboard	Asus PRIME B560-PLUS ATX LGA1200 Motherboard	$148.50 @ Vuugo
Memory	Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory	$107.99 @ PC-Canada
Storage	Western Digital Blue SN550 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive	$134.99 @ Newegg Canada
Case	Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case	$79.99 @ Canada Computers
Power Supply	Corsair CX (2017) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply	$59.99 @ Amazon Canada
Monitor	Philips 242E1GSJ 27.0" 1920x1080 144 Hz Monitor	$208.36 @ Amazon Canada
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$974.81
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-05-12 21:57 EDT-0400

 

[OldManDann]

What's between the PSU you listed and the one I found? Just age? https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/3hkwrH/corsair-power-supply-cp9020102na

[OldManDann]

PCPartPicker Part List: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/LZQR3Z

CPU: Intel Core i5-11400 2.6 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($234.99 @ Memory Express)
Motherboard: Asus PRIME B560-PLUS ATX LGA1200 Motherboard  ($148.50 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  ($107.99 @ PC-Canada)
Storage: *Crucial BX500 960 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($115.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8 GB Founders Edition Video Card
Case: Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.50 @ Vuugo)
Monitor: Philips 242E1GSJ 27.0" 1920x1080 144 Hz Monitor  ($208.36 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $965.32

Here is my revised list too

36 minutes ago, Downkey said:

Not in stock in canda, sadly 

If you don’t plan on upgrading to a GPU later on, just get a CX550. If you do, I’d get something like a Erenmax D.F Revolution, TXM Gold, Antec Earthwatts pro. There are other good PSUS.

 

 

[TudorFinalBosz]

@OldManDann

Maybe go with the 11500 for that better iGPU. You never know when it comes in handy.

I was able to find an 11500 at my local reseller for just about 250 bucks, some stores might sell it for more (300).

So it depends on what the seller's markup is too.

 

PS. I am using US dollar equivalent, so you might need to translate that into your local dollars.

[OldManDann]

18 minutes ago, TudorF said:

@OldManDann

Maybe go with 11500 for that better iGPU. You never know when it comes in handy.

I was able to find an 11500 at my local reseller for just about 250 bucks, some stores might sell it for more (300).

So it depends on what the seller's markup is too.

 

PS. I am using US dollar equivalent, so you might need to translate that into your local dollars.

Is the 11400 too much of a downgrade? Only 0.1 Ghz more but it's pretty much out of stock everywhere.

[TudorFinalBosz]

@OldManDann

As usual with Intel, they label their CPU series based on small increments in base CPU frequency and cache, and for the higher tiers, some extra instructions sets and unlocked cores.

So between 11400 and 11500 there are some incremental improvements, nothing too big: 100MHz more in base frequency and 200MHz more in the boosted frequency.

Only the step up in graphics capabilities from Intel's UHD Graphics 730 to UHD Graphics 750 is a significant difference.

 

That's why it might be out of stock, consumers probably found a sweet spot in terms of price/value in this one. It's not a housefire like 11600K and it has the higher tier iGPU, while keeping a price around the 250 bucks tag.

[VitaminP]

15 hours ago, OldManDann said:

Budget (including currency): $1500 CAD

Country: Canada

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Minecraft, Nier: Automata, Guilty Gear Xrd Revelator, Warframe

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): 

 

Hi there, I've never built my own rig before - so please do excuse me if I ask a bunch of questions to make sure I understand. I'm looking to use these parts:

PCPartPicker Part List: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/DswGF8

CPU: Intel Core i5-11600K 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($440.19 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Rock Slim 35.14 CFM CPU Cooler  ($65.33 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: *Asus PRIME B560M-A Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard  ($139.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: *Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 CL16 Memory  ($102.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: *Crucial BX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($113.22 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon RX 550 - 512 4 GB Red Dragon Video Card  ($351.41 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: *EVGA B5 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($74.75 @ Vuugo)
Monitor: Philips 242E1GSJ 27.0" 1920x1080 144 Hz Monitor  ($208.36 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $1576.23
 

1. Am I spending too much on these parts?
2. Are there parts here that I should switch out for better alternatives?
3. I've heard about a so-called "wifi-card," what is this? Do I need it or can I just run an Ethernet cord from my router to my computer?
4. What are some beginner mistakes that I shoud look to avoid?
5. Is there any other general things that I've missed that I should look at? What advice would you give for someone starting their first rig?

I dont think you should pay that for an RX 550.  I have a 1050 TI Id sell you for $200 and Id still be screwing you some what.