System Hunting

[EvolvePC]

Greetings LTT denizens!

 

I have been looking around for weeks (between google, youtube, and pcpartpicker) for the components I want to pick up for my next computer build (I currently have 5 or 6 builds under my belt). I guess I will start off with the copy/paste format and then elaborate from there.

 

1. Budget & Location
I am currently residing in Southern California and working with a budget of $2000 (including shipping and tax...which in california the parts i have picked out now run US$140 just for shipping because California is a doo doo face).

2. Aim
So, the immediate aim and the future aim of this machine have some impact on the potential parts list. Currently I game on a daily basis. Nothing insanely graphically intensive (WoW, COD BO3, A few MOBAs and whatever is cheap/free on Steam). The biggest thing with gaming i believe is going to be the resolution i would like to run the games at. More on that in the next section. I have from time to time done some video editing for youtube (utilizing Cinema4D, Adobe Afterworks, Adobe premier) So something with above average multi-thread performance would be a plus but not particularly necessary. 
 

3. Monitors
While I love me some surround gaming, I don't currently have the space for more than 1 monitor, so 1 monitor it is. I would like to run a 1440p Monitor (Currently building aound the Asus MG278Q).

4. Peripherals
I already am budgeting for the Strafe RGB (Cherry MX Silent) and Scimitar RGB seperate from the computer and monitor.

5. Why are you upgrading?
The build I'm using right now is coming up on 4 years old and I am ready to upgrade in terms of performance and resolution

 

So, let's start with what I am running now:

Operating System

Windows 10 Pro 64-bit

 

CPU

AMD FX-8150

Zambezi 32nm Technology

 

RAM

16.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 671MHz (9-9-9-24)

 

Motherboard

Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd. GA-990FXA-UD3 (Socket M2)

 

Graphics

BenQ RL2450H (1920x1080@60Hz)

2047MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 (ASUStek Computer Inc)

 

Storage

111GB INTEL SSDSC2CT120A3 ATA Device (SSD)

1863GB Western Digital WDC WD20EARX-00PASB0 ATA Device (SATA)

 

So the first decision was Intel or AMD?

At the moment I am opting for AMD for a couple of reasons. The first reason was price! I can't find a way to get a GTX 980 into the system, but I can get an R9 390X (which sits somewhere between a 970 and a 980 performance-wise). Same thing goes for the CPUs. While I would really love to do a Z170 build, and It's REALLY annoying that AMD hasn't started putting DDR4 chipsets out, the 8300 series FX CPUs come in at really nice prices (had a 8370 on my list but opted for the 8320 to save the extra $70).

 

My next decision was how upgradeable do I want this machine to be?

And the answer was pretty easy. In the next couple of years I am hoping to be able to run a 4k display, so i already have plans to add a second GPU down the line (and a bigger PSU to go with it).

 

So after hours of review watching/reading and my wife constantly telling me to make it cheaper, here is what I currently have setup, for your consideration:

 

       CASE: NZXT H440 ATX Mid Tower (Black/Red)

      MOBO: MSI 990FXA Gaming Motherboard

         CPU: AMD FX-8320

  COOLER: NZXT Kraken X61

          PSU: EVGA 750W

       BOOT: Samsung 850 EVO 250GB Internal SSD

STORAGE: Seagate Barracuda 2TB HDD

         RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro 4x4GB (2 dual channel kits)

  DISPLAY: Asus ROG MG278Q 2560x1440 144Hz 1ms (GTG) - Yes, it is a TN panel, as I mostly game superb color representation isn't worth the expense of an IPS panel

 

Current total price for this list from Newegg.com: $2009 (shipping and tax included).

 

I own a retail copy of Windows 8.1 that I use to upgrade to windows 10, so no need for an OS.

 

What I hope to achieve here is a brainstorming of sorts to see if people with more experience and knowledge of hardware can help me come up with an appropriate hardware list for my needs.

 

Color wise, I obviously went with black and red, of which i have no problem changing so long as it is one of the H440 cases. I like my gear to match (and yes I realize that tends to increase the price of a build).

 

Thank you all so very much, in advance, for your assistance! 

 

 

[The Official Czex]

A 390X is on par with a 980.

 

Intel is your best bet for CPU.

[tahmidkhan123]

lga 1150 cpus have really come down in price. In Canada, it's roughly 400-500 dollars for an i7 4790k. You should be able to get one for cheaper in the states and a gigabyte z97x for 150ish dollars 

[Frosty]

The motherboard that you have currently should support an 8320 with no issues I believe. Having said that, an Intel cpu would still probably be a better bet for you in the future. AM3+ is a rather decrepit socket.

[rafazafar]

 

snip 

 

Isnt 2000 (1500 + monitor) abit too much for your needs? you can make a really powerful pc that looks awesome too for 2000

 

some using skylake and mobo with the usb type c and all with sli capabilities.

2016 build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xMVm6h

more functional approach: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/B9C4rH

Very functional : http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mdxR23

Bling baby : http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jQRYMp

[Dark_Fuzzy]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VmrR23

 

Would suit you alot better than the fx.

Doesn't leave much for the monitor but anything from amd will have a hard time pushing 1440 anyway.

[EvolvePC]

So, for aesthetics, would like to have 4 sticks of RAM. With 4 slot, dual channel board would running 2 dual channel 8gb kits have any significant impact over running 1 dual channel 16gb kit? 

[rafazafar]

So, for aesthetics, would like to have 4 sticks of RAM. With 4 slot, dual channel board would running 2 dual channel 8gb kits have any significant impact over running 1 dual channel 16gb kit? 

4x4gb is more expensive than most 2x8gb kits. Performance difference negligible. for additional 30usd (from 4x4gb) u can get 4x8gb ram.

For 1500 budget there alot of ways to go really..

If you are interested in looks check out special cases like the inwin 805, thermaltake p5, Lian Li PC-Q36WRX, parvum systems. Theres really no need to use the same old box, if you dont need like 8hdd cages, and triple 280mm rad support or something.

I would vouch for the 805 for the sexy triple glass panels. looks brilliant in person.

[EvolvePC]

Thanks for all the feedback, running some numbers. I like the 6600K build with the exception of the price from amazon and newegg (newegg used for the monitor as it is $250 more on amazon) is just over $2,200...Just have to talk the wife into i guess

[EvolvePC]

In case anyone was curious, this is my working parts list.

 

CASE: Thermaltake Core X2

MOBO: Gigabyte Z170MX Gaming 5

CPU: Intel I5-6600K

CPU COOLER: Corsair H100i GTX

GPU: Asus Radeon R9 390X

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4-2400 16GB

SSD: Kingston HyperX Savage 240GB

HDD: Seagate 2TB

PSU: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold

 

MONITOR: Acer XG270HU

 

Total Price with shipping (and California's stupid online retailer tax)

 

$1997.15

 

 As i see it this is a pretty good setup for $2000 (being that $500 of it is going into the monitor)