New "Future Proof" Gaming Build

[JRM83]

Hi All,

 

I'm a 10 year veteran in system builds, as in it's been 10 years since I've built a PC, so my knowledge is well out-of-date!!

 

Cutting to the chase..

 

Budget: $2,500 - $3,000 AUD

Aim: 1. Running current titles on highest settings.

        2. Be as "future proof" as my budget allows i.e. capable of 4k gaming, upgradable, may want to add PCI Express SSD etc.

Monitor/s: 25" to compliment the 'Aim'

Why am I upgrading? Well, I have a 6 year old Dell Studio Laptop.. enough said..

 

I have put together a component list based off knowledge gathered on Linus Tech Tips and researching online.

 

Here's what I have so far:

 

Motherboard: Asus Z170 Pro Gaming Motherboard

CPU: Intel Core i5 6500

RAM: Kingston HX426C15FBK2/16 16GB (2x8GB) 2666MHz DDR4
Graphics: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 Ti G1 Gaming, 6GB

Storage: Seagate  Desktop HDD 2TB (ST2000DM001)

SSD: Kingston HyperX Savage 240GB (already got this, not to be included in budget)

Case: Fractal Design Define R5 Black

PSU: Corsair RM750x 750W

Monitor: Undecided

 

Cooling: No fricken idea....

 

Cheers,

James

[JRM83]

Hi Again,

 

Appears pcpartpicker.com is the way to go.

 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/gXbPjX

 

Thanks,

James

[i_build_nanosuits]

1 minute ago, JRM83 said:

Hi Again,

 

Appears pcpartpicker.com is the way to go.

 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/gXbPjX

 

Thanks,

James

the monitor you've selected support freesync which is AMD's variable refresh rate technology so might as well go with an AMD GPU in order to take advantage of this amazing feature...i'm working on your list i can do a lot better.

[i_build_nanosuits]

This would be better, the GPU is not quite as powerful but it's also cheaper and like i said it will support freesync which get rid of the screen tearing and stuttering completely for a much smoother ride and better looking graphics...you also get a better CPU (unlocked for easy overclocking) and a better powersupply (the one you've picked is trash)

also this case is better value and it looks good, if you don't like it well just go with the fractal case but this one is quite nice:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($358.00 @ Umart)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus Z170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($255.00 @ Centre Com)
Memory: Kingston FURY 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory  ($151.00 @ Centre Com)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($98.00 @ Umart)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 Fury 4GB Tri-X Video Card  ($839.00 @ Umart)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case  ($109.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($143.00 @ Umart)
Monitor: Acer XF270HU 144Hz 27.0" Monitor  ($849.00 @ Scorptec)
Total: $2802.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-05 15:24 AEDT+1100

[JRM83]

Thanks!!! I've always been an nvidia fan, so I'm not really opposed to swapping out the monitor to something a little more suitable. That being said, I have no idea how AMD compare to nvidia..

[i_build_nanosuits]

9 minutes ago, JRM83 said:

Thanks!!! I've always been an nvidia fan, so I'm not really opposed to swapping out the monitor to something a little more suitable. That being said, I have no idea how AMD compare to nvidia..

nvidia is better and the 980ti is a monster...but Gsync monitors are more expensive...this is the nvidia version of this monitor which feature Gsync, it's the new asus swift it's a lot better than the acer one, acer also has a gsync version of the same monitor (which i own BTW expand my signature if you want to see the model name) but it's not available where you at, so unless you want a TN panel, this is the only IPS 1440p 144hz Gsync monitor available to you, it's flat out the best gaming monitor ever made IMHO:

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-pg279q

 

...and this would be the more ''budget'' option, it's a TN panel but all the other specs are the same (144hz, 2560x1440 with Gsync)

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/dell-monitor-s2716dg

 

EDIT: in fact, thinking about it...i'd much rather have the dell tn panel paired with the 980ti vs the IPS freesync with the Fury card.

[JRM83]

Thank you very much!!

 

What are your thoughts on IPS? I don't believe I'll see a difference between a TN vs. IPS as it only affects the viewing angle and considering I'll mostly play MMO and current title FPS, IPS wouldn't be worth it to me?

 

That Dell monitor looks amazing btw, great find

[i_build_nanosuits]

7 hours ago, JRM83 said:

Thank you very much!!

 

What are your thoughts on IPS? I don't believe I'll see a difference between a TN vs. IPS as it only affects the viewing angle and considering I'll mostly play MMO and current title FPS, IPS wouldn't be worth it to me?

 

That Dell monitor looks amazing btw, great find

i would go with the Dell as well...IPS has flaws it can be brilliant but not all the time and it sucks for dark content. (lots of dark dark scenery in mmo's i believe?) Also for MMO's you wan't the fastest pixels and response time and this technically should be as good as it gets in that regard.

Get the TN. price difference ain't worth it IMHO. Also this monitor use a good TN panel, Dell is know for having very respectable TN panels pretty much across the board.

[JRM83]

Hi Everyone!!

 

So, 'i_build_nanosuits' provoked some thoughts with his suggestions, so i went away and researched a little more (hours upon hours of reading/watching reviews etc. etc.)!

 

There's going to be 3 phases to this build:

 

Phase 1 (Feb/Mar 16): Build the rig ASAP! My old Dell has lasted for many, many years but these new AAA titles look amazing so naturally I want to get up and running as soon as possible!!

 

Phase 2 (End of Mar 16): Build the custom desk

 

Phase 3 (May '16): I'll be replacing air cooling (CPU and GPU) with water cooling. I'm going to build a custom loop out of PETG tubing, it looks bad-ass and I'd like to think I have the patience and an element of OCD (not literally, I'm just a perfectionist) to pull this off.  I do need to thank 'jayztwocents' for sparking the idea to begin with   I've began piecing together all the individual parts, but it's still very much a WIP!

 

Here's the parts and why I decided to go with them at high level (there is no SSD listed as I already have the 240GB HyperX Savage SSD):

 

Budget: $3500 AUD

 

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/ZTDxnQ

 

• CPU: Value for money, ability to overclock. This CPU should last me quite a while and I figure by the time I need to replace the CPU I'll need to replace majority of parts anyway.
• CPU Cooler:  Really positive reviews, it'll be fine in the interim between Phase 1 & 3 and should be able to keep the CPU cool even when overclocked.
• Motherboard: Aesthetics Protective shielding around the PCI-E slots, X2 M.2 slots - future expansion , gold plating around audio jacks for added durability and connectivity. Clean bios, easy to navigate and very reputable brand.
• Memory: 8GB standard for gaming, plus I want to overclock it as well.
• Storage: Purely for storage of everything that I don't regularly use i.e. photos, movies, old steam games
• Video Card: Aesthetics (matches the m/b). Overclocked for better performance. Good stock cooling - has a good heat pipe design and the heatsink has a bucket load of fins! Ability to play AAA titles on ultra settings @ 1440p - I like eye candy and again reputable brand
• Case: I like the design, good cable management
• Power Supply: Fully modular, can swap out ugly cables for sleeved to match the aesthetics of the build, 10 year warranty, more than enough power to run the rig and more than enough amps to run CPU/GPU and maybe another GPU if I so desire?
• Monitor: Need G-Sync, Want 1440p and from a design perspective, I wanted a simplistic clean look. The pricing of this G-Sync monitor is impressive compared to others in this range. It's TN, but that doesn't bother me as I'll mostly play FPS and won't be playing any games from odd angles..
• Gaming Chair: AKRACING Prime Gaming Chair Black Red

Let me know what you guys/gals think, I'm pretty happy with the selection but I'm always up for advice.

 

Thanks!

James