Sub-$5000 machine for a friend

[Inception9269]

A good friend of mine who has a pretty weak gaming pc currently and wants a "complete monster". He keeps saying that he wants to spend $5000 on it (not sure if he's serious or just over excited at the thought of it).

He wants a machine that's great with gaming and music production (he is a musician as well).

 

Just a little clarification, the title doesn't mean I want it to go to $5000, that's just poking fun at what he said. The most I think he should need to spend is $2000.

 

I put together a list of things I think would be just fine, however I'd like feedback on it since I don't know what would be best for a pc that would also have music based purposes.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor  ($376.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($25.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-SLI ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($132.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($86.75 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate  2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive  ($89.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($493.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define S ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic EVO Edition 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($86.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1533.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-09 17:21 EST-0500

 

As for the cpu I do think a z170 platform with a 6700k would be just fine for his needs, however considering the price of a 6700k compared to a 6 core cpu like the 5820k, he'd get more for his money with the 5820k.

For the cooler I went with something modest but strong. In my personal preference FD Define cases are much better using air cooling than water cooling. Also how well would a 212 evo handle an overclocked 5820k? Cause I'd most likely try OCing it to 4.0ghz (I'm the one that will most likely be building the rig).

Motherboard I went with something not that expensive but still good I believe.

32gb of ram might be a little overkill, but I do think that's a good price for 32gb of ddr4-2400 ram. Also he is into making youtube videos (he goes back and forth with youtube. he wants to do more on there but his current pc sucks for that stuff).

Storage is simple, 250gb ssd with 2tb seagate sshd. I've seen a lot of people here dis on seagate drives, but they always worked for builds I use them in. I have that same sshd in my rig and it works fine.

Video card is great for gaming. Not sure what monitor setting he has or wants, but pretty sure it will be simple 1080p single monitor.

For case I went with the Define R5 for another friend of mines build and honestly it seems very bulky, and in his experience using the pc he'd prefer the define S (built his pc before the S was out). So this time around I'd want to go for that case. Not to mention the only thing it really lacks is 5.25 slots which i don't think he even uses those.

Power supply could probably be improved. Seasonic is good, but I feel there's something better and gold cert for a $90 price range.

 

Things I'm not sure of is whether or not it would be in his best interest to get a sound card for what he does. As for peripherals he's set on everything (although he told me once his mouse or keyboard was shit, but he could just get a new one at a place like walmart)

[Aytex]

Get at leaste a cyroig h7 if your going to overclock

[Inception9269]

2 minutes ago, Aytex said:

Get at leaste a cyroig h7 if your going to overclock

maybe, depends on how serious he is about this and the cost of everything. I kind of want to keep things simplier for him.

[Citadelen]

With high wattages I would get a Gold rated PSU so there's less leakage.

[TheKDub]

Swap that 980 out for a 980ti, and swap the samsung 850 evo 250gb out for the 500gb version, also maybe get a better PSU in there (EVGA G2, P2, PS, etc.. all come to mind, not too familiar with seasonic's PSU lines, though I've heard they're pretty solid as well)

[HKZeroFive]

Not sure why you need a SSHD when you already have a SSD. Just get a HDD.

 

750W for a single 980 is overkill unless he is planning to SLI. I'd rock a EVGA SuperNOVA 550 G2 for one GTX 980, but I'd probably spend a bit more for a GTX 980Ti and get a EVGA SuperNOVA 650 G2/P2 instead.

 

Personal opinion, but I prefer the beQuiet! PURE ROCK over the Hyper 212 EVO. It's a bit quieter and IMO, looks better.

 

 

[Inception9269]

1 minute ago, TheKDub said:

Swap that 980 out for a 980ti, and swap the samsung 850 evo 250gb out for the 500gb version, also maybe get a better PSU in there (EVGA G2, P2, PS, etc.. all come to mind, not too familiar with seasonic's PSU lines, though I've heard they're pretty solid as well)

I could easily fit a 980ti in a $2000 budget, but I still want it to be more cost friendly build. Will see what he thinks on graphics. as for SSD a 250gb is fine for a boot drive, essentials, and thinks he'd want to go faster like editing software.

 

People here say Seasonic is a strong brand. I do think a gold-cert one is best, but hoping someone links a good sub-hundred dollar one that's 650w minimum (I want to leave him room to expand in the future)

[Sir Asvald]

15 minutes ago, Inception9269 said:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor  ($376.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($88.75 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-SLI ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($132.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($159.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($86.75 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: Seagate  2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive  ($89.88 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB FTW ACX 2.0+ Video Card  ($629.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Fractal Design Define S ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ NCIX US) 
Power Supply: Corsair RM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($118.50 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1763.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-09 17:49 EST-0500

[Inception9269]

1 minute ago, Abdul201588 said:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor  ($376.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($88.75 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-SLI ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($132.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($159.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($86.75 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: Seagate  2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive  ($89.88 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB FTW ACX 2.0+ Video Card  ($629.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Fractal Design Define S ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ NCIX US) 
Power Supply: Corsair RM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($118.50 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1763.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-09 17:49 EST-0500

How well are RM series psus?

[Sir Asvald]

2 minutes ago, Inception9269 said:

How well are RM series psus?

I believe they are good.

[Inception9269]

1 minute ago, Abdul201588 said:

I believe they are good.

Also how are NH-D15's when it comes to installation? The last big ass air cooler i used in my friends build (the one that has a Define R5) which was a Dark Rock Pro 3 was very ridiculous with the installation. Also is the width of the R5 and S the same? Cause if so the NH-D15 should fit i think, the Define R5 being very wide

[Sir Asvald]

5 minutes ago, Inception9269 said:

Also how are NH-D15's when it comes to installation? The last big ass air cooler i used in my friends build (the one that has a Define R5) which was a Dark Rock Pro 3 was very ridiculous with the installation. Also is the width of the R5 and S the same? Cause if so the NH-D15 should fit i think, the Define R5 being very wide

To be honest I don't how good the installation is for the HD-15's Unless you want to spend an extra $12 for the Corsair H100i GTX cooler. 

 

You can look through these videos and check. 

 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=noctua+nh-d15+installation+x99+gigabyte&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=955&tbm=vid&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiZusvF2rTLAhWHaRQKHURKAJAQ_AUICCgC&dpr=1

[Inception9269]

13 minutes ago, Abdul201588 said:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor  ($376.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($88.75 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-SLI ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($132.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($159.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($86.75 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: Seagate  2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive  ($89.88 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB FTW ACX 2.0+ Video Card  ($629.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Fractal Design Define S ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ NCIX US) 
Power Supply: Corsair RM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($118.50 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1763.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-09 17:49 EST-0500

This will probably be the one I'd run by him.

 

Also like I said before, would a dedicated sound card be something he should look into? not sure if he would or not

[Mattyp92]

33 minutes ago, Inception9269 said:

This will probably be the one I'd run by him.

 

Also like I said before, would a dedicated sound card be something he should look into? not sure if he would or not

He should use an external sound card for his needs, those cost a pretty penny but can be worth it. 

[Inception9269]

21 minutes ago, Mattyp92 said:

He should use an external sound card for his needs, those cost a pretty penny but can be worth it. 

any products you'd recommend?

[Mattyp92]

17 minutes ago, Inception9269 said:

any products you'd recommend?

How many inputs and outputs does he need?   He would probably be better off going to a music store and working with them to meet his needs specifically. 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Inception9269 said:

This will probably be the one I'd run by him.

 

Also like I said before, would a dedicated sound card be something he should look into? not sure if he would or not

 

I would suggest the Noctua D15S over the D15. It is more or less the same cooler but a single fan version. The D15S however has an offset design so it won't interfere with the top pci-e slot. Noctua coolers are supposed to be very easy to install, and they have an excellent mounting system.

 

I would look at an 850W if your friend has any intention of going SLI. The Corsair RMx is much better than the old RM series. For a single gpu then 650W is plenty. EVGA G2/GS/GQ, XFX XTR and anything Seasonic are also fine.

 

Don't bother with a hybrid hard drive. They are pretty pointless when you have a dedicated SSD. Just go with a regular Seagate or Western Digital etc.