Cheap Skylake Build

rose.thashton · March 28, 2016

Since I'm lazy I'm just going to pull this entire thing from my post on Reddit. Here you go.

Build Ready:

Have you read the sidebar and rules? (Please do)

Yeah, I have.

What is your intended use for this build? The more details the better.

I'm going to be gaming while also messing around with a bit of editing and rendering work. This is why I would prefer to have an i7, but my budget simply won't allow it.

If gaming, what kind of performance are you looking for? (Screen resolution, FPS, game settings)

I don't really mind what resolution or game settings I play at as long as the game is enjoyable at 30 or 60 FPS. I currently have a 900p monitor, but I'm hoping to upgrade soon.

What is your budget (ballpark is okay)?

My budget is probably $750 or so. I'd prefer to keep the entire system (discluding the GPU and case) at around $400-$450.

In what country are you purchasing your parts?

I'm purchasing everything in the United States of America. I'm not going to be purchasing overseas or cross country whatsoever.

Post a draft of your potential build here (specific parts please). Consider formatting your parts list. Don't ask to be spoonfed a build (read the rules!).

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel Core i5-6400 2.7GHz Quad-Core Processor	$179.00
Motherboard	Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard	Purchased For $109.99
Memory	Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory	$32.99
Storage	Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive	$53.99 @ Amazon
Case	Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case	$129.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply	$29.99 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$535.95
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-28 01:55 EDT-0400

Provide any additional details you wish below.

I've already bought the motherboard. I actually got it for a really good deal at almost $50 off. I won't be buying an unlocked CPU, but I may overclock my RAM to 2400Mhz or 2666Mhz. We'll see how it works out.

I will be buying the GPU and case a bit later than the rest of the system. I actually have a GT 730 (took it out of a retail system) that is mostly worthless but still great for use. I'd like to run a few benchmarks with that card pitted against the i5-6400's integrated graphics.

I need a bit of help picking out a case, even though I think I have a selection made. I want the maximum possible airflow from a case that will last me for years, especially since I will be upgrading to an i7 sometime in the future. I've been taking a look at the Corsair Obsidian Series 750D Airflow Edition. EDIT: Read EDIT note below.

I was planning on using a power supply I've had lying around for a while, but my brother decided to "borrow" it for his new system. Since this was a surprise to me, and I need to fit the budget as best I can, I'll be buying a super cheap power supply until I can afford a nicer one. I'm looking at the EVGA SuperNova G2, which is very expensive.

EDIT: Oh, I also forgot to mention that I am most likely going to be buying a Samsung 850 EVO sometime in the future along with this PC. I also swapped the 750D out with the 450D for more convenience