What should I choose to make it last longer?

sithsiri · June 14, 2016

I decided at some point that I was going to build my second PC sometime in the last 6 months, but I was torn over a few things. I want this thing to be running at least 10 years from the day I built it, but I also want performance.

1. Sealed liquid cooling or air cooling for CPU? I know liquid cooling is better in the cooling aspect of things, but from what I've heard, it may not last as long as old fashioned air. It would help a lot if you could also tell me what model cooler I should use.

2. NZXT or Corsair? (Cool looks vs. sturdy, reliable, I think)

3. SSD or Hard Drive? If SSD, what will last longest and still give me a fast boot up time?

My part list on PCPartPicker is here.

Edited June 14, 2016 by sithsiri

Herman Mcpootis · June 14, 2016

thoughts about your build:

don't get a gtx 980 now, wait for the Rx 480 instead, it'll have the same performance at $200.

get an ssd if possible, something like an sp550 or 850 evo if possible.

don't get a CX500 for such a high-end system, seriously. at least an s12ii/m12ii, or CX grey.

Cyracus · June 14, 2016

I'd say air cooler, but I'm biased because I don't trust liquids in my electronics, but you can figure out what looks good from http://www.anandtech.com/show/9415/top-tier-cpu-air-coolers-9way-roundup-review/14

SSD just make sure you get something decent like they said, the 850 evo is definitely a good pick.

and for the psu, I'd stick to this threads tier 3 or higher for a reliable long term choice

Jonathan Lemmens · June 14, 2016

1. Air cooling is fine and definitely more durable than liquid cooling. Most high end air coolers (like Noctua's NH-D14) are as good or better than most AIO liquid coolers.

2. Pick whatever you like most....

3. Get both. An SSD for the boot drive and an HDD for all your files. If you have a NAS or don't save a lot of data anyway, an SSD only will be fine.