College PC Build Help

[blairarmstrong]

Hey all,

 

As a college student who's been saving up money from work I'd love to make a PC Build. It would mainly be used for gaming and video editing (Triple AAA Games, Premiere Pro) in addition to normal school work. I've wanted to go Mini-ITX to save space, but don't want to end up paying too much or sacrificing too much performance.  I'd like to stay under $1200, but less is better. 

 

I've waffled between a 1060 or 1070 and an i5 or i7.

 

Frankly I'm just looking for guidance on my builds as you all are significantly smarter than I am. 

 

Build #1

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($289.99 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler  ($38.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: MSI B150I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($71.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($74.99 @ B&H) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Turbo Video Card  ($259.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: BitFenix Phenom Midnight Black Mini ITX Tower Case  ($80.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ Amazon) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($82.00 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1052.69
 

 

 

Build #2

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($190.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($69.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($89.90 @ Amazon) 
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($61.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($36.00 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card  ($407.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($37.75 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ Amazon) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($82.00 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1056.60
 

 

 

Thank you greatly!

[Unexas.]

5 minutes ago, blairarmstrong said:

Hey all,

 

As a college student who's been saving up money from work I'd love to make a PC Build. It would mainly be used for gaming and video editing (Triple AAA Games, Premiere Pro) in addition to normal school work. I've wanted to go Mini-ITX to save space, but don't want to end up paying too much or sacrificing too much performance.  I'd like to stay under $1200, but less is better. 

 

I've waffled between a 1060 or 1070 and an i5 or i7.

 

Frankly I'm just looking for guidance on my builds as you all are significantly smarter than I am. 

 

Build #1

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($289.99 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler  ($38.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: MSI B150I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($71.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($74.99 @ B&H) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Turbo Video Card  ($259.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: BitFenix Phenom Midnight Black Mini ITX Tower Case  ($80.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ Amazon) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($82.00 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1052.69
 

 

 

Build #2

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($190.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($69.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($89.90 @ Amazon) 
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($61.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($36.00 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card  ($407.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($37.75 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ Amazon) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($82.00 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1056.60
 

 

 

Thank you greatly!

#2 will be great just bump the 6500 to a 6600k and a z170 mobo.

[VinsinityKT]

Stock cooler would be fine. Nh-l9i isn't that great in my opinion. I would do cryorig c7 if you want to replace stock. 

[EminentSun]

If your doing 1080p the i7 and 1060 will be better than the alternative. The 1060 is great for hd gaming and the 6700 will do much better in video editing than the 6500 due mainly to hyper threading.

[kurtstir]

i5 for gaming, i7 for multimedia and rendering

[blairarmstrong]

3 minutes ago, Unexas. said:

#2 will be great just bump the 6500 to a 6600k and a z170 mobo.

Awesome, you think that chipset is just a little weak on the H110M?

[Froody129]

If you're doing a course involving designing stuff and making videos, the i7 will be better. You don't need the 1070 for 1080p, so I'd stick with the 1060. If you really want to do video editing I'd spring for 16gb RAM and an i7

[Guest]

I would not pair a non k 6500 with a 1070. It will bottleneck. Can you try for at least non k 6700? Save money by not spending on a cpu cooler

 

[Gazereths]

2 minutes ago, blairarmstrong said:

Awesome, you think that chipset is just a little weak on the H110M?

It's just that you'll need a z170 board to run a k skew CPU, overclocking tax and all that

[Guest]

Here, for bit more you get something known as decent.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($235.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Motherboard: ASRock Z170M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($110.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($94.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($36.00 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Windforce OC Video Card  ($379.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ Amazon) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($82.00 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1063.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-16 11:07 EST-0500

[ProjectBox153]

You can knock the price of the OS down quite a ways if you use sites such as Kinguin. 

[kurtstir]

2 minutes ago, deXxterlab97 said:

I would not pair a non k 6500 with a 1070. It will bottleneck. Can you try for at least on k 6700? Save money by not spending on a cpu cooler

 

6700k is a bit much for a build like this, Id say go for a 6600k http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-6700K-vs-Intel-Core-i5-6600K/3502vs3503

[blairarmstrong]

Just now, Jamiec1130 said:

You can knock the price of the OS down quite a ways if you use sites such as Kinguin. 

Good to know! Thanks!

[Guest]

Just now, kurtstir said:

6700k is a bit much for a build like this, Id say go for a 6600k http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-6700K-vs-Intel-Core-i5-6600K/3502vs3503

I mean non k. Forgot the N lol

[blairarmstrong]

2 minutes ago, Gazereths said:

It's just that you'll need a z170 board to run a k skew CPU, overclocking tax and all that

Ohhh, I should have known better. Thanks!

[ProjectBox153]

Here's the Kinguin link: https://www.kinguin.net/category/19429/windows-10-professional-oem-key/

[Guest]

Just now, blairarmstrong said:

Ohhh, I should have known better. Thanks!

a 1070, z170 mobo and 1070 would be perfect. 

[kurtstir]

Just now, deXxterlab97 said:

I mean non k. Forgot the N lol

6600k has better performance than 6700 and its cheaper http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-6700-vs-Intel-Core-i5-6600K/3515vs3503

[dizmo]

Not bad, but there are a few changes I'd recommend.

• On build 1, get a better PSU. It's only about $10 more to get a Gold rated, top tier PSU
• Have you checked to see if you can get Windows cheap through your school?
• I probably wouldn't get a Hitachi HDD

 

5 minutes ago, blairarmstrong said:

Awesome, you think that chipset is just a little weak on the H110M?

It just means you can't OC it, however if you don't plan on OC'ing then you are getting a slight boost from the clock increase.

2 minutes ago, Gazereths said:

It's just that you'll need a z170 board to run a k skew CPU, overclocking tax and all that

You don't. You can run K processors on any of the chipsets.

2 minutes ago, deXxterlab97 said:

Here, for bit more you get something known as decent.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($235.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Motherboard: ASRock Z170M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($110.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($94.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($36.00 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Windforce OC Video Card  ($379.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ Amazon) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($82.00 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1063.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-16 11:07 EST-0500

I'm pretty sure there's significantly cheaper RAM, that PSU isn't that great, and no SSD?

[Aereldor]

For just $100 more, you could have it all- a GTX 1070, and a Core i7 6700K with a Z170 motherboard and badass cooler for ample overclocking. The only setback is a slightly smaller boot drive, but 120GB is just fine for your operating systems and core apps, and even a few games.
 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler  ($38.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($134.99 @ B&H) 
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($67.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: PNY CS1311 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($39.99 @ Best Buy) 
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($36.00 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Mini ITX OC Video Card  ($383.89 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ Amazon) 
Other: Windows 10 OEM Key (Kinguin) ($30.00)
Total: $1154.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-16 11:11 EST-0500

Oh yeah, and the Core i7 6700k is going for $260 at Micro Center (in-store pickup) with another $30 off if you buy a compatible motherboard. If you do that, you won't even be going over your $1050 budget. You could even bump this rig up to a 240 GB SSD and a 2TB WD Black-series hard drive.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/451883/Core_i7-6700K_40GHz_LGA_1151_Boxed_Processor

[Guest]

Just now, kurtstir said:

6600k has better performance than 6700 and its cheaper http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-6700-vs-Intel-Core-i5-6600K/3515vs3503

for video editing, additional threads would be more useful but for gaming 6600k

[Aereldor]

1 minute ago, deXxterlab97 said:

for video editing, additional threads would be more useful but for gaming 6600k

The 6700k is going for $260 on Micro Center (in-store only), and goes down to just $230 with the purchase of a compatible motherboard.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/451883/Core_i7-6700K_40GHz_LGA_1151_Boxed_Processor

It's actually cheaper than the 6600k right now, but then again, they're selling a 6600k for $180, which is $150 with the purchase of a compatible motherboard...

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

For just $100 more, you could have it all- a GTX 1070, and a Core i7 6700K with a Z170 motherboard and badass cooler for ample overclocking. The only setback is a slightly smaller boot drive, but 120GB is just fine for your operating systems and core apps, and even a few games.
 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler  ($38.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($134.99 @ B&H) 
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($67.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: PNY CS1311 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($39.99 @ Best Buy) 
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($36.00 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Mini ITX OC Video Card  ($383.89 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ Amazon) 
Other: Windows 10 OEM Key (Kinguin) ($30.00)
Total: $1154.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-16 11:11 EST-0500

Oh yeah, and the Core i7 6700k is going for $260 at Micro Center (in-store pickup) with another $30 off if you buy a compatible motherboard. If you do that, you won't even be going over your $1050 budget.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/451883/Core_i7-6700K_40GHz_LGA_1151_Boxed_Processor

wait the mini windforce costs more? makes no sense

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/nQPzK8/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1070-8gb-mini-itx-oc-video-card-gv-n1070ixoc-8gd

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/4XyxFT/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1070-8gb-windforce-oc-video-card-gv-n1070wf2oc-8gd

[blairarmstrong]

5 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

For just $100 more, you could have it all- a GTX 1070, and a Core i7 6700K with a Z170 motherboard and badass cooler for ample overclocking. The only setback is a slightly smaller boot drive, but 120GB is just fine for your operating systems and core apps, and even a few games.
 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler  ($38.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($134.99 @ B&H) 
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($67.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: PNY CS1311 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($39.99 @ Best Buy) 
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($36.00 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Mini ITX OC Video Card  ($383.89 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ Amazon) 
Other: Windows 10 OEM Key (Kinguin) ($30.00)
Total: $1154.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-16 11:11 EST-0500

Oh yeah, and the Core i7 6700k is going for $260 at Micro Center (in-store pickup) with another $30 off if you buy a compatible motherboard. If you do that, you won't even be going over your $1050 budget.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/451883/Core_i7-6700K_40GHz_LGA_1151_Boxed_Processor

Wow that's awesome!

 

Do you think there is a concern with heat in that small case?

[Gazereths]

@dizmo Dude you know what I mean, you'll need a z170 to overclock a k skew, no point in getting a K series CPU without the ability to overclock it really.