1500 New PC Build

[RadicalRayan]

This is my first pc build. My budget is 1500 USD. I want to used this machine for predominately programming, photoshop/illustrator, light GTA gaming and 3D modelling, the later of which I am focused on. With that, I made this past set with an i7 unlocked (do I need it unlocked?) and a 400 dollar Zotac 1070. Also, the case choice is interesting, I want something that can fit ON my desk and not under it.

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/KvGcRG

 

My questions:

I plan on putting my OS on the SSD and most files on a seperate HDD, is it worth it to use the M.2 slot for a faster SSD?

Would the RX 480 be better for the set-up (being that the monitor has free-sync and it is cheaper)?

For what I plan to use the computer for, is the i5 or i7 more applicable?

Do any of these brand have a bad reputation?

Would overclocking improve the experience greatly (I don't really want to spend more on cpu and motherboard)?

What LEDs do you recommend?

Last, and most important question, would senpai Linus approve?

 

Because this is my first build, I want to make sure I get the LTT approval before I buy. Please leave any comments.

[NTDaws]

3 minutes ago, RadicalRayan said:

This is my first pc build. My budget is 1500 USD. I want to used this machine for predominately programming, photoshop/illustrator, light GTA gaming and 3D modelling, the later of which I am focused on. With that, I made this past set with an i7 unlocked (do I need it unlocked?) and a 400 dollar Zotac 1070. Also, the case choice is interesting, I want something that can fit ON my desk and not under it.

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/KvGcRG

 

My questions:

I plan on putting my OS on the SSD and most files on a seperate HDD, is it worth it to use the M.2 slot for a faster SSD?

Would the RX 480 be better for the set-up (being that the monitor has free-sync and it is cheaper)?

For what I plan to use the computer for, is the i5 or i7 more applicable?

Do any of these brand have a bad reputation?

Would overclocking improve the experience greatly (I don't really want to spend more on cpu and motherboard)?

What LEDs do you recommend?

Last, and most important question, would senpai Linus approve?

 

Because this is my first build, I want to make sure I get the LTT approval before I buy. Please leave any comments.

God no, don't even think about a RX 480.

[NTDaws]

Just now, Dawson Wehage said:

God no, don't even think about a RX 480.

Also I would watercool the CPU. But Noctua coolers are quite good if you don't.

[Mi26]

The air cooler is redundant since you can't overclock 

[RadicalRayan]

3 minutes ago, Mi26 said:

The air cooler is redundant since you can't overclock 

Thanks for feedback. I thought it would reduce noise (Linus loves these fans). Won't this cooler also improve reliability and overall performance. I'm looking to use this machine for a while, won't the cooler temps prevent issues? thanks again

[Aereldor]

Better CPU, better GPU, overclocking motherboard, smaller case, better power supply, less powerful GPU, four times as much mass storage, and a vastly superior ultrawide 1440p monitor.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($299.99 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($26.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($116.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($67.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: ADATA Premier SP550 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($39.98 @ NCIX US) 
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.00 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Video Card  ($219.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($46.97 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: AOC U3477PQU 34.0" 60Hz Monitor  ($549.99 @ B&H) 
Total: $1450.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-20 01:58 EST-0500

 

$1528 without rebates, $1450 with.

[Aereldor]

If you're willing to give up on overclocking and the smallest possible form-factor, here's a Micro-ATX build with a 6700 and a GTX 1070, along with the same monitor.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($289.99 @ B&H) 
Motherboard: Asus H110M-E/M.2 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($37.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: ADATA XPG Z1 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($67.40 @ Newegg) 
Storage: ADATA Premier SP550 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($39.98 @ NCIX US) 
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.00 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Windforce OC Video Card  ($379.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: DIYPC Zondda-O ATX Mid Tower Case  ($24.89 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($46.97 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: AOC U3477PQU 34.0" 60Hz Monitor  ($549.99 @ B&H) 
Total: $1488.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-20 02:03 EST-0500

[•Nicholas•]

8 minutes ago, RadicalRayan said:

Thanks for feedback. I thought it would reduce noise (Linus loves these fans). Won't this cooler also improve reliability and overall performance. I'm looking to use this machine for a while, won't the cooler temps prevent issues? thanks again

go for this instead http://pcpartpicker.com/list/njGLwV

it has a xeon e3 cpu which is the server equivalent of your i7 it is rated for 24hour operation so it should be more reliable. that being said the xeon does not have on board graphics and is not overclockable although the i7 you originally put wasn't either.  

[RadicalRayan]

32 minutes ago, •Nicholas• said:

go for this instead http://pcpartpicker.com/list/njGLwV

it has a xeon e3 cpu which is the server equivalent of your i7 it is rated for 24hour operation so it should be more reliable. that being said the xeon does not have on board graphics and is not overclockable although the i7 you originally put wasn't either.  

Thanks. Do server grade boards have any lack of features that desktops ones would have. There has to be a reason it is 40 dollars cheaper.

38 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

Better CPU, better GPU, overclocking motherboard, smaller case, better power supply, less powerful GPU, four times as much mass storage, and a vastly superior ultrawide 1440p monitor.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($299.99 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($26.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($116.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($67.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: ADATA Premier SP550 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($39.98 @ NCIX US) 
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.00 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Video Card  ($219.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($46.97 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: AOC U3477PQU 34.0" 60Hz Monitor  ($549.99 @ B&H) 
Total: $1450.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-20 01:58 EST-0500

 

$1528 without rebates, $1450 with.

Both posts mention overclock capability. Does overclocking really have much of a benefit for 3D modelling? Also, I am not willing to downgrade a 1070 for a 60, I want more VRAM and core clock. And, itx doesn't really work for me. I want DIM slots for future upgrades and a PCIe 1 for network card.

Thanks again for all the help!

[•Nicholas•]

Just now, RadicalRayan said:

Thanks. Do server grade boards have any lack of features that desktops ones would have. There has to be a reason it is 40 dollars cheaper.

Both posts mention overclock capability. Does overclocking really have much of a benefit for 3D modelling? Also, I am not willing to downgrade a 1070 for a 60, I want more VRAM and core clock. And, itx doesn't really work for me. I want DIM slots for future upgrades and a PCIe 1 for network card.

Thanks again for all the help!

server grade boards lack overclocking on the cpu however this should not have any effect on any gpu bound task such as 3d modeling or rendering. also overclocking a cpu for gaming results in a slight boost in performance however the difference really isn't large enough to make a big enough difference. also you are still able to overclock the GTX 1070 regardless of what motherboard you are using.

[Aereldor]

19 minutes ago, RadicalRayan said:

Thanks. Do server grade boards have any lack of features that desktops ones would have. There has to be a reason it is 40 dollars cheaper.

Both posts mention overclock capability. Does overclocking really have much of a benefit for 3D modelling? Also, I am not willing to downgrade a 1070 for a 60, I want more VRAM and core clock. And, itx doesn't really work for me. I want DIM slots for future upgrades and a PCIe 1 for network card.

Thanks again for all the help!

Well, then just go with 1x16GB so you can upgrade to 32GB later. You can also find a few mini-ITX boards that have both a PCI-e x16 and a PCI-e x1 slot. Let me see if I can find any of them. If you want a network card to connect to Wi-Fi, the motherboard I included already features AC wireless connectivity.

 

Server-grade? If you mean that B150 board you included, I don't think it's a server-grade board - just a lower-end consumer motherboard. A server-grade board typically supports ECC memory, and usually supports Intel's server-grade Xeon CPUs. A Z170 board is just a higher-tier consumer board that enables overclocking on Intel 'K' CPUs, and usually features superior power-delivery to facilitate overclocking.

 

Overclocking will make a substantial difference in performance for any CPU-related tasks. Besides that, it will also drastically improve the resale value of your build. However, it adds to the heat output and power consumption of your system, and the results might not be worth it to you. Alternatively, you could just spend a little more and have it all-

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($299.99 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($24.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Asus Z170M-E D3 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($90.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: ADATA XPG V1.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: ADATA Premier SP550 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($39.98 @ NCIX US) 
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.00 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Windforce OC Video Card  ($379.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Thermaltake Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($38.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($46.97 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: AOC U3477PQU 34.0" 60Hz Monitor  ($549.99 @ B&H) 
Total: $1588.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-20 03:04 EST-0500

Edit: you might be better off waiting for Kaby Lake to build this. The upcoming Core i7 7700k is going to boast some very impressive performance gains over the current flagship 6700k.

[•Nicholas•]

21 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

 

Server-grade? If you mean that B150 board you included

 

the motherboard is X150 not B150. this genaration xeons are not on consumer boards with the exception of x99.

X150 is the quad core xeon server board x170 is the variant with support for display out on iris pro xeons and has extra pci-e lanes supported. 

[Aereldor]

40 minutes ago, •Nicholas• said:

the motherboard is X150 not B150. this genaration xeons are not on consumer boards with the exception of x99.

X150 is the quad core xeon server board x170 is the variant with support for display out on iris pro xeons and has extra pci-e lanes supported. 

Yeah, X150 boards are server-grade, and they support the new Skylake Xeon E3 CPUs. However, do they all have ECC memory support?

Also, the motherboard OP has in his parts list is definitely B150. That is a consumer-grade board.

2 hours ago, RadicalRayan said:

This is my first pc build. My budget is 1500 USD. I want to used this machine for predominately programming, photoshop/illustrator, light GTA gaming and 3D modelling, the later of which I am focused on. With that, I made this past set with an i7 unlocked (do I need it unlocked?) and a 400 dollar Zotac 1070. Also, the case choice is interesting, I want something that can fit ON my desk and not under it.

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/KvGcRG