Friend's New PC Setup Complete!

[aeroencychris]

Hi all,

Just finished up my friend's new PC setup and thought I'd share some pictures with you've all helped me throughout the process

(not entirely complete, still going to add some cable combs for the sleeved cables)

 

(edit: keep in mind these prices are not accurate to the time of purchase)

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/myCQcc
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/myCQcc/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($240.98 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler 
Motherboard: MSI Z170-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard 
Memory: Avexir Core Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($80.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Samsung 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.99 @ Newegg) 
Video Card: Asus Radeon RX 480 8GB ROG STRIX Video Card  ($299.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: NZXT S340 (Black/Blue) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($74.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: EVGA BQ 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($68.98 @ Newegg) 
Case Accessory: NZXT Hue+ LED Controller  ($59.99 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: Asus MG248Q 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor  ($279.99 @ Newegg) 
Keyboard: Corsair K65 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard 
Mouse: Corsair SCIMITAR RGB Wired Optical Mouse  ($74.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $1230.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-05 21:07 EST-0500

 

 

 

 

 

[Starelementpoke]

Why'd you pay $300 for a 480... Why'd you get a BQ for a $1200 build...

[aeroencychris]

Just now, Starelementpoke said:

Why'd you pay $300 for a 480... Why'd you get a BQ for a $1200 build...

Only paid $250 on Jet at the time, should've mentioned prices aren't accurate with that list

Again, that PSU happened to be really cheap at the time of purchase.

[Starelementpoke]

Just now, cdsboy2000 said:

Only paid $250 on Jet at the time, should've mentioned prices aren't accurate with that list

Again, that PSU happened to be really cheap at the time of purchase.

How cheap? Because that would've had to been like $25 for me to consider it.

[aeroencychris]

Just now, Starelementpoke said:

How cheap? Because that would've had to been like $25 for me to consider it.

I really hope you don't buy $25 PSUs

Cheaper than the CX550W I was considering at the time. I really liked the all black cables and know it's going to be very reliable and last a while. Also potentially might Crossfire in the future so I'm prepared for that.

[Starelementpoke]

Just now, cdsboy2000 said:

I really hope you don't buy $25 PSUs

Cheaper than the CX550W I was considering at the time. I really liked the all black cables and know it's going to be very reliable and last a while. Also potentially might Crossfire in the future so I'm prepared for that.

I don't. That's what the BQ would've had to been at for me to consider buying it. Would've gotten the CXM over it still, even if the BQ was cheaper. And still, $250 a bit much to pay for a 480.

[MIXFUSED]

Sweet build!

[aeroencychris]

Just now, Starelementpoke said:

I don't. That's what the BQ would've had to been at for me to consider buying it. Would've gotten the CXM over it still, even if the BQ was cheaper. And still, $250 a bit much to pay for a 480.

Are you saying the BQ series is lower quality than the CXM line? I was under the impression it was fairly nice for that pricepoint.

This build was largely aesthetic-based and easily could have fit into a $750-850 pricepoint, but I really liked the look of the Strix 480.

[aeroencychris]

1 minute ago, MIXFUSED said:

Sweet build!

Thanks

Any improvements I could make?

[Starelementpoke]

Just now, cdsboy2000 said:

Are you saying the BQ series is lower quality than the CXM line? I was under the impression it was fairly nice for that pricepoint.

This build was largely aesthetic-based and easily could have fit into a $750-850 pricepoint, but I really liked the look of the Strix 480.

Yeah, it is. Fair enough, just personally don't feel like spending an extra, assuming here, $300 extra for aesthetic is worth it. 

[MIXFUSED]

1 hour ago, cdsboy2000 said:

Thanks

Any improvements I could make?

Like the other guy said, the PSU. But that's about it, really solid build.

[aeroencychris]

1 minute ago, Starelementpoke said:

Yeah, it is. Fair enough, just personally don't feel like spending an extra, assuming here, $300 extra for aesthetic is worth it. 

He gave me a $1200 budget including monitor which I was overall below, but he's only playing games like Overwatch and WoW at 1080p144hz. Felt silly to go out and get a 1070 or something if these parts will perform fine.

[Zyndo]

3 minutes ago, cdsboy2000 said:

Snip

My opinions on your hardware choices aside, the build looks awesome, and you're going to have a great time gaming with this thing! Not going to nitpick about any components, but I would like to suggest that you move that front fan as low as you can in the front of your case, rather than its current elevated position. Forcing fresh cool air directly into the lower part of your case, towards your GPU, will create slightly better airflow in the case and result in lower GPU temperatures. Probably not a HUGE deal, but if it were my build that is what I would do.

 

Other than that, looks awesome, and you're gonna kick some arse =)

[Starelementpoke]

1 minute ago, cdsboy2000 said:

He gave me a $1200 budget including monitor which I was overall below, but he's only playing games like Overwatch and WoW at 1080p144hz. Felt silly to go out and get a 1070 or something if these parts will perform fine.

 Fair fair, just personal stuff mostly.

[aeroencychris]

1 minute ago, Zyndo said:

My opinions on your hardware choices aside, the build looks awesome, and you're going to have a great time gaming with this thing! Not going to nitpick about any components, but I would like to suggest that you move that front fan as low as you can in the front of your case, rather than its current elevated position. Forcing fresh cool air directly into the lower part of your case, towards your GPU, will create slightly better airflow in the case and result in lower GPU temperatures. Probably not a HUGE deal, but if it were my build that is what I would do.

 

Other than that, looks awesome, and you're gonna kick some arse =)

What hardware choices do you disagree with (just for future reference)? Keep in mind this build was 50% visuals, 50% "can it run Overwatch and WoW at 1080p144hz". Some choices like the 6600k just came up due to really cheap Black Friday pricing so it felt silly not to get it at the time.

I totally agree with the fan. I had intended to buy a AF120 Blue twin pack (you can see one of them in the rear exhaust) but accidentally only got one, so I just arbitrarily put one of the stock fans on the top intake. I might move it if I'm already changing some parts.

[Zyndo]

5 minutes ago, cdsboy2000 said:

What hardware choices do you disagree with (just for future reference)? Keep in mind this build was 50% visuals, 50% "can it run Overwatch and WoW at 1080p144hz". Some choices like the 6600k just came up due to really cheap Black Friday pricing so it felt silly not to get it at the time.

I totally agree with the fan. I had intended to buy a AF120 Blue twin pack (you can see one of them in the rear exhaust) but accidentally only got one, so I just arbitrarily put one of the stock fans on the top intake. I might move it if I'm already changing some parts.

I would have gotten a higher quality PSU in an overclockable rig (similar advice to what was given earlier). Odds are you'll be fine with your current investment, so I wouldn't really fret about replacing it, but if this build was still in the planning stages I would have recommended a PSU change/upgrade. I've no issue with your choice of 6600k, as a high frequency CPU can be very beneficial for high refresh rate gaming in some instances. For aesthetic purposes I would have chosen a motherboard with a higher 24pin mount so your cables would come in sideways instead of at that slightly downward angle (but that is a really nit-picky thing... it still looks plenty good as is). instead of a 120GB 850 evo I would have chosen a cheaper model like an A-data SP550 or Cricual MX300 around the 240GB-275GB area. Would have probably been similarly priced, indistinguishable real world performance, and double the capacity (but again, not a big deal. You're probably just using it as a boot drive anyway, so the slightly better performer may be more interesting to you anyway). Lastly I'm a firm believer of the 1060 6GB over the RX480 8GB... buuut you could argue that is just the fanboy in me and you would partially be right about that. the RX480 is a very respectably powerful card, nothing wrong with that investment.

 

But other than the PSU recommendation, all of those other points are very mild, very minor insignificant points (there isn't really any "wrong" choices with anything else in your system). You have yourself a pretty solid build tbh. And again, it looks friggen sick =) I plan to get myself an NZXT HUE+ sometime this Christmas in order to really spruce up my current build.

 

oh yes, and you should definitely open up your case, and just lower that front fan. It will be objectively better at its lowest mount point, and I think it would look aesthetically better too =)

[nofxz]

I think you did a very nice job and you can pick a million different parts. The nuisance of each individual piece is mostly marketing wank anyways. Looks well built.