Building a gaming PC. Please help.

[TheRealBear]

Hey!

 

I am building a Gaming PC for my friend. I am not that experienced. That's why I have come here for help and tips. I have put together a list of parts for his build. Any tips or improvements to the build would be amazing. His budget is $1800.

List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/nZ4hvV

[Skiiwee29]

12 minutes ago, TheRealBear said:

Hey!

 

I am building a Gaming PC for my friend. I am not that experienced. That's why I have come here for help and tips. I have put together a list of parts for his build. Any tips or improvements to the build would be amazing. His budget is $1800.

List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/nZ4hvV

Change out the water cooling to an EK Predator 240 and you will be good. I think you have some good choices here. You should also look at throwing a storage drive in there. Currently you only have the 240gb SSD. 

[Herman Mcpootis]

13 minutes ago, TheRealBear said:

 

List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/nZ4hvV

you did well. i'd get the RMx instead of the older RM instead and a hynix sl308/mx300, but otherwise its fine.

[stconquest]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($324.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H5 Ultimate 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($57.22 @ Amazon)  <<Will do as good of a job (almost) as some 240mm AiO coolers
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Ultra Gaming ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($148.47 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg)  <<32GB for a gaming PC is not necessary
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($124.99 @ Jet)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC GAMING Video Card  ($399.99 @ B&H)  <<picked for warranty support
Case: Corsair Crystal 460X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case  ($139.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ B&H)  <<enough to support 1070s in SLI
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($90.72 @ Amazon)
Total: $1471.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-18 09:48 EST-0500

[TheRealBear]

47 minutes ago, herman mcpootis said:

you did well. i'd get the RMx instead of the older RM instead and a hynix sl308/mx300, but otherwise its fine.

Does not look we have the Hynix ssd's in my country. Will add the RMx to the list. Thanks!

[TheRealBear]

Thanks!

[Matias_Chambers]

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mDzgr7
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mDzgr7/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($324.99 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X62 Liquid CPU Cooler  ($159.99 @ Newegg) 
Motherboard: MSI Z170A PC MATE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($101.89 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: G.Skill TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Crucial MX300 1.1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($244.99 @ Jet) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card  ($597.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Corsair Crystal 460X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case  ($139.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ NCIX US) 
Total: $1754.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-18 11:26 EST-0500

 

How to get Windows 10 much cheaper: (Yes it's legal)

 

 

[TheRealBear]

4 hours ago, Matias_Chambers said:

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mDzgr7
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mDzgr7/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($324.99 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X62 Liquid CPU Cooler  ($159.99 @ Newegg) 
Motherboard: MSI Z170A PC MATE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($101.89 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: G.Skill TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Crucial MX300 1.1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($244.99 @ Jet) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card  ($597.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Corsair Crystal 460X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case  ($139.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ NCIX US) 
Total: $1754.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-18 11:26 EST-0500

 

How to get Windows 10 much cheaper: (Yes it's legal)

 

 

Thanks!

[TheRealBear]

I have now updated the list after tips from people here. There seems to be many different choises for CPU cooling. Any help would be appreciated. Keep sending in tips and improvements. As you can see there is no CPU cooling. That is because I have not decided what to go with there. I am also thinking of going with the GTX 1080, but there are so many different 1080's. Which one is the best bang for the buck?

 

Here is the updated list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/WFGMM8

 

Thanks!

[Moress]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($324.89 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($99.99 @ Corsair)
Motherboard: MSI Z170A Tomahawk AC ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($141.99 @ Jet)
Memory: G.Skill TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($124.99 @ Jet)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($68.41 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card  ($399.99 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX Glass ATX Mid Tower Case  ($187.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1548.22
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-18 16:40 EST-0500

That's a great choice of SSD. Changed the Motherboard to one that has built in Wifi, the same colors and just a little less hassle if you can't get a wired connection at some point. Also that case is good, and will be a lot quieter than the 460x.
Also changed the 1070, the FEs are not worth the cost, and blower style coolers should only be used in SFF cases.
As for cooling. A lot of people will point you towards high end air coolers. And its true that they perform the same as 240mm rads, are quieter and lack in inherent limited lifespan of a AIO, but with a good budget its worth while to pay a little more for the great looks of water cooling. Really aircooling is better objectively, but there's just something about watercooling that many people (Including myself) like.

Ps. If you aren't on a tight budget, get a retail copy of windows. OEM is pain to reuse, and retail pays for itself within 1 reuse. Gray market sites like the ones linked above are not fool proof and often sell stolen keys (Well are the medium for the sale, but still)

[TheRealBear]

2 minutes ago, Moress said:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($324.89 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($99.99 @ Corsair)
Motherboard: MSI Z170A Tomahawk AC ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($141.99 @ Jet)
Memory: G.Skill TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($124.99 @ Jet)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($68.41 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card  ($399.99 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX Glass ATX Mid Tower Case  ($187.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1548.22
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-18 16:40 EST-0500

That's a great choice of SSD. Changed the Motherboard to one that has built in Wifi, the same colors and just a little less hassle if you can't get a wired connection at some point. Also that case is good, and will be a lot quieter than the 460x.
Also changed the 1070, the FEs are not worth the cost, and blower style coolers should only be used in SFF cases.
As for cooling. A lot of people will point you towards high end air coolers. And its true that they perform the same as 240mm rads, are quieter and lack in inherent limited lifespan of a AIO, but with a good budget its worth while to pay a little more for the great looks of water cooling. Really aircooling is better objectively, but there's just something about watercooling that many people (Including myself) like.

Thank you very much! This helped me alot. I have enough money for the GTX 1080. Is it worth it? If so, what is the best one.

[Moress]

4 minutes ago, TheRealBear said:

Thank you very much! This helped me alot. I have enough money for the GTX 1080. Is it worth it? If so, what is the best one.

The 1080 is the best (Technically the TitanXp is, but that's a different story) but its not worth the price difference. Not unless you're playing at 4k

[TheRealBear]

2 minutes ago, Moress said:

The 1080 is the best (Technically the TitanXp is, but that's a different story) but its not worth the price difference. Not unless you're playing at 4k

Ok. Gotta save some money for mouse and keyboard.

[Moress]

Just now, TheRealBear said:

Ok. Gotta save some money for mouse and keyboard.

Do you need a monitor too? I can add those to the PcPP list

[TheRealBear]

Just now, Moress said:

Do you need a monitor too? I can add those to the PcPP list

That would be great!

[Moress]

4 minutes ago, TheRealBear said:

That would be great!

Do you need a monitor though?

[TheRealBear]

Just now, Moress said:

Do you need a monitor though?

I have a decent one already.

[Moress]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($324.89 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($99.99 @ Corsair)
Motherboard: MSI Z170A Tomahawk AC ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($141.99 @ Jet)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($124.99 @ Jet)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($68.41 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card  ($399.99 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX Glass ATX Mid Tower Case  ($187.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home Full - USB 32/64-bit  ($106.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire TK Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($80.00 @ Jet)
Mouse: Logitech G403 Prodigy Wired Optical Mouse  ($53.88 @ Amazon)
Total: $1754.09
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-18 17:05 EST-0500

Here, a retail copy of windows, meaning you can reuse it and save money in the future. I did nick a few corners to keep it under the 1800, including changing the ram to Rigjaws V 2400mhz. Ram speed has 0 effect on performance btw. Also, gave you the 650watt G2, since the motherboard doesn't even support SLI the only option for GPUs would be to upgrade to a 1080 (Or vega) which would still only need 650 (For the 1080 at least, dunno about vega)
The keyboard has Cherry-Mx Blue keys, meaning theyre good quality. Its a blue backlight though because RGB + Mechanical keys tend to be expensive.
The mouse is great for the price, locked blue again, but has a good DPI range and good build quality.

[TheRealBear]

4 minutes ago, Moress said:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($324.89 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($99.99 @ Corsair)
Motherboard: MSI Z170A Tomahawk AC ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($141.99 @ Jet)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($124.99 @ Jet)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($68.41 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card  ($399.99 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX Glass ATX Mid Tower Case  ($187.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home Full - USB 32/64-bit  ($106.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire TK Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($80.00 @ Jet)
Mouse: Logitech G403 Prodigy Wired Optical Mouse  ($53.88 @ Amazon)
Total: $1754.09
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-18 17:05 EST-0500

Here, a retail copy of windows, meaning you can reuse it and save money in the future. I did nick a few corners to keep it under the 1800, including changing the ram to Rigjaws V 2400mhz. Ram speed has 0 effect on performance btw. Also, gave you the 650watt G2, since the motherboard doesn't even support SLI the only option for GPUs would be to upgrade to a 1080 (Or vega) which would still only need 650 (For the 1080 at least, dunno about vega)
The keyboard has Cherry-Mx Blue keys, meaning theyre good quality. Its a blue backlight though because RGB + Mechanical keys tend to be expensive.
The mouse is great for the price, locked blue again, but has a good DPI range and good build quality.

Thanks for the help! This really helped me alot.