First build ever!

PCRhea · January 23, 2017

Spoiler

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/XM8bcc

CPU: Intel Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Freezer 11 LP Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z270X-Gaming K5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card
Case: NZXT S340 - Designed by Razer ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ***
Sound Card: Creative Labs Z PCIe 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card
Case Accessory: NZXT Hue+ LED Controller

I'm not exactly sure if this should be under "Build Logs" or in this forum, but I do have a few odds and ends to decide on.

So I have never had a "nice" computer--certainly not one that is up for gaming--sometimes my PCs have trouble keeping up with my normal, everyday use. (Currently I'm on a laptop that my friends affectionately dub 'the toaster.') I decided that, as a graduation present to myself, I'd make myself a really nice gaming/multi-purpose computer. Originally I had sort of planned on a budget of $1200, but it'll probably end up being closer to $1400-$1500. I've picked up everything on the list except for the CPU and CPU cooler. I don't plan on overclocking (at least not at this time, perhaps I will someday), so I went with a more lightweight option for the cooler. The idea of introducing water into a computer just fills me with too much anxiety, as does the thought of having a 1.5-2lb hunk of metal suspended perpendicular off my CPU/motherboard. If my cooling needs change at a later date, I suppose I'll have to live with that. I think this is an appropriate cooling solution for now? If I'm wrong let me know. (I am one of those unfortunate people who live in a desert)

I do need a WI-Fi solution as well. I was thinking that I might go with this adapter, since it also does Bluetooth as well. And I still need a mouse/keyboard of course. Is there anything that splits the difference between 'gaming' and 'ergonomic' for keyboards? I haven't found anything yet.

I also want to run dual monitors (which will probably be purchased later and I'll use whatever spares we have lying around the house for now). Probably something in the 1440p realm for the displays, but I'm not sure what refresh rate I should look for with this setup. I'm hoping that in addition to gaming I'll be able to do creative stuff too (art and creating game mods), which I why I went for the i7, for the hyperthreading capabilities. I might also stream to Twitch for fun, and maybe make a few videos here and there, but nothing super serious in that realm. I am also really hoping that, apart from adding a second graphics card at a later date, that this rig will be decently future-proofed. As much as that's possible, anyway.

And of course I splurged on LED lighting and a vanity case because... why not? I don't have any particular affiliation to the Razer brand, but I do love the color green and their triskelion logo does look pretty rad, and the s340 seems like a good model for a novice like me to make a build in. I also got some green case fans too not listed here.

I am both terrified and excited since I haven't so much as opened a computer case for four or five years now, and I've never done anything this extensive before when it comes to poking around the insides of a computer.

***Power supply ended up being the 620W version because it was cheaper than the 520 for some reason. I can grow into it when I make the switch to dual graphics cards.

ivan134 · January 23, 2017

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/y7wyQV
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/y7wyQV/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($80.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z270X-Gaming K5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($185.91 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($133.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define C with Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Accessory: NZXT Hue+ LED Controller ($50.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1436.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-23 05:14 EST-0500

That wifi card is fine. Feel free to change the RAM to a different color, but the one you had is too expensive. You can overclock RAM yourself.