Helping a friend out with a PC build (advice?)

[StayFrostyy]

My friend decided that he'd like to build a computer and I figured I should help him out. He used to own an Alienware Steam Machine but he wants to go big now. The thing still works, so we were planning to pull parts from it. This gives us the following out of the gate;

 

-Intel Core i7-6700T

-8GB DDR4-2133 (unknown brand)

-1TB hard drive (again, unknown brand)

-1080p monitor and Corsair CX430 (I have these laying around and agreed to give these to him or sell them to him for well below market value)

 

These are all confirmed to be working and we both think we should use them unless it just isn't worth it. He needs a copy of Windows, and he says he estimates he'll have roughly $900 to spend. However, he wants to stick around $700 to give himself a margin of error. What do you guys think the best way to go from here is?

Edited November 1, 2017 by StayFrostyy
Formatting

[Damascus]

Get any sub $100ish motherboard your friend likes (I recomend an strix B150/b250/z170/z270), a case they like (I recommend the Meshify C for $90) a decent PSU like an EVGA 550G2 for $90 CX should be OK, depending on the version and the best GPU the rest of the money can buy - probably a 1080 or 1080 ti.

 

[CharminUltraStrong]

8 minutes ago, StayFrostyy said:

-snip-

 

I'd say it's worth it. If you're worried about the 6700T, perhaps you ought to sell it and put that money towards a Ryzen chip/Core i5.

[Ordinarily_Greater]

$700 is quite enough to make a ryzen 5 system with 1050ti but i am not sure as it depends on location

[CharminUltraStrong]

10 minutes ago, StayFrostyy said:

My friend decided that he'd like to build a computer and I figured I should help him out. He used to own an Alienware Steam Machine but he wants to go big now. The thing still works, so we were planning to pull parts from it. This gives us the following out of the gate;

 

-Intel Core i7-6700T

-8GB DDR4-2133 (unknown brand)

-1TB hard drive (again, unknown brand)

-1080p monitor and Corsair CX430 (I have these laying around and agreed to give these to him or sell them to him for well below market value)

 

These are all confirmed to be working and we both think we should use them unless it just isn't worth it. He needs a copy of Windows, and he says he estimates he'll have roughly $900 to spend. However, he wants to stick around $700 to give himself a margin of error. What do you guys think the best way to go from here is?

Also, 430 watts won't be enough. It's, typically, recommended you use a PSU with over 500 watts for a higher card (Like a 1080). The 1080p monitor is good to keep around but I'd ditch the PSU.

[STRMfrmXMN]

1 minute ago, Damascus said:

Get any sub $100ish motherboard your friend likes (I recomend an strix B150/b250/z170/z270), a case they like (I recommend the Meshify C for $90) a decent PSU like an EVGA 550G2 for $90 CX should be OK, depending on the version and the best GPU the rest of the money can buy - probably a 1080 or 1080 ti.

 

I would not recommend pairing a 430W PSU with a 1080Ti and a CPU that can consume over 100W. OP is also using a 1080P monitor.

 

12 minutes ago, StayFrostyy said:

My friend decided that he'd like to build a computer and I figured I should help him out. He used to own an Alienware Steam Machine but he wants to go big now. The thing still works, so we were planning to pull parts from it. This gives us the following out of the gate;

 

-Intel Core i7-6700T

-8GB DDR4-2133 (unknown brand)

-1TB hard drive (again, unknown brand)

-1080p monitor and Corsair CX430 (I have these laying around and agreed to give these to him or sell them to him for well below market value)

 

These are all confirmed to be working and we both think we should use them unless it just isn't worth it. He needs a copy of Windows, and he says he estimates he'll have roughly $900 to spend. However, he wants to stick around $700 to give himself a margin of error. What do you guys think the best way to go from here is?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-6700T 2.8GHz Quad-Core Processor  (Purchased For $0.00) 
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - M9i 48.4 CFM CPU Cooler  ($19.89 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: MSI - B250 PC MATE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($71.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Crucial - 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($74.49 @ Newegg Marketplace) 
Storage: SK hynix - SL308 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($78.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB GAMING Video Card  ($259.88 @ OutletPC) 
Case: NZXT - S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($89.89 @ OutletPC) 
Total: $660.11
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-01 18:46 EDT-0400

 

I'd use this if you want to stick to the old monitor and CX430. If you want to get a 144Hz 1080P the 1060 should do well enough for most games with lower settings at that refresh rate.

2 minutes ago, CharminUltraStrong said:

I'd say it's worth it. If you're worried about the 6700T, perhaps you ought to sell it and put that money towards a Ryzen chip/Core i5.

A Ryzen 1600 isn't much better than the 6700T (which is a 6700 with a lower base clock).

[seon123]

This thing accidentally ended up at ~$900. Just change the GPU to the 1060 6GB or RX 580 if it needs to be $200 cheaper. I don't like the CX430, but it should be the non-exploding kind of PSU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - M9i 48.4 CFM CPU Cooler  ($19.89 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-Z270P-D3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($64.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($154.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: SK hynix - SL308 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($78.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8GB SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition Video Card  ($469.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Phanteks - Eclipse P300 Tempered Glass ATX Mid Tower Case  ($63.98 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair - TXM Gold 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($52.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $905.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-01 18:46 EDT-0400

[Damascus]

Higher end of the budget with room to upgrade to a 6700K/7700K and a really nice really nice 1080 ti

 

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

 

CPU: Intel - Core i7-6700T 2.8GHz Quad-Core Processor 
Motherboard: Asus - MAXIMUS VIII RANGER ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($90.98 @ Newegg) 
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB Black Edition Video Card  ($734.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: Fractal Design - Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Case  ($85.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $911.94

 

Bottom end of budget with the same great mobo and case but with a GTX 1080 instead of a ti

 

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/gVjGr7

CPU: Intel - Core i7-6700T 2.8GHz Quad-Core Processor 
Motherboard: Asus - MAXIMUS VIII RANGER ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($90.98 @ Newegg) 
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB DUKE OC Video Card  ($514.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: Fractal Design - Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Case  ($85.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $691.94

[Damascus]

1 minute ago, STRMfrmXMN said:

I would not recommend pairing a 430W PSU with a 1080Ti and a CPU that can consume over 100W. OP is also using a 1080P monitor.

 

The CPU is a 35W chip, don't see it using 100W

2 minutes ago, Ordinarily_Greater said:

$700 is quite enough to make a ryzen 5 system with 1050ti but i am not sure as it depends on location

Or use the solid 6700T and a 1080/1080 ti

1 minute ago, CharminUltraStrong said:

Also, 430 watts won't be enough. It's, typically, recommended you use a PSU with over 500 watts for a higher card (Like a 1080). The 1080p monitor is good to keep around but I'd ditch the PSU.

Generally thats pairing an overclockable or normal powered chip, the 6700T is a 35w chip

[StayFrostyy]

I talked to my friend and he likes the Corsair Carbide Spec-03 for a case. Being $60 this seems like a smart option.

 

So basically get less expensive stuff for the rest and ball out on a GPU?

[STRMfrmXMN]

12 minutes ago, Damascus said:

The CPU is a 35W chip, don't see it using 100W

Or use the solid 6700T and a 1080/1080 ti

Generally thats pairing an overclockable or normal powered chip, the 6700T is a 35w chip

That's the baseclock power draw. It's literally an i7 6700 with a lower base clock. You need to look at what a 6700 would use at full tilt which can vary a litte, but generally sits at about 100W. The turbo clock goes up a bit more on the non-T/K so it might draw 10W more.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1481-page5.html

[STRMfrmXMN]

Just now, StayFrostyy said:

I talked to my friend and he likes the Corsair Carbide Spec-03 for a case. Being $60 this seems like a smart option.

 

So basically get less expensive stuff for the rest and ball out on a GPU?

Again, if you're playing at 1080P 60Hz there really isn't any reason for anything beyond a 1060 6GB.

[Damascus]

2 minutes ago, STRMfrmXMN said:

That's the baseclock power draw. It's literally an i7 6700 with a lower base clock. You need to look at what a 6700 would use at full tilt which can vary a litte, but generally sits at about 100W.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1481-page5.html

Not as comprehinsive as yours but a full GHz of clockspeed does make a fidderence

 

"Computer’s wattage (approximately): 29 idle, 73 load"

 

http://blogs.tigarus.com/patcoola/2016/08/31/intel-i7-6700t-processor-review/

[CharminUltraStrong]

13 minutes ago, STRMfrmXMN said:

-snip-

 

Which is why I said he could sell it if he was worried. Unless I'm mistaken, the 6700T is locked. If he were to sell the 6700T he could purchase an unlocked CPU which would yield many more benefits.

[astranger200]

16 minutes ago, STRMfrmXMN said:

I would not recommend pairing a 430W PSU with a 1080Ti and a CPU that can consume over 100W. OP is also using a 1080P monitor.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-6700T 2.8GHz Quad-Core Processor  (Purchased For $0.00) 
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - M9i 48.4 CFM CPU Cooler  ($19.89 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: MSI - B250 PC MATE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($71.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Crucial - 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($74.49 @ Newegg Marketplace) 
Storage: SK hynix - SL308 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($78.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB GAMING Video Card  ($259.88 @ OutletPC) 
Case: NZXT - S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($89.89 @ OutletPC) 
Total: $660.11
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-01 18:46 EDT-0400

 

I'd use this if you want to stick to the old monitor and CX430. If you want to get a 144Hz 1080P the 1060 should do well enough for most games with lower settings at that refresh rate.

A Ryzen 1600 isn't much better than the 6700T (which is a 6700 with a lower base clock).

I agree with this

[Ordinarily_Greater]

15 minutes ago, Damascus said:

The CPU is a 35W chip, don't see it using 100W

Or use the solid 6700T and a 1080/1080 ti

Generally thats pairing an overclockable or normal powered chip, the 6700T is a 35w chip

yeah, wait the 6700T is still a 4c HT processor right? just low power?

[Damascus]

Just now, Ordinarily_Greater said:

yeah, wait the 6700T is still a 4c HT processor right? just low power?

Yep, 4c8t with a 2.6ghz clcok

[STRMfrmXMN]

5 minutes ago, CharminUltraStrong said:

Which is why I said he could sell it if he was worried. Unless I'm mistaken, the 6700T is locked. If he were to sell the 6700T he could purchase an unlocked CPU which would yield many more benefits.

Not really. You'd have to spend significantly more on a decent Z170 or Z270 with a good power delivery design if you wanted to get a 6700K and OC it. You'd also need to spend another 35 bucks for something like a Cryorig H7. All in all you can save a hell of a lot of money keeping your current i7 and getting a cheaper motherboard and cooler for it. Remember you'd have to sell the 6700T->6700K at a pretty substantial loss.

 

5 minutes ago, Damascus said:

Not as comprehinsive as yours but a full GHz of clockspeed does make a fidderence

 

"Computer’s wattage (approximately): 29 idle, 73 load"

 

http://blogs.tigarus.com/patcoola/2016/08/31/intel-i7-6700t-processor-review/

It's only .4GHz for a boost clock and that's still single core. Realistically, since these both have quad-core turbo clocks of a .2GHz difference (I do believe) the power draw difference is just negligible.

 

3 minutes ago, Ordinarily_Greater said:

yeah, wait the 6700T is still a 4c HT processor right? just low power?

Intel is a bit scummy with their TDP rating scheme as it doesn't REALLY indicate lesser power draw (read Skylake-X TDP numbers and laugh at the universal TDP across the board with many different chips of different core counts). They lower the boost clock from the factory as the chip can't hit the clocks they'd want a 6700 to hit at whatever their predetermined voltage number is, thus the 6700T doesn't actually use that much less power. It's much easier to keep cool and cool down quickly after a heavy load though due to low base clocks so long as Intel's Speedstep is enabled.

[Ordinarily_Greater]

1 minute ago, Damascus said:

Yep, 4c8t with a 2.6ghz clcok

wow still pretty solid, but does it have turbo (like up to 3.4GHz)?

[Damascus]

Just now, Ordinarily_Greater said:

wow still pretty solid, but does it have turbo (like up to 3.4GHz)?

3.6ghz on 1 core

[STRMfrmXMN]

Just now, Ordinarily_Greater said:

wow still pretty solid, but does it have turbo (like up to 3.4GHz)?

Max single-core Turbo is 3.6GHz.

[Ordinarily_Greater]

1 minute ago, STRMfrmXMN said:

Intel is a bit scummy with their TDP rating scheme as it doesn't indicate lesser power draw. They lower the boost clock from the factory as the chip can't hit the clocks they'd want a 6700 to hit at whatever their predetermined voltage number is, thus the 6700T doesn't actually use that much less power. It's much easier to keep cool and cool down quickly after a heavy load though due to low base clocks so long as Intel's Speedstep is enabled.

a 6700 is the big bet here

[Ordinarily_Greater]

Just now, STRMfrmXMN said:

Max single-core Turbo is 3.6GHz.

 

Just now, Damascus said:

3.6ghz on 1 core

but yeah doesn't look bad, should get the job done

[STRMfrmXMN]

Just now, Ordinarily_Greater said:

a 6700 is the big bet here

What do you mean?

[StayFrostyy]

Thanks for the advice guys! I have a few questions though.

 

1) We don't have a stock cooler so we will need an external one. Should I just grab a Hyper 212 Evo and call it a day? I was gonna budget for an H100i but that seems like extreme overkill in this situation.

2) It looks like we can purchase a decent 1080p 144hz monitor. Will he see any gains with a 1070 over a 1060 6GB in this situation.