Thinking of a new build

[Donut417]

I recently graduated with my Bachlors degree. As a present on graduating with a 3.59 GPA I feel a new build is in order. I have money left from my finacial aid and feel I can spend about $2,000. I want to upgrade to a 1440p monitor as well which will be part of the budget on this build. Below is what I currently have.

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/P9VHYr 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($291.50 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($79.44 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: MSI - Z77A-GD65 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard 
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($67.69 @ Amazon) 
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($67.69 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($148.38 @ Best Buy) 
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($99.89 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($99.89 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte - Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card 
Case: Fractal Design - Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($225.10 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Corsair - CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($116.58 @ Amazon) 
Monitor: Acer - H236HLbid 23.0" 1920x1080 60Hz Monitor  ($119.99 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: Acer - H236HLbid 23.0" 1920x1080 60Hz Monitor  ($119.99 @ Newegg) 
Keyboard: Razer - BlackWidow 2013 Wired Gaming Keyboard 
Headphones: Kingston - HyperX Cloud Pro  Headset 
Speakers: Logitech - Z323 30W 2.1ch Speakers  ($45.56 @ Best Buy) 
UPS: CyberPower - CP1350PFCLCD UPS  ($189.95 @ Newegg) 
Total: $1671.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-25 20:48 EST-0500

 

 

The case, SSD and Hard drives I plan on reusing. The PSU's fan has a bad bearing in it, it rattles when it turns on, so I was thinking of replacing that. I guess I can use my cooler, other than it has finger prints all over it, any way to clean them off? Or if you think about a better cooler im all ears. I do plan on keeping my monitors, not sure if Ill keep both or give one to my mom, she still uses a 4:3 monitor so yeah, she could use an upgrade. The machine will be used with an Ethernet connection so I dont need any WiFi adapters. Im planning this machine for gaming, and Steaming movies with Plex. Im the only one who uses the plex server on this machine, so its not like Im going to be gaming and streaming with plex. I also watch a lot of movies and videos on my computer as well. Gaming wise I play GTA 5, Stardew Valley, Killing Floor, and Just Cause 3. 

 

Oh and on a side note, I dont really care if its AMD or Intel. To help not start a flame war Ill accept builds for either. Just trying to get an idea of what I can do with that kind of money. I plan on using this build for at least as long as this one. I dont really plan on building till mid January to February.  

[seon123]

Since you plan on building and buying the parts that far into the future, making a list right now won't really help. Ryzen+ is supposed to launch in Q1 2018, consumer Volta cards might launch, and RAM prices might be different. Etc. 

But as if right now, you should be able to get an 8700K and a 1080 Ti with a 1440p 165Hz G-sync monitor. 

[1234vietnam]

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/sBsRjc

[Donut417]

2 minutes ago, Prqnk3d said:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Ltc3VY

Quick question. Does the Cooler need any new mounting hardware or does it use the same stuff as my current build? Just need to know if I need to contact Noctua for new mounting kits. 

[1234vietnam]

3 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

Quick question. Does the Cooler need any new mounting hardware or does it use the same stuff as my current build? Just need to know if I need to contact Noctua for new mounting kits. 

yep totally fine. i also put low profile ram so that wont be a problem

[Donut417]

14 minutes ago, seon123 said:

Since you plan on building and buying the parts that far into the future, making a list right now won't really help. Ryzen+ is supposed to launch in Q1 2018, consumer Volta cards might launch, and RAM prices might be different. Etc. 

But as if right now, you should be able to get an 8700K and a 1080 Ti with a 1440p 165Hz G-sync monitor. 

Considering mid January is less than 3 weeks away Id have to disagree. I could pull the trigger any time between now and February. Probably closer to now because hopefully by February Ill have a new job making the big bucks to help pay for this degree. 

[seon123]

9 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

Considering mid January is less than 3 weeks away Id have to disagree. I could pull the trigger any time between now and February. Probably closer to now because hopefully by February Ill have a new job making the big bucks to help pay for this degree. 

Yes, but many of the parts in the list are heavily influenced by the pricing at the exact moment the list is made. I'll make a list now

[seon123]

The cooler is compatible with LGA115x, which includes LGA1151, so no issues there. 

$140 over budget after rebates. You could get within budget by switching out the monitor for a 27" 1440p 165Hz G-sync monitor that doesn't use a TN panel. 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7GHz 6-Core Processor  ($379.99 @ B&H) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Motherboard: ASRock - Z370 Extreme4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($156.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Team - Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($169.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB STRIX GAMING Video Card  ($756.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Fractal Design - Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Power Supply: Corsair - RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($74.98 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: AOC - AG271QG 27.0" 2560x1440 165Hz Monitor  ($599.99 @ B&H) 
Total: $2138.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-25 21:45 EST-0500

[Donut417]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7GHz 6-Core Processor  ($389.89 @ B&H) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Motherboard: MSI - Z370 SLI PLUS ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($122.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - NT Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($181.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB Mini Video Card  ($712.89 @ B&H) 
Case: Fractal Design - Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($74.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $1482.74
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-31 13:28 EST-0500

 

What about this build. It leaves about $518 for a monitor. Also @seon123 I took a look at the monitor and it seems to have issues with back light bleed. At least thats what a some of the reviews were saying. Ive been looking at monitors the issue is I want IPS. I wont tolerate TN, I hate TN panels. 

[seon123]

43 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

What about this build. It leaves about $518 for a monitor. Also @seon123 I took a look at the monitor and it seems to have issues with back light bleed. At least thats what a some of the reviews were saying. Ive been looking at monitors the issue is I want IPS. I wont tolerate TN, I hate TN panels. 

Faster RAM. It shouldn't cost more, and improves performance by a few points. 

Maybe a higher end 1080 Ti. But that'll be $50 more. Lower noise levels, and a PCB that is much better. 

Other than that, the build looks fine.

 

VA and IPS panels tend to have backlight bleed. Afaik, all the 27" 1440p 165Hz IPS monitors use the exact same panel. From what I know, the issues have mostly been resolved by now, but not completely sure about that. 

[Donut417]

16 minutes ago, seon123 said:

VA and IPS panels tend to have backlight bleed

My current Acer IPS panels dont have any issue. I just dont want it looking like crap. Im also trying to get it as close to $2k as possible. I dont want to spend really any more. While I got $11,000 in student loan money I didnt use, I rather pay a lot of that back to the Government so I dont have as much loan debt. 

[Donut417]

6 hours ago, seon123 said:

Faster RAM. It shouldn't cost more, and improves performance by a few points. 

Maybe a higher end 1080 Ti. But that'll be $50 more. Lower noise levels, and a PCB that is much better. 

Other than that, the build looks fine.

 

VA and IPS panels tend to have backlight bleed. Afaik, all the 27" 1440p 165Hz IPS monitors use the exact same panel. From what I know, the issues have mostly been resolved by now, but not completely sure about that. 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7GHz 6-Core Processor  ($389.89 @ B&H) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Motherboard: MSI - Z370 SLI PLUS ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($122.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory  ($189.88 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB DUKE OC Video Card  ($774.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: Fractal Design - Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($74.99 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: BenQ - GW2765HT 27.0" 2560x1440 60Hz Monitor  ($229.00 @ B&H) 
Total: $1781.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-31 20:30 EST-0500

 

Did some adjusting. I know its not a high refresh rate monitor, but I dont game competitively so I dont mind. Its still bigger and the resolution I want. Plus it has good reviews. I got some faster RAM. Plus its under my budget which is good.