$2000 First Time PC Build - Suggestions?

[Escruchi]

Hello!

I am planning to build my own PC for the first time. It will mainly be for gaming but I am planning to start learning how to do 3D modelling on Blender and also how to develop stuff on Unreal Engine. For gaming wise, I want to play most games at high-ultra at 1080p 60fps.

I will be reusing a monitor, the Samsung SyncMaster BX2231 (1080p, 60Hz) and a logitech mouse and keyboard.

So here is my current list of components:
1. i5-6600k + MSI Z170A SLI Plus $588
2. Corsair H80i GT CPU Cooler $158
3. Kingston DDR4 2213 $94
4. Samsung 850 EVO 250GB $125
5. Western Digital Caviar Blue 7200RPM 1 TB $77
6. Sapphire Radeon R9 390 $540
7. Phanteks Eclipse P400 $129
8. Cooler Master V750 Semi-Modular $169
9. Microsoft Windows Home 10 $158

TOTAL: $2038
Prices based on latest fuwell price list.

I've done research on reddit and other sites but since they are based on US/UK prices, I'm not too sure on whether this price is worth it's value in Singapore. The R9 390 is a placeholder, I am willing to wait to see whether the GTX 1070 or the RX 480 would be better, and at least older cards may become cheaper.

I hope to hear your recommendations on whether this pc is too expensive or the price matches the value. Is there anyway to cut down on the price as well? Or should I go ahead with this?

Thank you!

 

[Tardis]

Can buy Windows from Reddit using PayPal. I think only $30usd only. Not sure which link was it, saw it before in this forum

Sent from Tardis using GAGT

 

[Kusanagi]

i think need to remove your above Tardis, mod mentioned something about them

for item 6, i'd personally go for an EVGA 1070 AIB from amazon, that is if you can wait

would also suggest a bigger SSD, they are so affordable now

item 8 can also try superflower instead

are you planning to OC? if not, dont really need AIO cooling

 

[fleas1]

you can go for the seasonic bronze fully modular 750w. Its 10 dollars cheaper, fully modular(easier to install, RMA, replace...etc) and a reputable brand.


with the newer gfx cards coming out, you can actually lower the psu to 650w. So I reckon you should just wait because it should really lower older cards(9 series and AMD's).

Should consider changing to IPS monitor. Really look a lot better than the older monitors. then use your old monitor as a 2nd screen. Pretty useful to see guides or surf while dead or traveling...etc. Unless your table have no space.

if you do play competitive fps then that would be different but so far I think IPS is fine imo. g-sync(NVidia) and free-sync(amd) will be a bit more $$

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

PSU maybe u can try to Superflower or Cosair.

and if u know how to build u can get all those parts from tradepac and maybe cybermind, do a comparison on the price being offer from each shops and mix and match together, so u can cut down on the prices.

 

[xuan87]

My suggestions will probably mirror alot of people's here, but for your consideration:

If you don't mind taking a chance, you can buy alot of your components online, possibly with the exception of cases. Amazon actually ships quite a lot of stuff for free to Singapore.

If you're not planning to do overclocking, you can consider getting a non-k CPU, and stocking with the stock cooler, but there's no harm in using a cheap aftermarket cooler so long as it performs better than the stock cooler.

I found 250gb SSD to be no longer sufficient for me, irritating to have to keep deleting games, so you can consider getting a 500gb SSD. I bought mine from Amazon, or you can use the 250gb one now, and upgrade later in the year.

HDD is quite cheap now too, you can consider getting a 2 or 3TB one instead of 1 TB.

GPU.... has alot of options right now. It depends on what monitor you're planning to use. I recommend upgrading your monitor to a bigger one, you can stick to 1080p, or get an ultrawide 1080p (I'm waiting for my 29" ultrawide, I got it cheap online), or maybe even go for a 1440p. The R9 390, RX480 and GTX 1070 are all overkill for 1080p so you can't go wrong, just depending on which gives you the best price (probably the 480).

For PSU, you won't need 750W. I recently replace my old busted 750W with a Super Flower Leadex 80Gold 650W and it can power my R9 290 Tri X perfectly. Unless you plan to go GPU SLI, or overclocking in the future, you can consider saving some money by getting a less powerful PSU.

 

[Escruchi]

My suggestions will probably mirror alot of people's here, but for your consideration:

If you don't mind taking a chance, you can buy alot of your components online, possibly with the exception of cases. Amazon actually ships quite a lot of stuff for free to Singapore.

If you're not planning to do overclocking, you can consider getting a non-k CPU, and stocking with the stock cooler, but there's no harm in using a cheap aftermarket cooler so long as it performs better than the stock cooler.

I found 250gb SSD to be no longer sufficient for me, irritating to have to keep deleting games, so you can consider getting a 500gb SSD. I bought mine from Amazon, or you can use the 250gb one now, and upgrade later in the year.

HDD is quite cheap now too, you can consider getting a 2 or 3TB one instead of 1 TB.

GPU.... has alot of options right now. It depends on what monitor you're planning to use. I recommend upgrading your monitor to a bigger one, you can stick to 1080p, or get an ultrawide 1080p (I'm waiting for my 29" ultrawide, I got it cheap online), or maybe even go for a 1440p. The R9 390, RX480 and GTX 1070 are all overkill for 1080p so you can't go wrong, just depending on which gives you the best price (probably the 480).

For PSU, you won't need 750W. I recently replace my old busted 750W with a Super Flower Leadex 80Gold 650W and it can power my R9 290 Tri X perfectly. Unless you plan to go GPU SLI, or overclocking in the future, you can consider saving some money by getting a less powerful PSU.

Thank you! I am planning to overclock in the future so that's why I'm planning on getting the k CPU. So I think I'll stay with the same power but look at other brands that are cheaper and reliable. I don't see myself needing too much storage now, and I don't mind reinstalling games.

The monitor is probably the next thing to be upgraded so but it's on hold for now.

Can you suggest which components are "safer" to order from Amazon?

 

[Mikiberry]

Just change the PSU to Seasonic and get win 10 from reddit at 30 bucks. You probably saved 150. For GFX just wait for 1070 or upcoming AMD card.

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

Psu

Amazon : EVGA (can't rmb what others reco)
Local: Superflower, cosair.

And today GTX 1070@$768

 

[monikernemo]

Evga usually get the G2 or P2 because Superflower OEM. G1 is FSP OEM but not single 12v rail iirc

Sent from Huawei NEXUS 6P using GAGT

 

[xuan87]

Thank you! I am planning to overclock in the future so that's why I'm planning on getting the k CPU. So I think I'll stay with the same power but look at other brands that are cheaper and reliable. I don't see myself needing too much storage now, and I don't mind reinstalling games.

The monitor is probably the next thing to be upgraded so but it's on hold for now.

Can you suggest which components are "safer" to order from Amazon?

Other than the case, I basically order everything from Amazon LOL So I'm probably not the best person to ask this...

Occasionally when there are times i would buy stuff in Singapore, for eg, my PSU just suddenly died on me, so I bought a new one from SLS the next day. Same for my RAM. My R9 290 was bought from Lazada because they had a timed sale that made the price VERY cheap.

But usually, for a new setup and I can wait, I will buy online. In fact, I'm planning to get a whole new MITX setup during Black Friday and sell off my current setup then.

 

[xtwis7]

Just avoid Fuwell and go PC Themes and get Yilong to work out the rig for you.

 

[fleas1]

hope you guys know that those reputable PSU brands have 3-5 years warranty. So buying locally(may be more expensive) will be easier to RMA than buying overseas(cheaper but you have to send it back yourself).

 

[Maeda_Toshiie]

hope you guys know that those reputable PSU brands have 3-5 years warranty. So buying locally(may be more expensive) will be easier to RMA than buying overseas(cheaper but you have to send it back yourself).

If the PSU has only 3 years warranty, I'd not be sticking it inside a high performance machine. Only the low end units among the major brands (and OEMs) would have 3 year warranties. Stick those inside family PCs and office machines.

If you can afford to spend $2000 SGD on a PC, you can get a good quality PSU. Warning: do not conflate quality with wattage or brand.

 

[fleas1]

If the PSU has only 3 years warranty, I'd not be sticking it inside a high performance machine. Only the low end units among the major brands (and OEMs) would have 3 year warranties. Stick those inside family PCs and office machines.

If you can afford to spend $2000 SGD on a PC, you can get a good quality PSU. Warning: do not conflate quality with wattage or brand.

I agree to a certain extend. the reason why people do use brand for quality is because brands like Silverstone and seasonic(corsair buys from them)...etc. is because they manufacture(they have their own factories) the product themselves which in terms means better quality control. But of course that doesn't mean it will not have problems like dead on arrival or dying in a week...etc. but it does mean you get a lot better chances of not getting lemon ones.

Getting a higher wattage is better as there's more overhead and better efficiency for the power supply. And no, it doesn't consume more energy than lower wattage PSU. It only consumes what it is needed to run.

Not sure if you can get this analogy:
Older diesel engines are still very reliable(see liteace) because their engine size is big(~1.8-2.0L) where as today's diesel and euro engines are 1.3-1.5L.

But I do agree with Maeda_Toshiie in terms of; if you get some "low end" PSU(unheard of brands or just really cheap for its wattage), and it dies or shorts out for whatever reason, it can take down some components with it like the motherboard, cpu, harddisk/ssd, graphic card...etc

 

[AverTek]

How about this PSU?

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/h...rstone-strider-st80f-ti-titanium-5390366.html

 

[xuan87]

I agree to a certain extend. the reason why people do use brand for quality is because brands like Silverstone and seasonic(corsair buys from them)...etc. is because they manufacture(they have their own factories) the product themselves which in terms means better quality control. But of course that doesn't mean it will not have problems like dead on arrival or dying in a week...etc. but it does mean you get a lot better chances of not getting lemon ones.

Getting a higher wattage is better as there's more overhead and better efficiency for the power supply. And no, it doesn't consume more energy than lower wattage PSU. It only consumes what it is needed to run.

Not sure if you can get this analogy:
Older diesel engines are still very reliable(see liteace) because their engine size is big(~1.8-2.0L) where as today's diesel and euro engines are 1.3-1.5L.

But I do agree with Maeda_Toshiie in terms of; if you get some "low end" PSU(unheard of brands or just really cheap for its wattage), and it dies or shorts out for whatever reason, it can take down some components with it like the motherboard, cpu, harddisk/ssd, graphic card...etc

Ironically, it was my branded, well reviewed PSU with bigger wattage (XFX 750W) that failed alot faster than my previous unknown brand (Powerlogic with 450W).

But generally, I agree with getting a good well known PSU which was what prompted me to ugprade to the XFX.

 

[DJSnip3r]

Thank you! I am planning to overclock in the future so that's why I'm planning on getting the k CPU. So I think I'll stay with the same power but look at other brands that are cheaper and reliable. I don't see myself needing too much storage now, and I don't mind reinstalling games.

The monitor is probably the next thing to be upgraded so but it's on hold for now.

Can you suggest which components are "safer" to order from Amazon?

I bought my ram and aio from Amazon, because of the >100SGD price difference from buying at SLS, and it had free shipping to sg. Although the aio might be a bit risky in terms of the warranty, but the 100 savings can cover rma cost.

 

[fleas1]

xuan87, you are right. That's a really sad case that a good quality psu failed faster than a "cheaper" one.

apart from many other factors that may cause the power supply to fail, in my previous post, I stated that buying locally have its advantages in getting your psu RMA easier.

A modular one will be even easier to remove or replace(upgrade...etc) since you just unplug the cables and just remove the psu box, put in the RMA/new psu box and replug cables.

unrelated but known facts for psu; they do lose their efficiency(wattage) a bit every year so if your power supply is really old(3-4 years) and is like a 500w, please consider buying a new one

 

[xuan87]

xuan87, you are right. That's a really sad case that a good quality psu failed faster than a "cheaper" one.

apart from many other factors that may cause the power supply to fail, in my previous post, I stated that buying locally have its advantages in getting your psu RMA easier.

A modular one will be even easier to remove or replace(upgrade...etc) since you just unplug the cables and just remove the psu box, put in the RMA/new psu box and replug cables.

unrelated but known facts for psu; they do lose their efficiency(wattage) a bit every year so if your power supply is really old(3-4 years) and is like a 500w, please consider buying a new one

Good to know, thanks!