Building a new PC

[punggolkid]

Hi all,

It's been a long time since I've been in this sub-forum looking for PC advice. Currently going back to using Windows as I'm looking to replace my MBP with the intention of gaming at 1440p at medium to high settings (i.e. not ultra). I'm looking for performance to last at least 5 years before changing GFX card.

I currently have an idea of what the build should look like, but I'd like some advice/critique on the parts chosen:

MB + CPU: Asus H170M Plus + i5-6600
RAM: Crucial 4 x 4GB (or 2 x 8GB?) DDR4 RAM
GFX: MSI GTX 970 4GB Gaming OC (i.e. twin frozr)
PSU: (~500-600W fully modular)
OS: Windows 10 Home
SSD: (~256GB; any diff between SATA 3 vs m2?)
Case: (recommendations for micro ATX cases?)

Budget: 1.3k to 1.6k

If possible hope to build the case at one shop instead of visiting multiple shops for parts. Local warranty preferred where appropriate.

Thanks in advance!

 

[herman1314]

Cpu can get i5 6400 and use the $$$ for something else. If playing at 1440p better for you to get an r9 390 or 390x instead of a gtx 970. Do you need wifi, any size or color preferences?

 

[BombVoyage]

Cpu can get i5 6400 and use the $$$ for something else. If playing at 1440p better for you to get an r9 390 or 390x instead of a gtx 970. Do you need wifi, any size or color preferences?

is i5-6400 really worthy it compared to i5-6500?
like ~$20 more for 0.5GHz

 

[hengheng220]

is i5-6400 really worthy it compared to i5-6500?
like ~$20 more for 0.5GHz

Actually not much difference might as well save that $20 lo. Like I regret getting a 4670 instead of 4440 when I build me rig could have save almost 30 iirc for the same performance

 

[punggolkid]

Cpu can get i5 6400 and use the $$$ for something else. If playing at 1440p better for you to get an r9 390 or 390x instead of a gtx 970. Do you need wifi, any size or color preferences?

I'm okay with getting 6500, but not 6400. Primary reason being that I don't want the processor to end up as a bottleneck over the years. Also, I will be less likely to change processor than I will change GFX card. Does this make sense?

No need Wifi as I've connection via ethernet.

Case-wise black/grey finish, matx form factor. I really like the Corsair 350D's looks but I prefer the size of the Corsair 240. Nothing too outlandish/bright will be okay.

 

[royfrosty]

0.5ghz bottleneck? Nah. Its not gonna make even one bit of a difference. And no, it will not bottleneck till your chip have long eoled for the next several gens worth of CPU. Think about it, the current sandy bridge i5 is still strong till date.

 

[herman1314]

Good point, although processors haven't been bottlenecks much anymore unless its really weak.
mobo and cpu:ga-b150m-d3h and i5 6500 $452
graphics card:gigabyte r9 390x g1 gaming $675
ram:crucial ddr4 2133mhz 8gb $82
ssd:adata sp550 240gb $129
hdd:seagate 1tb $69
psu:superflower leadex 650w silver fully modular $129
case:coolermaster n200 $61
os:windows 7/8/10(reddit)$30
total:$1627
do ask around for price quotes and discount before purchase. all items are quoted from pcthemes

 

[Goodshot]

Actually not much difference might as well save that $20 lo. Like I regret getting a 4670 instead of 4440 when I build me rig could have save almost 30 iirc for the same performance

Maybe u got 10 % more speed when installing program ?

 

[punggolkid]

Good point, although processors haven't been bottlenecks much anymore unless its really weak.
mobo and cpu:ga-b150m-d3h and i5 6500 $452
graphics card:gigabyte r9 390x g1 gaming $675
ram:crucial ddr4 2133mhz 8gb $82
ssd:adata sp550 240gb $129
hdd:seagate 1tb $69
psu:superflower leadex 650w silver fully modular $129
case:coolermaster n200 $61
os:windows 7/8/10(reddit)$30
total:$1627
do ask around for price quotes and discount before purchase. all items are quoted from pcthemes

Thanks for the suggestions! But I think I won't splurge on the R9 390X.

Having read around on the internet, R9 390 is a good alternative to GTX 970 and it's better for 1440p gaming as it has more VRAM. I have reservations about the AMD driver optimisation for some games, but I think it shouldn't matter as I'm not such a graphics junkie.

I just needed something to play games at 1440p without looking like crap as it currently does on the Sandy Bridge IGP on my MBP. (edit: price differences aside, should I get MSI or Sapphire? Which has better cooling and performance?)

Btw, the reddit windows... is it legit??? How come so cheap . I went to have a look and it seems like many have been using it. But are there any problems that have not surfaced?

 

[herman1314]

Thanks for the suggestions! But I think I won't splurge on the R9 390X.

Having read around on the internet, R9 390 is a good alternative to GTX 970 and it's better for 1440p gaming as it has more VRAM. I have reservations about the AMD driver optimisation for some games, but I think it shouldn't matter as I'm not such a graphics junkie.

I just needed something to play games at 1440p without looking like crap as it currently does on the Sandy Bridge IGP on my MBP. (edit: price differences aside, should I get MSI or Sapphire? Which has better cooling and performance?)

Btw, the reddit windows... is it legit??? How come so cheap . I went to have a look and it seems like many have been using it. But are there any problems that have not surfaced?

integrated graphics can't even play games well on 1080p. for the reddit windows, just make sure that you're buying from a reputable seller and you should be fine. both msi and sapphire are good companies, wouldn't have any issues recommending either of them as long as the pricing makes sense.
mobo and cpu:b150m-d3h and i5 6500 $452
graphics card:sapphire r9 390 $540
ram:crucial 2133mhz 8gb ddr4 $82
ssd:samsung 850 evo 250gb $159
hdd:WD blue 1tb $77
psu:superflower 650w silver full modular $129
case:CM n200 $61
os:windows 7/8/10(reddit)$30
total:$1530
again all items are from pcthemes