DIY PC with 3k budget

[kensou]

Hi guys, I am building a PC on my own, looking for some opinions and suggestions. My budget is about $3k-$3.2k. Main usage is for playing Overwatch & Diablo 3. Heavy photography/videography editing as well. Looking to make it last 5-6 years.

Currently based on some read through here and there I come out with something like this:

Latest update:

CPU
Asus Z270E Gaming + i7-7700k - $871 (I chose this to do some O.C, but not to the extremity)

RAM
CORSAIR VENGEANCE LPX 2400MHZ CL14 ( 16GBx2pcs ) - $270 (From Amazon)

GPU
Zotac GTX 1070 Extreme - $705

SSD HDD
Samsung EVO 850 M.2 500GB SSD - $259 (I will still go with this, thanks for @ethan89 suggestion)
Toshiba 4TB 7200RPM x2 - $190 ($380)

PSU
SF LEADEX 750w GOLD F.MOD - $179 (At least 2 ppl suggested this brand, i think i will go with the 750W, was intending 850w in case I want do some crazy sh*t, but i think this should be good enough)

COOLER
SST-TD02-Lite - $120 (I have 0 clues on Coolers, so I just take the suggestion of @Pellegrino)

CASING
FRACTAL DESIGN DEFINE C WINDOWS - $149 (Oh my this 1 look nice, thanks @singupingu suggestion, my CPU space max 19" cant fit Define S)

OTHERS
Cooler Fan (probably about 5) - $60-$100
NZXT 120MM/140MM Airflow Fan

 

[MiFan4149]

Can consider x99 with that budget

 

[singupingu]

You can go x99 board instead of z270. Then go for i7 extreme processors or even xeons.

Zotac amp extreme is a very heavy graphic card. You might need a support bar for it to prevent sagging.

Get Superflower leadex gold psu. Theirs are better imo.

Why get NZXT h440 when you only have 2 hdd. I think the s340 elite is nicer and better as there won't be hdd cages to block airflow. Just nice 2 hdd cradles at psu shroud area for your usage. 2 fans (from liquid aio) front intake, mount with the radiator of your liquid aio. 2 more fans (included with case) for rear and top for exhaust. The airflow is very optimal this way imo.

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[IcYFl4mEz]

these cases is without DVD slot, so how you all do when needing to use DVD?

 

[lifeishard]

I use external dvd drive.

 

[singupingu]

I use external dvd drive.

Same. We don't use DVD drive everyday anyway. The external drive only use once in a blue moon. So it's safe to not build into the system too.

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[IcYFl4mEz]

Same. We don't use DVD drive everyday anyway. The external drive only use once in a blue moon. So it's safe to not build into the system too.

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yea true, maybe can buy one converter usb, and make it "portable"

 

[singupingu]

yea true, maybe can buy one converter usb, and make it "portable"

That's if you reusing a 5.25" drive which still need sata power for it. USB external DVD drive only about 30 bucks now iirc

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[kensou]

Oh wow, you guys opened up my mind alot..

@singupingu
As to why I dont want S340 is because I have no access to the top part of my CPU, and it gets really really dusty, so I opt not to have a fan on top of my CPU, so I decide to go with H440.

@MiFan4149 @singupingu
What i7 processor should I go with X99 board? Can suggest me how I should build it?

@IcYFl4mEz @lifeishard @singupingu
Good idea, I will get a external DVD, sometimes my client requires CD from me so I will need it, but very infrequently.

@Pellegrino
I might consider 1080, see how my builds go with all suggestion given to me.
Okay, I will revise my RAM choice to lower, as I think I might need up to 32GB, to run all my editing software at the same time on different screen. I not sure if that is how it works.
Okay, noted on the cooler choice will make edits. Thanks!

 

[kensou]

Current updates with suggestion

CPU
ASUS X99 STRIX GAMING with i7 6800k - $1147

RAM
CORSAIR VENGEANCE LPX 2400MHZ CL14 ( 8GBx2pcs ) x2 - $189 ($378)

GPU
Zotac GTX 1070 Extreme - $705
or
MSI GTX 1070 8GB QUICK-SILVER $839

SSD HDD
Samsung EVO 850 M.2 500GB SSD - $259
Toshiba 4TB 7200RPM - $190

PSU
SF LEADEX II 650w GOLD F.MOD - $169

COOLER
SST-TD02-Lite - $120

CASING
NZXT S340 ELITE - $189

OTHERS
Cooler Fan (not sure how many I will need) - Excluded in budget


Im using PCThemes as reference, so most likely going to build my PC there. Currently abit over budget at $3347, will exclude 1 4TB to $3157. I think this should be good?

 

[kensou]

Ram you need 4 x 8 GB as X99 is quad channel.

ahh.. okay i made the adjustment.. is this okay?

 

[shadow84]

Current updates with suggestion

CPU
ASUS X99 STRIX GAMING with i7 6800k - $1147

RAM
CORSAIR VENGEANCE LPX 2400MHZ CL14 ( 8GBx2pcs ) x2 - $189 ($378)

GPU
Zotac GTX 1070 Extreme - $705
or
MSI GTX 1070 8GB QUICK-SILVER $839

SSD HDD
Samsung EVO 850 M.2 500GB SSD - $259
Toshiba 4TB 7200RPM - $190

PSU
SF LEADEX II 650w GOLD F.MOD - $169

COOLER
SST-TD02-Lite - $120

CASING
NZXT S340 ELITE - $189

OTHERS
Cooler Fan (not sure how many I will need) - Excluded in budget


Im using PCThemes as reference, so most likely going to build my PC there. Currently abit over budget at $3347, will exclude 1 4TB to $3157. I think this should be good?

Do u really need till x99 strix? There are cheaper options like asrock and msi. And u might fit in yr 4tb hdd.

Also, if u r daring, u can buy all parts online with costs saving but have to ownSelf build or bring down to nigel's shop to help build. And im talkung about $200-300 savings at least via qoo10 and lazada.

 

[kensou]

Do u really need till x99 strix? There are cheaper options like asrock and msi. And u might fit in yr 4tb hdd.

Also, if u r daring, u can buy all parts online with costs saving but have to ownSelf build or bring down to nigel's shop to help build. And im talkung about $200-300 savings at least via qoo10 and lazada.

oh really? I know how to put the parts together and planning to do it myself too! I just need to make sure I get all the necessary parts, but is it really safe to get from lazada/qoo10?? No offence but I have no experience..

 

[kensou]

Current updates with suggestion

CPU
Asus Z270E Gaming + i7-7700k - $871

RAM
CORSAIR VENGEANCE LPX 2400MHZ CL14 ( 16GBx2pcs ) - $339

GPU
Zotac GTX 1070 Extreme - $705

SSD HDD
Samsung EVO 850 M.2 500GB SSD - $259
Toshiba 4TB 7200RPM x2 - $190 ($380)

PSU
SST-ST75F-GS - Strider Gold 750W 80 Plus Gold, Full Modular - $165

COOLER
SST-TD02-Lite - $120

CASING
NZXT S340 ELITE - $189

OTHERS
Cooler Fan (not sure how many I will need) - Excluded in budget


After thinking about it, I don't think I wan go for X99, i will stick with z270.

 

[shadow84]

What i meant was that there are cheaper x99 options out there, no need go till that high. If u do heavy video editing, x99 platform would be more useful.

Qoo10/lazada is quite safe for reputable or known sellers at least. Bought and built 4 rigs for frens + myself frm qoo10/lazada amd no issues, yet.

 

[singupingu]

About your chassis, you might wanna consider Fractal Design stuff. Define S is a very solid choice to consider.

The 6800k is a great enough choice. Have 6c12t is a huge boost to rendering work.

If your budget allow, the gtx 1080 is best to get. Still, gtx 1070 is not a small beast at all even to your productivity work nor gaming.

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[EatSnakeWarrior]

Current updates with suggestion

CPU
Asus Z270E Gaming + i7-7700k - $871

RAM
CORSAIR VENGEANCE LPX 2400MHZ CL14 ( 16GBx2pcs ) - $339

GPU
Zotac GTX 1070 Extreme - $705

SSD HDD
Samsung EVO 850 M.2 500GB SSD - $259
Toshiba 4TB 7200RPM x2 - $190 ($380)

PSU
SST-ST75F-GS - Strider Gold 750W 80 Plus Gold, Full Modular - $165

COOLER
SST-TD02-Lite - $120

CASING
NZXT S340 ELITE - $189

OTHERS
Cooler Fan (not sure how many I will need) - Excluded in budget


After thinking about it, I don't think I wan go for X99, i will stick with z270.

You may want to consider getting the Asus TUF series motherboards as they come with a 5 years warranty.

Get the rams from amazon, should be much cheaper about 300 sgd for 32gb

For the gpu, I would reccomend getting the 1070 mini at around 500 ish during a sale, either that or get the 1080 @ 999. I feel that aftermarket coolers are not worth the price premium, your mileage may vary.

PSU: would reccomend the SF 650gold

As for the cooler, how much do you intend to overclock your cooler? If you do not intend to do crazy overclocking, a lower end AIO cooler should suffice.

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[kurui_]

Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 DRAM 2666MHz (PC4-21300) C16 memory kit for DDR4 Systems https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OTJZTZE/

US$150.10


Corsair LPX 32GB (2x16GB) 3200MHz C16 DDR4 DRAM Memory Kit, Black (CMK32GX4M2B3200C16) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016ORTNI2/

US$203.99


Casing if looking at fractal design can see their define series:

define c and define S if don't need optical drive access at front panel. Solid and heavy build for both.

 

[ethan89]

Change your M2 SSD to SATA?

Should cut down your costs up to 50 bucks I think.

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- Theodore Roosevelt using GAGT

 

[kensou]

Current updates with suggestion

CPU
Asus Z270E Gaming + i7-7700k - $871 (I chose this to do some O.C, but not to the extremity)

RAM
CORSAIR VENGEANCE LPX 2400MHZ CL14 ( 16GBx2pcs ) - $270 (From Amazon)

GPU
PALIT GTX 1070 8GB SUPER JETSTREAM - $688 (Keeping this within budget)

SSD HDD
Samsung EVO 850 M.2 500GB SSD - $259 (I will still go with this, thanks for @ethan89 suggestion)
Toshiba 4TB 7200RPM x2 - $190 ($380)

PSU
SF LEADEX 750w GOLD F.MOD - $179 (At least 2 ppl suggested this brand, i think i will go with the 750W, was intending 850w in case I want do some crazy sh*t, but i think this should be good enough)

COOLER
SST-TD02-Lite - $120 (I have 0 clues on Coolers, so I just take the suggestion of @Pellegrino) (Cheap and good, although I would want NZXT Kraken X52 T_T)

CASING
FRACTAL DESIGN DEFINE C WINDOWS - $149 (Oh my this 1 look nice, thanks @singupingu suggestion, my CPU space max 19" cant fit Define S)

OTHERS
Cooler Fan (probably about 5) - $60-$100
NZXT 120MM/140MM Airflow Fan