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Hi everyone! My name is Ben, and I would like to build a new gaming rig soon because I'm giving up on console gaming, and think that is be much happier with a pc.
1. What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming, Photoshop (or other intensive programs), Web browsing, strictly HTPC/Playback, etc.
This machine will be connected to a commercial grade 65" 1080 monitor that I use as a tv. It's primary purpose will be for gaming, and media. I'm getting rid of cable and will be using the Internet heavily as well as streaming apps.
2. Will you be overclocking? (If so, are you looking to watercool?)
I don't plan on over clocking. I will go with air or water cooling, can't tell which is better.
3. What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included in this budget? Is your budget flexible? Is cost a driving factor in component selection?
I have a $1500 budget, I would prefer less the better ($1000 is a good area) I also have a military discount at microcenter (10%), stores such as staples will price match though!
4. Where do you live? Do you have any big B&M (brick and mortar) computer chains nearby (e.g. Microcenter, Fry's, etc)?
I live in New York, there is a microcenter 30 minutes away in jersey just across the border.
5. What exact parts do you need for that budget?CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need (especially if you will need 3.5" hard drives or expansion cards as these may restrict case options).
Case - I was thinking about using a corsairs carbide air 240 high airflow matx.
Hard drives - I am not sure brand matters? I was thinking of just a normal 1tb drive at 7200rpm for most things, and a 120gb solid state for the OS.
Mobo - how is the asrock z170 gaming itx/ac lga 1151 Intel board?
Ram - does brand matter here? I was thinking with going for 16gb of ddr4-2400 ram.
Cooling - I'm not sure if I can fit an air cooling in here, how is the corsair hydro series h100i v2?
Power supply - I was looking at a corsair cx650m it's a 650w modular.
Gpu - how is the Radeon r9 390? I'm looking at an overclocked version with 8gb. It must be capable of 1080p gaming, down the road when I upgrade my tv to a 4K screen I plan on doing crossfire in order to do 4K media and gaming. A machine that can support this and stay cool and quieter would be fantastic for me. To me the higher the graphics settings the better. But within reason of course.
Cpu - I am very conflicted in this area! Should I grab an i5 or an i7? Should I go skylake or an olderish model? Is the performance between amd and Intel so different? Cause I've always just gone to Intel, but I can save some by going amd but if the performance is much worse then perhaps it's not worth it to go cheap here?
6. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. For reused parts, list brands, model #s, and, if applicable, firmware revisions.
Sadly I don't have a computer and am typing this up with my iPhone! So no parts are being reused.
7. What specific features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Thunderbolt? Crossfire or SLI support? How many USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s? etc.Which is more important, size of the system or having the particular feature? Make sure you indicate *required* vs. *wanted* for each feature you list.
Wanted would be a smaller form factor, that would feature maybe 6usb, but I can always get a USB hub or splitter. Built in wifi would be awesome with an option to go lan, the wifi part could be remedied with a wireless dongle in a USB port though. Raid would be very nice to protect myself from disaster. Mouse and keyboard I think a USB dongle is fine.
Ability to safely crossfire or sli down the road to upgrade it to 4K in the future would be a must.
Bluetooth may be a requirement for gaming headset, and controller.
8. What resolution output do you need? 4k playback, 1080p playback, etc for HTPC or give a vertical/horizontal resolution for gaming SFF rigs. Do you need multiple monitor output?
1080p is a must for now, but I would like to upgrade to 4K as soon as more and more gaming becomes made for 4K for a better experience with gaming and movies.
This will be in a living room attached to a 65" commercial sharp monitor.
9. Does this system need to fit into a particular space and do you need an optical drive? Think entertainment center shelves, closet space, rackmount, etc. Many modern SFF cases have either removed the optical drive or have been constructed so that removing the ODD increases the configuration possibilities immensely.
I don't plan on needing an optical drive in this build, I have an external optical drive.
It will be in an entertainment center.
10. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring? What tools do you have (Screwdrivers/Leatherman, Drill, Dremel, Metal snips, Soldering Iron, Bending Brake, CNC/Welding machines/Plasma cutter, etc...)?
No comfortable at all.
11. How important is the noise/silence of this sytem?HTPCs typically want to be quiet while all-out SFF gaming rigs don't care
I care about noise a little bit.
12. How mobile does this system need to be? Need a carrying handle or carrying straps? Is weight important (carry-on bag, etc)? Water cooling quick disconnects, etc?
Weight isn't important, since it is going to be a smaller build its portable enough, though I don't foresee it being moved too too often. The option to move is good though! But I have my phone for mobile computing.
13. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
All software is 64bit, I have win10 pro already ready, also have office ready too.
14. When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
I'm hoping to build it this month, so 1-4weeks ideally.
Thank you all so much for your input! If you can steer me in a better direction regarding all parts of this build that would be fantastic!
1. What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming, Photoshop (or other intensive programs), Web browsing, strictly HTPC/Playback, etc.
This machine will be connected to a commercial grade 65" 1080 monitor that I use as a tv. It's primary purpose will be for gaming, and media. I'm getting rid of cable and will be using the Internet heavily as well as streaming apps.
2. Will you be overclocking? (If so, are you looking to watercool?)
I don't plan on over clocking. I will go with air or water cooling, can't tell which is better.
3. What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included in this budget? Is your budget flexible? Is cost a driving factor in component selection?
I have a $1500 budget, I would prefer less the better ($1000 is a good area) I also have a military discount at microcenter (10%), stores such as staples will price match though!
4. Where do you live? Do you have any big B&M (brick and mortar) computer chains nearby (e.g. Microcenter, Fry's, etc)?
I live in New York, there is a microcenter 30 minutes away in jersey just across the border.
5. What exact parts do you need for that budget?CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need (especially if you will need 3.5" hard drives or expansion cards as these may restrict case options).
Case - I was thinking about using a corsairs carbide air 240 high airflow matx.
Hard drives - I am not sure brand matters? I was thinking of just a normal 1tb drive at 7200rpm for most things, and a 120gb solid state for the OS.
Mobo - how is the asrock z170 gaming itx/ac lga 1151 Intel board?
Ram - does brand matter here? I was thinking with going for 16gb of ddr4-2400 ram.
Cooling - I'm not sure if I can fit an air cooling in here, how is the corsair hydro series h100i v2?
Power supply - I was looking at a corsair cx650m it's a 650w modular.
Gpu - how is the Radeon r9 390? I'm looking at an overclocked version with 8gb. It must be capable of 1080p gaming, down the road when I upgrade my tv to a 4K screen I plan on doing crossfire in order to do 4K media and gaming. A machine that can support this and stay cool and quieter would be fantastic for me. To me the higher the graphics settings the better. But within reason of course.
Cpu - I am very conflicted in this area! Should I grab an i5 or an i7? Should I go skylake or an olderish model? Is the performance between amd and Intel so different? Cause I've always just gone to Intel, but I can save some by going amd but if the performance is much worse then perhaps it's not worth it to go cheap here?
6. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. For reused parts, list brands, model #s, and, if applicable, firmware revisions.
Sadly I don't have a computer and am typing this up with my iPhone! So no parts are being reused.
7. What specific features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Thunderbolt? Crossfire or SLI support? How many USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s? etc.Which is more important, size of the system or having the particular feature? Make sure you indicate *required* vs. *wanted* for each feature you list.
Wanted would be a smaller form factor, that would feature maybe 6usb, but I can always get a USB hub or splitter. Built in wifi would be awesome with an option to go lan, the wifi part could be remedied with a wireless dongle in a USB port though. Raid would be very nice to protect myself from disaster. Mouse and keyboard I think a USB dongle is fine.
Ability to safely crossfire or sli down the road to upgrade it to 4K in the future would be a must.
Bluetooth may be a requirement for gaming headset, and controller.
8. What resolution output do you need? 4k playback, 1080p playback, etc for HTPC or give a vertical/horizontal resolution for gaming SFF rigs. Do you need multiple monitor output?
1080p is a must for now, but I would like to upgrade to 4K as soon as more and more gaming becomes made for 4K for a better experience with gaming and movies.
This will be in a living room attached to a 65" commercial sharp monitor.
9. Does this system need to fit into a particular space and do you need an optical drive? Think entertainment center shelves, closet space, rackmount, etc. Many modern SFF cases have either removed the optical drive or have been constructed so that removing the ODD increases the configuration possibilities immensely.
I don't plan on needing an optical drive in this build, I have an external optical drive.
It will be in an entertainment center.
10. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring? What tools do you have (Screwdrivers/Leatherman, Drill, Dremel, Metal snips, Soldering Iron, Bending Brake, CNC/Welding machines/Plasma cutter, etc...)?
No comfortable at all.
11. How important is the noise/silence of this sytem?HTPCs typically want to be quiet while all-out SFF gaming rigs don't care
I care about noise a little bit.
12. How mobile does this system need to be? Need a carrying handle or carrying straps? Is weight important (carry-on bag, etc)? Water cooling quick disconnects, etc?
Weight isn't important, since it is going to be a smaller build its portable enough, though I don't foresee it being moved too too often. The option to move is good though! But I have my phone for mobile computing.
13. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
All software is 64bit, I have win10 pro already ready, also have office ready too.
14. When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
I'm hoping to build it this month, so 1-4weeks ideally.
Thank you all so much for your input! If you can steer me in a better direction regarding all parts of this build that would be fantastic!