[Build Ready] Help me get over my anxiety about my first build?
Hi everyone, thank you in advance for the help! I think I've put together two reasonable builds for the budget, one Haswell Refresh and one Skylake (considering prices here...). Please let me know if you think one is better, and then pick it apart!
I'm very excited but also apprehensive about taking the dive, since I last bought a computer 8 years ago. The support is tremendously appreciated. /sap
(I submitted a slightly different build yesterday, but it didn't get any traction and only one small comment, sort of off the mark).
###Build Ready:
I read the rules!
What is your intended use for this build? The more details the better.
- Casual gaming of modern titles at 1440p (eventually)
- Statistical programs and modelling
This is my first build from scratch, but I'm pretty handy, enjoy soldering, and have upgraded a few PCs in the past.
I haven't had a gaming-capable rig in years, but I now have a bit of money to put into a hobby machine. I'd like to get it up and running quickly (before I get busy again) so I'm skimping on peripherals for now. I'm currently a postgraduate student, I want something I won't have too much trouble carrying home (or to my next job) on the plane, hence the form factor.
I'll buy a 1440p panel when I settle somewhere more permanently in 12-18 months. I'd like a system that can operate well at that resolution. The peripherals will surely be replaced next.
My laptop is 8 years old and slowly fading, so I'll also be using the system for more and more office and statistical work over time.
If gaming, what kind of performance are you looking for? (Screen resolution, FPS, game settings)
I'd like to be able to play modern titles at 1440p 60fps, though I'm willing to come down from Ultra settings. As I mentioned, I'll be replacing the monitor.
What is your budget (ballpark is okay)?
£750-800 (about $1050-1150 USD, but everything is more expensive here)
In what country are you purchasing your parts?
The United Kingdom...
Draft 1: i5-4460
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
Draft 2: i5-6500
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
Additional notes:
I'd appreciate any and all feedback you may have on the parts or the approach.
Specifically, though, I'm wondering about:
- CPU: If it's really worth the extra £50-80 it will cost to get an i5-6500 (and fancier mobo/RAM), I suppose I could swing it and drink a few less whiskeys next month
- Am I being paranoid about the cooling? The two extra fans may be overkill, but I wanted the positive pressure.
Thank you so much in advance for your help and expertise!
Posted May 11, 2016, 9:02 PM UTC
Imo you're too paranoid on cooling. Focus more money into the gpu so you'll have a smoother time at 1440p unless of course youre waiting for the newer cards to come out.
You dont need the aftermarket cooler thermal paste or case fans. Especially if you're not overclocking.
Alright, thanks!