First Build, Looking for Advice
###Build Help/Ready:
Have you read the sidebar and rules? (Please do)
Yes
What is your intended use for this build? The more details the better.
Designed to be a gaming computer, as well as run a couple of virtual machines from time to time. Currently converting from using a late-2011 MBP for everything, at the moment it'll run everything besides games.
If gaming, what kind of performance are you looking for? (Screen resolution, FPS, game settings)
1440p 60Hz, ideally on high settings at 60fps
What is your budget (ballpark is okay)?
Under $2000 for all parts, including peripherals (starting from scratch)
In what country are you purchasing your parts?
Washington, US
Post a draft of your potential build here (specific parts please). Consider formatting your parts list. Don't ask to be spoonfed a build (read the rules!).
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
Provide any additional details you wish below.
As I mentioned earlier, I'm converting from using a laptop for everything. At this point it can't run games but will do everything else, so this just needs to be a gaming build but over time will be expanding to other use cases as the laptop continues to age. I do want to be able to overclock, hence the k processor and Z170 board.
For now the build has just a solid state drive on it, and 500GB should be more than enough for what I do for now (all of my games are through steam, so if I'm not actively playing one I can remove it). Over time I may add a separate media drive as this becomes my primary computer, but it's not needed at the moment.
I'm going for the black/white aesthetic, and tried to achieve that throughout the build starting with the case and graphics card. I know I'm spending some extra money to meet that requirement (especially with the cables), but that's worth it to me.
I added the Wireless Network Adapter here because where the PC will be installed (for now) is away from available ethernet. This adapter is well reviewed and also has the added flexibility of the separate antenna so that hopefully it gets better reception than it would otherwise at the back of the computer, facing the wall.
This is my first time building a computer, so any advice would be appreciated. I've followed the sub for a few weeks now and I've picked up a ton from all of you, so thanks!
Posted Nov 12, 2016, 11:45 PM UTC · edited
If you want the best overall system performance, I would ditch the liquid cooler and go with an air cooler. The extra cash can go towards a better gpu.
With that being said, I was in your position not long ago, starting from scratch. This is the build i went with:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
Even with this build, I spent more than I needed to. In your price range, there's absolutely no reason to get a 1070 over a 1080 unless you just want to spend the money making everything look really pretty. But no harm in that either.
I actually upgraded to the liquid cooler for the aesthetics and being quieter after looking at room left in the budget. Downgrading to a cheaper air cooler (H7) gives me less than half of the money to upgrade from the 1070 up to a 1080.
For what I'm looking to do with this (gaming, but not necessarily at max settings and not at 144Hz), do I need a 1080? Running it past other people offline have said that it's not worth it.
It's not just the liquid cooler. Most of the parts in your build look to be for aesthetics. People tell you it's not worth it to get a 1080 when you're actually on a stricter budget. A pretty good 1070 build can be had for $1100-$1200 (not including the monitor).But your budget puts you well into the gtx 1080 range. But if you're OK with the 1070, then go for it. Not trying to tell you that you need to get a 1080, just showing you what's possible.
This build is black and white, with a 1080, and only $40 more than your original build
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
Thanks! I really appreciate the advice, I'll definitely take this into consideration.