Time for New Gaming Build, ~800 Budget

[jmt391]

Hello, it's that time again. Want to spend around $800 no peripherals, and would prefer to stay under $900 with windows. I want to use this to game at 1080P 60fps on ultra settings. I have a base build and then two variants, each allocating differend amounts of money into CPU, GPU and RAM. It's essentially a question between an i5 6500 & 6GB 1060, and an i5 6600K & 3GB 1060. I'd OC a bit down the road with the 6600K. I am open to suggestions for any of the other parts in the base build, like if the PSU would be good to OC on, as well as the RAM I chose. I do have kind of specific case needs/wants: black, window, no LEDs, vented front bezel over 120mm intake fan, 120mm rear fan. Also I prefer GPUs that have nice coolers, not the plastic-y ones. In the past I've had tons of issues with stock CPU coolers so I might get the CM 212 evo regardless of which CPU I get. I do have a ~230gb sandisk SSD that I will be recycling from my current build.


Base Build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate BarraCuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.19 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox 5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($62.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $371.14

Build A: 6600K, 3GB 1060, 8GB RAM

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Windforce OC Video Card ($199.99 @ Jet)
Total ($505.85 + base): $865.59

Build B: 6500, 6GB 1060, 8GB RAM

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB WINDFORCE OC 6G Video Card ($249.99 @ Jet)
Total ($488.97 + base): $860.11

I toyed with a "Build C" that had the 6500, 3GB 1060 and 16GB RAM but I think that'd be a bad idea since RAM is so cheap to add later if needed. Anyway, appreciate any input. Thanks!

 

[caddi daddi]

I, for one, see nothing wrong with either, I would perfer "B" for the vram.

 

[EarthDog]

A 1060 is going to be hard pressed to get 60 fps at 1080p in several of today's titles... none the less tomorrows. Your budget needs to increase and get a 1070 to meet your 60 fps ultra goals in many titles. Regardless, you would want a 6gb 1060...not 3gb. There are many tities breaking 3gb at 1080 with ultra settings and AA.

http://www.overclockers.com/evga-gtx-1060-ftw-gaming-acx-3-0-video-card-review/

 

[wingman99]

Build A is what I would go with, also a GTX 1070.

 

[jmt391]

OK so I reworked a few things and did an i5 6500 GTX 1070 build with more barebones other components. After looking at the benchmarks it's obvious the 1060 just won't cut it.

I went from a Z170 to H110, from DDR4 2400 to 2133, and got a cheaper case/PSU--For a non OC build it should be fine. Downsides are it's a microATX case (they do have an ATX version I could do) and the mobo is pretty barebones; no real room for any addons. I am considering dropping a ~$15 more on a B150 board that has M.2 and some more USB 3.0, but not sure.

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($52.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.60 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Windforce OC Video Card ($389.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($44.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($43.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($88.58 @ OutletPC)
Total: $908.70

 

[caddi daddi]

a quick interwebs search turns up that the sata ports are fragile and may break off if you're not careful and a lot of people have problems getting the ram seated, this is an entry level board and they might be entry level builders.

the motherboard has only 1 system fan header and 1 cpu fan header, you will have to have a fan splitter cable or a molex to fan adapter, your case comes with 2 fans.

 

[wingman99]

Looks like a good list. I have the Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro for 6 months it comes with a 3 year warranty and it works great, good Pick.

 

[jmt391]

Actually ended up going with the mid-tower case and MSI H110 gaming mobo for a few extra USB 3 ports. Was worth the extra $8 -10 or so IMO. Also "splurged" 2-3$ more on some RAM that at least had a heat spreader and mildly tighter timings. Welp, trigger pulled--thanks for all the advice; definitely ended up with a better build than what I started with.

Caddi daddi: yeah I noticed the H110 boards have only 1 fan header; made sure to snag a splitter. Thanks for the heads up! Flimsy SATA ports ain't got nothin on me anyway, I've upgraded stuff on some of the worst MOBOs out there XD

 

[bob4933]

Damn, should have waited a few weeks...

 

[jmt391]

Damn, should have waited a few weeks...

As always is the case. It's either wait and never have a PC or just buy it and become obsolete in a week--my favorite two options. Any particular reason though? Sales? new parts?

 

[EarthDog]

Intel will be releasing a new CPU, however, its no different than Skylake, just overclocks better... which you aren't doing on the boards you chose. AMD is coming out with a new CPU too, Zen, however it will be a couple months. Not sure its(waiting) is worth it.

 

[jmt391]

Ah I see, yeah OCing isn't happening and a few more months will kill me. The PC in my sig has since been upgraded with a used R270X when the GTX 285 died but the RAM and CPU get maxed quite easily. I average 15fps in overwatch on low and doom actually plays in slow-mo. It's time.

 

[wingman99]

Last week I tried playing at 12-15 FPS just to see what it is like and I know where your coming from missing frames is no fun. It is time for a upgrade, you will like it a lot.