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Critique my build I'm planning...

MartyMcFly3

MartyMcFly3

Lifer
What YOUR PC will be used for? General use, recording multiple bass guitar tracks. Making videos off of said bass guitar tracks. See https://www.youtube.com/user/flearhcpkiedis for examples of videos being made. Nothing too involved but ate up a lot of resources and made my old desktop sound like it was ready to launch into outer space. Maybe low-level gaming but doubtful

What YOUR budget is. Not looking to spend too much. $600-$800 (lower the better....)

What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. Good ol' US of A

IF YOU have a brand preference. None really

If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. Not planning on using anything except monitor, keyboard and mouse

IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. Default speeds

WHEN do you plan to build it? As soon as possible as my current desktop died.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte G1.Sniper B7 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($50.40 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $576.22
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-04 20:38 EDT-0400
 
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i5-6400 is in a bad spot: It's a slow i5, compared to the 6500 and higher, but more expensive than an i3. What was your current desktop? That would give an idea of minimum requirements.

You don't need an aftermarket CPU cooler unless you really want a quiet system.

For RAM just get whatever's cheap and doesn't hit any aftermarket CPU cooler. (Ripjaws might.)

Otherwise, I can't complain.

Edit: One more thing, you might want a board with a better audio chip, such as this one.
 
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Everything looks good.

That cooler lists 159mm as height. The case lists 160mm as max height. Going to be close. Could always go with a little bigger Fractal Design case depending on what size is acceptable for your needs.

I'd spend the extra money and get the i5-6500. The i5-6400 should not exist. 2.7 Ghz for $180 or 3.2 Ghz for $200.
 
My current desktop was a factory bought Dell XPS 420. Used to be bigger into building but that one was just a buy and not worry about it machine. Was long overdue for an upgrade (desktop had been slowly dying the past year and a half). Looking to build again, and pretty sure anything would be an improvement. http://www.cnet.com/products/dell-xps-420/specs/

As far as quietness, the quieter the better.

Like I said, I'm flexible as well with things. Been out of the game for a while so the more information/recommendations the better.
 
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Since you don't use your system to game, the boxed Intel cooler shouldn't have to ramp up a lot to keep it cool. Plus, Fractual Cases have great air flow (especially the Define S, R4, and R5). Those come with 140mm fans, but are larger cases.

The one you selected comes with two 120mm fans, and you could add another to the front. I think this case would be plenty to keep your PC cool and quiet even without adding the additional 120mm fan.
 
6500 is faster. and, you will not need a 212 - the stock heatsink is fine. you are spending a lot on the case, and i'm sure you can get a cheaper mobo too.

you will need a input box if you want to record. M-Audio does some nice, cheap boxes which are pretty much the industry standard.

here:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cgBQCJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cgBQCJ/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($49.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Z400s 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($37.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($18.49 @ Newegg)
Total: $494.93

from the image, teh case looks pretty decent. the build quality is probably horrible, but it's a mid tower, USB 3, comes with a fan. can't beat the price.
51GDUcVBImL.jpg

$20.

there is no GPU, you'll have to chose one depending on how much gaming you want to do. The Corsair PSU will take care of anything, mroe ro less, and you can't really buy a better + cheaper PSU. (but if you buy a high end GPU, you will be pretty low on efficiency on the PSU)

for gpu, you choice is either a XFX Radeon R9 380 4GB Double Dissipation ($169.99) or a EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ ($159.99).
 
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DigDog said:
6500 is faster. and, you will not need a 212 - the stock heatsink is fine. you are spending a lot on the case, and i'm sure you can get a cheaper mobo too.

you will need a input box if you want to record. M-Audio does some nice, cheap boxes which are pretty much the industry standard.
Click to expand...
For recording I have a pedal that connects to PC through USB port.
 
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I'd personally stay with a 250 GB SSD for my OS drive. Windows 10 and all its updates add up quick, and if you want to set aside a portion of it for over-provisioning, that would probably cost you another 20 GB or so of space. So in the end, a 128 GB drive after format, OS install, and over provision would leave you probably 70-80 GB right off the bat. Unless you are going to keep all your pictures, documents, music, and videos on your spinning drive, you might end up with not a whole lot left.

You don't necessarily have to go with a 850 Evo (although they are worth the extra few bucks for me, and what I used for my OS drives), and could go with a 250 GB from another brand that costs less like Sandisk, PNY, Crucial, Mushkin, Adata, etc.
 
My plan was to put the OS on the SSD drive along with maybe a few other programs depending on room, and have the second hard drive for storage/mp3's/pictures/other programs.

Sold me on upping the CPU to the 6500 3.2 GHz and taking away the CPU cooler. Still debating on case/RAM.
 
The motherboard you selected I believe only runs the ram at DDR4 2133 speed, I believe.

I'd just go with whatever was compatible and was the cheapest. You could go to any of the memory manufacturer websites and use their compatibility tool. Put in your motherboard model, select 2 × 8 GB, and pick the cheapest one.

I know Fractal cases cost more, but my R5 is hands-down the best case I ever owned in almost 20 years of building. Even if you stayed with your original smaller case, the included 120mm fans will be quiet.

Like you, I value quiet. I don't want to hear my fans. My 140mm fans usually are spinning in between 600-700 RPM. About 14 dBA.
 
MartyMcFly3 said:
I am also not married to the motherboard. Honestly I just kind of threw together some parts that fit in the price range.
Click to expand...

I'd personally go with one like Ken g6 recommended with better sound. I've never been a huge MSI guy, but at the same time, I don't try to sway others away from that brand.

I like Gigabyte, Asus, and Asrock. Outside of it having the features I want, I then go off of reviews and then the price.

The funny thing was the G Skill website had that MSI motherboard model in their memory compatibility, but said they didn't have any ram that was compatible. Probably just laziness on their part.....
 
UsandThem said:
I'd personally go with one like Ken g6 recommended with better sound. I've never been a huge MSI guy, but at the same time, I don't try to sway others away from that brand.

I like Gigabyte, Asus, and Asrock. Outside of it having the features I want, I then go off of reviews and then the price.

The funny thing was the G Skill website had that MSI motherboard model in their memory compatibility, but said they didn't have any ram that was compatible. Probably just laziness on their part.....
Click to expand...

I had noticed the same thing when I looked it up. That's why I talked about switching. 🙂

Think this is the same, or at least similar to the one Ken g6 posted: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gab150md3h
 
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MartyMcFly3 said:
I had noticed the same thing when I looked it up. That's why I talked about switching. 🙂

Think this is the same, or at least similar to the one Ken g6 posted: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gab150md3h
Click to expand...

The one you linked to has ALC892 for sound. The one Ken g6 linked to has ALC1150.

I'd recommend the ALC1150. It is actually really good and finally retired my discrete Creative sound card because of the quality. I listen to a lot of music on my computer, from both headphones and speakers, and it is a big step up from ALC892.
 
UsandThem said:
The link in your OP says GA-B150M-D3H, but it links to Gigabyte G1.Sniper B7, which is the board Ken recommended.

The one in the this post links to the same board as well.
Click to expand...
That was just a link edit fail. Fixed.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
 
MartyMcFly3 said:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438016

Should be more than enough, right?
Click to expand...

Plenty of power for your setup. Decent unit, 3 year warranty.

However, and I know you probably already blew up your original budget, but if you can swing the extra $30 (after $20 MIR), this is a great unit and has a 10 year warranty after registration (7 years if you don't). One of the highest rated units at JonnyGuru.

Has ECO mode which means the fan won't run until it reaches a certain temperature or heavy load, which means it won't run much in your computer. Gold efficiency so you will save money in power if you use your computer a lot.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438053
 
Any recommendations on where I could cut corners? Getting a little too high as some of the prices listed were not accurate. I use my computer a ton so the PSU you posted is probably a good idea.
 
MartyMcFly3 said:
Any recommendations on where I could cut corners? Getting a little too high as some of the prices listed were not accurate. I use my computer a ton so the PSU you posted is probably a good idea.
Click to expand...

You could go with the Fractal Design R4. That would knock your case down from $109.99 to $64.99 + shipping (was $20 to my area). That would save about $25.

http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usa...R4-BL&manufacture=Fractal Design&promoid=1130

Right now PC parts are a little on the high side. I bought my R5 for $80 I think last November. What you need is a good CPU/motherboard combo deal.

EDIT

You can also save $20 by going with a PNY CS2211 SSD drive instead of the 850 EVO.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019H3B32E/?tag=pcpapi-20

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If you've never used Jet.com before, they have a 15% coupon for new users ($30 max), that would take you down to $170 for the i5-6500. Possibly a little cheaper if you waive free return shipping.

You can always go with a lower-end case like this one for $47.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00I6...puter+case&dpPl=1&dpID=41S4vPmIlIL&ref=plSrch
 
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i just went along with his build - i would never use a HDD anymore. imho, buy a 120+ Gb SSD for the first install, then keep adding more SSD as you need them (and also, learn to not hoard data). surely you can afford $30 a month on upgrades?
 
well, my story is, in 2010 i had a HDD failure; i lost 250Gb of data .. you might think this is a small amount.
but these were all rare to find videos and songs, obscure techno remixes, jingles from the 90s, weird cult films, all stuff that i hoarded because "one day my friend will come over, and i will show him this stuff".

the ONE time i actually met with a friend and we started going over his (not mine) stockpile of data, we barely got through 2 films.

so, after the fail, i bought a recovery software, took me two days, but i recovered most of the data - after which i realized NOBODY will ever listen to it. nobody is ever going to ask me to play La Pipe A L'Eau https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihg6yYaTbnA or some remix of One Night In New York City https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVLRKrkcFb8 , much less some mp3 of a limited release like My Friend Shoei Shimieu Is Not Dead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HClUDQwNco

so i deleted all the data i had just recovered.

i felt so good .. i actually felt pressure to show my hoard to.. someone .. until then.

Also, as time went by, youtube (and other sites like it) started doing their own hoarding, for example, if i want to watch The Five Doctors (doctor who), i don't need the DVD anymore, because Dailymotion has it. the web has just about ANYTHING if you can search for it. i mean, i found stuff like "a minor production film made for TV in italy in 1983" or "tv commercials from brazil of 1989".

i have now a total space of 180Gb on my pc, more than half is empty.
when i'm done with a game, film, album, i throw it out (steam makes this even easier).
 
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