First Gaming & Recording PC Build

Mr_Jacksonville

Junior Member
Aug 15, 2018
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1
41
Hey guys! Hopefully (fingers crossed), I will be getting a brand spanking new PC custom built by me in December (and hopefully not mess up... quite expensive). I will be getting the parts in around Cyber Monday-ish timeframe with a budget of up to $1100. Despite the current pricing, I have high hopes it wouldn't be still as high as it is now by the time I purchase the parts. So anyway, here are my two lists.

AMD Ryzen 7 2700X: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/2DCGxG
Intel i7-8700k: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/pZB229

Apparently, if the memory cards are still HDDs, um... let me know (fixed that a few months ago...).

Please let me know which one you like the best and why. My goal is to get a PC that is capable of recording and streaming games at 1080p @ 60fps (or so). Lmk if I should make any changes to any of my components as long as the price difference isn't drastic (for example, get an Intel-i9!... no). Lmk if you have any tips for first time PC builders too. Thank you sooooo much! <3 <3
 

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
Moderator
Dec 11, 1999
16,660
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It's really too early to be doing this yet. The next generation of Nvidia cards are likely to be announced within a week! But I need to keep in practice building these parts lists, so here's one:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper T2 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.79 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: *ASRock - H370 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: *G.Skill - Ripjaws 4 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2800 Memory ($80.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($53.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: *EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition Video Card ($379.99 @ Amazon)
Case: *Fractal Design - Core 2300 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: *EVGA - BR 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link - TL-WN881ND PCI-Express x1 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($19.39 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: *Sceptre - E225W-1920 22.0" 1920x1080 60Hz Monitor ($74.99 @ Walmart)
Keyboard: Logitech - K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($8.54 @ Target)
Mouse: Logitech - M100 Wired Optical Mouse ($5.02 @ Amazon)
Total: $1103.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-08-16 11:18 EDT-0400


I cut you back to a non-overclocking i7, since you can't afford an overclocking board. With a cutback on the case and (unfortunately) RAM, I was able to squeeze in a GTX 1070.

Notes:
- You want faster RAM, for either platform. 2666 is the default for current Intel. AMD likes faster RAM too, but I couldn't find good RAM on the MB QVLs. (That's MotherBoard Qualified Vendor Lists. Ryzen tends to require RAM on such lists.) The MB I picked has 4 RAM slots, so you can add more later.
- Do you have some extra storage? Minimum 1TB HDD? If not you need some. Video takes a lot of space if you store it. And games have gotten bigger too.
- Some may say you don't need the aftermarket CPU cooler now. I disagree on Intel. I have that exact cooler, and it helps prevent throttling.
- Must you game and stream over WiFi? Can you get an Ethernet cable instead?
 
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Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
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Dec 11, 1999
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just my opinion, but
go to 16gb ram
get a better monitor (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010VG2456)
up the ssd to at least 500gb, and add a secondary spinner hd
better cpu cooler, noctua for air
Good plan. With what money?

Oh, with the extra video card money! OK, let's try that:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper T2 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.79 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: *ASRock - H370 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: *Team - Vulcan 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *ADATA - Ultimate SU650 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($86.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: *EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB GAMING Video Card ($269.99 @ Amazon)
Case: *Fractal Design - Core 2300 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: *EVGA - BR 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: *Dell - SE2417HG 23.6" 1920x1080 60Hz Monitor ($104.95 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Logitech - K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($8.54 @ Target)
Mouse: Logitech - M100 Wired Optical Mouse ($5.02 @ Amazon)
Other: Ethernet Cable Cat6 Flat 50ft White with Cable Clips,jadaol Network Cable Cat 6 Flat Ethernet Patch Cable,internet Cable with Rj45 Connectors-50 Feet White (15 Meters) ($9.99)
Total: $1101.11
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-08-16 12:47 EDT-0400


- Didn't have room for a hard drive.
- A better CPU cooler isn't necessary.
- Compromised on the monitor.
- Swapped the WiFi for an Ethernet cable. :smilingimp:
 

mdram

Golden Member
Jan 2, 2014
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i was warning you about the cpu cooler. i bought a coolermaster hyper t4
fan started making noise day 1. very common issue. the fans dont like being horizontal. a ended up putting a noctua fan on it, just another $20
 

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
Moderator
Dec 11, 1999
16,660
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i was warning you about the cpu cooler. i bought a coolermaster hyper t4
fan started making noise day 1. very common issue. the fans dont like being horizontal. a ended up putting a noctua fan on it, just another $20
I have a Hyper T2 next to me, and it's been running just fine for months. YMMV.
 

Mr_Jacksonville

Junior Member
Aug 15, 2018
4
1
41
Thanks for your replies!

Just for clarification, I'm only going to be playing Minecraft on the computer. It's not something that takes a lot of storage for, especially when I will be playing a lot on multiplayer instead of singleplayer. I will, however, be storing a lot of folders for client work (for example, websites and graphics). For reference, the C drive on my current laptop has 120 GB available out of 237 GB total available storage (assuming the drive is 250 GB). I think I don't really need THAT much storage... RAM, on the other hand, I would like to have more in order to play Minecraft, record videos (1080p @ 60fps) & possible stream, work on client work (Photoshop, Notepad++), and edit videos simultaneously (not all actions may be done at the same time every day, just a possible scenario).

I forgot to add this earlier, but I will be running Linux.

What about this modified list?
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wvHjBb
 
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Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
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Dec 11, 1999
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Minecraft?! Photoshop?! Yeah, those change the character of the build.

Wait - Photoshop + Linux? What are you using, Crossover Office or something? Or did you mean Gimp? :confused:

Anyway, taking your post at face value, I made a lot of tweaks to the build. The biggest are an IPS monitor (@mdram wasn't wrong to suggest one), and an NVMe drive to make Photoshop fly. RAM should still be 2666MHz minimum. I cut the GPU and PSU since you're not doing Battlefield or something. I also looked for a cheaper case to fit your black/blue aesthetic. And I threw in a cheap spinner drive just so you won't run out of space.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper T2 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.79 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: *Gigabyte - H310M A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($55.21 @ Amazon)
Memory: *Team - Vulcan 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Black NVMe 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($99.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: *Western Digital - AV-GP 500GB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($19.88 @ Amazon)
Video Card: *EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB GAMING Video Card ($269.99 @ Amazon)
Case: *Fractal Design - Focus G ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: *EVGA - 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ B&H)
Monitor: *LG - 23MP48HQ-P 23.0" 1920x1080 60Hz Monitor ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech - K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($8.54 @ Target)
Mouse: Logitech - M100 Wired Optical Mouse ($5.02 @ Amazon)
Other: Ethernet Cable Cat6 Flat 50ft White with Cable Clips,jadaol Network Cable Cat 6 Flat Ethernet Patch Cable,internet Cable with Rj45 Connectors-50 Feet White (15 Meters) ($9.99)
Total: $1108.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-08-17 11:07 EDT-0400
 

Mr_Jacksonville

Junior Member
Aug 15, 2018
4
1
41
Minecraft?! Photoshop?! Yeah, those change the character of the build.

Wait - Photoshop + Linux? What are you using, Crossover Office or something? Or did you mean Gimp? :confused:

Anyway, taking your post at face value, I made a lot of tweaks to the build. The biggest are an IPS monitor (@mdram wasn't wrong to suggest one), and an NVMe drive to make Photoshop fly. RAM should still be 2666MHz minimum. I cut the GPU and PSU since you're not doing Battlefield or something. I also looked for a cheaper case to fit your black/blue aesthetic. And I threw in a cheap spinner drive just so you won't run out of space.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper T2 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.79 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: *Gigabyte - H310M A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($55.21 @ Amazon)
Memory: *Team - Vulcan 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Black NVMe 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($99.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: *Western Digital - AV-GP 500GB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($19.88 @ Amazon)
Video Card: *EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB GAMING Video Card ($269.99 @ Amazon)
Case: *Fractal Design - Focus G ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: *EVGA - 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ B&H)
Monitor: *LG - 23MP48HQ-P 23.0" 1920x1080 60Hz Monitor ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech - K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($8.54 @ Target)
Mouse: Logitech - M100 Wired Optical Mouse ($5.02 @ Amazon)
Other: Ethernet Cable Cat6 Flat 50ft White with Cable Clips,jadaol Network Cable Cat 6 Flat Ethernet Patch Cable,internet Cable with Rj45 Connectors-50 Feet White (15 Meters) ($9.99)
Total: $1108.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-08-17 11:07 EDT-0400
OH... LOL I did mean to say Linux with VirtualBox. The reason why I don't use Gimp is that I literally need the entire Adobe Cloud (including, but not limited to, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premier). But that looks pretty damn good! Thank you so much for your help! :D