Help me Upgrade my Computer

[cctaylor88]

This should be the best place to post my question

Currently have
Mobo: ASUS M4A87TD
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955
PSU: FirePower ModXStream Pro 600W
GPU: GTX 760 2GB

So onto the potential upgrades. I am pretty dead set on getting the i5 6600k but having never been intel I have no idea what I should do for a motherboard. I am okay with going with a board that supports DDR4 but in that case I would also need new RAM so I guess suggest that as well. This would be the more "future proof" choice correct (getting DDR4 that is)? As far as a PSU goes... I think I want modular correct? As this would be easier to work with and could reduce clutter (side not I have a lot of fans so i would like a PSU with lots of options for connections etc if thats possible).

Also: Microcenter has the i5 6600k w/$20 off with a compatible motherboard. Can we link a motherboard(s) here possibly?

 

[nerp]

Z170 chipset if overclocking. H170 if not. Don't bother buying more than DDR4-2166 if you're going to go with a non-overclocking board.

 

[DrMrLordX]

He should get Z170 with a k CPU anyway. There are some fairly cheap Z170 boards out there.

Be careful about Skylake boards that support DDR3. They may require DDR3L.

As to whether or not you want a moduler PSU, that's up to you. Are you good at managing cable clutter? If so, it might not matter for you. Modular is a nice touch when you can get it. Sometimes "semi-modular" PSUs work just as well: it's a modular PSU with one cable hardwired (24-pin ATX).

 

[escrow4]

If not overclocking:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/451887/Core_i5-6500_32GHz_LGA_1151_Boxed_Processor

http://www.microcenter.com/product/455509/H170A_Gaming_Pro_LGA_1151_ATX_Intel_Motherboard

Should get $20 off that board too. For PSU, depends on budget, this is a decent model for the price:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=SeaSonic_M12II_520-_-17-151-093-_-Product

 

[cctaylor88]

Fantastic, thank you for the help so far. Well I wouldn't mind dabbling is OC'ing although I won't do anything crazy its nice to have the option so I guess I should go with the z170.

Also I have no idea what "DDR4-2166" means. What kind of OC support or w/e should I be looking for if I go with a z170?

 

[DrMrLordX]

Bear in mind that there should be some fairly inexpensive Z170 boards available. Microcenter probably has one in the $100 or less range. Here is an idea of what you should expect from Z170 (Microcenter prices may be different):

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#s=30&c=110&sort=a8&page=1

As for DDR4-2166, you should know that DDR4 memory has speed designations to let you know its clockspeed, though 2166 is not a designation for DDR4 (DDR4-2133 is). DDR4-2133 is the slowest DDR4 standard available.

DDR4 ranges from 2133-4266 depending on the manufacturer. Some of those speeds are not "official". A Z170 board should be able to handle nearly any of them, regardless, though I do not recommend looking too seriously at anything faster than DDR4-3200. Here's an idea of what prices you should expect from DDR4 (2133-3200):

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/memor...0,402666,402800,403000,403200&sort=a10&page=1

Also be aware that some of the memory sold there specifies a voltage of 1.35v. That is considered to be a memory overvolt based on JEDEC standards. There is nothing requiring you to run voltage that high, though you may be forced to run the memory at a lower clock if you choose a lower voltage. Higher memory voltage (VDIMM) can affect CPU stability, and extreme overvolts may imperil your CPU's memory controller.

Here is an example of a 1.35v kit with a good combination of speed and timings:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f43000c15d16gvrb

Here is a 1.2v kit that looks pretty good:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmk16gx4m2a2133c13r

In general, you should expect the CAS rating to go up for each step upward in speed category. So for example, DDR4-2133 CAS 13 is about equal to DDR4-2400 CAS14 or DDR4-2666 CAS15. It's not exactly the same, but it's close. The 1.35v kit I listed is DDR4-3000 CAS15, making it two steps better than the 1.2v kit I linked. Extra voltage gets you extra performance . . . sometimes.

 

[richierich1212]

What are your main uses for your PC?

 

[Vdubchaos]

It's impossible to help you upgrade your computer without knowing exactly what you will be doing with it.

PS. this is also wrong forum for such advice. Anyone that will give you advice without knowing your need = doing it wrong.

What exactly are you planning on doing on your PC? Gaming? what exact game?

 

[DrMrLordX]

He has already stated that he wants an i5 6600k. Let's humour the guy and assume that his choice is a wise one. Also, if he is building an OC rig, it's totally on-topic. But yeah rig recommendations usually belong in General Hardware.

 

[cctaylor88]

My apologies, I will be utilizing the rig mainly for Gaming and browsing multiple tabs/watching movies/reading etc. And I will read up on that great reply about the DDR after I return home from work.

 

[myocardia]

OP, why have you definitely decided on buying a CPU that comes without a heatsink, yet have not once mentioned a heatsink this many replies into the thread? Just wondering.

edit: Oh yeah, love the avatar!

 

[daveybrat]

Buying it all from Microcenter here's what i would get:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/451885/Core_i5-6600K_35GHz_1151_Boxed_Processor

Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz 1151 Boxed Processor $219.99

http://www.microcenter.com/product/452118/Z170-Pro4_LGA_1151_ATX_Intel_Motherboard

ASRock Z170-Pro4 LGA 1151 ATX Intel Motherboard $114.99 - $20 bundle = $94.99

http://www.microcenter.com/product/373900/Hyper_212_EVO_Universal_CPU_Cooler

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Universal CPU Cooler $36.99

http://www.microcenter.com/product/459739/16GB_2_x_8GB_DDR4-2400_PC4-19200_CL15_Desktop_Memory_Kit

EVGA 16GB 2 x 8GB DDR4-2400 PC4-19200 CL15 Desktop Memory Kit $64.99

http://www.microcenter.com/product/457256/GQ_650_Watt_Gold_Semi_Modular_ATX_12V_Power_Supply

EVGA 210-GQ-0650-V1 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Power Supply

9.4/10 Recommended Award by JonnyGURU $99.99 - $20MIR = $79.99

 

[lehtv]

I would not buy the AsRock Z170 Pro4. The board has only 1 year warranty from Microcenter, and it only has six mounting holes. It's 224mm wide, only 20mm off from the full 244mm width which would have allowed for the full 9 mounting holes. What a cheap way for AsRock to cheap out, surely the board wouldn't cost much more to make with 20mm more width. 6 mounting holes is fine for the really narrow ATX boards (e.g. Asrock Z170A-X1, Gigabyte Z170-HD3P), but this is wide enough that it will bend a lot when attaching or detaching the 24-pin ATX and USB 3.0 connectors.

Asrock Z170M Pro4S is a good cheap option, only $60 AR with combo discount. MicroATX but full width.

Higher quality board with longer warranty: Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 5 $115 AR with combo discount.

Hyper 212 EVO is just overrated, do not buy. Microcenter sells the excellent Frio Silent 14 for the same $30 AR price. Performs the same as BeQuiet Dark Rock 3 while being even quieter (kitguru), and Dark Rock 3 is far better than 212 EVO (Techpowerup). Compared to the Frio Silent 14, 212 EVO is noisy and performs poorly; it would still be sufficient for overclocking but there's no reason to buy it when you get a much better cooler for the same price.

 

[daveybrat]

The ASRock board comes with a 3 year warranty. Microcenter's website is riddled with errors.

 

[lehtv]

@daveybrat Is that 3 years from Microcenter then? Asrock themselves support only for 1 year: http://www.asrock.com/support/index.asp?cat=RMA

 

[daveybrat]

@daveybrat Is that 3 years from Microcenter then? Asrock themselves support only for 1 year: http://www.asrock.com/support/index.asp?cat=RMA

Well my Z97 Pro4 ASRock board had a 3 year warranty. And from 2 different websites online, one being Newegg:

PCCasegear.com = Backed by a 3 year ASRock warranty.

Newegg.com = Warranty
Limited Warranty period (parts): 3 years
Limited Warranty period (labor): 3 years

I could still be wrong, but all the boards i've ordered from ASRock always had 3yr. warranties.

 

[lehtv]

I think that's just a service provided by the reseller, which means it's not necessarily the same for all resellers. Might be best to check with Microcenter just in case.

 

[cctaylor88]

OP, why have you definitely decided on buying a CPU that comes without a heatsink, yet have not once mentioned a heatsink this many replies into the thread? Just wondering.

edit: Oh yeah, love the avatar!

Honestly I was just thinking of getting the EVO 212. They were all the rage last time I was looking at building a PC. Is this what you are referring to or am I just way off base here? Sorry man, this is all like learning a foreign language again. My last build was in early 2010 so you know how it goes. If you don't use it (the knowledge) you lose it!

EDIT: Upon reading it sounds like the 212 is still actually a thing! And yes good sir, Slayer

 

[cctaylor88]

Buying it all from Microcenter here's what i would get:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/451885/Core_i5-6600K_35GHz_1151_Boxed_Processor

Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz 1151 Boxed Processor $219.99

http://www.microcenter.com/product/452118/Z170-Pro4_LGA_1151_ATX_Intel_Motherboard

ASRock Z170-Pro4 LGA 1151 ATX Intel Motherboard $114.99 - $20 bundle = $94.99

http://www.microcenter.com/product/373900/Hyper_212_EVO_Universal_CPU_Cooler

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Universal CPU Cooler $36.99

http://www.microcenter.com/product/459739/16GB_2_x_8GB_DDR4-2400_PC4-19200_CL15_Desktop_Memory_Kit

EVGA 16GB 2 x 8GB DDR4-2400 PC4-19200 CL15 Desktop Memory Kit $64.99

http://www.microcenter.com/product/457256/GQ_650_Watt_Gold_Semi_Modular_ATX_12V_Power_Supply

EVGA 210-GQ-0650-V1 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Power Supply

9.4/10 Recommended Award by JonnyGURU $99.99 - $20MIR = $79.99

These look like some fantastic picks, I have actually never even seen that motherboard before. What are some benefits it offers that you like? Also, I have literally no idea what "9.4/10 Recommended Award by JonnyGURU $99.99 - $20MIR = $79.99"

 

[lehtv]

These look like some fantastic picks, I have actually never even seen that motherboard before. What are some benefits it offers that you like?

I think he picked it just because of the low price. It doesn't have any particular benefits over other Z170 boards, it's a pretty basic Z170 board that does the job but lacks "bells and whistles". I'd rather pick the cheaper Z170M Pro4S or the more expensive Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming 5. The Gigabyte is in a different league entirely, it has beefier VRM for overclocking, a little better connectivity (for instance, DisplayPort, three case fan headers, dual LAN chips), SLI, four bundled SATA cables, USB Type-C and USB 3.1 Type-A, full 9 mounting holes.

Also, I have literally no idea what "9.4/10 Recommended Award by JonnyGURU $99.99 - $20MIR = $79.99"

The power supply was reviewed 9.4/10. Which is a really good score, coming from JonnyGURU.

$100 - $20MIR = $80 means it costs $100 but you eventually get $20 back via mail-in rebate.

 

[myocardia]

Honestly I was just thinking of getting the EVO 212.

That's an awesome heatsink, for the money. I say that partially because of how easy it is to install, compared to some of its competition, btw. If you installed heatsinks all of the time, I'd likely recommend another one, such as the Thermaltake Frio Silent 14 that Microcenter sells for $30 after MIR, that lehtv linked earlier.

You would also be way, way happier with this version of the ASRock Z170 Pro4, the Pro4S: link to motherboard on newegg. It is a full ATX board, not mini-ATX, and is just a much better board overall.

 

[lehtv]

You would also be way, way happier with this version of the ASRock Z170 Pro4, the Pro4S: link to motherboard on newegg. It is a full ATX board, not mini-ATX, and is just a much better board overall.

"mini-ATX"? There's no such thing. They are both ATX boards with some of the width cut off and only 6 mounting holes. Specs wise, Pro4 is better than Pro4S: more complete audio outputs, better quality capacitors (at least advertised so), better heat sinks, better looking design, otherwise the same. So no he would not be happier with the Pro4S, though the differences are small enough that it really doesn't matter - the cheaper the better.

However I do think the Z170M Pro4S I recommended earlier is a better pick than either of the ATX sized Pro4 and Pro4S, due to being full-width and even cheaper.

 

[nenforcer]

I'll second the Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming 5 it has the Intel native Alpine Ridge USB 3.1 Controller so your future proof and fully up to date. It's worth the extra cost.

 

[myocardia]

"mini-ATX"? There's no such thing.

lmfao, I guess that will be the last time I ever scan an article written by Ian Cutress before posting! He calls the same board you recommended ASRock's "mini-ATX" Z170 board not once, but twice. I didn't even notice that I had copied him. Oops, he actually called it that not twice, but three times (very, very bottom of this page are the first two). He got his minis and micros backward, and I followed right along, it seems. It's supposed to be micro-ATX and mini-ITX, for those who are wondering WTF we're talking about. I don't usually mess around with miniature motherboards, no matter which of the too-small sizes they happen to be, so it slipped right by my internal fact-checkers.:/

Speaking of motherboards, OP are you absolutely certain you want to dedicate the next 4-6 years of your computing life to using a $60-100 motherboard? You do realize that if you spend just a bit more now, even if you have to go "down" to an i5-6500 CPU, you won't be needing to replace your motherboard next year when you find out how good the ALC1150 chipset sounds, or how much faster (it's 100% faster, btw) USB 3.1 is, compared to USB 3.0. After researching these cheap motherboards a little better, I'd personally recommend going no cheaper than an MSI Z170A Gaming M5, or the Gigabyte Z170X Gaming 5 that has been mentioned a few times. They are both miles better than any of the cheap motherboards that have been mentioned so far in this thread. I agree completely with nenforcer, that it is worth the cost to start out with a better quality motherboard.*

Don't forget that your Windows license is tied to your motherboard as well, although I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised to have Steve Ballmer announce in the next 6-8 months that Windows 10 will be free forever, just like Google's OS, if we'll all just give in and sign up to give him all of our secrets to sell to the highest bidder, like they're trying so hard to get us to do now.

* I'm not calling all ASRock motherboards cheap, because they aren't. Their $175-220 motherboards seem as good as anyone's, if not slightly better. But, the fact of the matter is no company on Earth's $60-100 motherboards are what anyone around here would call "good"...unless they had consumed WAY too much alcohol in the last hour or so.