Help on a New Work & Play Build

[_russki_]

Hi, all-

It's been a while since I last built a PC and things have changed past recognition so looking for any and all help.

Purpose: Work (primarily MS Office, but does get heavy so memory and processor intensive at times) and play (computer games) build.

Budget: $1000-$2000 w/o monitor but would go over if necessary - but don't want to if don't have to.

Things that matter: quality case. Intel processor (sorry, had a couple of bad experiences w/AMD and am scarred), case appearance (going for classy vs. flashy - sleek is better, quiet is better. If can do something that's not huge - even better), would need an optical drive (and so prefer BD reader / recorder combo).

Resolution to drive: Looking at an ultrawide mostly for work so would be nice to drive the entire 3440 x 1440 for games. If not - then still XXXX x 1440 to stay native.

Need help deciding on:
Processor (Intel) - would prefer to run non-overclocked - just to much PITA for me nowadays
Heatsink - thinking of Noctua NH-D15 - want to stay away from liquid. Again - just too much PITA and big downside
Mobo (it seems nowadays it's easy to spend major $$ on these, but is it necessary?!)
Memory (quantity - 16 GB?! - AND brand / type / timing)
Case - again, sleep is better. For instance, HP since to pack a lot into something like the ENVY 750 tower, including a GeForce 1070 - but are there similar enclosures available to DIY'ers?! Can't seem to find any. Would go up to the typical mid-tower. Used to be partial to Lian Lis for reasons of weight (Aluminum - good), understated looks, and thermals, but they are pricey and also seem to be on the larger end of the spectrum. Anything cool / new around?
For HDDs I'd go combo about 512Gb +- SDD with at least a TB HDD for large storage
Gfx - thinking of GF 1080 to drive it - would prefer to stay single card - not a fan of multi-card setups plus those are expensive and the 1080 seems to be able to drive the resolution OK
Decent power supply to drive it all

I think this covers it. Appreciate any input.

 

[whm1974]

You could go MicroATX if you want a smaller case size.
http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-1800524...com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163247

 

[Torn Mind]

CPU: i5 or i7 depending on what titles you play
RAM: 16 or 32 GBs and no less.
Heatsink+fan= if not OC'ing then it becomes a matter of balacing noise, cost, and temps.
Since you got a lot more pixels to deal with, you'd want a high-end GPU with more VRAM rather than less.

Mobo: Need integrated WiFI? M.2 or whatever the latest in SSDs? How many peripherals for USB/other connections? Audio quality? PS/2 or USB keyboard/mouse?

PSU: The Seasonic S12II 520 or 620 provides the best perf/initial purchase price. If you want 80+ Gold for comparable wattage, there is a premium.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Decide if gaming is a high priority or not. More specifically, if you want/need to have the setting for games cranked up. It's the difference between a 1070 or a 1080 ($200).

Otherwise check this out:

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/7BrW9W

Since you do not plan to overclock the stock intel cooler should be fine. No OC also means you can use a less expensive mobo.

Your workload might need more ram. Use your current system and monitor to see if you need extra.

All the mATX mini towers look pretty much the same. Cases are kinda personal choices and everyone has a different design choice. I'm partial to the Temjin, Arc mini, or N200.

 

[_russki_]

CPU: i5 or i7 depending on what titles you play
RAM: 16 or 32 GBs and no less.
Heatsink+fan= if not OC'ing then it becomes a matter of balacing noise, cost, and temps.
Since you got a lot more pixels to deal with, you'd want a high-end GPU with more VRAM rather than less.

Mobo: Need integrated WiFI? M.2 or whatever the latest in SSDs? How many peripherals for USB/other connections? Audio quality? PS/2 or USB keyboard/mouse?

PSU: The Seasonic S12II 520 or 620 provides the best perf/initial purchase price. If you want 80+ Gold for comparable wattage, there is a premium.

Thanks TM. Re: RAM - really?! Over 16GB is not overkill anymore? Times have changed.

Re: mobo - wifi - nice, not necessary but nice. Latest on SSDs - preferable. Sound quality - actually important (personal preference). Wireless KB/mouse w/USB dongle.

In terms of USB connections - heck I think most monitors nowadays have a hub anyway, so don't need dozens. But ya know, a "normal amount."

 

[_russki_]

Decide if gaming is a high priority or not. More specifically, if you want/need to have the setting for games cranked up. It's the difference between a 1070 or a 1080 ($200).

Otherwise check this out:

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/7BrW9W

Since you do not plan to overclock the stock intel cooler should be fine. No OC also means you can use a less expensive mobo.

Your workload might need more ram. Use your current system and monitor to see if you need extra.

All the mATX mini towers look pretty much the same. Cases are kinda personal choices and everyone has a different design choice. I'm partial to the Temjin, Arc mini, or N200.

Tx monkey. Last time I was building, Intel stock coolers would wail like crazy - is that still the case? That was the thought process behind going with a Noctua - if I recall those tend to be quieter fans plus they're much larger...

 

[monkeydelmagico]

The stock coolers are a bit more intrusive considering their smaller size. For a desktop machine you could certainly go with a $30.- cooler master that uses 120mm fan(s). It would be much quieter and more than enough cooling capacity. I believe the noctura is overkill on a non-oc rig.

 

[whm1974]

Thanks TM. Re: RAM - really?! Over 16GB is not overkill anymore? Times have changed.

Nope 16GB isn't overkill anymore, in fact some games are even recommending that much now days.

 

[Torn Mind]

Well, Noctua makes some cheaper coolers that are smaller, but the quietness comes from their well-designed fans.

If your workload doesn't hammer the CPU for 30+ minutes at 100 percent and depending on how close to silent you want to go, a smaller Noctua or other quality cooler might provide the same amount of utility.

As for the Intel cooler, it depends on your sensitivity. I would not call loud or obtrusive, but it is as audible sound.

 

[_russki_]

Thanks all - tremendous help.

Stupid question - if I do step up to 1080 and 32 Gb of RAM (don't think RAM matters but in case)...is 600W on the PSU still enough?

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Plenty. Efficiency has been increasing as of late, last few gens have actually reduced power required by even the top-end stuff by quite a bit. Honestly 400W would probably be fine, 5-600 will be good though.

 

[Torn Mind]

Realtek ALC 1150 is a better chip for onboard sound.