My new build...been out of the game for a number of years. Thoughts & critiques?

[SirFelixCat]

My poor old rig is now 8 years old (don't laugh too hard) and for my birthday, my wife sprung on me that I could build its replacement.

So after weeks of hemming & hawing (and lots of research since I've been out of the game for a number of years), here are my choices. I encourage helpful input and critiques and suggestions before I pull the trigger.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($364.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: *Cooler Master Nepton 240M 76.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Thermal Compound: *Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($6.39 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VIII HERO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($219.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($231.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: *EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($499.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Fractal Design GP14-WT 68.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Fractal Design GP14-WT 68.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Plus Wired Gaming Keyboard ($93.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G602 Wireless Optical Mouse ($52.97 @ Amazon)
Total: $2049.74
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-30 00:10 EDT-0400

 

[Spydermag68]

Why do you have 2 SSDs?

Also I would look for 2 x 8 gigabyte memory kit so if you wanted to upgrade to 32 gigabytes later.

Also do you live near a Microcenter? I bought my CPU $360 and motherboard as a combo and received $40 off at the register.

 

[SirFelixCat]

Why do you have 2 SSDs?

I was thinking 1 for boot drive/C: drive and the other for game storage?

Also I would look for 2 x 8 gigabyte memory kit so if you wanted to upgrade to 32 gigabytes later.

Good point. I'll do so, thanks.

Also do you live near a Microcenter? I bought my CPU $360 and motherboard as a combo and received $40 off at the register.

I do. I'll look into that, thanks!

...........

 

[SirFelixCat]

I edited the OP based on suggestions. More thoughts are most certainly welcome!

 

[frozentundra123456]

Not sure I would go with the GTX 980. With a 2k budget, I think you should go for the 980Ti or perhaps save some money and go for an AMD 390x. I have not been following video cards too closely lately, but I think the 980 is generally considered a poor value relative to the 980Ti or 970 from nVidia or the 290x/390x.

 

[DigDog]

i have the nepton; a DH14 would be better. it's loud, and the temps are nothing to write home about. i regret buying it.

 

[Wall Street]

I feel like you are spending a lot on ancillary components. For example, a 750 W premium PSU and a water cooler aren't that important when yor whole rig will draw 350 W at full load. There is definitely $150 of squeezing between those two components and the motherboard which will get you to the premium tier $650 cards.

 

[SirFelixCat]

Great feedback, thanks, y'all.

As for the cooler, I can be convinced to not go with the Nepton, but I really want to shy away from the uber-giant air coolers for a CPU. I can look deeper into other options, however. I wouldn't mind other suggestions other than the massive-giants, though.

And I'd rather be safe on the CPU, especially considering I'm thinking of bumping up to a 980Ti & if, in a year or two, go SLI, I'll need the extra juice.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you are going for an 850 Pro 512GB SSD, I would wait until Oct. 15, and get a 950 Pro 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD. It's newer tech, with much higher specs than SATA6G. (4GB/sec, rather than 600MB/sec theoretical max.) I only mention that, because you're on a Skylake platform, and they are designed for that new interface spec.

 

[SirFelixCat]

If you are going for an 850 Pro 512GB SSD, I would wait until Oct. 15, and get a 950 Pro 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD. It's newer tech, with much higher specs than SATA6G. (4GB/sec, rather than 600MB/sec theoretical max.) I only mention that, because you're on a Skylake platform, and they are designed for that new interface spec.

Great to know, thanks.