new build, thoughts?

[koolh]

hi everyone. i'm building a new rig to replace my 7 year old E8400/P35/GT8800 build (about time, i know).

some points:
- i'm a building noob
- not doing any cpu/ram overclocking
- i'm holding off my gpu purchase until i've a gaming need (kinda waiting for pascal next year as well). not currently playing any games (other priorities in life, sadly)
- primary needs for now would be some coding/surfing/movies
- i'm based in singapore, so only mainstream parts (no sm951 etc). also, room temp is ~25-29 deg celsius (i don't keep the a/c on 24/7)
- will use it with 3x 1050p/1200p monitors.
- no strong budget, but something around $1500

i've done a considerable amount of research recently, but would appreciate some recommendations!

1. cpu: i5-6600 (or i5-6500)
2. mobo: asus h170m-pro (or ga-170m-d3h but asus has a usb 5gb/s type-c port)
3. case: fractal design node 804 (or corsair air 240)
4. ram: 2x8gb kingston hyper-x fury ddr4 2400mhz cl15 (corsair and g.skill are $20 more)
5. ssd (boot drive): samsung 950 pro 250gb (just for kicks - waiting for it to be available locally). alternatives: crucial bx100/850 evo
6. hdd: 3x hgst deskstar 4gb in raid5
7. gpu: on-board, for now
8. psu: seasonic g series 650w (planning ahead for my future gpu - good idea?)
9. cooling: all stock
10. o/s: linux mint (and perhaps dual boot windows if i need it)

any thoughts/recommendations would be much appreciated! thanks in advance.

 

[Puffnstuff]

In the absence of ac I would strongly recommend that you replace the stock hsf with an aftermarket unit. As for the rest of the system as long at the mb has the appropriate graphics outputs then you should be fine.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Ditto to the aftermarket cooler, especially if your room is 25-29C most of the time. You certainly have the budget for it.

 

[Ken g6]

1. cpu: i5-6600 (or i5-6500)
2. mobo: asus h170m-pro (or ga-170m-d3h but asus has a usb 5gb/s type-c port)
3. case: fractal design node 804 (or corsair air 240)
4. ram: 2x8gb kingston hyper-x fury ddr4 2400mhz cl15 (corsair and g.skill are $20 more)

One thing I've been trying to figure out: which CPUs and which motherboards allow RAM overclocking or XMP? I'm pretty sure the H170 boards don't run RAM faster than 2133. (Meaning faster RAM would be locked at that speed.) I think a Z170 board with a non-K CPU might.

 

[MongGrel]

One thing I've been trying to figure out: which CPUs and which motherboards allow RAM overclocking or XMP? I'm pretty sure the H170 boards don't run RAM faster than 2133. (Meaning faster RAM would be locked at that speed.) I think a Z170 board with a non-K CPU might.

Good question, I really don't know a lot about the newer boards myself.

I thought a Z1 has been mentioned elsewhere.

 

[koolh]

In the absence of ac I would strongly recommend that you replace the stock hsf with an aftermarket unit. As for the rest of the system as long at the mb has the appropriate graphics outputs then you should be fine.

Thanks for the suggestion (and from RaistlinZ). Any cooler you'd recommend? Haven't done much research in this area yet -- [edit] i just did, i've read that hyper 212 evo is the "to-go" budget cooler. however, i don't have that locally, only have the following (in order of increasing price):
- hyper tx3 evo
- hyper 103
- xigmatek dark knight II SD1483
- hyper 212x pwm (current preferred)
- hyper d92 pwm (same price as 212x)
- hyper 612 v2 (don't think this fits - Node 804's HSF clearance is 160mm)

I'm also worried that the hyper 212x (height 158mm) and dark knight II (height 159mm) will not fit the Node 804 (clearance is 160mm - too close?)

The MB has HDMI, DVI and VGA so that should meet my needs for now.

 

[koolh]

One thing I've been trying to figure out: which CPUs and which motherboards allow RAM overclocking or XMP? I'm pretty sure the H170 boards don't run RAM faster than 2133. (Meaning faster RAM would be locked at that speed.) I think a Z170 board with a non-K CPU might.

I believe you're right. I'd jump on a 2133 RAM if I see it at the local store, but for now I think only 2400s are available so I'm still expecting them to run at 2133.

Do you think it's worth getting a Z170 just for the RAM overclock?

 

[koolh]

hey guys,

thoughts on the HSF? currently rooting for hyper 103.

and Z170 just for RAM overclock? or would DDR4 2133 be sufficient for a i5-6600?

thanks!