Yet another Skybridge build (RFC)

[VorpalBunny]

1. gaming plus applications like photoshop/lightroom
2. $3000 (but looking to shave and save where I can)
3. parts will be purchased in and delivered to the US.
4. NA
5. I have a lot of experience with ASUS, Corsair, nVidia, and WD.
6. current parts are ~12 years old and I'm currently running a 5+ year old laptop. We won't be grave robbing for this build.
7. no overclock for starters.
8. I'm going to be investing in VR (oculus rift / HTC vive) when it comes out. Otherwise gaming at 1440p should be good.
9. no later than black friday / cyber monday. looking for deals.
10. Windows 10 Pro, going to hold off on buying a blue ray player for now


Anyways, I've included the parts list below. You've probably seen many of these parts together before, but I do appreciate a second pair of eyes.

Personally, the SSD solution I have below along with Skylake features leaves me feeling somewhat inferior. But maybe that's because some of the other options for SSD (like M.2 and PCIe) are so much more expensive.

I went with the Deluxe motherboard instead of Hero just for aesthetics and the wireless is nice.

Finally, I went with 850W power just in case I want to add another video card (2-way SLI). One can hope that those cards will come down in price.

Thanks again.


http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pbMpTW

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80662i76700k) | $369.99 @ Newegg
**CPU Cooler** | [be quiet! Dark Rock 3 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/be-quiet-cpu-cooler-bk018) | $59.99 @ NCIX US
**Motherboard** | [Asus Z170-DELUXE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z170deluxe) | $299.99 @ SuperBiiz
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmk16gx4m2a2666c16) | $94.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz75e500bam) | $164.00 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $52.33 @ OutletPC
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $52.33 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [Asus GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-strixgtx980tidc36gd5gaming) | $659.99 @ Amazon
**Case** | [Cooler Master Storm Stryker (White) ATX Full Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-sgc5000wkwn1) | $136.98 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [Corsair RM 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-rm850) | $112.98 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-fqc08930) | $130.45 @ OutletPC
**Monitor** | [Asus ROG SWIFT PG278Q 144Hz 27.0" Monitor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-90lm00u0b01370) | $669.99 @ B&H
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $2844.01
| Mail-in rebates | -$50.00
| **Total** | **$2794.01**

 

[maddogchen]

if you are not overclocking, why do you need the highest end motherboard? You could save money with the Asus Z170-A (since its white) and just buy a wireless card. That can save you money that can go to a m.2 ssd?

 

[Ken g6]

You're looking for high-end gaming plus Photoshop. This is a tough combination for a monitor, because you should get IPS for color rendering in PS, but that makes your monitor a little slower for gaming. The only G-sync monitor I found with IPS that's available to purchase is this Acer. There's some from ASUS too, but they should be even more expensive when available.

I don't recall ASUS being on the list of video cards with the best coolers. But MSI is, and this MSI is pre-overclocked for the same price as your chosen card.

Why the two 1TB HDDs? Remember, RAID is not a backup!

 

[VorpalBunny]

@maddogchen
you're so right. I had the hardest time determining which motherboard to pick. It came down to three options, Z170 A, Maximus Hero, and the Deluxe. What I saw on newegg seemed to indicate no audio for the Z170 A, but looking on Asus' website, that's clearly not the case. I'm going to reconsider that choice.

@Ken g6
you're also right. I'm aware of the Acer moniter you mentioned, but I have yet to see it in person at a store. My local Microcenter didn't have one on display. I think I would want IPS, but I did see the Asus monitor on the store floor and thought the color reproduction was very good...even after I mucked around with the display controls.

I'm going with two HDD because I think I can get a deal. Probably won't actually get two at first.

How's the noise level on that MSI video card? One of the reasons I didn't go water cooled was because of the advertised noise level relative to the air cooled solutions.

Thanks for the suggestions, these have been very helpful in the decision process.

 

[maddogchen]

one thing to note is that the audio on the Asus Z170-A is an older chip. The Asus Z170 Pro Gaming which is about $10 more comes with the newer realtek 1150 audio chip. But the board is red and black. I don't know if the audio will make a difference to you.

 

[VorpalBunny]

Oh and I found this today, there's a newer monitor from the pg278q, and this one is an IPS panel.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/asus_rog_swift_pg279q.htm