New Build for use in USA

[Djinni]

You may have seen I asked in a thread recently about advise when trying to transport existing hardware to the US from the UK.

I had a thought about building a new machine from scratch / getting a laptop not sure which yet so exploring options for each.
I didn't really have a budget in mind when I did this, and just chose based against what I currently have / best value.
Any suggestions for improvements are welcome.
Guesstimated budget is around the $1,000 to $1,500 mark.
Will need a new OS but I seem to remember there was a site on here a while ago that sold OS keys on the cheap (along with game keys and such)

Build I came up with (10-15 minutes) today is as follows:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($243.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 45.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($23.99 @ Amazon)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($5.93 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($85.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($77.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($52.98 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Dell U3415W 60Hz 34.0" Monitor ($749.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1407.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-26 11:12 EDT-0400


I can easily take my Mouse, Keyboard and GPU, the rest will be a bit of a pain to transport safely so I'm opting not to bother and just buy new out there.

I'm trying to keep it small so that if I did need to bring it back, I could do. So if you are able to rebuild this as an ITX please feel free!

[Evildeffy]

You may have seen I asked in a thread recently about advise when trying to transport existing hardware to the US from the UK.

I had a thought about building a new machine from scratch / getting a laptop not sure which yet so exploring options for each.
I didn't really have a budget in mind when I did this, and just chose based against what I currently have / best value.
Any suggestions for improvements are welcome.
Guesstimated budget is around the $1,000 to $1,500 mark.
Will need a new OS but I seem to remember there was a site on here a while ago that sold OS keys on the cheap (along with game keys and such)

Build I came up with (10-15 minutes) today is as follows:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($243.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 45.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($23.99 @ Amazon)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($5.93 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($85.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($77.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($52.98 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Dell U3415W 60Hz 34.0" Monitor ($749.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1407.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-26 11:12 EDT-0400


I can easily take my Mouse, Keyboard and GPU, the rest will be a bit of a pain to transport safely so I'm opting not to bother and just buy new out there.

I'm trying to keep it small so that if I did need to bring it back, I could do. So if you are able to rebuild this as an ITX please feel free!

Here's my suggestion if you're willing to drop the Optical unit. (assuming you've already bought the GFX)
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50)
Motherboard: Asus Z170I PRO GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($159.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($64.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial MX200 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($138.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ITX Mini ITX Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($62.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: be quiet! SilentWings 2 60.4 CFM 140mm Fan
Monitor: Dell U3415W 60Hz 34.0" Monitor ($749.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1500.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-26 11:44 EDT-0400

But if you must have an optical drive choices become limited and i'd pick something along the lines of:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50)
Motherboard: Asus Z170I PRO GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($159.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($64.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial MX200 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($138.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($78.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($62.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre 97.8 CFM 230mm Fan ($13.65 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Dell U3415W 60Hz 34.0" Monitor ($749.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1551.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-26 11:53 EDT-0400

My preference goes out to the first one really.
Optical drive, whilst good, in an ITX setting with a good case is hard to do in a tower-like build.
Unless you'd prefer a cube/shoebox type build ... in which case plenty of options.

You can exchange the Prodigy for a Colossus Mini as well.

The reason for Z170 and the ASUS board is due to RAM speed as anything above 2133 is 100% wasted unless you have a Z170 chipset.
Can't enable XMP for higher RAM clocks so you'd be fucked and DDR4 does have tangible benefits in FPS.

Also the mobo from ASUS has the socket placed as per Intel specs and will offer clearance for the GFX card with a large tower cooler.
Most other brands, including the GigaByte Z170N WiFi variant have a deviating socket placement and I don't know if that will interfere with the cooler, thus I skipped over that.

[Artorius]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! PURE ROCK 51.7 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($49.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($76.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($69.69 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.45 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Samsung S34E790C 60Hz 34.0" Monitor ($799.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $1485.02
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-26 11:53 EDT-0400

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1240 V5 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($269.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus E3 PRO GAMING V5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($69.69 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.45 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Samsung S34E790C 60Hz 34.0" Monitor ($799.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $1539.09
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-26 11:56 EDT-0400

ITX:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock B150M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($77.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($56.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Samsung S34E790C 60Hz 34.0" Monitor ($799.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $1368.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-26 11:59 EDT-0400

[Djinni]

Optical is a "nice to have" because for the money its worth not having to unplug the external one I currently have from my laptop and mess around trying to plug it into a tower.
If we can do a better build without it, then sure no big deal.

Not particularly bothered by case aesthetics this time around. Although I have got rather used to my R4's very quiet nature.
If it fits in a suitcase its a good size.
If its pretty much silent, thats great!

[Evildeffy]

Optical is a "nice to have" because for the money its worth not having to unplug the external one I currently have from my laptop and mess around trying to plug it into a tower.
If we can do a better build without it, then sure no big deal.

Well in the 2 builds I gave you I very much prefer the Phanteks case above many others.
I can go smaller but functionally the same case but you'll pay 3 times the amount for it but it would be amazing looking. (NCase M1)

The Phanteks case is without question overall better quality than the BitFenix case and far easier to work with as well.

But without it a better build? Nope, not going to happen simply.
The difference for ODD or no ODD isn't big enough really.

I suggest you read some reviews on the cases and see if you like it or not.
There's also the Fractal Design Mini option but that's more expensive etc.

Just have a look and say what you'd prefer.

[Kagthul]

Small enough to fit in a suitcase:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VRh8RB
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VRh8RB/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS8900 Quiet CPU Cooler ($38.99 @ B&H)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($134.99 @ B&H)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($155.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Case: EVGA Hadron Mini ITX Tower Case w/500W Power Supply ($122.30 @ Mac Mall)
Optical Drive: LG GS40N DVD/CD Writer ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $788.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-26 21:42 EDT-0400

The build lists two compatibility issues:

It says the GPU is 2mm too long. I am -certain- it will fit, as the ASUS STRIX GTX 970 i originally wanted to use on a friends build in this case was MAYBE 2-3mm too large, and is 30mm longer than the MSI Twin Frozr. Itll fit, so this one can be safely ignored.

The slim-line drive will need an adapter for power. I didn't look for one, but i cant imagine they are more than few dollars. If you even need the drive. I haven't used a disc in 10 years. I can't imagine, unless you're doing some kind of media authoring, having any use for a media drive.

I didn't include the monitor, as you seem to have your mind made on that one.

This -will- fit in a carry-on suitcase. I use one to transport my rig (not on planes, but we do conventions all over the country) and everything except the monitor (keyboard, mouse, tower, cabling) fits in the small suitcase no issues.

Here's an older shot of my rig built into the Hadron (ive since changed the CPU cooler for the one listed in the build above, which helped solve the few cabling issues nicely and keeps the CPU even cooler). That's a PS4 Dual Shock 4 sitting on top of it, for scale.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1z...ew?usp=sharing

[Djinni]

Thanks Kagthul,
That build looks rather promising!

I'm flexible on the screen(s), but I do know that I'd rather not go back to standard 192x1080 if I don't have to.

[Artorius]

I'd recommend that Samsung one over the Dell since it's a curved VA, better image quality due to the 3~5x better contrast ratio and no contrast loss/color shifting at the extreme edges since it's curved.

I think @DeltrusDisc has one.

[DeltrusDisc]

I <3 my Samsung one. And it doesn't have the problem with IPS glow like I've seen owners of the Dell complaining about.

[Djinni]

Have the Samsung S34E790C for home. Hence why I know I don't want to go back to a standard 1920x1080 24-27" - But this was still nearly £700 after discounts. Don't know that I can justify spending that much on a single screen just to keep it in another country when I *may* have to give it up after a year.
I may find I go for the cheaper AOC ($500?)
If I find I'm going to be out there for more than 5 years I Might look at getting another samsung one.

[Artorius]

I <3 my Samsung one. And it doesn't have the problem with IPS glow like I've seen owners of the Dell complaining about.

Marketing made people think that IPS is good for media consumption/gaming, when literally everything else that exists in the market is better. Everything else minus TN, but TN is the same thing as IPS as long as you don't go to weird angles.

I cry every single time when people recommend an IPS monitor with the argument that "colors are better!!"...

[DeltrusDisc]

Marketing made people think that IPS is good for media consumption/gaming, when literally everything else that exists in the market is better. Everything else minus TN, but TN is the same thing as IPS as long as you don't go to weird angles.

I cry every single time when people recommend an IPS monitor with the argument that "colors are better!!"...

Inb4 you get attacked

[Remilia]

"colors are better!!"...

Colors are better!

Would be nice if people research it but....................................................................................... ..............................................
that's not happening. Technically VAs do have some flaws but it's kind of weird ones that I doubt most people notice. No panel is perfect still /sad. Also there's not that many VA panel reviews out so it is kind of annoying to suggest what people want.
(insert obligatory Sony get CLED out ffs).