Building a PC can be difficult there can be a multitude of components with varied configurations. This is one of the great aspects of PCDIY, the diversity in components and how you can configure them to define the look, feel, performance and functionality of your PC. At the same time the expanse of hardware can make it difficult to know where to start or what combination ensure stable & reliable operation along with yielding the experience you are looking for. With the recent launch of the Z170 chipset and Intel’s new Skylake CPUs these questions are the forefront of many PCDIY builders. As such we have created a number of build guides detailing our recommendations and insights. In addition some of these builds also have videos tied to them. With these videos PCDIY hopes to provide you a deeper understanding of the components & how they work together as well as points of consideration during the build process.
$1200 Build – Featuring ASUS Z170-A, 6600K and GeForce GTX 970
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mDk3D3
The system has been designed to offer
- Great gaming performance targeted at high quality settings with a high frame rate at 1080P resolutions
- Support G-SYNC
- Allow for overclocking to further imporve performance
- Quiet operation
- A clean aesthetic while offering complimentary colors
- stable and reliable operation
- Advanced functionality within the UEFI ( BIOS ) allowing for robust system tuning, monitoring and special features ( like SSD monitoring, Secure Erase, EZ setup Wizards for RAID and more ). Robust advanced fan controls and fan calibration & profiling, robust advanced auto overclocking.
If you want to see this build come together along with further detailing on the components and some PC building tips check out the video below.
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mDk3D3
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mDk3D3/by_merchant/
CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($249.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($129.75 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5″ 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($324.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Noctis 450 ATX Mid Tower Case ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE82 V2 700W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1214.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-17 18:27 EDT-0400
If you are looking to reduce the price point of the system there are some easy areas to pull back on and allow for you to save money or invest it into an area that will yield further performance improvements.
CPU Cooler – The 6600K does not feature HT removal of this feature reduces temps of the CPU considerbly allowing for a much more basic cooling solution. You could easily phase in a NZXT Kraken X31 a single 120mm closed loop cooling solution. This would still offer solid temperature performance with overclocking margin.
Chassis – The NOCTIS offer a great aesthetic specialize layout and routing options and a high number of fans already installed. If you are looking to bring down the cost but still keep a white aesthetic you can consider
The Source Elite 210 White
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-s210e002
The S340 White
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-cas340ww1
The H440 White
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-cas340ww1
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-cas340ww1
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-cas340ww1
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-cas340ww1
Accessories or optional items for the build.
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-internal-hard-drive-shpm2280p2240g
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-internal-hard-drive-shss37a240g
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-fan-rffz140u1
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-fan-rffz120r1
Custom PSU Cables