gaming/Design Build

[Andycrunch74]

Hi Guys

A while ago i got some teriffic advise from you lot on a casual Gaming build i was after, however unfortuatnely i didnt get around to building it. now i want to try and build one but the goal posts have slightly change, My wife wants to use it for work also and she does photo editing and works alot on photoshop so im not sure now how to spec my new machine out. I did want to go Mini Itx if i could as i hate my big clunky pc under my desk and would like a smaller one to sit ontop however ive never really built a mini ITX pc so im not sure on the advantages/disadvantages.

I want to keep my build below the £800 mark if possible. im looking to do some casual gaming on it, 1080p and i already have a brand new GTX 970 so im good on the graphics side. i did want a mini ITX case which is small however if its best to go ATX then would like the smalled midi tower that i can get.

any advice or specs would really be apreciated as im a bit stumped on this one.

Cheers

 

[NeverBackDown]

Well for starters let's figure the case out so we know what kind of system to get together.
For ITX cases, FD Node 202, 304, or the Define Nano S. Or phanteks Evolve ITX. Personally these would be my top choices, and I personally own the Evolve and can say it's a great case

If these or any other you find don't tickle your fancy, then that at least rules out ITX

 

[Andycrunch74]

The phanteks Evolve ITX would be my choice. Its not as small as i would like the case however as you can put AIO's in it etc id probably go for that one however looks like its EOL and places are not selling it anymore?. the main case debate for me is that i want it tucked away behind my monitors inside on sitting on the floor.

at the moment i have a corsair carbide 300R case

 

[Andycrunch74]

thought id revisit this now the fractal define c is out and decided on that. This is my plan (micro ATX build):


CPU - Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor

CPU Cooler- -Corsair H80i v2 or Noctua NH14 (still undecided about AIO's)

Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-Z170MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

Memory - Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory

Storage - Crucial MX200 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Future proofing)

Video Card -EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB SC OR keep my 970GTX

Case - Fractal Design Define Mini C MicroATX Mid Tower Case

PSU - Corsair RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

now i was wondering if this is overkill for its intended purpose? design and a slight bit of gaming. I am also looking to get a 27" IPS 144ghz monitor for this too.

 

[tinytomlogan]

thought id revisit this now the fractal define c is out and decided on that. This is my plan (micro ATX build):


CPU - Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor

CPU Cooler- -Corsair H80i v2 or Noctua NH14 (still undecided about AIO's)

Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-Z170MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

Memory - Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory

Storage - Crucial MX200 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Future proofing)

Video Card -EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB SC OR keep my 970GTX

Case - Fractal Design Define Mini C MicroATX Mid Tower Case

PSU - Corsair RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

now i was wondering if this is overkill for its intended purpose? design and a slight bit of gaming. I am also looking to get a 27" IPS 144ghz monitor for this too.

Depends what resolution tbh. The 1060 will be fine for 1080 anything above its deffo not overkill.

The H80i V2 will look silly in the Define C just get the H100i V2 or get an aircooler.

Depending on what you mean by 'design' you could easily save money and buy the 6600k but only buy the K versions if you will actually overclock them.

Mobo wise look at the Maximus VIII Gene

 

[Andycrunch74]

Resolution, im looking at 1440p

thanks for the info, tbh for my piece of mine il probably just get an air cooler, i want to keep the build quiet.

well the Mrs will be using this for Website design, Photoshop, indesign etc so im not sure if the 6600 will be enough? il dump the K then as i really have no plans to overclock if im honest. Speaking of CPUs' is it worth waiting for the Kaby Lake to hit so the prices of the 6600/6700 come down a little?

Cheers for the help on this! the comments might help me save a little money

 

[tinytomlogan]

1440 it will be ok but youll have to cut the AA back and you wont be able to play the real hard hitting games at 1440 tbh - see our many 1060 reviews

I think the 6600K will be more than ok tbh, sure get the i7 though its your wallet.

An AIO can be set up to be as quiet as air but cooler if done right (not a fit and forget noob)

Kaby Lake wise.... No ideas my crystal ball is broken. Thats a 2017 question.....

 

[AlienALX]

Yeah if you are chasing high settings @ 1440 you will want a 1070 or 980ti sorta thing.

If the benchmarks for Kabylake are to be believed then basically it is 10% faster than Skylake in your best case scenario, otherwise it's 0-3% the same as before. Don't expect it to hammer Skylake it really doesn't need to. It's just another release to coincide with Zen in Q1 next year

 

[Andycrunch74]

Thanks for your replies guys! appreciate the help

Doing a little bit of researched im not benefiting a great deal from upgrading from a 970 to a 1060 and even with a 1060 i wouldn't be able to hit 1440p very well. would it be worth then focusing on getting a 1080p monitor with gsync and 144hz and getting the most frames out of the 970/1060 seems as i dont game as much as i used to?

 

[tinytomlogan]

Thanks for your replies guys! appreciate the help

Doing a little bit of researched im not benefiting a great deal from upgrading from a 970 to a 1060 and even with a 1060 i wouldn't be able to hit 1440p very well. would it be worth then focusing on getting a 1080p monitor with gsync and 144hz and getting the most frames out of the 970/1060 seems as i dont game as much as i used to?

Not gaming as much as you used to doesnt really say a lot.

You need to ask yourself do I need a 1070 and 1440p to enjoy gaming

a 1060 and a 1080 screen with gsync etc youre spending similar money just on different features.

Id get a 1440 screen and a 1070 if it was me