Gaming PC - VR Ready

M

MasterMedz

Member
Hi,

I'd like to buy a new gaming PC to play the latest titles with good graphics and smooth frame rates and maybe even join the VR club if I can.

I never know what to look for in a motherboard and I've never had liquid cooling so those are my primary concerns but please point out anything I may be missing.

My quote is as follow:

Case
InWIN G7 BRUSHED EFFECT DARK GREY CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-6700k (4.0GHz) 8MB Cache
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z170-HD3: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM)
16GB HyperX SAVAGE DDR4 3000MHz (2 x 8GB Kit)
Graphics Card
6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1060 - DVI, HDMI, 3 x DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1st Hard Disk
1TB SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 32MB CACHE
M.2 SSD Drive
256GB SANDISK X400 M.2 2280 (up to 540MB/R, 520MB/W)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply
CORSAIR 450W VS SERIES™ VS-450 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 120 Series High Performance Liquid Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
WIRELESS 802.11 AC 867Mbps + BT4.0 + Intel Wi-Di PCI-E CARD
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
DVD Recovery Media
Windows 10 (64-bit) Home DVD with paper sleeve
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Google Chrome™
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards
Medz
 
mantadog

mantadog

Superhero Level Poster
Looks pretty solid overall, but to answer your questions...

With motherboards you don't get much in the way of performance from them, just how much stuff you can connect to it. I just look for a decent name (gigabyte or ASUS) and supports the latest features so I can upgrade if I need to in the future. Liquid cooling, or at least closed loop liquid cooling is pretty much just like running air but does give a benefit when overclocking or when you want to exhaust heat directly out of the chassis to help with GPU temps for example.

Changes I would advise on your build. The 256GB Samsung NVMe drive is much faster than the sandisk you chose and only a little more costly. You may need a better GPU for VR gaming, especially when it becomes more mainstream. So with that in mind you may want to pick up a 550 or 650w PSU to provide headroom to add a 2nd GPU or a top tier single GPU later. Everything else should handle VR just fine, and a 1060 will handle modern titles fine too.
 
M

MasterMedz

Member
Hi matadog,

Thanks for your response!

So going by your recommendation I have changed the M.2 SSD to the 256GB Samsung NVMe, changed the GPU to the 8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1080 and changed the PSU to the 550w.
I don't know much about wattage a computer needs but the site says 440w so the 450w feels like it's cutting it close and I'd rather get the 550w. I am more likely to increase my ram with my current build or add another hard drive than I am likely to add another GPU and if I do I'll just buy a bigger PSU then.

Overall specs are now:

Case
InWIN G7 BRUSHED EFFECT DARK GREY CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-6700k (4.0GHz) 8MB Cache
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z170-HD3: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM)
16GB HyperX SAVAGE DDR4 3000MHz (2 x 8GB Kit)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1080 - DVI, HDMI, 3x DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1st Hard Disk
1TB SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 32MB CACHE
M.2 SSD Drive
256GB SAMSUNG SM961 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3100MB/R, 1400MB/W)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W VS SERIES™ VS-550 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 120 Series High Performance Liquid Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
WIRELESS 802.11 AC 867Mbps + BT4.0 + Intel Wi-Di PCI-E CARD
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
DVD Recovery Media
Windows 10 (64-bit) Home DVD with paper sleeve
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Google Chrome™
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

Thoughts?

Kind regards
Medz
 
J

jerpers

Master
I would second going for a bigger PSU and also I'd go for the CS series as it is modular and built from better quality components. If you are keen on a liquid cooler, you might as well get it pre-overclocked. I have found the increased core speed has improved my VR experience. The 1060 s/holud be fine for VR but you will be running on lowest settings.
 
mantadog

mantadog

Superhero Level Poster
If the second spec is in budget it is much better, the 440w the configurator said does have a safety margin built in so its perfectly safe but if you plan to add more RAM and HDD's later then 550 would be the minimum I would recommend.
 
M

MasterMedz

Member
Thanks jerpers and mantadog.

I didn't realize I could order it pre overclocked!

I chose the same CPU just the overclocked version.
I upgraded the PSU to the 650W CS Series.
I changed the liquid cooler to the Corsair H60 Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler. (Looks like a better Liquid Cooler)
And changed from standard thermal paste to ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND because why not =D

So the latest build is:

Case
InWIN G7 BRUSHED EFFECT DARK GREY CASE
Overclocked CPU
Overclocked Intel® Core™i7-6700k Quad Core (4.00GHz @ upto MAX 4.60GHz)
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z170-HD3: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM)
16GB HyperX SAVAGE DDR4 3000MHz (2 x 8GB Kit)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1080 - DVI, HDMI, 3x DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
FREE GEARS OF WAR 4 with select GTX 10 Series GPUs!
1st Hard Disk
1TB SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 32MB CACHE
M.2 SSD Drive
256GB SAMSUNG SM961 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3100MB/R, 1400MB/W)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W CS SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H60 Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
WIRELESS 802.11 AC 867Mbps + BT4.0 + Intel Wi-Di PCI-E CARD
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Google Chrome™
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

I missed my budgeted amount of £1500 by £300 but I reckon it's worth it =D

Kind regards
Medz
 
mantadog

mantadog

Superhero Level Poster
looks ok to me, £300 is quite a bit over budget but so long as it wont cause you any problems its money well spent IMO.
 
M

MasterMedz

Member
jerpers said:
You will find the Noctua air cooler is actually cheaper whilst offering better cooling than the H60 and substantially quieter.
Click to expand...

Thanks jerpers, you make a very valid point but now I'm worried that either of these won't be sufficient for the CPU's overclocking.

The air cooler looks a lot better and at a lower noise level but I'm worried it won't be able to keep up with the cooling required.

Thoughts?

Kind regards
Medz
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
M

MasterMedz

Member
Oussebon said:
It will. Noctua make some of the most effective air coolers on the market, which are also some of the quietest:
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Noctua/NH-U14S/6.html
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/noctua_nh_u12s_u14s_review,9.html
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/72...formance-liquid-cpu-cooler-review/index7.html

The only cooler on the list that's better is the H100i v2, the Noctua's a match for the H80i.

And 4.6GHz is a pretty middle of the road OC for Skylake.
Click to expand...

Thanks Oussebon, the links you sent are great, peace of mind is great =D
 
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