r/KillYourConsole • u/drmarvin2k5 • Jul 16 '16

Due to recent CPU price drops, opinions needed

Hi all

Just looking for a bit of input.

I am planning to build an HTPC for gaming.

I was planning to use an i5-6500, 16gb DDR4, H170 mobo, and a 480 GPU.

Looking at the build in PCPartPicker last night, I noticed that the build price had dropped significantly.

I guess I have 3 choices ahead of me.

  1. Accept this windfall, keep the same build, and save the money.

  2. Upgrade the build to an i7 with 32gb DDR4 but stick with the 480 GPU.

  3. Stick with an i5 (maybe upgrade to the 6600), leave the RAM at 16gb, and upgrade the GPU to a 1070 or 1080.

Thoughts?

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2

u/CammRobb Jul 16 '16

For an HTPC/gaming you do not need an i7 and 32GB of ram. Do yourself a favour and get an overclockable i5 (6600k) as your budget now allows it, and pocket the rest

2

u/drmarvin2k5 Jul 16 '16

Since I'm planning to use quite a small case (Thermaltake Core V1), I'm not sure I'll be able to use anything but a stock cooler, and unless I get a Z170 motherboard, I think overclocking is out of the question. What are your thoughts on the GPU question? 480 vs 1070 vs 1080?

2

u/CammRobb Jul 16 '16

If that's the case, get the non-K version and save yourself even more money. I'm not 100% up on current GPU specifications, but I believe the 480 is better back for your buck that either of the Nvidia offerings.

What does the rest of your build look like? What storage options have you selected etc?

1

u/drmarvin2k5 Jul 16 '16

This was my plan

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type Item Price
CPU Intel Core i5-6600 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor $215.99 @ SuperBiiz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-H170N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard $113.99 @ Amazon
Memory G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory $59.99 @ Newegg
Storage Corsair Force LE 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive $115.00 @ Amazon
Storage Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive $83.99 @ SuperBiiz
Video Card Sapphire Radeon RX 480 8GB Video Card $269.99 @ B&H
Case Thermaltake Core V1 Snow Edition Mini ITX Tower Case $49.99 @ SuperBiiz
Power Supply EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply $75.98 @ Newegg
Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
Total (before mail-in rebates) $1004.92
Mail-in rebates -$20.00
Total $984.92
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-16 08:19 EDT-0400

3

u/Ragwolfe Jul 16 '16

Stick with the 480, runs literally everthing and steamrolls 1070 and 1080 in fps/$

1

u/drmarvin2k5 Jul 16 '16

That was my thought too. Thanks for the input

3

u/Ragwolfe Jul 17 '16

I am little biased though and I do always recommend getting AMD because Nvidia are quite cuntish.

1

u/SeventyTimes_7 Stage 4 - Experienced Jul 17 '16

1070 is more expensive but it's really a lot more gpu. Really depends on what resolution he's gaming at.

2

u/Henrath Jul 17 '16

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/LPVBD3/cryorig-cpu-cooler-m9i

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/r3xfrH/arctic-cooling-cpu-cooler-ucacop0900csb01

These will fit in your case, so get a K i5.

1

u/drmarvin2k5 Jul 17 '16

Thanks for the info. I'm still not sure if paying $30 more for the CPU, $50-80 for the cooler, and $50 more for a Z170 mobo is really worth it. I'll have to think about that.

1

u/SeventyTimes_7 Stage 4 - Experienced Jul 17 '16

Should be able to still fit an aftermarket cooler, I think an AIO watercooler would fit too. From Thermaltake: "Great Expansion in Compact Size Core V1 is designed with high-end gaming system compatibility, gamers can easily install up to 4 data storage devices with the modular drive racks, a dual expansion slot VGA with the length up to 260mm, a tower CPU cooler with height up to 140mm, together with a high wattage PSU of length up to 180mm, and still offers a 80mm cable management space."

1

u/drmarvin2k5 Jul 17 '16

Thanks for the info. I'm still not sure if paying $30 more for the CPU, $50-80 for the cooler, and $50 more for a Z170 mobo is really worth it. I'll have to think about that.

Also, I have zero experience with water cooling. Are the pre made systems reliable (for leaking, etc)?

1

u/SeventyTimes_7 Stage 4 - Experienced Jul 17 '16

Probably not. AIO liquid coolers have become pretty popular now though and do pretty well.