I am getting ready to build a new gaming PC and thought I would document the process. I know some GRG members have wanted to do this but have been scared away by the process. Full disclosure I taught myself how to build computers off the internet back in the AOL days. It is so much easier now but I still don’t know what I am doing so take all this for what it is worth.
I planned my build at www.pcpartpicker.com. This site will help you in a few ways. Compatibility, Power usage, Price/Where to buy. It is supposed to give you the best price but it isn’t always correct. I got everything from Amazon cheaper overall than what the site listed and with Prime free shipping.
What you need: CPU, CPU Cooler, Motherbaord, Memory, Storage, Video Card, Case, Power Supply, Windows 10 or other OS (Intel i7 7700k will only work with Win10. Check your CPU for restrictions)
All my parts are compatible. It shows that the system will require 480 watts of power. I picked a 850 watt PSU so I am good to go. I have no intentions of running SLI so the overhead power will take care of anything I decide to add down the road. Lights, Optical Drives, PCI-E cards, etc.
Notes on each part I picked…
CPU: I wanted Kaby Lake(7th Gen) and I wanted a unlocked chip so I could overclock if I wanted to. If you are trying to save money and do not plan to overclock you can get a locked processor. All Intel i3,i5,i7 that are unlocked have a K at the end. Example: Intel i7 - 7700K.
CPU Cooler: Intel is starting to phase out supplying a stock cooler. They suck any way. There are all kinds of coolers out there but I prefer Liquid AIO (All In One). They are closed loop, low maintenance, liquid coolers. They get similar numbers to a good traditional fan cooler but are less noisy and look cooler, IMO.
Motherboard: The socket on your motherboard has to mach the socket your CPU requires. So make sure you pay attention to that. I wanted to try a new brand this go round and I wanted something that had premium sound built into the board. The audio chip on this board is isolated from everything else. Even left and right audio are separated from each other on the board.
Memory: If it isn’t obvious I am a Corsair fan. I have used Dominator in the last 3 builds so why stop now. The motherboard supports different speeds so pay attention to that. pcpartpicker.com will make sure you pick something compatible.
Storage: My first build with m.2 SSD. I will be running the OS on the Samsung EVO 960 m.2. The Samsung EVO 850 SSD will be dedicated to STEAM. One of the Seagate FireCuda Hybrids will be for game recording and the other will be media storage.
Video Card: This is the only thing I am keeping from my old PC. It is only a couple months old. I may try a ASUS Nvidia card next go round.
Case: OMG THAT CASE IS HUGE!!! I am actually down sizing. I love the Corsair Obsidian series cases. I am downsizing from a 800D(7 years old) to a 750D. I almost went with the 450D but go big or go home right? Check out this monster, The 900D.
Power Supply: Power supplies have ratings based off metals. If you aren’t overclocking a Gold rated PSU is fine. I needed 480w so I decided to go with a Corsair HX850i. It will tie into all my other corsair stuff in Corsair link. I will be able to control the fan on the PSU and monitor temps. That being said I would recommend the EVGA SuperNova series PSU. They are IMO the best.
Fan Note: My case and CPU cooler will provide all the fans I need. Airflow is very important and can cause audible issues. In most cases air comes in from the front and out the back and top. If you pick a case with no fans provided be prepared to buy some. Do you research you don’t want to buy some fans that sound like a A-10 Warthog.
All parts have been ordered. I will update the OP when every thing gets here. I will post step by step pictures to walk through the process. It’s kinda like LEGOS with electricity.
Teaser image of motherboard…
https://cdn.pcpartpicker.com/static/forever/images/product/90f9ba6238c11d164a0a6e49b0e78e94.1600.jpg
Stay tuned!
Update 8/6/2017
And a heeeeere we go…
The Hardware
Step One
Step Two
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Fans & Radiator ( I actually had to take the radiator out to install the fans on the radiator so think a head )
Step 7
M.2 are installed at an angle then pushed down and screwed.
Step 8
To be continued…
In the next update I will show some of the wiring and wire management. The computer is up and running. I was even able to game on it last night and this morning. M.2 SSD are so fast. Windows installed in 5 minutes or less and it starts windows in a few seconds. I am waiting for my order from cable mods to show up before I start cable management so right now it is running with the panels off. I don’t know if it is the larger cooler or the cpu but it is running about 10 degrees cooler than my I7 4790k.
Update 8/7/2017
I finished up the wiring today and the PC is complete. Final photos and a video to show of the lights I will never use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHsVKJU8LJs&feature=youtu.be
The End!