PC gaming build
PC gaming build
What do people think about my setup?
I'm assembling a new gaming PC with the following components:
Aerocool V2X Red Edition Midi-Tower - Black / Red
MSI Z170A PC Mate Intel Z170 (Socket 1151) DDR4 ATX Motherboard
Intel Core i5-6600K 3.9GHz (Skylake) Socket LGA1151 Processor - OEM
Alpenföhn Brocken ECO CPU Cooler - 120 mm
Palit GeForce GTX 1060 Dual 6144MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
Seagate 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache HDD - OEM (ST1000DM003)
EVGA Supernova GS 550W '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply
Microsoft Windows 10 64-Bit DVD - OEM (MS-KW9-00139)
All the overclocking efforts won't matter if data doesn't reach the processor quickly enough. Your main limitation will always be the hard drive platter speed.
If you're serious about balancing 'quality of life' with performance gains, consider these priorities in this order:
GPU
SSD
RAM
CPU (with at least four cores)
A good video card is key for boosting game performance. Changing GPUs can drastically impact results. SSD improves load times and system responsiveness during games, while RAM ensures smooth data transfer between components.
Your cooler doesn't quite fit the case well. If alignment isn't perfect, closing the side won't be easy. I tried a 150mm cooler in a case labeled "up to 150mm coolers," but it didn’t work for me. Especially with cheap cases, noise and vibration will make it harder to get that close.
A Cryorig H5 Ultimate is smaller, quieter, and still offers similar cooling. Some say MSI boards don’t have strong quality control, though I prefer Asus or Gigabyte boards too.
If you can spare the money, add a 250GB SSD for your OS and demanding games. You’ll notice much faster loading times. If you have extra cash, opt for a better case—something with more space, improved airflow, and higher quality.
Think about using an EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550 watt instead of the GS model.
I don't like that CPU cooler. Yes, I actually looked at reviews.
You seem to have made a beginner's error that almost everyone does... You need a case that has its own airflow for the power supply.
Are you not going to get an SSD for Windows? What's the point of a newer version if you're just going to put it on a regular hard drive? It just makes things slower.
PCPartPicker item list
Price details by seller
Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core (($233.99 @ B&H))
Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM (($70.99 @ Newegg))
Board: MSI Z170A PC MATE ATX LGA1151 (($102.98 @ Newegg))
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 (($79.99 @ SuperBiiz))
Storage: PNY CS1311 240GB 2.5" SSD (($69.99 @ Newegg))
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" HDD (($47.49 @ OutletPC))
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GAMING (($249.99 @ SuperBiiz))
Case: NZXT S340 (Black, ATX Mid Tower) (($64.99 @ SuperBiiz))
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W (80+ Gold Certified, Fully-Modular ATX) (($79.49 @ SuperBiiz))
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home Full - USB 32/64-bit (($117.99 @ SuperBiiz))
Grand total: $1117.89
All prices contain shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
What issues exist with the GS model, specifically tier 1? Is this a suitable cooler for the Noctua NH-D9L CPU, which is 92mm? What impact does having the PSU positioned above have?
Isokolon :
GS should be okay. I think weberdarren97 confused it with G1, that's understandable.
I didn't actually misread it; I'm mixing them up a bit... Sorry.
Thanks for spotting that, GS should be all good.
Frosty_Pat :
What impact does having the PSU at the top have?
If it's positioned there, its intake would be the exhaust from the cases. Since the power supply sends voltage to all internal components, a failing PSU could cause overheating.
Airflow moves from the front to the back of the case, so some CPU and GPU heat would enter the PSU. This might reduce its lifespan if there aren't many other exhaust points inside.
Isokolon :
GS should be okay. I think weberdarren97 probably confused it with G1. happens.
the NH-D9L is a compact cooler with reduced cooling power
it moves less air and is noisier than 120mm coolers
you probably won’t overclock much with it
Should I opt for a larger case? Is it really bad to place the PSU at the top?
What about this case:
Cougar Volant 2 Midi-Tower Gaming Case - Black
Does it fit 120mm, do you know if the PSU is in the bottom?