I've been holding off for a couple years since the graphic card prices went bonkers due to crypto. They seem to have at least fallen back to earth.

I've been saving money and have about a 2k budget for this build.

This will be a gaming/long term higher end PC. I tend to build a nice PC and keep it for a long time. (I'm typing this on my last gaming PC I built 9 years ago, and admittedly needed to replace it a couple years ago, but due to pricing insanity I held off)

Probably prefer Intel for the build. Leaning towards getting a setup for DDR5 memory, although it's pricy.

I know NVIDIA is going to release their new series of graphics cards this fall/winter, and I considered holding off, but am further leaning to getting a more modest card now (like a 3060 12gig), upgrading to a 4000 series NVIDIA card later, and using the 3060 in a second, budget build for another house.

What about Windows 11? I read a lot of hate for it online. I'm still using Windows 7 here, but won't be able to on this build. Pro vs Home?

I've been playing around on pcpartspicker.com and put together what I think is a decent set up, trying to figure out how to share it without typing the whole thing. I'll keep ya posted.

I already have the case bought, a Lian-Li ATX tower.

Give me your advice please.

Wait for the AMD Ryzen 7000 series coming in likely September. if the early leaks are correct, it's going to take AMD's edging out of intel into completely blowing them out of the water.

quote:

What about Windows 11? I read a lot of hate for it online. I'm still using Windows 7 here, but won't be able to on this build. Pro vs Home?

If you are going to utilize the latest hardware then W11 will be fine. PRO.
Anything new or different will always have criticism but W10 ~ W11 is not that much of a difference except it has more security and only a slightly different interface.
Most of the issues come from trying to adapt old hardware to new software (OS) and of course the ever presence of the resistance to change.
Lot of good boards > Recommend Asus or Gigabyte but suggest researching the benefits of the actual chipset you choose and what they support.
Additionally, take special notice of the motherboard connection for USB and graphics (although I assume you will want to use a separate video card at some point.
Get enough Power Supply for your card.
One more thing on drives PCIE Gen4 M2 SSD drives and a chipset that supports it will yield the best performance ~ like a Samsung 980 Pro - very fast.
Any latest chipset should support it.
Never been an AMD fan so you should be GTG with Intel.

https://www.intel.com/content/...esktop-chipsets.html

^^^^^ It's like you read my mind....

This is one of the builds I've priced out and toyed with:

Intel Core i7-12700KF 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor

https://pcpartpicker.com/produ...essor-bx8071512700kf


Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition 57.3 CFM CPU Cooler

https://pcpartpicker.com/produ...oler-rr-212s-20pc-r1

Asus PRIME Z690-P WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard

https://pcpartpicker.com/produ...rd-prime-z690-p-wifi

32Gb Kingston Fury DDR5

https://pcpartpicker.com/produ...mory-kf548c38bbk2-32

Samsung 970 Evo 1Tb Solid State

https://pcpartpicker.com/produ...e-drive-mz-v7s1t0bam

Western Digital Black 4Tb 7200 rpm storage drive

https://pcpartpicker.com/produ...e-drive-mz-v7s1t0bam

EVGA NVIDIA 3060 12Gb video card

https://pcpartpicker.com/produ...-card-12g-p5-3657-kr

EVGA 850W power supply

https://pcpartpicker.com/produ...upply-220-ga-0850-x1

With windows 11 Pro it comes in right at $1750.00

I CAN stretch the budget up to 2.5k if there is a good reason too. But if I keep it here I can build another PC for the vacation home, and have some money left for a monitor.

This might be my first build without an optical drive. Can anyone give a reason to include one?

I wouldn't unless you plan to play old stuff that you already have sometimes. You could also hedge with a USB 3.1 drive (or whatever other fast transfer format that you like) that you can keep in a drawer. They are laptop drives in an enclosure so not that big and they should work for most conceivable future systems, at least for a while anyway.

I would rather have the Samsung 980 Pro over the 970 Evo.
Much faster, Gen4 and also get it with the heat sink already
on or put a set on manually.
.02

Not a need for an Optical Drive.

Maybe look at an AIO water cooler, water cooling is great but you have to plan carefully for space under the hood.

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:
This might be my first build without an optical drive. Can anyone give a reason to include one?

I occasionally burn videos to a DVD, burn audio books and music to CDs to play in a specific vehicle, and burn specific data to DVD backups. A removable drive may be best for this as mentioned.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
I would rather have the Samsung 980 Pro over the 970 Evo.
Much faster, Gen4 and also get it with the heat sink already
on or put a set on manually.
.02

Not a need for an Optical Drive.

Maybe look at an AIO water cooler, water cooling is great but you have to plan carefully for space under the hood.

You made a good point, and I switched the SSD to the 980 pro

quote:

Originally posted by bryan11:

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:
This might be my first build without an optical drive. Can anyone give a reason to include one?

I occasionally burn videos to a DVD, burn audio books and music to CDs to play in a specific vehicle, and burn specific data to DVD backups. A removable drive may be best for this as mentioned.

That's why I was resistant to this in my last build, but now, none of my cars even accept CD's, only USB.

Kevin,

I just built another system (slightly higher specced than yours, 3080ti etc).

I like your idea of picking up a 3060 for now, you never know what supply shortages there might be with the 4xxx series or AMD next-gen.

I wouldn’t put an optical drive. Zero use for it today, and even less tomorrow.

Edit: only tweaks to your PCpartpicker list would be an AIO cooler instead of a fan, and swap the EVGA PSU for Corsair, and try to go for 1000w or higher - next generation will be power HUNGRY.

Good point.on the PSU. Explain the former to me.

I'm in the same boat Kevin building a new PC that I want to use to get back into gaming and will do everything under the sun that I throw at it. I've been slowly buying parts little by little as they go on sale for the best prices.

What I would recommend is maybe stick with DDR4 Ram for now it's cheaper more compatible and you have more choices. DDR5 would be nice to have but it's so new and unproven while being expensive as hell. For memory 32gb is more than enough you'd only need more if the machine is going to do high end hollywood editing or top level CAD work. I wouldn't go below 16gb but didn't want any empty memory slots so I said what the hell got 2 more sticks.

Also consider how you plan on keeping the whole system cool, maybe looking into a number of fans for intake and exhaust.

For motherboards I've had good luck with Gigabyte make sure it has at least 2-3 m2 slots and that all the slots are gen4 rated. A lot of boards only 1 is gen4 and the remaining slots are throttled to gen3 speeds even if your SSD is gen4. Definitely go all M2 Drives they cut down on space, wires, better air flow, and power consumption. Never had a optical drive fail but I do have external one as well for back up purposes.

Does your budget include a new Monitor as well?

My build so far that I've aqquired:

Corsair 4000D Airflow Case white
Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM SE 63 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32 GB (4 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
SeaSonic FOCUS GX 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
Western Digital Black SN850 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive (boot drive)
Western Digital Black SN850 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive (storage)
Corsair iCUE QL120 41.8 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack x2 6 fans total
CORSAIR iCUE COMMANDER CORE XT Smart RGB Lighting and Fan Speed Controller

Still deciding on the motherboard more than likely a Gigabyte. As for CPU the new Ryzen 7 3D or Ryzen 9 5900X are the top 2 choices.

I had to buy an external cd drive for my laptop when my Dad asked me to rip his CD's for him. He now listens to Marty Robbins and the Sons of the Pioneers from the USB drive plugged into his truck. It was only around $30 and it's the only thing I've done with it.

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:
This might be my first build without an optical drive. Can anyone give a reason to include one?

In short, no. I use Macs rather than PCs, but for an optical, I have an external USB one in my closet. I drag it out about once a year. I think it is an Asus, and would work with a PC as well. YMMV.

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:
Good point.on the PSU. Explain the former to me.

The main advantage an air cooler has is cost, over a liquid cooled all-in-one. However, the biggest enemy you have in a case is heat, and with a good GPU even more so. An air cooler will dump the hot air inside the case, eventually leading to higher temps (depending on your fan setup, as well as GPU location).

An AIO tends to be positioned on one of the sides of the case, and vents the hot air directly outside the case. That eliminates the air cooler heat build up issue, and is MUCH better for a longevity standpoint.

Do not skimp on fans. I only use Noctua, yes they are 2x more expensive than anything else but they will last forever, and from a functionality standpoint are much more efficient than anything else out there.

All of the above is good advice. In my experience:

1. PSU's are critical get more than you think you need Platinum if possible. My choices in order. Seasonic (all cords are compatible with all Seasonic PSU's), EVGAA, Corsair.
2 Motherboard: ASUS, I have had trouble with other brands
3. CPU: The highest performing one you can afford. The higher performance on you get now, the longer it will be before you have to upgrade. I have used Intel for 20 years but have now switched to AMD Threadripper for my current new build.
4. Fans: Just about any of the major brands will do, I prefer Noctura, but a bit pricey. Corsair if you are using a Commander Pro (see above post or below)
5. GPU, I like EVGA or MSI. Buy what you think you need, it is easy to upgrade later.
6. Air vs AIO water cooling. I have switched to "Big Air" for my Threadripper build. That said, AIO's (Corsair or NZXT) have been good also. I did have to replace one Corsair because of a leak. It seems as if they have a three to five year lifespan, However I have one that is going longer.
7. Storage: I would go with a 2 TB NVME for the C Drive. I like Sabarent or Western Digital, I have Samsung also; no problems all are good. For your main storage, I like Western Digital HDD's, the larger the better; 7200 RPM
8. Memory: I like Corsair but RGB is a pain. I would stay with DDR 4 less expensive, plus motherboards more proven.
9. Windows: I prefer 10 but probably better to start with 11. Inexpensive source for Keys for Windows and Office: Keysfan, look around for a sale, major price reductions. I have had zero problems with Keysfan for multiple computer installations
10. Above Dfens mentioned Corsair Commander for control of fans and lighting as well as ICue. Good reason to stay within the Corsair Ecosystem for fans and memory. Learning curve on Software, I still don't have it right.
11. Case: You already have one but I really like Corsair. Medium size 4000, 5000, or 7000. If you need a lot of room for very large and complicated builds, 1000D. Downside, Price, heavy, and hard to move around (I know). A fully built out 1000D with multiple water cooling systems can weigh 100 pounds
12. I would go with external drive for DVD / CD. I seldom use my internal drives anymore however it is important to have one.
13. Backup. Many options but the simplest is probably an external hard drive attached to a USB Source for when you feel the need to back up. NVME if you have smaller needs, HDD if you have larger needs. For much larger systems a small home server or other mass storage device.
14. Router: Your choice but get the newest system that has the ability to add on extenders. There are many options.
15. Wired or Wireless: Wired is always better if you have the option.
16. Surge protection: Very Important. I have stopped using UPS, battery issues over a long time. After a lightning strike caused me a lot of damage I switched to Tripp-Lite Isobar, you may need several depending on how many electrical systems you need to protect. Don't forget whole house protection if your power company offers it. However, this protection does not cover computer and audio visual systems where I live.

These suggestions will certainly put you above your budget. There are many lesser cost options available my suggestions are based upon my experience; your needs are different from mine and should be modified accordingly. Best of luck with your new build, it is certainly a great learning experience. You will typically get better components and if something goes wrong you will be able to replace the part yourself.

For storage/boot drive options (for both the parts lists here):
How much drive do you really need? A 1TB boot drive & 2TB SSD or 4TB HDD storage doesn't make sense to me.
For boot/programs, I have never filled up a 500GB drive. My VM for win10 has 80GB image that's currently sitting at just over 20GB used & could probably be cleaned up. It's hardware-connected to 10TB storage though, there's nothing but programs & local docs (downloads/mydocs). It has CAD & a few other large items though.

To me, on a high-performance rig, you are better off getting your 'storage' off loaded onto something with back-up capability (NAS, other PC, etc) & you don't need super-fast 'storage' on board. Unless games are getting bigger than I think - I don't game, but I rip blurays. 2TB SSDs aren't double the cost of 1TB any more & not having to change the goddamn drive letter every time will cover a lot of $$ long term.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against overkill on storage - I have 10TB & 11TB UnRaid servers & I have 6TB HDD in the home box as warm spare in case of failure. Gotta have 100% uptime* for scooby doo & wife's TV. The mentality of C & D drives in window's doesn't really make sense anymore from my perspective. If you have data you need to access quickly on a machine, put it on the fastest drive. If you have data you need to store long term, put it on something with some redundancy & stability - a performance rig with windows does not fit that description.

*says the guy who just updated & rebooted unraid while kid was watching scooby doo & got scolded.....

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:
This might be my first build without an optical drive. Can anyone give a reason to include one?

Here mostly to read and learn, it I’ll chime in that I haven’t had one in my machine in maybe six years. When is the last time you used one?

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:
This might be my first build without an optical drive. Can anyone give a reason to include one?

Here mostly to read and learn, it I’ll chime in that I haven’t had one in my machine in maybe six years. When is the last time you used one?

The only time I use one anymore is when I rip an Audio CD to my DLNA Server.
It isn't a bad idea to have a USB DVD/CD unit around that you can move from system to system.
Another reason might be if you deploy a HTPC and for BluRay especially for 4K.