First time build - suggestions/help?

[jpatrick2]

Hi all,

I am wanting to build a PC for VR use with the HTC Vive. I've researched tons and compiled a list of parts that I THINK will work, but I am a nub at this so best to ask for advice. Ok below are the parts I have been looking at so far:

CPU: AMD FX-8300 Vishera
Mobo: Asrock 990FX Extreme 3
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Storage: Samsung 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card
PSU: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

The case I'm still looking for. Basically I want to stay as far below $900 as I can on this (already spent $800 on the Vive), but I want room to upgrade down the line. I really wish I could go with an intel mobo and an i5, but the prices are much higher than AMD products. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Geekwad]

Just a consideration:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($62.98 @ Newegg)
Video: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB GDDR5X ($379.00)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY CS1311 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($39.99 @ Mac Mall)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $932.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

You can build the rest of it, and then in a month+ or so when the 1070 actually hits shelves, maybe the budget stretch works. Certainly would be a better driver for the Vive than the AMD build with the (barely there) 970 in this application.

 

[Chasingfaith]

The gtx 970 will be slightly underpowered for VR (and the 3.5 gigs vram could cause a problem with the higher resolution). Just as Geemwad said, I would recommend that you wait for the gtx 1070. Not only is it about twice as fast as the gtx 970, it is also made with VR in mind and it has got 8 gigs vram. It will give you a much better VR experience! The price will be $379 when it launches June 10 this year.

 

[jpatrick2]

Thanks for the replies all! I actually reworked it all. Here is the updated list of parts:

PCPartPicker part list: http/pcpartpicker.com/p/zz84t6
Price breakdown by merchant: http/pcpartpicker.com/p/zz84t6/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Extreme6 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($106.00)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin ECO3 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($160.00 US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($160.00 US)
Case: Cooler Master N400 ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1023.96

I was able to find a couple of deals. First, found the mobo on sale for $106 brand new. Scooped that up already as I felt it was too good a deal to pass on. Also found a deal on the GTX 970's, 2 for $380. Scooped those up already as well. Will run them in sli.

 

[Chasingfaith]

Wow that's just an amazing build for just over $1000! Two gtx 970s for just $380!? Good luck assembling your pc (as soon as you get the other parts)

 

[jpatrick2]

I know right!? I picked up the 970's after work yesterday. These things are MONSTERS! I'm debating whether to keep them or sell them and wait one more month for the 1070. Thoughts?

 

[Chasingfaith]

If you want to focus on VR gaming, it might be a good move to sell the 970s en get a gtx 1070, because a single gtx 1070 will get you more performance than two 970s in sli, and is more future proof. (two 970s in sli still only have 3.5 gb of vram, while the 1070 has 8) If you decide to sell them, I would sell them as quickly as possible because these cards are already rapidly dropping in price. If you decide to keep them, I can only wish you the best of luck destroying any game in ultra settings

 

[jpatrick2]

I think you're right. If I can manage to sell them for like $500, I can buy the 1070 when it comes out in a month and use the difference for an i7!

 

[Chasingfaith]

Yeah you should be able to sell them for $450/500 quite easily. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[jsimenhoff]

Hi all,

I am wanting to build a PC for VR use with the HTC Vive. I've researched tons and compiled a list of parts that I THINK will work, but I am a nub at this so best to ask for advice. Ok below are the parts I have been looking at so far:

CPU: AMD FX-8300 Vishera
Mobo: Asrock 990FX Extreme 3
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Storage: Samsung 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card
PSU: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

The case I'm still looking for. Basically I want to stay as far below $900 as I can on this (already spent $800 on the Vive), but I want room to upgrade down the line. I really wish I could go with an intel mobo and an i5, but the prices are much higher than AMD products. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Have you seen our Best VR Ready Builds under $750? It's hosted on our sister site Tom's Hardware. Take a look I'm sure it will be helpful.

 

[jpatrick2]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Extreme6+ ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin ECO3 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($299.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Phanteks ECLIPSE P400 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($5.95 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($5.95 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($5.95 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1127.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-20 10:32 EDT-0400

Update: sold one card for $300, ordered everything above already. I basically got the one 970 for $80 and mobo for $100, so the total should be about $300 less than what pcpartpicker lists. I'm trying to sell the other 970 to buy the 1080 when it comes out next week.