Will these specs work for what I want?

MylesS

MylesS

MylesS

Associate
Joined
24 Mar 2016
Posts
28
Hi everybody,

It's been many years since I've had to choose hardware, so forgive my ignorance, as things have changed quite a bit!

I've come up with the following specs, but just wondering if any changes are recommended. Although the specs are probably more for gaming, my use will be more for things like PhotoShop and video editing.

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Motherboard: Gigabyte Z170-Gaming K3 Intel Z170 DDR4 ATX

Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.9GHz (Skylake) Socket LGA1151

Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 PC4-24000C 15 3000MHz Dual Channel (CMK 16GX4M2B30

CPU Cooler: Alpenfohn Brocken ECO CPU Cooler - 120mm

M.2 SSD for OS: Samsung SM951 128GB M.2 PCI-e Gen3 *Gbps x 4 AHCI SSD

Hard Drive: Seagate 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache HDD - OEM (ST1000DM003)

Optical Drive: OcUK 24 x DVD+RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM

Graphics card: MSI GeForce GTX 950 OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express

PSU: be quiet! Pure Power L8 600W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Suppy - With 120mm Silent Wing Fan Built in.
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I already have a JeanTech Phong ATX Midi Tower case that I bought years ago, that's still in its box, so I'm hoping I can use that!

I'm wondering about the M.2 SSD Samsung SM951. From my initial research It seems like a bit of a kerfuffle getting the OS on. Disconnecting SATA cables, changing bios, installing OS via usb etc., Once that has been done, can programs be added to the C drive in the normal way via Optical drive or off of the hard drive?

I have some programs that have to run off the C drive, so if that is going to be an issue I'll have to rethink using the Samsung SM951 in favour of a SATA SSD.

I hope someone can advise? :)

Myles
 
stulid said:
I say get a normal SATAIII SSD as they feel just as equal in everyday use,

Also which version of that drive is it? there are two, one fast and one not so fast,

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...state-drive-mzvlv128hcgr-00000-hd-222-sa.html
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...state-drive-mzvpv128hdgm-00000-hd-212-sa.html


Does the cooler fit inside the case and still get the side panel back on?

Drop to 8Gb of RAM and spend more money on a faster card.
Click to expand...

It's the faster of the drives - (MZHPV128HDGM-00000) That's interesting that you feel a SATA 111 would be just as good. It would certainly be a lot less of a pain to configure.

I haven't actually looked at the cooler yet . The specs are from using the configurater on OverClockers. I thought it was just a fan for the cpu? I guess it's much bigger than that eh?
 
Its the big lump of metal+fan that sits on top of the CPU, different heatsinks have different widths+heights etc, some are tall and some arent.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £666.54
(includes shipping: £11.70)
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That cooler is small and likely to fit, its cheap and cheerful and will get you up and running.


Edit, scrap that card, get this one - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/his-...press-graphics-card-h380xqm4cr-gx-109-hs.html - its a 380X so quicker as it has more cores and is on offer currently for the same price.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. :)

Is there any advantage to using a 240GB SSD for me though ? I'll only be using that drive for OS and programs. Currently I have my drive partitioned so that the C: drive is only 100GB. With everything loaded I've only used 35GB of space!

I think I will get another case. I've just opened the box for the one I have, but I'm not fussed about the design. I'll have a go at selling it on Ebay!

The configuration I originally based my selections on is here - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ocuk...u8*qPbu8)qPc?WWqPdW9#qPe?Z9qPf?Z-AreV(8BaaW78

For some reason the cooler OverClockers have selected as a starting point doesn't actually fit the case they've selected! Not sure why they would do that. However, I've just relealised they advise on compatibility, so that's handy!
 
It's a bigger SSD to install the OS and as many games as you can onto.

Modern games are large, a 128GB SSD space will disappear so quickly.

As you will have a faster newer PC you will want to experience the latest titles such as the division, hitman etc.
 
My first ever custom build was with a Jentech Phong and that was years ago. If I were you I would buy a new case as I don't think the Phong has the airflow to cool a modern pc. It only has a pair of 120mm fans and the front one is extremely restricted. You can fit a 80mm in the side panel but that will limit your cpu cooler height plus to get them to shift any air you need to run them fast which means more noise. Even a £30-35 modern case will have better cooling.
 
stulid said:
It's a bigger SSD to install the OS and as many games as you can onto.

Modern games are large, a 128GB SSD space will disappear so quickly.

As you will have a faster newer PC you will want to experience the latest titles such as the division, hitman etc.
Click to expand...

Ah, but I'm not into gaming though. It's really just for business use - PhotoShop, video editing, that sort of thing. Do you think based on that I could go back to a 2GB Graphics card?

pastymuncher said:
My first ever custom build was with a Jentech Phong and that was years ago. If I were you I would buy a new case as I don't think the Phong has the airflow to cool a modern pc. It only has a pair of 120mm fans and the front one is extremely restricted. You can fit a 80mm in the side panel but that will limit your cpu cooler height plus to get them to shift any air you need to run them fast which means more noise. Even a £30-35 modern case will have better cooling.
Click to expand...

Yes, I've had the Jeantech Phong case since 2005! I've never got around to building my own machine, although I've replaced pretty much everything over the years except a motherboard. I will ditch the case and get another one.

I don't really have time to build a machine now. I'm hoping OverClockers or someone will build to my specs. I'll send them an email and see if they will quote for kit outside of their online configurations.
 
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