First build

At this price, you might as well go for the 6600K instead of the locked 6500. Matter of debate though.

Save $50, and get a Radeon RX 480 8GB instead. It's newer, with more VRAM, and performs nearly identical to the 970, at less power consumption afaik.

Get a better quality PSU. EVGA G2 would be more reliable.
 
Only if he gets a Z170 chipset mobo. Or else I don't see a point in getting something unlocked.
Didn't notice the mobo chipset wasn't Z170, my b. In that case, stick with the 6500. Doubly so if you don't plan on overclocking.

What's wrong with the RM 550x?
It's a third-tier PSU, not recommended for build for anyone planning on doing actual gaming. Not horrible, but certainly not ideal for a gaming build, and with minor price differences in PSUs, it can't hurt to go with something in a higher tier, EVGA G2 for example, is tier 2.

Is an 480 better in most and will I able to get one with the high demand
Demand would be the main issue here. Seems like most are out of stock. The 970 would do you fine, but a $50 cheaper card, that's newer and has more VRAM would be the better buy. I think we might be splitting hairs at that point though, so that's up to your discretion. The performance is neck-and-neck in every benchmark I've seen. About 50/50 for which one does better, and when they do, it's only ever by 10 FPS or less it seems.
 
At this price, you might as well go for the 6600K instead of the locked 6500. Matter of debate though.


Save $50, and get a Radeon RX 480 8GB instead. It's newer, with more VRAM, and performs nearly identical to the 970, at less power consumption afaik.


Get a better quality PSU. EVGA G2 would be more reliable.
Well it turns out that the 480 since it was sold so much and was in such high demand, that it is 280-300+ to be able to get one.
 
Didn't notice the mobo chipset wasn't Z170, my b. In that case, stick with the 6500. Doubly so if you don't plan on overclocking.


It's a third-tier PSU, not recommended for build for anyone planning on doing actual gaming. Not horrible, but certainly not ideal for a gaming build, and with minor price differences in PSUs, it can't hurt to go with something in a higher tier, EVGA G2 for example, is tier 2.


Demand would be the main issue here. Seems like most are out of stock. The 970 would do you fine, but a $50 cheaper card, that's newer and has more VRAM would be the better buy. I think we might be splitting hairs at that point though, so that's up to your discretion. The performance is neck-and-neck in every benchmark I've seen. About 50/50 for which one does better, and when they do, it's only ever by 10 FPS or less it seems.
But over all is this everything I need and can I go ahead and start buying parts
 
But over all is this everything I need and can I go ahead and start buying parts
Get this PSU instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._eK-pETGR0G2l_8Jp4R1oaAhAo8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Price difference is negligible and better safe than sorry. Otherwise, sure, it looks alright to me.

EDIT:
You also don't need to buy the AS5 thermal compound, the Cooler Master CPU cooler should come with thermal compound.
This. That thermal compound make little to no difference compared to the stuff comes with the cooler.
 
Is it just a better choice than the m3 because I wanted to pair the MSI products and saw great reviews on the m3
You're being too picky about part matching and aesthetics imo.

https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/a...-B170-Q150-Q170---What-is-the-Difference-635/

Z170 differences to B150:
  • Consumer chipset, vs business chipset
  • More PCIe configuration options
  • More PCIe lanes
  • Capable of M.2/SATA Express storage
  • Allows for more USB Ports
  • Allows for unlocked CPU overclocking
It's still red and black, and has better expand-ability features
 
The Corsair RMx series is Tier 2.. I run the 750w version in my build.

Definitely would be nice to have a color matched rig, but sometimes it gets pricey and we're here to try and save you some money :D

Get the RX 480, it'll match and perform the same or better than the GTX 970. If not due to availability, see if you can get a GTX 980 on Craigslist for around $250-300.

Get the 6600K and Z170A board + some sort of nice cooler because eventually you will want to push for that extra FPS boost.
 
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The Corsair RX series is Tier 2.. I run the 750w version in my build.
My b, was thinking of the RM series. OP disregard PSU changes. Both are just fine though.

Get the 6600K and Z170A board + some sort of nice cooler because eventually you will want to push for that extra FPS boost.
$40 difference in CPU. Up to OP honestly, but I agree here.
 
My b, was thinking of the RM series. OP disregard PSU changes. Both are just fine though.


$40 difference in CPU. Up to OP honestly, but I agree here.
Let's say I want to overclock in the future (I may) just how simple will it be and will it be a very touchy or dangerous for someone with no OC experience?
 
My b, was thinking of the RM series.

My b as well, I messed up cause it's the RMx that's tier 2 apparently oops (does Corsair make an RX?)

Tier 4 includes the Corsair CX line but I haven't had issues in any of my previous builds with it.. :P
 
Let's say I want to overclock in the future (I may) just how simple will it be and will it be a very touchy or dangerous for someone with no OC experience?
If you get the 6600k, very easy. If you don't have a "k" ending Intel Processor, you're not going to overclock. Keep in mind, you'll also probably want a Z170 mobo if you plan on overclocking.
 
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