05-01-2017, 09:57 AM
There is really no such thing as future proofing unless you go baller just buy the nicest and newest graphics card and monitor that you can afford.
Right now 4k isn't worth the cost. 1440p is a good sweet spot if 1080 isn't enough. It's a lot about than 1080. Colors and graphics just are amazing on 1440p. It blew my mind the first time I loaded up even CS:GO on 1440p compared to 1080p.
The real question is what is your budget? What are you looking to use your computer for? What do you want to do in the future?
The goal here is simply buy a future proof case so mid or full do not skimp here. $80+ is recommended with good cable management so when you replace parts you don't cry. I love NZXT cases for the price and features they are great. There are other great cases as well.
For mobo don't spend for extra features you don't need.
16GB is plenty of RAM right now.
For CPU minimum i7 would be my recommendation. 4 core is fine. Skylake will be fine for 3-4 years easily for most people.
For sure get a small SSD for Windows and a few of your favorite games.
Don't cheap out on PSU you'll regret it. Fully modular at minimum. EVGA and Corsair. 650W is where you want to be for future proofing on single card and 4 core i7.
Now, for my build. I went a little baller reason is future proof. I built my first comp summer of 2015. It was cheap >$800 but I built to leave me room for the future. I just upgraded a few months ago. My original build had an i5-4690k, 8GB RAM, 250GB SSD, 1TB HD, and a GTX970. The computer started to struggle pretty hard on high graphics at 1080p all around. So, I first got the CPU, Fan, Mobo and RAM (used the same case and PSU). Then I decided to just go full 1440p tard as the monitor went on sale for 20% off. I then decided I didn't want to upgrade graphics card in 2 years so I went balls out and bought a 1080TI and a new PSU to support the new powerful card. I'm hoping I'll be all good for the next 4 years before having to touch anything. It took a lot of money but it has been so worth it.
TL;DR: Hobbies are the expensive. I spend too much money on things.
Right now 4k isn't worth the cost. 1440p is a good sweet spot if 1080 isn't enough. It's a lot about than 1080. Colors and graphics just are amazing on 1440p. It blew my mind the first time I loaded up even CS:GO on 1440p compared to 1080p.
The real question is what is your budget? What are you looking to use your computer for? What do you want to do in the future?
The goal here is simply buy a future proof case so mid or full do not skimp here. $80+ is recommended with good cable management so when you replace parts you don't cry. I love NZXT cases for the price and features they are great. There are other great cases as well.
For mobo don't spend for extra features you don't need.
16GB is plenty of RAM right now.
For CPU minimum i7 would be my recommendation. 4 core is fine. Skylake will be fine for 3-4 years easily for most people.
For sure get a small SSD for Windows and a few of your favorite games.
Don't cheap out on PSU you'll regret it. Fully modular at minimum. EVGA and Corsair. 650W is where you want to be for future proofing on single card and 4 core i7.
Now, for my build. I went a little baller reason is future proof. I built my first comp summer of 2015. It was cheap >$800 but I built to leave me room for the future. I just upgraded a few months ago. My original build had an i5-4690k, 8GB RAM, 250GB SSD, 1TB HD, and a GTX970. The computer started to struggle pretty hard on high graphics at 1080p all around. So, I first got the CPU, Fan, Mobo and RAM (used the same case and PSU). Then I decided to just go full 1440p tard as the monitor went on sale for 20% off. I then decided I didn't want to upgrade graphics card in 2 years so I went balls out and bought a 1080TI and a new PSU to support the new powerful card. I'm hoping I'll be all good for the next 4 years before having to touch anything. It took a lot of money but it has been so worth it.
TL;DR: Hobbies are the expensive. I spend too much money on things.