Building My Custom Desktop Computer: A Detailed Walkthrough

Recently, I've been in the process of building my very own customized desktop computer. This endeavor has led me to meticulously choose and assemble each component to ensure performance and efficiency without breaking the bank. Here's a detailed breakdown of the parts I've selected for my system, along with a brief overview of the initial build and some of my observations over the years.

Components and Price Breakdown

My latest build included several high-performance components that cater to both gaming and general computing tasks. Here’s a list of the parts I've used:

Intel Core i7-8700k - A powerful CPU for heavy tasks and gaming. NVIDIA GeForce 1080ti - An advanced graphics card for top-notch gaming. 32GB 3000MHz RAM - Ensuring smooth multitasking and stability. 2TB HDD - For storing large amounts of data and files. 480GB SSD - For fast loading and overall system performance. 550W Power Supply - From EVGA, designed for reliability and efficiency. Gigabyte B365M DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard - A cost-effective but capable choice. Noctua NH-L9i 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler - Provides excellent cooling performance. Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mini Tower Case - Sleek and compact design.

These components together cost me around $1500. Additionally, I had some components from an older build, which included:

2TB HDD - An older hard drive from my previous build. 240GB SSD - Another older SSD for additional storage space.

The combined cost of the new parts and these inventory components is approximately $1830, making it a reasonable investment for a high-performance system.

Initial Build and Upgrade

This build was initiated in 2015, and I used an old case, Rosewill microATX, with a 600W power supply and a Hyper 212 evo CPU heatsink. These components were relatively inexpensive at the time, costing around $150. I later upgraded the graphics card to a Sapphire Nitro RX480 in 2017, which added another $200 to the total.

Back in 2015, my primary concern was affordability. As a college student, every dollar was carefully budgeted. I made choices based on brand reputation, deals, and bundled packages. For instance, the motherboard often comes bundled with the CPU, contributing to the overall cost-efficiency.

Adding a new 27-inch 1080p Acer monitor brought the total price up by another $150. If WiFi was needed, an additional network card would cost approximately $20.

Performance and reliability

I initially got this PC in the spring of 2015. As of January 2018, only the Cooler Master mouse was the only component that needed replacement. The rest of the system remained in excellent working condition. The PCpartpicker warning mentioned the compatibility of all components is something to consider, but in my case, everything worked seamlessly.

This custom-built PC runs almost all games and applications at maximum settings at 1080p. Games like Battlefield 1 provide around 90 FPS, with no FPS drop below 60. Even CPU-bound games like Total War are run smoothly at maximum settings.

I would highly recommend striving to get a GTX1060 over an RX480 for better performance and stability. The GTX1060 is often considered the more reliable and powerful option at a similar price point.

New Case Purchase and Considerations

Though the 60 case from Newegg is currently out of stock, I made the decision to purchase it. Despite not being completely justified for the budget, its sleek and cool design was a major selling point. I am willing to spend the extra cash for aesthetic appeal and enhanced performance.

When building a custom desktop, it’s crucial to carefully select each component, focusing on brand reputation, performance, and budget. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what I’ve discovered in my own build, balancing cost and performance to deliver a system that meets my needs.