Building a new PC - advice help

chazbat1

Hi All,

First time poster in this forum but here I go.

So I am a Gamer and have been using a pre-built Dell (yes I know I have now learned my lesson)

And I am looking to build a machine with some serious grunt.

I picked these parts out and since this will be my first build was looking for some constructive feedback and comments - my budget is €1000 (could go over a little) - thanks in advance...

Cooler Master K280 Midi-Tower, 1xUSB2.0 / 1xUSB3.0 / Audio

Kingston HyperX Beast - 8GB - PC3-19200 - DIMM DDR3, 2400MHz, 1.65 V, CL11, 2x4GB

ASUS GeForce GTX770-DC2OC-2GD5 - 2GB - PCI-E DVI / HDMI / DisplayPort

Western Digital Black - 500GB 3.5", SATA-600, 7200rpm, 64MB

ASUS Z87-A - Socket 1150 - ATX Intel Z87, 4xDDR3, SATA600 / USB3.0

Intel Core i5-4670K - 3.4GHz - Socket 1150 - Unlocked Quad-core, includes cooler

Samsung 840 Evo Series 120GB 2.5", 7mm, SATA600, read up to 540MB/s, write up to 410MB/s

CoolerMaster GM Series G750M - 750 Watt Modular

UPDATED -

1. What is your budget? €1000-€1200

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? Gaming - WoW - BF4 - CoD - Skyrim - ESO - Crysis/2/3

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? Yes - 7 preferably

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? No

5. Do you need a monitor? No, have a Benq 24" 120hz 3d monitor and a Iiyama prolite 24" LED


5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? 1920x1080 no

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? no peripherals

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? Possibly as this is my first time probably not until I have done more research

8. How can you pay? Laser or credit card

9. When are you purchasing? Probably in the next week

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? North County Dublin

BloodBath

Overspending in some areas.

You should fill out the question template from the stickies so we have more info to give recommendations.

chazbat1

Updated my original post above

chazbat1

Item|Price
BitFenix Merc Alpha|€32.64
8GB-Kit Crucial Ballistix Sport Series DDR3-1333, CL9|€66.35
ASUS GTX770-DC2OC-2GD5 DirectCU II OC, GeForce GTX 770, 2GB GDDR5|€299.61
Seagate Barracuda 7200 500GB SATA 6GB's|€45.57
ASRock Z87 Pro3, Sockel 1150, ATX|€79.01
Intel Core i5-4670K Box, LGA1150|€205.91
Samsung SSD 840 EVO Basic 120GB SATA 6Gb/s|€74.99
Corsair Builder Series CX750 80PLUS Bronze, 750W|€77.18
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€900.25

Does this look like it could work? - sorry just trying to be self serving :-)

BloodBath

Yes that's fine but I'd go for an R9 280x or R9 290 over a 770. The 290 is great value for money and will run any game at 1080p with max settings with 60+ fps. Since you have a 120hz monitor you can take advantage of it even in the less graphically demanding games.

A 1TB WD blue or 1TB Seagate barracuda. It's only €10 more for a faster drive with double the capacity.

The 600w Corsair CX600 modular would be more than enough power.

Add a Cooler master Hyper 212 evo cpu cooler.

Change to a better quality case. I'd go matx for a single gpu system. Something like the Fractal Design Define mini. i'd add 3 more case fans to this then as well since you are overclocking.

That would mean changing the board to the matx version as well.

Would add about €150 onto the cost but money well spent imo.

SterlingArcher

8GB-Kit Crucial Ballistix Sport Series DDR3-1600, is only 60 when using Geizhals.de

Did you run all your parts through?

As suggested r9 290, bit of a shortage of these cards at the moment.

chazbat1

Hey,

I suppose its personal preference that I prefer Nvidia cards (using a 560ti 1.25GB at the moment) - What is the difference between matx and ATX?

The PSU was to ensure I had enough power but If you think 600W is enough then I will go with that.

and also the geizhals.de website is in German so not sure what I am suppose to do with that one....

sorry if I sound like a complete novice!

BloodBath

The R9 290 is by far the best value high end card at the moment. Amd have been knocking Nvidia out of the park at most price points the last couple of gens. The 290 with an overclock would be about 50% faster than the 770 gtx with double the memory yet only costs 30% more. Make sure to get one with a good cooler though. They are hot.

Matx is slightly smaller but has all of the same features. It's ideal for single gpu systems.

Just search for the parts 1 by 1 on geizhals and select hwvs from the list of sellers for a discounted link.

chazbat1

Cool, thanks for the info - been a great help... couple more questions (i hope)

Is installing a separate CPU cooler more difficult than a stock one? do I need thermal paste or similar?

Should i get a static wrist strap jobby?

and Finally any recommendations on r9 290's MSI seems to be the runner with the cooling?

chazbat1

my parts list - after some feedback

Item|Price
8GB-Kit Crucial Ballistix Sport Series DDR3-1333, CL9|€66.30
Intel Core i5-4670K Box, LGA1150|€203.83
Samsung SSD 840 EVO Basic 120GB SATA 6Gb/s|€74.99
ASRock Z87M Pro4, Sockel 1150, mATX|€80.86
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1000GB, SATA 6Gb/s|€51.92
FRACTAL DESIGN Gehäuse Define Mini|€78.84
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - Intel/AMD|€29.69
2 x FRACTAL DESIGN Lüfter FD Silent Series R2 FD-FAN-SSR2-120, 120mm|€16.22
Corsair CX Series Modular CX600M, 600W|€65.72
Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 WindForce 3X, 4GB GDDR5, 2x DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort|€368.83
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€1056.19

SterlingArcher

SterlingArcher wrote: »

8GB-Kit Crucial Ballistix Sport Series DDR3-1600, is only 60 when using Geizhals.de

Get this one instead it is -1600 , one you selected is 1300. Basically the 16 is faster. Now its no biggy but if you are getting the 1600 cheaper obviously you get them.

chazbat1

A quick update - I have decided to go for a i7-4770k, 250GB SSD, ASUS GTX780 DCUII - Fractal Design R4 case - a few changes because I have found a few extra quid down the back of the couch!

Also I know most of you love the R9 290 as a card but I am a bit of an Nvidia fanboy and have read lots on the GTX 780 and think its what I would like in my system!

SterlingArcher

chazbat1 wrote: »

A quick update - I have decided to go for a i7-4770k, 250GB SSD, ASUS GTX780 DCUII - Fractal Design R4 case - a few changes because I have found a few extra quid down the back of the couch!

Also I know most of you love the R9 290 as a card but I am a bit of an Nvidia fanboy and have read lots on the GTX 780 and think its what I would like in my system!

Nice , mobo , PSU , ram?

chazbat1

mobo = ASUS Z87-A
PSU = Coolermaster GM 750w Modular
Ram= Kingston hyperx blu 8GB (may go 16GB but don't think its worth it yet)

SterlingArcher

chazbat1 wrote: »

mobo = ASUS Z87-A
PSU = Coolermaster GM 750w Modular
Ram= Kingston hyperx blu 8GB (may go 16GB but don't think its worth it yet)

Mobo cool.

Nope its not, prices too high. I paid 40 for 8 gig few months back now they're 80. So get 8 and wait. Rhymes so it must be true.

Coolmaster PSU. Meh I wouldn't.

A 600w PSU will be more than enough for that card even 550w

chazbat1

what brand would you recommend?

that's the only part I am kind of stuck on - because I am getting a well cable managed case I wanted a modular PSU.

SterlingArcher

chazbat1 wrote: »

what brand would you recommend?

that's the only part I am kind of stuck on - because I am getting a well cable managed case I wanted a modular PSU.

Corsair CX Series Modular CX600M from your original build.., 600W in stock hardwareversand. 61 euro using Geizhals.de discount.

chazbat1

A quick Power calc told me I would need 650W - so I was going for a higher wattage

SterlingArcher

That card uses 250 300 tops ever, your system 100-150 if even. You will have plenty of clearance.

With parts becoming more power efficient, you be sorted for future upgrades.

chazbat1

Cheers - I will post pictures in this thread when I am done so people can critique my sloppy attempt at a build!

SterlingArcher

chazbat1 wrote: »

Cheers - I will post pictures in this thread when I am done so people can critique my sloppy attempt at a build!

R4 is a good case man, will be easy to keep wires clean.

chazbat1

Order Placed!

Final List - I am like a kid at Christmas...


Fractal Design Define R4 - Window - - tower - ATX

Kingston HyperX blu - 8GB 1600MHz PC3-12800

ASUS GeForce GTX780-DC2OC-3GD5 - 3GB - PCI-E

Seagate 1TB 3.5" SATA-600 7200rpm 64MB

ASUS Z87-A - Motherboard - ATX - LGA1150 Socket

Intel Core i7 4770K

Samsung 840 EVO MZ-7TE120 120GB SSD

Corsair CX Series CX600M - 600 Watt

Blitz17

chazbat1 wrote: »

Order Placed!

Final List - I am like a kid at Christmas...


Fractal Design Define R4 - Window - - tower - ATX

Kingston HyperX blu - 8GB 1600MHz PC3-12800

ASUS GeForce GTX780-DC2OC-3GD5 - 3GB - PCI-E

Seagate 1TB 3.5" SATA-600 7200rpm 64MB

ASUS Z87-A - Motherboard - ATX - LGA1150 Socket

Intel Core i7 4770K

Samsung 840 EVO MZ-7TE120 120GB SSD

Corsair CX Series CX600M - 600 Watt

Did you pick up CPU Cooler too ?

SterlingArcher

Yes , you will need a custom cooler when overclocking the 4770k.

Maybe swap ram out to corsair low profile. 69 euro using Geizhals at the moment.

Did you run all parts through Geizhal?

CPU is 279 on gehizals.

Gpu 429

Case 83

chazbat1

I am not going to overclock just yet as its my first build - going to buy a Corsair liquid CPU cooler (H100i or similar) in the next couple of months as well as an additional 140mm fan for the front of the case and possibly an LED light strip - and then start delving into the world of overclocking...

As for RAM - I got it for free brand new from a friend.

SterlingArcher

chazbat1 wrote: »

I am not going to overclock just yet as its my first build - going to buy a Corsair liquid CPU cooler (H100i or similar) in the next couple of months as well as an additional 140mm fan for the front of the case and possibly an LED light strip - and then start delving into the world of overclocking...

As for RAM - I got it for free brand new from a friend.

cool ,just making sure. You really shouldn't be pushed to overclock in a hurry anyway. Is a really nice rig man. What games you running.

chazbat1

I play most games as they come out - I am really looking forward to Titanfall - I just want to make them look better and run smoother on my nice 3D monitor! The latest battlefield is chugging on my existing machine unless I turn it down - I also play WoW and ESO when it comes out (currently BETA testing it)

SterlingArcher

Will all look the ****ty ****. Should be plain sailing with them specs

chazbat1

some of that last comment was *'ed out so I am guessing it was along the lines of - the dogs danglies - that's what I am hoping for anyway!

chazbat1

I think I may have made a horrible mistake with my power supply - I have read that the CX600M is not compatible with the i7 4770k.... could be a non runner form the start....

Blitz17

chazbat1 wrote: »

I think I may have made a horrible mistake with my power supply - I have read that the CX600M is not compatible with the i7 4770k.... could be a non runner form the start....

Never heard the likes of that , It'll be fine

Sparks43

chazbat1 wrote: »

I think I may have made a horrible mistake with my power supply - I have read that the CX600M is not compatible with the i7 4770k.... could be a non runner form the start....

If you read that from my post in the other thread don't jump to conclusions

It may be miles out but I wouldn't mind seeing another view on it

On phone atm so can't copy paste

Blitz17

Blitz17 wrote: »

Never heard the likes of that , It'll be fine

And to expand on why, Some PSUs had issues with Haswells "C States" reducing the power needed from the PSU. These C States are normally disabled as default. If not then you can disable them

chazbat1

I also looked on corsairs website and a few other forums...no documented issues corsair just have the pus down as not verified yet.

Sparks43

Blitz17 wrote: »

And to expand on why, Some PSUs had issues with Haswells "C States" reducing the power needed from the PSU. These C States are normally disabled as default. If not then you can disable them

But if your system won't boot on the breadboard how does normally help.

I hope for the sake of the op and other builder this is bull but I would be wary

chazbat1

It seems its all scare mongering and PSU suppliers playing it safe - I have done some further reading and all seems to be related to much older PSU's so hopefully all should be gravy - My parts are in the UK!

chazbat1

UPS says my parts have left Tamworth at 4am today so hopefully I get them tomorrow and I do a flawless first build (no hope)... Got a free copy of Windows 8.1 ultimate x64 today (legitimate retail version) :-D - SO just need to rip the ISO and make a bootable USB key...

chazbat1

I finally got my components delivered today.... don't ask...

Thanks to you all for contributing to this thread you have all been very helpful in me not overspending and ensuring I have the right components!

One last thing - What Antivirus would you recommend for a new install? I was gonna just go with The windows ones...

game4it70

Avast free is what i use on the 3 rigs in the house.Cant fault tbh.

bassey

I just use Windows Security Essentials, don't see a need for anything else really once you use a bit of cop on

Redfox25

Avira is good too, not too big either.

BloodBath

I'd go for Avast as well. MSE is useless.

chazbat1

So I finished my build on friday night - no hitches - booted straight into UEFI - installed windows 8 its all gravy - no issues whatsoever...yet

one question - my IO shield with the motherboard had lots of like metal pieces sticking out around the back of it - I was wondering is that normal... the mobo fit in fine but required me to push it firmly into IO shield and put screws in quickly... maybe I should have broken these bits of metal off?

mrcheez

chazbat1 wrote: »

So I finished my build on friday night - no hitches - booted straight into UEFI - installed windows 8 its all gravy - no issues whatsoever...yet

one question - my IO shield with the motherboard had lots of like metal pieces sticking out around the back of it - I was wondering is that normal... the mobo fit in fine but required me to push it firmly into IO shield and put screws in quickly... maybe I should have broken these bits of metal off?

I had the same issue, I thought I was meant to break them off but those bits just act as stabilizers to keep the IO shield/plate in place by pushing hard against the board and case.

btw I see you got an SSD, did you set the SATA to AHCI mode in the BIOS before installing the OS?

chazbat1

Yeah I checked that it was already in AHCI mode... the 5 second boot ups are fantastic... I am still worried somethings going to blow up at any point... but its been working well since Friday night - ran some memory and processor stress tests overnight and they all came back fine... so pleased with my first build :-D

SterlingArcher

Haha almost like you are willing something to be wrong. play some god damn games man.

chazbat1

Just a quick update - I bought and installed Titanfall.. and Oh my oh My its sweet - runs blisteringly quick... I have to say it was money well spent - and thanks to some good advice here saved a few bob too!