The Virgin Build

[Rkiivs]

[H]i guys and gals,

This will be my first build ever. Fair warning, I'm not schooled in any way, shape, or form in computer hardware know-how (outside of reading the [H] forums). Seriously, I have that newbie smell.

But neither am I wandering forward blindly. Although I tried to make logical choices for my budget/wants by reading a substantial amount of information, I won't be able to match the collective expertise of these forums. Hence, I hope you'll help me avoid any blunders in this build by taking a gander at it and let me know where I can make the build better.

ANY advice would be appreciated.

The mindset: As a semi-starving artist, I rarely will get the chance to buy a new computer so I swung for the fences on the video card/mobo/cpu as the budget would allow.

I'll start by answering the basic build questions and then post my parts list below that.

1) What will you be doing with this PC?
Some gaming, including online (fps, rts, mmo's). I have a micro apartment so it doubles as my entertainment center (online music/movie/baseball game streaming).

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
My hard budget is (US)$1600.00 prior to tax and shipping.

3) Which country do you live in?
U.S. of A; Pharr, Texas (hot-wet-mop-to-the-face-humid deep south Texas)

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget?
CPU, motherboard, RAM, video card, SSD storage, mechanical storage, optical drive, CPU cooler, case, power supply

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?
Not reusing any parts.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Not immediately, but I want to further down the road after my system is up and running; and it will be only moderate overclocking. I want to learn to walk properly before I learn to run.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
A discontinued ViewSonic VX2739wm 27", 1920x1080.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Putting in my order in the next couple of days (or sooner once I get the [H] blessing).

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
I am buying an unclocked CPU so that I can eventually dip my toe into the OC waters. No plans/need for dual video cards. No other specific needs other than this build must last me 2/3 years as this kind of money is tight for me.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS?
I will need to buy the OS, Win 8.1 64-bit.



And now the parts list:
(All are being ordered via Newegg to make purchasing/returns easy for me.)

i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor - $334.99
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - $34.99
MSI Z97 MPOWER MAX AC ATX LGA1150 - $236.30
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory - $149.99**
OCZ ARC 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive - $69.99**
Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive - $79.99**
MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card - $355.91
Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case - 69.99
Silverstone 500W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply - $79.99**
Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer - $14.99
Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) - $79.99

total $1507.12

**NOTE: I'm simply outmatched here as online info/reviews were all over the place. Are there comparable, reliable parts at a better price? Am I overpaying?

Thanks ahead of time for any advice.

 

[Dangman]

It's Halloween Night and I'm about to go out but wanted to post a quick opinion:
- You've spent waay too much money on the motherboard
- You've spent waay too little money on the SSD and PSU.
- If that RAM is indeed $150 shipped, BUY THAT ASAP!

I'll come back later with recommendations.

 

[tiraides]

Go with the following instead:

$240 - Intel Core i5-4690K quad-core processor
$220 - Asus Z97-A motherboard and Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM DVD combo
$149 - Crucial Ballistix Sport 2x8GB DDR3 1600 RAM and Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD burner combo
$50 - Cooler Master Seidon 120V liquid CPU cooler
$350 - Gigabyte GV-N970WF3OC-4GD GTX 970 4GB video card
$113 - Crucial MX100 256GB SSD
$55 - WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB HDD
$75 - SeaSonic G Series SSR-550RM 550 watt modular power supply
$70 - Corsair 230T ATX mid-tower case
=====
$1322 - Total before taxes and shipping

The key changes I made are:
- You don't need a Core i7 processor for your tasks, so I went with the cheaper i5-4690K.
- The above combo deals save you some more money while still allowing you to overclock.
- The Seidon 120V is better for cooling than the Hyper 212 EVO. If low noise is a greater priority for you, stick with the Hyper 212 EVO.
- When Dangman mentioned spending more on the SSD and the PSU, the Crucial MX100 and the SeaSonic SSR-550RM are what he meant. It's especially important with the SSD as the larger capacity drives perform better and give you more room for your key programs.

If you want to save even more money, NewEgg has the gray/black version of the Corsair 230T on sale until 11/2.

 

[Quartz-1]

Since you're in a micro-apartment, do you have the space for a full-size ATX case? I'm wondering if a mATX build based around the Aerocool DS or Silverstone FT03 would be more appropriate, or even ITX around the FT03 Mini or ML03?

 

[Rkiivs]

It's Halloween Night and I'm about to go out...snip

I'll come back later with recommendations.

I look forward to your input.

Go with the following instead:

$240 - Intel Core i5-4690K quad-core processor
$220 - Asus Z97-A motherboard and Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM DVD combo
$149 - Crucial Ballistix Sport 2x8GB DDR3 1600 RAM and Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD burner combo
$50 - Cooler Master Seidon 120V liquid CPU cooler
$350 - Gigabyte GV-N970WF3OC-4GD GTX 970 4GB video card
$113 - Crucial MX100 256GB SSD
$55 - WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB HDD
$75 - SeaSonic G Series SSR-550RM 550 watt modular power supply
$70 - Corsair 230T ATX mid-tower case
=====
$1322 - Total before taxes and shipping

The key changes I made are:
- You don't need a Core i7 processor for your tasks, so I went with the cheaper i5-4690K.
- The above combo deals save you some more money while still allowing you to overclock.
- The Seidon 120V is better for cooling than the Hyper 212 EVO. If low noise is a greater priority for you, stick with the Hyper 212 EVO.
- When Dangman mentioned spending more on the SSD and the PSU, the Crucial MX100 and the SeaSonic SSR-550RM are what he meant. It's especially important with the SSD as the larger capacity drives perform better and give you more room for your key programs.

If you want to save even more money, NewEgg has the gray/black version of the Corsair 230T on sale until 11/2.

Thanks for the recommendations. I will update my list shortly. I realized yesterday while posting that I neglected to select storage needs, so they were less thoughtful choices. By coincidence, when I saw my first video card choice was sold out this morning the one I selected as my second choice was the same you listed here.

Since you're in a micro-apartment, do you have the space for a full-size ATX case?

Yes, I will be revising my list to include a full tower since I am cutting some costs elsewhere. For no other reason than pure vanity, I will be purchasing one with a side window to showoff my handiwork.


Thanks for the responses so far!

 

[Rkiivs]

(For some reason, my edits on the OP don't seem to save. Sorry for separate post here.)

**UPDATED PARTS LIST**

Intel Core i5-4690K quad-core processor - $239.99
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - $34.99
ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 - $149.99
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory - $149.99
Crucial MX100 256GB SSD - $112.99
WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB HDD - $54.99
Gigabyte GV-N970WF3OC-4GD GTX 970 4GB video card - $349.99
Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid w/Side Panel Window - $79.99
SeaSonic G Series SSR-550RM 550 watt modular power supply - $74.99
Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer - $14.99
Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) - $79.99

Still looking for full tower w/side window.

total $1287.90

Regards.

 

[Dangman]

Setup looks good so far. Here's a list of cases that I recommend:
$100 - Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Arctic White ATX Case
$100 - Phanteks “Enthoo Pro Series“ Black ATX Case
$110 - Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Gunmetal Black ATX Case
$115 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case
$116 - Thermaltake Chaser A71 Full Tower ATX Case
$120 - Corsair Graphite Series 730T ATX Case
$120 - Corsair Obsidian Series 450D ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Full Tower ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Full Tower ATX Case
$133 - NZXT Phantom 530 Black Full Tower ATX Case
$130 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
$140 - Corsair Obsidian Series 750D ATX Case
$150 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case
$152 - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$150 - NZXT Phantom 630 White Windowed Full Tower ATX Case
$158 - NZXT Phantom 630 Gunmetal Full Tower ATX Case
$170 - Thermaltake Urban T81 Full Tower ATX Case
$190 - Corsair Graphite Series 760T ATX Case
197 - Corsair Graphite Black ATX Full Tower 780T
208 - Corsair Graphite White ATX Full Tower 780T
$240 - Silverstone FT02B-USB3.0 ATX Case

 

[*The*Dark*Lord*]

you said you're looking for a full tower with a side window but you picked the 230T which is a mid sized tower, I'm guessing that's what you meant?

If yes, go with the PHANTEKS ENTOO PRO!!!!

can't go wrong with that case, if you don't like it for some reason (then you're crazy...jkz, everyone has his own taste) then take a look at the NZXT S340

 

[PCunicorn]

I originally loved full towers but after using a few mid towers I started to hate fulls. They're MASSIVE, at least the one I used. Way more room then you need unless you have a full WC loop. They seriously make ATX boards look tiny. Any reason you need a full tower?

Also, you could upgrade to a GTX 980. The extra power is completely unnecessary right now, especially at 1080p, but you will definitely notice in around 2 years. The 970 will stop maxing stuff out, while the 980 will go right ahead. But if you feel like you're going to upgrade your GPU in under 3 years, just go with a 970.

Also, I reccomend upgrading your monitor soon. 1440p/1600p is getting cheap, and 1080p at 27" has a really low PPI (it doesn't look very good). What KB/mouse are you using?

 

[Rkiivs]

Setup looks good so far. Here's a list of cases that I recommend:
--snip--

Thanks for the list, I will look into these.

you said you're looking for a full tower with a side window but you picked the 230T which is a mid sized tower, I'm guessing that's what you meant?

If yes, go with the PHANTEKS ENTOO PRO!!!!

can't go wrong with that case, if you don't like it for some reason (then you're crazy...jkz, everyone has his own taste) then take a look at the NZXT S340

Ah, I left that case on the updated list in error. I will take a look at these recommendations.

I originally loved full towers but after using a few mid towers I started to hate fulls. They're MASSIVE, at least the one I used. Way more room then you need unless you have a full WC loop. They seriously make ATX boards look tiny. Any reason you need a full tower?

Also, you could upgrade to a GTX 980. The extra power is completely unnecessary right now, especially at 1080p, but you will definitely notice in around 2 years. The 970 will stop maxing stuff out, while the 980 will go right ahead. But if you feel like you're going to upgrade your GPU in under 3 years, just go with a 970.

Also, I reccomend upgrading your monitor soon. 1440p/1600p is getting cheap, and 1080p at 27" has a really low PPI (it doesn't look very good). What KB/mouse are you using?

Yep, I plan on adding a watercooling solution later and wanted the room for whatever configuation is needed. The other upgrades will go on my wishlist for the future.



Many thanks to everyone's replies, you helped quite a bit. I will place my order later today.

 

[larrymoencurly]

Get a roll of pink anti-static bubble wrap from Home Depot or Staples, and cover your whole tabletop with it. Wear short sleeves and no shoes while working on the computer. Lay out all your components on the anti-static surface.

Be careful not to short anything, such as the motherboard to the case. Insert any memory modules and cards completely into their slots or they can be crooked and short. Be careful installing the CPU heatsink/fan so it makes complete contact with the CPU package and doesn't stick up slightly at one end. Also if the heatsink is so big that it sticks out too much sideways and touches the memory modules, you need to move the memory to sockets that are farther away or get a different heatsink or memory modules that won't touch.

If I wasn't into gaming, for $1600 I'd rather have two computers and some backup disk drives. NewEgg currently has a Gigabyte motherboard with 3.2 GHz Pentium for about $84, delivered, that could be good for a spare.

Don't install everything and turn on the power. First install just enough hardware to let you check for signs of life -- motherboard, power supply, CPU, CPU heatsink/fan, one memory module, video card (if no video built into motherboard), monitor, keyboard, and motherboard speaker (beeps diagnostic codes; some motherboards have it built in). If this boots, get into the BIOS setup and check temperatures, voltages, fan speed, etc. Then run something like MemTest86+ from a USB flash drive for a pass, then shut down and install the rest of the memory and test it similarly, only much longer. If everything tests OK, then install the other stuff.

Don't overclock for the first few weeks and remember, that memory is already overclocked even at its advertised speed.