Chrsitmas Build - $1000 - Analyze my choices please

[Mark617]

First, I realize with this build it will be closer to $1100-1200, so be it. I can throw in some extra cash since most will be given as presents. But, I need to get my list out by about Thanksgiving. If there will be massive sales, I can wait on those parts and purchase them myself and leave the rest as gifts.

I already have a CM Stacker case with plenty of fans, so all I need is the hardware listed. I play mostly WoW, Skyrim, Dark Souls, and games of that nature. Pretty much always RPG games, every once in a while FIFA. Playing on a 60 inch plasma 1080P. Noise of fans etc. is not really a concern. I don't plan to OC right off the bat, but probably will in time. Regardless, it will probably be mild OCs. Any other questions / reqs I need to answer let me know.

PSU - Corsair CX Series CX750M 750 Watt ATX Modular Power Supply - $69
http://www.microcenter.com/product/406089/CX_Series_CX750M_750_Watt_ATX_Modular_Power_Supply

The 750 is only $7 more than the 600 so I figured what the heck. I would prefer a modular PSU, but if there is a much better one I am willing to go that route and simply hide the cables. If the rebate ends, I will go back to the 600 series, as I think that is more than enough for what I am running.

RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 (PC3 19200) - $82
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231666

Was recommended 16 GB in another thread at a low price, but I figure when the time comes I can simply buy 16 GB or buy another set of these.

M/B - Asus z87 A - $140
http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Z87-A-DDR3-1600-Motherboard/dp/B00CRJSV9O

I was recommended this board, but there is a newer version, the Z-97, so I will probably buy that one unless the 87 is better for my setup.

CPU - i5-4670K Haswell - $234
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-4670K-Quad-Core-Desktop-Processor/dp/B00CO8TBOW

Told this was more than enough for my gaming needs.

GPU -

Here is my issue. When I asked before, I was told an R9-280X, but I see there are new versions out since then. I would like recommendations here both on what model and maker to get.

HD - Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 250GB - $128
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electronics-EVO-Series-2-5-Inch-MZ-7TE250BW/dp/B00E3W1726

I do not need multiple drives, I don't keep a ton on my computer. Even a solid 128 GB would be fine if it was better than this, but it seems this is a pretty good drive and the 250 GB is the version I need to get over the 128 GB because the bigger one has 8 channels or something. I won't pretend to know.

Heatsink - NHD15 - $95
http://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NH-D15...&ie=UTF8&qid=1415289510&sr=1-1&keywords=NHD15

I suppose I could go with something cheaper, like the 212 since I won't be doing massive OCing. Could put that money into my pocket, or a different PSU etc. Seems like a good choice and future proof if I OC though.

Windows - Windows 8.1 System Builder OEM DVD 64-Bit - $92
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-8-1-System-Builder-64-Bit/dp/B00F3ZN2W0

Just because.

Random - Arctic Silver $8

I don't have any left from my last build

Any items I can get at a Microcenter, assuming the savings is worth it, will be done by me in person. So I can leave the items not at Microcenter or only marginally cheaper to be purchased for Christmas.

Thank you for your time ~

 

[MajorTemples]

Take a look at this build:http://pcpartpicker.com/p/sj4njX (credits to withcdoctor). The person who asked for this build had pretty similar requirements as you do now.(http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php/752109-Yet-another-budget-build).

Like you said there are new gpus out (like the 970 in the posted build). The 4GB of VRAM will take care of heavily modded skyrim textures and will play the games you listed and upcomming games without a problem. You could settle with a lower end GPU end be just fine too.

The heatsink you posted is a very nice one but like you said it's expensive and you could achieve a 'mild' overclock with the 212 too and its about $60 cheaper, completely up to you though.

 

[manu2b]

That looks good, with a few comments:

as mentionned above, grab a GTX 970, it's a last gen card, and is roughly 60% faster than a 280x.

I would avoid Asus, as their customer service/RMA process is pathetic and go either Asrock or Gigabyte for the motherboard, with a preference for Asrock.

Check also the 4690k, it should be roughly the same price as the 4670k.

Have a look at the EVGA Supernova series PSU's. They are beast, and don't cost much.

8GB is fine for most uses, as 16GB are a must if you do a lot of Photo/Video/Music editin/creation. If not, 8GB are plenty!

 

[Mark617]

Very good you two, thank you.

Two questions:

1) In regards to the RAM listed in MajorTemples post, I have always had good luck with GSkill. Is there an appreciable difference between the Team Xtreem and the GSkills? Speed looks about the same although one is 2666 and one is 2400.

2) How big of a difference are the slight deviations in speed on the 970 GPUs? I see a similar priced gigabyte with slightly higher speeds etcs. Is there a reason to go one over the other? (I am referring to this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125684). I realize it is out of stock, but just raising the question of which model exactly of the 970 would be best given a specific price range.

 

[Theocnoob]

Very good you two, thank you.

Two questions:

1) In regards to the RAM listed in MajorTemples post, I have always had good luck with GSkill. Is there an appreciable difference between the Team Xtreem and the GSkills? Speed looks about the same although one is 2666 and one is 2400.

2) How big of a difference are the slight deviations in speed on the 970 GPUs? I see a similar priced gigabyte with slightly higher speeds etcs. Is there a reason to go one over the other? (I am referring to this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125684). I realize it is out of stock, but just raising the question of which model exactly of the 970 would be best given a specific price range.

Honestly, even 2133 RAM would be more than enough. 2400 and 2666 for a gaming/general use computer is sort of ridiculous and totally unnecessary. You won't see so much as a 1FPS improvement.

The differences in overclocks on the 970s can be made up in a few minutes of tweaking at home. GPUs are easy to overclock. Some are better made, if you will, than others. For example, the ASUS Strix, Gigabyte G1, and others, have cherry picked GPUs, better power delivery, better cooling. They will overclock higher than a stock reference design card. They also cost more money.

1400-1500Mhz or so should be possible on pretty much any GTX 970. Higher than that will depend on the various qualities of the specific card you buy. Don't look at the stock clocks though as you can tweak your card at home.

 

[Mandrake4565]

Honestly, even 2133 RAM would be more than enough. 2400 and 2666 for a gaming/general use computer is sort of ridiculous and totally unnecessary. You won't see so much as a 1FPS improvement.

I was thinking the same

You also do not need a 750w PSU if using 1 Gpu, you can easily get away with a 500-650w Psu and I second the EVGA Supernova's as a choice.

 

[MajorTemples]

Honestly, even 2133 RAM would be more than enough. 2400 and 2666 for a gaming/general use computer is sort of ridiculous and totally unnecessary. You won't see so much as a 1FPS improvement.

1866 RAM would be fine too right? You would probably only notice the difference when you're rendering videos or something? The 1866 CL9 GSkill Ripjaws are quite good.

The difference between the 970s isn't too big, one is a bit more expensive and faster, another is as fast but makes a bit more noise and a bit cheaper, the other one is cheaper more quiet but slower etc. etc.

 

[Mark617]

1866 RAM would be fine too right? You would probably only notice the difference when you're rendering videos or something? The 1866 CL9 GSkill Ripjaws are quite good.

The difference between the 970s isn't too big, one is a bit more expensive and faster, another is as fast but makes a bit more noise and a bit cheaper, the other one is cheaper more quiet but slower etc. etc.

Given what was said above about a sub 1 FPS gain, would it be a complete wash on whichever RAM I choose? Or, would going with something like the 1866 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231455 over what I had previously thought, provide some other ancillary benefits due to the lower CAS that the 2400 or 2666 would give me? It seems at 8 GB the price is about the same universally.

 

[MajorTemples]

1866 CL9 would be plenty for gaming, speeds don't really affect fps that much. Linus has made a video about it:

 

[Theocnoob]

The difference between the 970s isn't too big, one is a bit more expensive and faster, another is as fast but makes a bit more noise and a bit cheaper, the other one is cheaper more quiet but slower etc. etc.

Not exactly. Any 970 can be easily overclocked to the "stock" speed of a "top end" 970 like a Gigabyte G1 or a Galax HOF. Beyond that its a bit of a crapshoot and you dont know what voltage your card will need for any particular given clock rate. Basically you want to buy the best card you can afford off the batt. The one everyone seems to like is the Gigabyte G1. After that comes the ASUS Strix which is the quietest and run semi passive under no or light load.

 

[Mark617]

Ok, so this $1000 is going to be $1500 when all said and done. This forum always makes me spend more. Wonder why I never come out spending less =P

Here is the updated parts list (http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YBVGVn) but I have a few questions. Pretty much everything in the list I am set on, outside of the CPU heat sink. My question is, if my above aspirations have changed (meaning, after reading the Haswell OC thread, it seems an OC of 4300-4500 MHz should be no problem with common sense), is the Noctura worth it? What about the 14 versus the 15? What about the Hyper 212?

Also, few problem areas. I have tried to figure out exactly what RAM to get, but they all seem to be in the same range. Given the same price, which one makes sense for my personal requirements?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

And finally, the PSU. What is the difference really between the SuperNOVA NEX and regular ones? The 850 w and 750 w NEX are within a reasonable amount, so which one makes the most sense. Obviously future proofing is nice, but saving money is too if the cost benefit ratio isn't there.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Thank you guys for helping me to spend more money! Just kidding...appreciate all the time and answers.

 

[Theocnoob]

Newegg doesn't want to load for me today...

There is a Team Xtreem RAM which is 2666 Cas 11 and is only $80 for 8GB/$150 for 16GB. Best deal out there IMO. It won't work with a D14 or D15 though since it is not low profile.
I've really warmed up to the pre-filled liquid coolers myself. They take up less space in the case and just plain look better. Look into an H105 or an H110 from Corsair or an NZXT X61. If you really want big air the NHD14 should be more than enough for the overclocks you are aiming for. No need to get the big monster NHD15.

Your case I don't like. You can get the infinitely more attractive Corsair 760T for just a few bucks more. I like that case a lot better. Also great is the Corsair Air 540 but it is a radical design and you may not like it.

As far as the Hyper 212, you could go with that but I doubt you'd get past 4.3Ghz. You have to ask yourself whether another 2-300Mhz is worth the premium you pay for an NHD14/15, or an AIO liquid cooler. It won't gain you anything in gaming, or general usage. Neither will really fast RAM.

Personally I'd go with the Team 2666 and get an H110 but I like overkill a lot more than most people.

HTH

 

[trents]

The Noctua D15 has a step in the memory side heatsink that supposedly allows you to use taller RAM than the D14.

 

[Theocnoob]

The Noctua D15 has a step in the memory side heatsink that supposedly allows you to use taller RAM than the D14.

Not when using both fans though. That's the thing. If you only use 1 fan you lose a significant amount of cooling performance.

 

[Mark617]

Newegg doesn't want to load for me today...

There is a Team Xtreem RAM which is 2666 Cas 11 and is only $80 for 8GB/$150 for 16GB. Best deal out there IMO. It won't work with a D14 or D15 though since it is not low profile.
I've really warmed up to the pre-filled liquid coolers myself. They take up less space in the case and just plain look better. Look into an H105 or an H110 from Corsair or an NZXT X61. If you really want big air the NHD14 should be more than enough for the overclocks you are aiming for. No need to get the big monster NHD15.

Your case I don't like. You can get the infinitely more attractive Corsair 760T for just a few bucks more. I like that case a lot better. Also great is the Corsair Air 540 but it is a radical design and you may not like it.

As far as the Hyper 212, you could go with that but I doubt you'd get past 4.3Ghz. You have to ask yourself whether another 2-300Mhz is worth the premium you pay for an NHD14/15, or an AIO liquid cooler. It won't gain you anything in gaming, or general usage. Neither will really fast RAM.

Personally I'd go with the Team 2666 and get an H110 but I like overkill a lot more than most people.

HTH

What about the Fractal Arc Midi R2 Window? - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352031 - I like that Corsair case too, though. And see, there you go, increasing my budget again haha.

One thing, I have some San Ace (http://www.thermalfx.com/merchant2/...T&Product_Code=109R1212H101&Category_Code=120) fans, I would like to put those on the rad because of their CFM / pressure, so would going with the H105 be a better choice? How much will the 40mm additional rad from the 110 really mean?

 

[Theocnoob]

What about the Fractal Arc Midi R2 Window? - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352031 - I like that Corsair case too, though. And see, there you go, increasing my budget again haha.

I don't like that case.

One thing, I have some San Ace (http://www.thermalfx.com/merchant2/...T&Product_Code=109R1212H101&Category_Code=120) fans, I would like to put those on the rad because of their CFM / pressure, so would going with the H105 be a better choice? How much will the 40mm additional rad from the 110 really mean?

Google it to see the diff in performance across various fans, across varius AIO coolers, across various CPUs.