Goal=quiet, under $1500 Gaming system, first build - ANY thoughts, Thanks, Nina

plundberg · Jul 16, 2013

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1hpAx
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1hpAx/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1hpAx/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 12g Thermal Paste ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-K ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($122.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.37 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Corsair Force Series GS 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($234.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: D-Link DWA-548 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec TruePower New 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($137.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1249.20
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-16 19:12 EDT-0400)

realchaos · Jul 16, 2013

Are you overclocking?
-You got a locked processor (doesn't support overclocking) with a Z87 chipset motherboard (supports overclocking) with a cpu cooler which is for overclocking.
-Your RAM is expensive. You can get 2x4gb 1600mhz, CAS9 and 1.5v for ~$65-70.
-Your gpu is pretty weak for a budget like this.
-Your psu isn't very high quality. I would suggest getting a new one from Corsair/Seasonic/XFX.

I can make a new set-up for you which will do much better in gaming if you can provide whether you're overclocking or not.

plundberg · Jul 16, 2013

realchaos :

Thanks for the response - very helpful. I am not planning to overclock. I picked the Z87 chipset motherboard more for future upgrades. I'll drop the CPU cooler if you think it's not necessary. My thought re: GPU was that this would suffice for current needs - and would be an easy upgrade when necessary - but I'd appreciate any suggestions.
I'll check out PSU reviews and perhaps pick another.
Thanks! and I"m open to any other thoughts/suggestions. I'd like to get this right the first time!
Nina

JackNaylorPE · Jul 16, 2013

OK, here's where I went .....

-Upgraded you to overclockable CPU
-Since you bought a 3rd part cooler, assume you are overclocking. Upgraded your cooler to one that is 14 degrees C better
http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/phanteks_ph_tc14pe_cpu_cooler_review,15.html
-Upgraded your TIM to one that doesn't require 200 hours of curing time (See AS5 home page)
-Upgraded SSD and HD (5 year warranty)
-Upgraded GFX to current generation faster card
-MoBo has WiFi on board
-Upgraded PSU

Case - $200 - Corsair 500R White http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1390812
Corsair TX750 V2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139022

MoBo - $410 - ASUS Z87 Sabertooth http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1389948
CPU - Inluded - Intel Core i5-4670k http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116899

RAM - $73 - (2 x 4GB) Muskin CAS 9 DDR3-1866 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226219

Cooler - $80 - Phanteks PH-TC14 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709004
TIM - $7 - Shin Etsu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080

GFX - $260 - Gigabyte GTX 760 Windforce http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125466
GFX - later - Same

HD - $95 Caviar Black 1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
SSD - $135 - Samsung 840 Pro 128GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147192

DVD Writer - $57 - Asus Blue Ray Player / DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135247

OS - $100 - Win 7-64 Home Pre http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Total $1,417 .... drop the BR and get plain DVD player saves $40. If ya not overclocking, use the stock cooler and save $87 ... which brings ya new total down to $1,290 .... that leaves room for PSU and GFX upgrades:

Cost ya $40 for upgrade to HX850 in MoBo combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1390833

Cost ya another $140 to upgrade GFX to GTX 700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125463
New total $1470

realchaos · Jul 16, 2013

@Jack:
Sabertooth is a rip-off. It's expensive and the thermal armor traps heat inside and recirculates it around. I am highly against paying that.
Thermal compound isn't needed. The one included with the cpu cooler should be good enough unless the OP really wants that 1-2c difference.
In a $1417 gaming build, why do you only have a $250 gpu?
The HDD and SSD is expensive. The OP can get by with a $60-70 Caviar Blue or Seagate Barracude 1tb HDD and a $100-115 SSD.
Blu-Ray burner is un-necessary.

Consider this build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($65.70 @ Newegg)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($403.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($93.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1271.09
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-16 21:08 EDT-0400)

-Overclockable in the future. Keeps the Z87 chipset motherboard for future upgrades.
-Standard 2x4gb of low-profile ram. You can spend an extra $5-10 to get 2x4gb black low-profile ram to match the motherboard.
-Cheaper SSD but still great performance and reliability.
-Cheaper HDD. Although you won't get the 5years warranty, its will a solid choice. People don't buy Caviar Blacks as a secondary drive.
-Much, much stronger gpu. Although the OP said he won't need such a strong one, it fits well inside the budget.
-Since your goal is quiet, the Define R4 is optimized around silence. The sound-dampening pad on the inside reduces noise vibrations which makes it really silent. This is the most silent case in the market right now. Also has great airflow and a side panel window.
-High quality, 80+ gold, modular 750w psu. Allows for SLI and overclocking.

Now, the stock cooler may be a bit loud. After you build it and you find that it's too loud for you (assuming you can here it through the case) then you can buy an aftermarket cpu cooler.
If you feel that the GTX 770 is too strong of a card for you, you can always grab the Radeon HD 7950 or GTX 760 and bring the price down to $1000-1100.

plundberg · Jul 17, 2013

Jack and Realchaos --- thanks much for the suggestions and the build lists. I will review them tonight and make a decision by tomorrow. This has been extremely helpful and informative for a newbie.
Best wishes
Nina

JackNaylorPE :

realchaos :

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