Is the a good pc build for the money?

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bradut

Honorable
Nov 11, 2012
22
0
10,510
So this is my first time building a computer and did a lot of research in the picking of these parts. I just wanted a second opinion for my build. The main point of my build will be a good computer that will last me at least 3 or 4 years and can still accomplish casual gaming.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1T7fs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1T7fs/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1T7fs/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($240.00)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99)
Memory: GeIL Enhance CORSA 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($299.99)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Arctic White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Other: Tigerdirect Shipping ($11.73)
Other: Newegg California Tax ($6.37)
Other: Ultra Hybrid Modular 650-Watt Power Supply ($62.96)
Total: $971.01
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-25 15:27 EDT-0400)

All of the parts except for the case will be bought from Tigerdirect simply because they do not charge sales tax in California.
 
Solution
Onus
I'd say it looks good. If you have any interest in overclocking, add a decent cooler. I use and recommend the Xigmatek Gaia over the more often parroted but slightly inferior (and more expensive) Hyper212 EVO:

http://www.techreaction.net/2011/07/07/review-xigmatek-gaia-sd1283/7/
http://www.techreaction.net/2011/11/27/review-cooler-master-hyper-212-plus/4/

Unlike the Hyper212 EVO (ignore the URL; it IS the EVO they tested), the Gaia never throttled, although it wasn't always the coolest depending on the fan used. Both got awards, but if you factor in the price, the Gaia wins hands down.
If you are NOT interested in overclocking, then you may as well save a few bucks and get a non-K CPU.
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smorizio

smorizio

Titan
Jan 22, 2010
30,984
9
125,315
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1T7x1
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1T7x1/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1T7x1/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($303.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Arctic White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $937.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-25 15:38 EDT-0400)
 
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ubercake

ubercake

Splendid
Oct 28, 2009
7,270
5
29,815
Everything's good, but you probably should get a good 750W PSU since your motherboard is crossfire capable. This way, you'll be ready for the upgrade any time. If you ever plan to get 2 R9 290xs some day, I'd go with an 850W.

The Seasonic Gold Series 750W or 850W, Seasonic Platinum 760W or 860W, XFX 750W or 850W, Rosewill Capstone 750W or 850W, Corsair 750 or 850AX are all great choices.
 
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Onus

Onus

Titan
Jan 27, 2006
37,037
12
89,965
Ultra does not enjoy a good reputation for PSUs. Smorizio's selection is a lot better.
You may need to define "casual gaming" a little better. Most people do not think of graphically intense games as "casual," using that title instead for Plants vs. Zombies, Hidden Object, and Flash-based games. If you do mean intense games, just played very rarely, then carry on; you'll still need a powerful card. Casual games such as those I listed are unlikely to ever need more than a HD7750 to run well, allowing you to save considerable money. You could lower many other parts as well. Please clarify your uses.
 
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B

bradut

Honorable
Nov 11, 2012
22
0
10,510
By casual gaming I mean that I will be playing graphically intense games occasionally, I do plan on getting battlefield 4 so that's why I picked up the r9 280x but i won't be planning on crossfire for at least 4 years when I finish college and will have more time. Like I stated in my original post I prefer to buy from Tigerdirect simply because they don't charge sales tax in California and have many free shipping deals; such is the case with the RAM. If there is any low profile RAM that you find elsewhere for a total price as the RAM i listed please let me know.
 
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bradut

Honorable
Nov 11, 2012
22
0
10,510
Yeah I was actually right about to purchase some RAM that was at 1.65V but thankfully PC Part Picker told me it was incompatible. I ended up settling for the cheapest CL9 1600mhz RAM I could find
 
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Onus

Onus

Titan
Jan 27, 2006
37,037
12
89,965
I'd say it looks good. If you have any interest in overclocking, add a decent cooler. I use and recommend the Xigmatek Gaia over the more often parroted but slightly inferior (and more expensive) Hyper212 EVO:

http://www.techreaction.net/2011/07/07/review-xigmatek-gaia-sd1283/7/
http://www.techreaction.net/2011/11/27/review-cooler-master-hyper-212-plus/4/

Unlike the Hyper212 EVO (ignore the URL; it IS the EVO they tested), the Gaia never throttled, although it wasn't always the coolest depending on the fan used. Both got awards, but if you factor in the price, the Gaia wins hands down.
If you are NOT interested in overclocking, then you may as well save a few bucks and get a non-K CPU.
 
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Solution
B

bradut

Honorable
Nov 11, 2012
22
0
10,510
I will definitely overclock, I'm just on at 1k budget right now so im trying to keep the price to only essentials that fit into the budget. Once I have the money I will definitely buy an aftermarket cooler and an SSD
 
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