Rate my first build.

Frankie464

Honorable
Sep 15, 2013
38
0
10,530
It is my first build for $1500 gaming pc, I know most would add a ssd but I just want better specs right away. If I dislike the speed, ill buy a ssd.


My buildPCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($73.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 290X 4GB Video Card ($585.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P2 1000W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($95.99 @ Adorama)
Total: $1540.80
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-25 20:47 EDT-0400)
 
Solution
My thoughts:
1. I do not much like all in one liquid coolers when a good air cooler can do the job.
A liquid cooler will be expensive, noisy, less reliable, and will not cool any better
in a well ventilated case.
And... I have read too many tales of woe when a liquid cooler leaks.
google "H100 leak"2. Any Z87 based motherboard will perform equally well. Look at a M-ATX sized motherboard like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131984
3. A R9-290X needs only a 650w psu. You will never recoup the price premium of a platinum rated psu.
I might suggest this Seasonic 650w unit for half the price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151118
4. I will not build again without a SSD for...
My thoughts:
1. I do not much like all in one liquid coolers when a good air cooler can do the job.
A liquid cooler will be expensive, noisy, less reliable, and will not cool any better
in a well ventilated case.
And... I have read too many tales of woe when a liquid cooler leaks.
google "H100 leak"2. Any Z87 based motherboard will perform equally well. Look at a M-ATX sized motherboard like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131984
3. A R9-290X needs only a 650w psu. You will never recoup the price premium of a platinum rated psu.
I might suggest this Seasonic 650w unit for half the price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151118
4. I will not build again without a SSD for the os. A 120gb ssd will hold the os and a handful of games. With 240gb you may never need a hard drive at all. Defer on the hard drive, it is easy to add one later. If you get a SSD later, you will be faced with reinstalling your apps and games.
 
Solution