First Build - Feedback sought

TheCaveSquig

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Oct 30, 2013
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Hi all.

This is my first post. I have found this site extremely helpful in educating me in the many aspects of computer building and the community seems very well educated and helpful.

That is why I've decided to seek some feedback from the more well informed people in the community about my first pc build geared towards higher end gaming. As I am relatively inexperienced I would like to make sure that all the components that I have chosen are compatible and optimised for its intended purpose i.e. no bottlenecking.

Here is a link to my build as it stands currently (please let me know if it doesn't work):
https://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=wish_lists&wlcId=227258&action=wish_lists

I currently reside in Australia and so all prices are listed in AUD.

Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
That power supply is slightly overkill, and I made a couple changes, including going with a hyper 212 evo instead (slightly cheaper) Also went with a seagate hard drive because it is cheaper. Slightly cheaper build and I bumped you up to a 280x http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/1Y6Wr
Oh and I believe that's the newer MOBO version than what you had listed, same company exactly same title except UD4H instead of UD3H

sheag123

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Dec 1, 2012
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Computerchap

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Nov 2, 2013
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That power supply is slightly overkill, and I made a couple changes, including going with a hyper 212 evo instead (slightly cheaper) Also went with a seagate hard drive because it is cheaper. Slightly cheaper build and I bumped you up to a 280x http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/1Y6Wr
Oh and I believe that's the newer MOBO version than what you had listed, same company exactly same title except UD4H instead of UD3H
 
Solution

TheCaveSquig

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Oct 30, 2013
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Many thanks Sheag and Computerchap.

You guys have given me something to think about. I had thought the psu might have been a bit overboard which you both confirmed with me. I plan on this rig lasting a while without too many upgrades so I might not need the 750w i guess. Not quite sure yet.

Sheag when you say that the seasonic is a higher end psu is that because of brand? To a novice like me it appears to have worse specs.

Computerchap do you think that it is necessary to go with the newer mobo? What features does it give over the UD3H?
 

sheag123

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Dec 1, 2012
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seasonic is known to be the best psu manufacturer, although the psu you chose was a good one, looks like they score the same athlough the build quality and performance scores a little higher with the seasonic. no need to pick teeth though haha you chose a really good one.

silverstone

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=275

Performance (40% of the final score) - now for some scoring. While this unit was a little more stable than big brother on the 12V rail, it turned out to be a little less so on the minor rails. We averaged 2.2% regulation in the hot box, compared to that unit's average of 2.1%. I allowed big brother some slack here, for only slipping past that 2% number by a little bit, and I think I'm going to do the same for this unit. Only because the 12V rail was more stable, mind you. So, I'm pulling that same half a point here, for being pretty much the same as the 1000W unit. Looking at the ripple results, it's the same story. A little improvement, but not enough to get away with a no point deduction. Half a point off there, too. Look at that - this unit tied big brother here. 9.
Functionality (20% of the final score) - this category will end up being another tie with big brother. The cabling is the same, only with a couple less PCI-E connectors. This unit can't support three cards, though, so that's ok. Point comes off again for the caps in the cables and the silver spoon... little boy blue and... sorry. My brain's not right working today. Point goes back on for the magnetic dust filter, even though we now know the holes don't line up with the fan mounting screws. Those magnets are strong enough to hold that filter in place, and we want to be able to easily remove it anyway. 10.

Value (20% of the final score) - $159.99 is Newegg's price on this guy. That's a little on the high side compared to some other places, but I went to Newegg for the last Silverstone unit so I'm there again for this one. You know, this is looking to be the cheapest unit there that's both fully modular and 80 Plus Gold, let alone the only one that comes with a dust filter. Heck, the non fully modular non Evolution model is only a few bucks less. I'm going up to a solid 9.5 on this guy. Just you try and stop me.

Build Quality (20% of the final score) - last time, I said I'd only deduct half a point in this category if I'd gotten normal Enhance build quality. Well, guess what? This is normal Enhance build quality. 9.5. The soldering work could still be a notch better, but only a small notch.

Performance

9

Functionality

10

Value

9.5

Build Quality

9.5

Total Score

9.4




seasonic

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=356

Performance (40% of the final score) - how about we get some scoring done now? No, this isn't the best performing power supply I've seen from Seasonic, but it's still not bad at all. Instead of being one of the best the world's ever seen, like the KM3 based units, this unit is merely just really, really good. Efficiency was a pass both times for Bronze - no issues there. Ripple control was outstanding, no problem there. About the only thing I can see to deduct would be a half point for the voltage regulation being only very good as opposed to excellent. That's all. This category gets a very strong 9.5.

Functionality (20% of the final score) - only fully modular units get no deductions here, and this is one of those kinds of units, so we're starting out pretty good. I can't, in fact, find too many reasons to complain. Sure, I could use a little more length on one of the SATA chains, and the manual's almost useless, but those are a couple of minor things. I'll remove a half point for each of them. But, I'll stop there. This unit's worth a 9 here I think.

Value (20% of the final score) - MSRP for this unit is $119.99. At Newegg, you have the Corsair TX850M competing at ten bucks cheaper, and there's the XFX Pro 850W for the same price. But you know what? Neither of those are fully modular. I'm going to go ahead and therefore call this an excellent value. 9.

Build Quality (20% of the final score) - Seasonic is doing pretty well here lately. Top notch components, impeccable soldering, and overall fantastic build quality is what we have here today. 10.

Performance

9.5

Functionality

9

Value

9

Build Quality

10

Total Score

9.4
 

TheCaveSquig

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Oct 30, 2013
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Cheers. It appears that both silverstone and seasonic power supply units are of good quality so it'd be a safe bet to go with either. Only problem is that it is borderline over budget. Perhaps the 620w version of the seasonic for $139AUD may be the way to go. Don't seem to be able to find the silverstone equivalent.

In terms of which hard drive to choose the seagate 1TB is a tempting cheap alternative. Just hope that it performs well.

Not sure what to do about the GPU anymore though. I'm afraid that I'm just going to keep going 'ooh that one is better and only $$$ more expensive' (I started out looking at the GTX 660 and kept upping my spend level). Damn shiny syndrome.
 

sheag123

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Dec 1, 2012
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haha ya i have a 660 i bought when it first came out and its showing its age, honestly most of the bickering on here is useless, with what you have you will be good, probably best to go with a r series gpu, the best one in your budget and a 7200 rpm hdd and a seasonic psu. it will run better than you expected probably.
 

Yeah, but why not let him use the 7970 HD as it is rebranded? Plus, the 7970 overclocked would probably outperform the 280x.

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TheCaveSquig

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Oct 30, 2013
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When you say that it will be supported longer, what is that in terms of (motherboards, software, I/O slots)? I don't particularly fancy purchasing a unit that will be made redundant within at least three to five years or so although I can't imagine that happening.