First time building a PC would, would appreciate some feedback

inzombiak · Nov 19, 2013

Hi guys, first timer here.

I'm planning on building a PC and have a rough build figured out. I'm mostly going to be using it for gaming/simulations. It's currently going cost me like 1.3k, but I'd like to cut it down to like 1k if possible, so if you guys can suggest any replacements for the parts I've chosen, that would be great. Also any parts I may have forgotten/might need.

Here is the link - http://pcpartpicker.com/p/24ksu

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($184.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($105.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($214.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($68.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.94 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($339.99 @ Microcenter)
Wireless Network Adapter: Belkin F9L1001 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.95 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($85.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1243.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-19 12:09 EST-0500)

A few things that might matter.

■ Is it to better to have 1 powerful GPU or two less powerful GPU's?
■ I don't live in the US, but plan on buying the parts from there and bringing them back with me. So I'd prefer brands that have a lower rate of DOA.
■ The country I live in uses the European standard for power, will that cause issues with the power supply?

Any help would be appreciated.

Gam3Pwn3rz · Nov 19, 2013

inzombiak :

Hi guys, first timer here.

I'm planning on building a PC and have a rough build figured out. I'm mostly going to be using it for gaming/simulations. It's currently going cost me like 1.3k, but I'd like to cut it down to like 1k if possible, so if you guys can suggest any replacements for the parts I've chosen, that would be great. Also any parts I may have forgotten/might need.

Here is the link - http://pcpartpicker.com/p/24ksu

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($184.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($105.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($214.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($68.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.94 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($339.99 @ Microcenter)
Wireless Network Adapter: Belkin F9L1001 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.95 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($85.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1243.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-19 12:09 EST-0500)

A few things that might matter.

■ Is it to better to have 1 powerful GPU or two less powerful GPU's?
■ I don't live in the US, but plan on buying the parts from there and bringing them back with me. So I'd prefer brands that have a lower rate of DOA.
■ The country I live in uses the European standard for power, will that cause issues with the power supply?

Any help would be appreciated.

For help on the graphics card, if you can, I would keep the 770 and buy another later on for even more power. It is better to have 1 powerful card if you have the money for it.

navask01 · Nov 19, 2013

Any reason you went with that mobo?That's taking up quite a chunk of your budget.You can find capable ones for cheaper(Asus Sabertooth).
Switch to the 8320.It is an underclocked 8350.
I don't have anything against AIO coolers like that but as you are on a budget,it would make more sense to get a cheaper cooler.CM 212 EVO for example.

I think your PSU automatically adjusts for the voltage.But just go the Corsair website and confirm this. Maybe the physical pin that you plug into the wall socket might be an issue.

wanderer11 · Nov 19, 2013

That cooler is overpriced. A Noctua NH-D14 will perform better and costs a little less, unless you really like the looks of that closed loops cooler.

Are you sure you need the optical drive and wireless adapter?

If you're buying on Newegg that psu is most likely American standard.

That motherboard is way too expensive. Get an Asrock Extreme 3 990FX (my memory says ~$110).

I'd get Corsair Vengeance LP DDR3 2x4GB 1.5V 1600MHz 9-9-9-24 RAM. It comes in red, blue, green, and black so pick your favorite color/cheapest.

Two cheaper gpus will generally be more powerful than one single gpu for the same price, but may have more problems. The general idea is buy the most expensive gpu you can afford now and leave room to SLI/Crossfire in the future.

That should drop your price by about $150. The last thing is you could get the 8320 instead and it will be almost as powerful for cheaper.

inzombiak · Nov 19, 2013

Thanks for the help guys.

I need the adapter. The CD drive is there just in case I need it. Haven't used a DVD in years, but you never know.

inzombiak · Nov 19, 2013

Is it worth swapping out the AMD for an Intel, or is the performance difference not that noticeable ?

wanderer11 · Nov 19, 2013

In games not noticeable at all. Anandtech did a good review of this a few weeks ago and basically any $200+ cpu gives you the exact same fps in game because you will be graphics bound. I have no idea about the simulation stuff though.

sacara21 · Nov 19, 2013

Your ram is slow. Get some 1600, 1866, or higher. There is some 2400 speed ram from G Skill for only like 5 dollars more than what you have listed.

inzombiak · Nov 19, 2013

Whoops, that was an accident. Is 1600 enough or is the difference between 1600 and 2133 large enough?

sacara21 · Nov 19, 2013

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.49 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($69.70 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($68.85 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $331.02
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-19 16:10 EST-0500)

I would choose from these. 1600 is enough, but Corsair released an article a few days ago that showed that faster speed RAM gave you a slight performance increase in BF4. So if its the same price why not right? Any of those will be fine. They are in no particular order btw. Obviously you should choose the last one though.

inzombiak · Nov 20, 2013

Thanks for all the help guys.
This is what I have now.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($184.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($68.85 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($340.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($85.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1157.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-20 12:40 EST-0500)

navask01 · Nov 20, 2013

Nice system.If you still think it's overshooting your budget,try switching to an 8320. It's an underclocked 8350.
I was going to ask why you were needing 1866 speed RAM.1600 should be fine.The difference is usually not noticed by most folk. But it's your call on that.

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