Need Advise on Computer Specs (Noob)

Fresherr · Dec 7, 2013

First, I'd like to say that I am almost a complete noob when it comes to computer specs. I know what some stuff is, but not anywhere close to everything. I want to build a computer that will last. I mostly plan to livestream with this computer, but also do a tiny bit of graphics work and possibly some video editing here and there. I don't want to play any computer games on this PC, besides maybe Minecraft. I planed on ordering a computer from CyberPowerPC, but my friend just ordered one from them for $870 and it was bare minimum. Another one of my, computer savvy friends recommended just building my own PC and so here I am. He has helped me thus far, but as I am a noob, I'd appreciate some outside opinions. Any help would be GREAT!

Specs:

Case: $95.34
NZXT Phantom 410 Mid Tower USB 3.0 Gaming Case - Black

Power Supply: $49.99
Corsair CX Series 500 Watt ATX/EPS Modular 80 PLUS Bronze ATX12V/EPS12V 456 Power Supply CX500M

Motherboard: $119.49
MSI Computer Corp. Motherboard ATX DDR3 1333 LGA 1150 Motherboards Z87-G43

CPU: $303.98
Intel Core i7-4770 Quad-Core Desktop Processor 3.4 GHZ LGA 1150 8 MB Cache

Memory: $74.99
Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) CL9 @1.5V UDIMM 240-Pin Memory

Main Storage: $87.96
Western Digital WD1002FAEX Caviar Black 1 TB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Internal Desktop 3.5" Hard Drive

OS: $119
Windows 8.1

Total Cost: $850.75

That will be my setup, unless advised otherwise. I know I don't have a graphics card. I chose not to get one because, like I said I won't be playing games unless I can play Minecraft with what I have and because I'm cheap lol. Plus, I can always buy one later. I also don't have a optical drive for the same reason. (Pretty sure I should be able to install Win8 on a flash drive. If not please let me know.) I plan to get a solid state drive in the future. If you see anything that I could improve on for only a few bucks or anything I can save on, please let me know.

Welshstig · Dec 7, 2013

Would you consider building one or buying the parts and get someone to build it for as it would much much much cheaper.

Fresherr · Dec 7, 2013

Welshstig :

I plan to order these parts and build it myself. All the prices are straight from amazon.

Welshstig · Dec 7, 2013

This build is much better and it can run all games on ultra settings:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2gq8v
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2gq8v/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2gq8v/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($92.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Kingston XMP Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ B&H)
Case: Zalman Z5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Fractal Design Integra R2 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $850.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-07 07:30 EST-0500)

Fresherr · Dec 7, 2013

Welshstig :

I've heard AMDs aren't as good as Intel? & due to the fact that I don't plan to play any games makes the video card unnecessary correct? or is it used for anything besides games? But I am definitely going to get the optical drive if it's only $20.

Rammy · Dec 7, 2013

Fresherr :

To offer something actually remotely useful to the discussion...
Your original build has a Z87 motherboard. The main features of this over say an H87 (or H81/B85) is that you can SLI graphics cards on it, and overclock your CPU. As neither of these things are important, you can save a pretty hefty chunk of cash by changing it.

Similarly, you buy a Caviar Black for the 5year warranty, little else. If that's not that big a deal, go for a Caviar Blue or Seagate Barracuda.

Fresherr · Dec 7, 2013

Rammy :

I don't really get your point of quoting that? Thanks for not helping though.

Rammy · Dec 7, 2013

Just amused by the fact that you specifically stated on more than one occasion this was not a machine for playing games on. And then the first proper response offers you a gaming machine.
I did edit in some hopefully fairly useful feedback.

Fresherr · Dec 7, 2013

Rammy :

Fresherr :

To offer something actually remotely useful to the discussion...
Your original build has a Z87 motherboard. The main features of this over say an H87 (or H81/B85) is that you can SLI graphics cards on it, and overclock your CPU. As neither of these things are important, you can save a pretty hefty chunk of cash by changing it.

Similarly, you buy a Caviar Black for the 5year warranty, little else. If that's not that big a deal, go for a Caviar Blue or Seagate Barracuda.

I was told the black was better. I didn't now why? I know the blue is cheaper. Also, any suggestions on Motherboard? I accidentally click "Choose Answer" on a post earlier. Didn't help me though.

Fresherr · Dec 7, 2013

Rammy :

Exactly. Like I said, I don't plan to game on it. At least you read the entire post. I appreciate that. I have 0 knowledge about anything past: OS and Memory.

Rammy · Dec 7, 2013

To address the AMD question. If you want something that performs like an i7 for a lot cheaper, the FX8320/8350 are pretty amazing value for money. In most CPU intensive tasks an equivalent i7 still has an edge, and it uses less power, but it doesn't fully justify the price difference. They are absolutely worth considering.

In terms of speed/performance, the Blue and Black are basically the same. The Blacks are a bit weightier, presumably due to increased build quality which manifests itself in the 5 year warranty, which is a lot more than the 2? I think you get with Barracudas and Blues. Does that justify the price offset? That's up to you really. If you want to cut the costs down without denting performance, it's a good place to save some cash.

With the motherboard it depends how cheap you want to go and if you are ok with a mATX board. You can get a compatible motherboard (which isn't really any slower) for as low as around $45, but if you want plenty of SATA/USB ports you are probably best browsing amongst mid range B85 boards. Now, most of these are mATX, and that isn't really a problem, but if you prefer to stick with a full sized ATX board then prices start at around $85 for an ASRock B85 Pro4.
That is all assuming you want to stick with 1600Mhz memory. B85/H87 boards cap you at this speed. Haswell shows decent scaling from spending a little more here, and 8Gb 1866Mhz kits start at $53. Pair that with a cheaper Z87 board, like a $95 ASRock Z87 Pro3 and you'll get a nice return if you run particularly memory intensive tasks.

Welshstig · Dec 7, 2013

If your live streaming amd cpus are the best, they are better than any other Haswell cpus at it. The fx 8320 has 8 cores making it perfect for everything. Believe me get the fx 8320 an you won't be disappointed. It's performance is better than i5 and i7 in games such as crysis 3 and bf4 which utilise 6 cores. Imagine when games utilise 8 cores this will blow the other cpus out the water

Welshstig · Dec 7, 2013

And yes I did read the entire post, I thought for $850 you could get a very powerful machine as the one I've showed you. Even though you
asked for a non gaming machine this will get you covered for when you do want to game.

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