Tips, suggestions, and feedback on my first build?

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Bibbins

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Jan 10, 2014
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Processor:
Intel Core i7 4770K Unlocked Quad Core 3.5GHZ Processor LGA1150 Haswell 8MB Cache Retail @ 359.99

Motherboard: ASUS Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Z87 DDR3 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 2PCI CrossFireX/SLI SATA3 USB3.0 HDMI Motherboard @ 149.99

Graphics: ASUS GeForce GTX 660 OC DirectCU 1020MHZ 2GB 6.0GHZ GDDR5 2xDVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E Video Card x 2 @ 419.98

PSU: Antec High Current Gamer 750W 24PIN ATX12V V2.3 Active PFC 80 Plus Bronze Modular Power Supply @ 99.99

Ram:
Corsair Vengeance Black CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10 16GB 2X8GB DDR3-1600 CL10 1.5V Dual Channel Memory Kit @ 169.99

And i got a seagate 2tb memory hard drive, and a thermaltake overseer case, which i think are solid

My main concerns are: is this processor worth the price? Is the motherboard good enough? Should I go for the two 660's or buy a single, but beefier graphics card? Is 750w enough?

open to suggestions and tips and feedback and just about everything! Stoked to hear what you guys think
 
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Looks good to me. Just as a final check, make sure the RAM you selected is compatible with that mobo based on MSI's compatibility lists, or if people have nevertheless had no trouble with it even if it is not.

When building the system make sure you discharge static electricity when handling the components by touching a metal surface like your case or wearing an antistatic wristband.

Oh yeah one final thing, if you plan to overclock the CPU, you should strongly consider an aftermarket cooler.

Good night!
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Bibbins

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Jan 10, 2014
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I have a 25-inch 1920x1080 HP monitor. Gonna use this son of a gun for gaming.
 
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jjs0891

jjs0891

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Dec 26, 2012
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As a new build, you're better off with one GTX 770. 2 GTX 660 is only slightly better and slightly more expensive. Besides, you could SLI the gtx 770 in the future
You may want a 850W just so you don't have to worry about not having enough power for GTX 770 SLI.

is the processor worth the price? If you need it (hyperthreading), then i guess it's worth it. If you're simply gaming, going with the 4670k isn't a bad idea. Neither is going with 2x4GB of ram. You really don't need 16GB of ram unless you're rendering.
 
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Specops125

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The 4770K is a good choice for gaming and video editing. If you just plan on gaming, most would suggest the 4670K to you, but I think the 4770K is a better option if you plan to keep the CPU a long time, as the difference between the two is mainly in how well they can multitask, and the 4770K is much better at that. The issue is that most games today do not require much multitasking (i.e. the use of multiple cores/threads), hence the 4670K suggestions you will get. Up to you, both are very good processors.

The motherboard is good. ASUS has a strong reputation, and the board is as good as you would want it to be for two way SLI whether you do it now or down the line.

Price wise it looks like two GTX 660s = one GTX 770. The two 660's should perform a bit better, but you have to deal with the greater heat, higher power draw, non-compatibility of some games for SLI, lack of the better 770 for a future SLI when your equipment begins showing its age and could use a boost. This again comes down to preference.

750w is good and could even go a little lower if you aren't going to do a major overclock and go SLI.

The only other suggestion I'd make is to see if you can find CL9 RAM as opposed to the CL10.
 
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jjs0891

jjs0891

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If you google images (intel 4670k 4770k gaming benchmarks) you'll find benchmarks that show the 4770k having very little performance increase over the 4670k.

I don't think its a bad to go with 16GB but windows uses about 2gb of memory and games nowadays never use more than 5GB of memory. I guess if you were planning on playing 2 games at once or opening 20 browser tabs while gaming, you may need more than 8GB
 
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Bibbins

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Jan 10, 2014
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Thanks, spec! Super informative! I'll definitely snoop around for some CL9 RAM, still undecided on the RAM amount, but i might just end up going with 12, just in case!

Oh and by the way, i was looking to get this case here: http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=65549

Anyone know about the rep behind this manufacturer? I went with full tower for the added room for upgrade and for the heat management.
 
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Bibbins

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Jan 10, 2014
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I had done some research online, and the i7 processors were reccomended over the i5. but if i was saving 100 dollars on the processor, is there anywhere i could put it that would be more effective?
 
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Specops125

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jjs is right, an ssd would make your system boot up much faster + load programs you are able to fit onto it also faster. Alternatively, an extra $100 would take you from the GTX 660 SLI/single GTX 770 to a GTX 780
 
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Bibbins

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Jan 10, 2014
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I am pricing 780's at 540 dollars, the 770 is only 369. I'll probably go with the SSD, will it improve the performance of my games? also, do i drop the HD for the SSD? or do i get both?
 
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jjs0891

jjs0891

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you don't drop the hd because the ssd is too little storage. You keep programs and some games on the ssd and all your media files go on your hd.

the ssd will make loading stuff almost instant. But it won't give you more FPS
 
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Specops125

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Yeah SSD's are relatively much more expensive. It's common for people to have both, installing their operating system on the SSD + whatever else fits. The benefit is stuff loads faster, but once you load the level/map/etc there isn't really anything for your storage device to be doing so the difference between an SSD and HDD at that stage is negligible.

I didn't want to set up two drives on my computer for my build, and could live with less storage, and paying a bit more to go SSD. I bought a 500GB SSD from Samsung for about $300.

I was specifically thinking of this EVGA GTX 780 when I said $500, but I guess that depends on whether you're in the US and if you count tax or not!
 
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Bibbins

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Since i don't really need an SSD, i can wait until i have some more money to buy a nice one :D

current build, prepare yourselves!

CPU+Motherboard bundle: http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=85023&promoid=1019

PSU: same as before

Graphics: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 OC 1189MHZ 2GB 7.0GHZ GDDR5 2xDVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E Video Card

RAM: Kingston KHX1600C9D3B1K2/8GX 8GB Kit 2X4GB 1600MHz DDR3 240PIN DIMM Unbuff Hmp HyperX CL9

Case: same as before!

HD:
Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200RPM SATA3 64MB Cache 3.5in Internal Hard Drive


Grand total: 1,251.84!

I think this built is optimized now. Any tips on what I should do when constructing it?
 
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Specops125

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Looks good to me. Just as a final check, make sure the RAM you selected is compatible with that mobo based on MSI's compatibility lists, or if people have nevertheless had no trouble with it even if it is not.

When building the system make sure you discharge static electricity when handling the components by touching a metal surface like your case or wearing an antistatic wristband.

Oh yeah one final thing, if you plan to overclock the CPU, you should strongly consider an aftermarket cooler.

Good night!
 
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