Will these components satisfy my needs?

Teddy G

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I am new to PC building and am looking for some input about the parts that I have picked out. I've done as much research as I could, and this is what I came up with. I would like to keep this build under $1000 total. As you can see I'm a little over, and if any of you have suggestions of cheaper alternatives or different components, please share! Thanks. EDIT: Should I consider overclocking for this build?
Requirements:

  • Moderate gaming
    high multi-tasking
    Entertainment/Web browsing
    Dual monitors

Motherboard:MSI Z87M-G43 micro ATX.$104.99
CPU:Core i5 4670K 3.4GHz....................$189.99
Graphics Card:ASUS GTX 660...............$219.99
Hard Drive:WD 1TB 7200 RPM...............$59.99
SSD:Samsung 120GB.............................$89.99
RAM:CORSAIR 8GB...............................$89.99
Power Supply: CORSAIR 600W.............. $69.99
Case:Corsair Obsidian 350D..................$99.99
Monitor(s):ASUS VX228H 21.5"...............$279.98 <--For 2 monitors
Keyboard/Mouse:Rosewill.......................$30
OS:Windows 7........................................$99?
 
Solution
You'll laugh when I tell you this, but I simply Google "<motherboard model> power phase" and then read either specs pages or reviews about the motherboard. Sometimes it's hard to find out, so you can look for the "chokes" on the motherboard. They are typically black boxes on the motherboard.
Chokes:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Everything-You-Need-to-Know-About-The-Motherboard-Voltage-Regulator-Circuit/616

Something I forgot to add, the two numbers signify power phases for CPU and memory. EX: 8+2, 8 for the CPU and 1 for the memory and one for HT (HyperTransport).
http://www.overclock.net/t/891696/a-short-power-phase-design-explanation

Power Phases:
GIGABYTE GA-Z87M-D3H: 4 CPU power phases =...

Teddy G

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Im buying 2 ASUS monitors. Thats why the price is high. Im buying most of the parts from Newegg. Sorry for the confusion.
 

dariens007

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280 bucks for a monitor??? err no, lol. how about 150 bucks instead?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236175
140 after rebate

is that power supply a 80 plus bronze certified? if not grab one that is
for the windows 7 get the 64bit professional version oem for 130

should you overclocK? i would you are buying an unlocked processor be a shame to not overclock. if you are going to overclock get a Hyper 212 evo for proper cooling of yoru CPU

30 bucks for a rosewill mouse? NAY get this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826146009

and that harddrive get a Western Digital Black 1 TB. why? 5 year warranty and great performance

SSD? samsung evo 840 120gb is a good price if that is the samsun you are referring to

8gig memory? make sure you get 2 sticks of 4gb so that dual channel will work. dont get 1 big 8gb stick, nay

how bout that?

*edit ah didn't know you were getting 2 monitors that cool i rock 2 asus monitors also. but i think my monitor pick is better..... O_O
 

barto

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Oh ok. I didn't think about that and it makes sense.

Well, if you want to overclock you have only one part missing, the CPU cooler. I checked the parts on PC Part Picker and the total comes out to the same price. Accidentally left off the HDD.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87M Extreme4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($179.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1229.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-13 14:21 EDT-0400)


About the best thing you could do is drop one of those monitors. Overclocking is a thing of enjoyment. I don't think it would be completely necessary considering the GPU you have. If you want to save some money, it may be a better idea to go with a 4570 or a 4440 with a H87 motherboard.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H87M-E Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $275.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-13 14:26 EDT-0400)
 

Teddy G

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Thank you for the input. I was thinking of getting an H87 and a locked cpu, but wasn't sure if overclocking would be something I might do in the future. Dual monitors is a must for me. Could I possibly downgrade my GPU? What gpu is necessary for dual monitors and moderate gaming?
 

Teddy G

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The case that I want only fits micro atx. I would go with an ATX but I could not find a decent windowed case for the life of me. What exactly is the downside of micro ATX?
 

Teddy G

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Im really unintelligent when it comes to motherboards, because I just don't understand the difference between them. Could you give me an example of a micro ATX that would work for me? Thanks.
 

barto

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So power phases (VRM = Voltage Regulator Modules) provide power to the CPU. Typically, the more you power phases a motherboard has, the cleaner, higher and more stable clocks are possible. A system with 8+2 power phases is really good. The problem is with mATX is that usually space is important so VRMs are sacrificed. For example, the Exteme4-M I posted has a 4+2 power phase design which is average. However, the standard Extreme4 has a 8+2 power phase design.

Something to take note of, you'll notice that some motherboards have heat spreaders/sinks on them. If you don't know what they look like, click the link and look at the red and black pieces of metal to the left and above the CPU socket.
http://cdn5.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/al_P3XUnd9-UFOc9XA-hUZxFjrRRvqdTqbjqGy450Oc.png

Those are heat sinks that disperse the heat off the VRMs because they can get warm/hot. One of the main enemies of electronics is heat. The cooler your system runs, the better.

What does that boil down to? Well, if you want to overclock, you'll want more phase but that usually comes with a premium. So there's a balance. For a first time OC, 4+2 would be OK. Personally, I would go with ASRock, Asus, MSI or Gigabyte for a motherboard. They make quality motherboards (if you pick the right one). I've never read anything about mATX boards having poor power regulation. They have less than a full ATX but you can also buy crappy ATX boards with 3+1 power phases which is horrible.

I have an Z77 Extreme4M which has a 4+2 power phases. Do I wish I had more? Sure but I'm not going overclock to super high clocks. I wanted a cooler, quieter, and smaller solution which is why I went with the 350D and an Z77 Extreme4-M to which I haven't had any problems with.


As for your GPU selection. The 660 is a good mid level GPU. When you play games, you'll most likely use one monitor for gaming and the other as a secondary.
 

barto

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You'll laugh when I tell you this, but I simply Google "<motherboard model> power phase" and then read either specs pages or reviews about the motherboard. Sometimes it's hard to find out, so you can look for the "chokes" on the motherboard. They are typically black boxes on the motherboard.
Chokes:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Everything-You-Need-to-Know-About-The-Motherboard-Voltage-Regulator-Circuit/616

Something I forgot to add, the two numbers signify power phases for CPU and memory. EX: 8+2, 8 for the CPU and 1 for the memory and one for HT (HyperTransport).
http://www.overclock.net/t/891696/a-short-power-phase-design-explanation

Power Phases:
GIGABYTE GA-Z87M-D3H: 4 CPU power phases = http://extremespec.net/gigabyte-ga-z87m-d3h-motherboard-review-design-testing-performance/2/
MSI Z87M-G43 LGA: I can't find anything about this motherboard but it looks to have a 3 CPU phases. You can see the CPU ones barely hiding under the heatsink on top.
13-130-706-TS

ASUS Z87M-PLUS: 4 = https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87MPLUS/#specifications
DIGI is simply digital controlled VRMs. VRMs are typically analog but manufacturers have created a way to control them digitally which in theory makes them last longer. (Not sure about the memroy.

So, if you were to ask me which one to get out of those three, I'd say the Asus or Gigabyte.
 
Solution

Teddy G

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Thank you! This helps a lot!
 

Teddy G

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So to sum up, I should invest a little more in a good motherboard? :)
 

barto

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If someone told you that PC gaming was a cheap hobby, I'd go yell at them... ;) But really, $15 more for a motherboard isn't bad. I would try to find the 660 for a cheaper price than $220. That's approaching 760 GTX range. And I'm guessing the 600w PSU you selected is a Corsair CX600? A lot of people don't like the capacitors in those. They aren't high quality. But considering the case you are going for is a micro case, you may want to consider buying a modular or semi-modular PSU so you don't have extra cables lying around in the case.