Tell me how I did..

tdreilloc · Apr 13, 2014

Hey guys, this is my first computer build and I'm planning on buying all the components quite soon.

Let me know if there is room for any improvements. I'd like to get the build plus a 'decent' monitor for around $1500.

I live in Canada and the final price is with all components from newegg, just to reduce the hassle.

CPU: i5-4670K
GPU: MSI Gaming gtx 770 4GB
PSU: Corsair CS750M 80 GOLD PLUS
RAM: 8 GB G.SKILL Sniper 1866 ( or 2400?)
MoBo: MSI Gaming z87-G45 (I've read a bit about it not having good quality control, can someone explain how bad that really is?)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 Windowed
Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Evo

Total is $1346 including all the shipping.

Now does anyone know of any adjustments I could make to come out cheaper, or just substitutes that are better but around the same price as the components I have listed?

Lastly, anyone know of a decent monitor with a budget of $200?

tiny voices · Apr 13, 2014

I would change the PSU to a 650w unit from XFX. Cheaper and better quality.

The motherboard is fine. People hate on MSI, but truth is they have gotten ALOT better over the last few years. I use only MSI boards currently in my 2 builds. If you are really worried, get an ASUS or Gigabyte.

RazerZ · Apr 13, 2014

^that and you could get 1600mhz ram. Gaming you won't see a difference. Also if you're using a single monitor you could save on the gpu and get the 2GB version.

tiny voices · Apr 13, 2014

Agreed. I would definitely get the 2gb 770 for a single 1080p monitor.

tdreilloc · Apr 13, 2014

Oh, and I did pick the MSI gaming line of things because they look awesome, in my opinion. If things don't look as good inside, I'll probably go with the non-windowed version of the R4. Performance, however, is the main priority.

tdreilloc · Apr 13, 2014

Wow, quick answers. Thanks a lot guys. The price difference in RAM is around $5, still go with the 1600? I will be playing on a single monitor but am also trying to get this build to play Star Citizen for when it comes out. Will the 4GB version still not be as essential?

tiny voices · Apr 13, 2014

Star citizen is VERY VERY poorly optimized right now. You can expect almost 2x better performance when it is released. The 2gb 770 would be fine for a single monitor.

tdreilloc · Apr 13, 2014

Okay! Thanks for the info guys, I'll see if I can find a cheaper 1600 RAM, drop to the 2GB video card and see how much that opens up for a monitor.

RazerZ · Apr 13, 2014

tdreilloc :

I'll post a revised build soon and see what better components I can fit in

tdreilloc · Apr 13, 2014

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014

this is the only cheaper xfx 650 power supply I can find. Is it better than the one I have in my build currently? It's also not modular..

tdreilloc · Apr 13, 2014

Ok, all the Sniper RAM ranged from 85 to 90 dollars. Is the 2400 not worth $5? If not I will drop it down to 1600 or 1866, because I think they are the exact same price. I'll take the advice from you guys, I'm not as knowledgeable.

tiny voices · Apr 13, 2014

I would just get 1600 or 1866. The 2400mhz RAM will have to be manually overclocked in the BIOS and the timings manually set. That XFX is better suited for this build. 650w is plenty here. That CS unit from Corsair is not great and I weould not use it personally. I would stick with Antec, XFX, Seasonic, Corsair (not CX, CS, RM). 600-650w is plenty here.

tdreilloc · Apr 13, 2014

Ok, I will add in the XFX PSU, drop to the 1866mhz RAM and swap the video card for the 2GB version. Anything else? The reason I upgraded to the 4GB version of the 770 was because of the hardware manual on the Star Citizen forum. He wrote that it would be a worthy upgrade if you could get it for less than 75 dollars more, could anyone explain what the improvement in VRAM really is?

tiny voices · Apr 13, 2014

It is only really necessary if you have a VERY power card and play at more than 1080p. At 1080p, it is really rare and difficult for there to be more than 2gb worth of texture processes going on at any given time. Unless you plan to get a second 770 and SLI soon, a 2gb one is the way to go. DEFINITELY not worth spending $75 more dollars for the SAME card with more Vram that won't actually make a difference.

RazerZ · Apr 13, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($249.00 @ Canada Computers)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($759.00 @ Vuugo)
Case: Zalman Z5 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX)
Monitor: Acer G236HLBbd 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($141.15 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $1573.69
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-13 13:51 EDT-0400)

Manged to fit a 780ti with going $20 over your budget. Long story short in that build you should have at least a R9 290 or a GTX 780 and you would still be in budget.

tdreilloc · Apr 13, 2014

I will take your advice on the fact that 650 Watts is enough for this build. I understand that won't be enough if I ever plan to SLI anything? Is it enough for slight overclocking on my CPU?

I know you don't like the CS series from Corsair but they have the cheapest 650W, 80 Plus Gold and modular power supply I can find for $99. Any thoughts?

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139060

tdreilloc · Apr 13, 2014

Alright, thanks for the build Razer. I will ommit the Storage since I have one laying around, plus a 120GB SSD that I'm going to take out of my laptop. Thanks a lot for the help.

tiny voices · Apr 13, 2014

You could heavily overclock everything easily on 650w. And yes the 650w CS unit is the only good one as it uses a different OEM than the others.

Look at RazerZ build, it blows yours out of the water.

tdreilloc · Apr 13, 2014

haha alright. Love the help here on this forum. I will stop questioning everything and just listen to your recommendations!

RazerZ · Apr 13, 2014

If you plan on sli go with this build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($249.00 @ Canada Computers)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($549.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX)
Monitor: Acer G236HLBbd 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($141.15 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $1419.67
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-13 14:17 EDT-0400)

EDIT:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Updated with new case

tiny voices · Apr 13, 2014

^ I would not get a full tower, even for SLI. Crazy overkill and a waste of money/ space.

RazerZ · Apr 13, 2014

tiny voices :

I see. Do you think the Zalman Z5 Plus would have enough space for two 780s?

tiny voices · Apr 13, 2014

I would go with the Corsair 300r/400r or NZXT Phantom 410. All have WAY more than enough space.

tdreilloc · Apr 13, 2014

Okay, so I added every item to the carts of their respective vendors (without the monitor) and came to a total of $1539.90 that's definitely over budget seeing as I haven't added a monitor yet. Maybe some deals expired? If I add the GTX 780 instead of the Ti, will that reduce my cost a lot? Is that the smartest way to reduce the cost of this build?

RazerZ · Apr 13, 2014

tdreilloc :

I would go exactly with the build I posted. It's the best value for the money and the base total before rebates is $1438.52 monitor included.

Tell me how I did..

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