First time building gaming pc. Please adjust where needed.

Lzyguy

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Jun 13, 2014
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Hi guys. So as the title says, it is my fist time building a gaming pc from scratch. Please rate and adjust the build for my budget ($700). So far I have a NZXT Guardian 921 rb case that was given to me and that's it. I was thinking:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zzndrH

The r9 280x and psu are being sold at that price from an acquaintance who offered. I don't plan on OC at the moment.

 
Solution
This is what I would do, I have changed the motherboard as you don't need one which can overclock the CPU as the CPU itself can't be overclocked, I changed the RAM, it is better to still have two slots free so you can go to 16GB in the future and selected a better power supply as well

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($150.00)
CPU Cooler: Gelid Solutions Slimhero 52.4 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($101.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)...
You don't need the aftermarket CPU Cooler if you don't plan to overclock. The CPU will come with a stock CPU Cooler. Also, in terms of RAM configurations, I recommend 2x4GB over 4x2GB. But that R9 280X for $180 is an amazing bargain. I'm guessing it's a used card?
 

NBSN

Admirable
It seems pretty good and it is smart you picked a aftermarket cooler for the CPU because there are complaints about the cooler that comes with that CPU not being a good quality. I prefer Intel and NVidia, with that being said you can get more for your money by going with AMD CPU if you are just going with a quad core i5 Intel one. You can get a six core higher clocked AMD CPU for a similar price. Although AMD and Intel cores are not the same, you would have to compare specific CPUs to get an idea of what would be best for you.

You could also save a bit of money on the motherboard if you wanted to, but the one you picked out is good.

Update: I did not catch the RAM issue, my bad. The other posters are right, two 4 GB RAM modules is much better. If you do want to save money you could ditch the aftermarket cooler and if you get a crappy stock one, then send it back for replacement.
 

Nuckles_56

Admirable
This is what I would do, I have changed the motherboard as you don't need one which can overclock the CPU as the CPU itself can't be overclocked, I changed the RAM, it is better to still have two slots free so you can go to 16GB in the future and selected a better power supply as well

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($150.00)
CPU Cooler: Gelid Solutions Slimhero 52.4 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($101.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280X 6GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($180.00)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($0.00)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $684.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-13 03:35 EDT-0400
 
Solution

Lzyguy

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Jun 13, 2014
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yes it's used but he doesn't need it since he finally bought a gtx 780ti at a great deal
 

Lzyguy

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Jun 13, 2014
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i was looking at ebay for some used ones but unfortunately they don't come with a stock cooler which is why i put it on my list but thank you for the advice. Very sweet build for your pc btw. With the extra bucks i'll be saving by switching mobos I'm considering the WD Blue or Black if money allows it
 

Lzyguy

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Jun 13, 2014
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Thanks for liking my build. Good luck with your build. Good move to get WD Blue/Black. You'll not be disappointed.