System Build, best value for money, combination, future proof

Samfree91 · Jun 30, 2014

Hi there, I am looking to build a mid range PC, that is future proofed for at least 2-3 years, given that i will probably upgrade components as needed.

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: July-Aug 2014

Budget Range: (e.g.: 1500-1800) ; Before Shipping

System Usage (AAA title gaming, Some picture editing, web browsing, to summary, all round PC that will play games a lot better than my laptop. (ultra @ 60FPS on BF4 + FSX at present)

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: Yes
Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: http://www.cplonline.com.au

Location: Melbourne, Vic, Australia

Parts Preferences: Honestly, until now its only been Nvdia, intel, but since doing some research... anything really. Just want a Gold PSU

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (In the Future)

Your Monitor Resolution:1920x1080

Additional Comments: (e.g.: Need to have a window and lots of bling, I would like a quiet PC. BF4, Arma 3, FSX, Skyrim Modded, Far Cry 3, Tomb Raider, Max payne, and future titles like GTA 5. As well as photoshop)

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading:Honestly, allways wanted to build my own PC and i am sick to death of upgrading a laptop every 2 years, because the graphics is out of date, or a single component has failed.

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/user/samfree91/saved/yJCD4D (If possible can you make changes here, if not i will list each parts URL)

CPU Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core
CPU Cooler Thermaltake CLP0608 99.1 CFM
Motherboard MSI Z97-Gaming 3 ATX LGA1150
Memory Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866
Storage Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" SSD
Seagate 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid
Video Card MSI Radeon R9 280X 3GB TWIN FROZR
Case Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply Antec 750W ATX12V / EPS12V
Optical Drive LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer
O.S Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit)
Wireless TP-Link TL-WDN3800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1
Custom Thermaltake Extreme Speed Plus USB3.0 Plus Multi Card Reader
Thermaltake Extreme Speed Plus USB3.0 Plus Multi Card Reader
Silverstone LS01R 30cm 15 LED Flexible Strip Red SST-LS01R
...

IHaveDaBestPC · Jun 30, 2014

There's no problem with your build, so you can go on. However, you might want to consider the Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 3 mobo if you prefer the Gigabyte brand

Vic 40 · Jun 30, 2014

I changed some things,

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($285.00 @ CPL Online)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Water 3.0 Performer 99.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.00 @ CPL Online)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97X Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($209.00 @ CPL Online)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($102.00 @ CPL Online)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($169.00 @ CPL Online)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($97.00 @ CPL Online)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280X 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($369.00 @ CPL Online)
Case: Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.00 @ CPL Online)
Power Supply: Cooler Master VSM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($139.00 @ CPL Online)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($22.00 @ CPL Online)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($115.00 @ CPL Online)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN3800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($35.00 @ CPL Online)
Other: Thermaltake Extreme Speed Plus USB3.0 Plus Multi Card Reader - AC0031 Thermaltake Extreme Speed Plus USB3.0 Plus Multi Card Reader - AC0031 ($39.00)
Other: Silverstone LS01R 30cm 15 LED Flexible Strip Red SST-LS01R ($18.50)
Total: $1767.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

bigger ssd,
watercooler=good one,
motherboard will give x8/x8 with crossfire,your choice not,
cheaper.but stil very good psu,
O.s. did i make the oem one,any reason for the expensive pro version?
Some other changes is the hhd.
Is about the same price.Your build isn't that bad,i just think that for the same price i have a little bit better choices.

Didn't change the cooler just to get water cooling in.The corsair spec series officially only supports coolers up to 157mm,the cooler you chose and i initially are 160mm high and as such are not supported.Maybe there's some tolerance,but i wouldn't bet on it.

Samfree91 · Jul 1, 2014

Vic 40 :

Bases on your feedback, i have gone down a PSU, to a fully modular, and i want 8.1 Pro, as i do some advanced security policies and networking items, not available on windows 8. Thanks heaps for the cooler info, it didnt even look as if it would be that big so im glad you pitched in, Is there any air cooling option you would suggest, as i dont like the chance of it leaking :-(

Also have done some other changes, based on some feedback from this fourum and another, also, i did note today that i had the bottom of the range MSI gaming series, so i changed it to the 5 after doing some research on the PCI issue. Updated build is listed here

Hi there,

I have taken a couple of people's advice here, so here me out.

I have changed the RAM, Motherboard, Cooling, SSD + PSU (Still have q's on the PSU) (Apparently the air cooling i wanted will not fit in the board)

new specs are as follows (With P/N for the PSU) (http://au.pcpartpicker.com/user/samfree91/saved/yJCD4D)

CPU Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core
CPU Cooler NZXT Kraken X40 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150
Memory G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133
Storage Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" SSD
Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM
Video Card MSI Radeon R9 280X 3GB TWIN FROZR
Case Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V (P/N CP-9020054-WW)
Optical Drive LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Write
Operating System Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit)
Wireless Network Adapter TP-Link TL-WDN3800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1
Custom Thermaltake Extreme Speed Plus USB3.0 Plus Multi Card Reader
Silverstone LS01R 30cm 15 LED Flexible Strip Red SST-LS01R

The Power consumption of this system is around 500W, With overclocking and a 20 -25% increase, i am choosing a 600 -650W PSU, however if in future i want to upgrade to crossfire, due to the power output of the card being a maximum of 250W i am looking at aroun 850 - 1000W for a new PSU, is it better to wait and see if i actually will go crossfire, or what are the benefits of crossfire, is it really even worth it?

Eduello · Jul 1, 2014

Solution unselected by OP's request.

Samfree91 · Jul 3, 2014

Eduello · Jul 3, 2014

I'd say that the new build looks pretty good, but the PSU isn't the greatest (only AX, TX, and HX units from Corsair are good).
If you don't want to CF: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m
If you want to CF: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ss850am

The benefits of CrossFire are better performance and a better performance/price ratio (if the game actually supports CF).
The downsides are the higher power consumption and heat output. You might also face some compatibility and driver issues in some games, and it always takes time to optimize new games for CF so new games rarely benefit from it.

Vic 40 · Jul 3, 2014

I've read a review about this one on jonnyguru and it was very positive,
http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-power-supply-rs750amaag1
for that price would it be my choice.It saves a lot of money and still gives the crossfire option.
Or if you insist on 850watts this one,
http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220g20850xr
or cheaper,
http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/silverstone-power-supply-st85fp
i don't think you need it but it's up to you.

Samfree91 · Jul 4, 2014

Cheers, i will check this one out soon

Vic 40 · Jul 5, 2014

Okay,let us know what you think of them.

Samfree91 · Jul 6, 2014

Vic 40 :

Sweet, that coolermaster one, looks really good, so i have gone for that one.

so, apart from the PSU, any more problems with the build?

Eduello · Jul 6, 2014

Looks all good to me.

Vic 40 · Jul 6, 2014

No problems,it looks very good,but i still did change the motherboard,i like this one better for the +$5 price difference and it still fitts the color of the build,and added another wifi adapter to show the price difference,i got this one and think it works really well,
http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/tXxLwP
whether you change things or not is up to you,what you have is already very good.

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System Build, best value for money, combination, future proof

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