£700 build, how does it look? :)

Mubariz123 · Jul 14, 2014

Someone kindly helped me put this parts list together, just wanted to get a second opinion to make sure everything is optimal before I start ordering the parts.

Also, If you know any nicer looking cases around the same price range, please let me know

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/mubariz123/saved/3ZGnTW

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£161.94 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£24.25 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£105.56 @ Scan.co.uk)
Memory: Kingston Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£58.18 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£43.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£38.70 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (£168.91 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: BitFenix Neos Black/Silver ATX Mid Tower Case (£29.99 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£44.11 @ CCL Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer (£11.09 @ Aria PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£44.99 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £731.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Thank You

m4ntl3 · Jul 14, 2014

envy14tpe · Jul 14, 2014

RAM: I don't like that RAM> 1600MHz is best at 1.5V not 1.65V.
Case: poor airflow. everything will get hot.
GPU: 280 is slightly above 760 and the 280 has 3GB VRAM which is better for WatchDogs.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014/06/09/msi_radeon_r9_280_gaming_oc_video_card_review/11#.U8N3mfmSy2Y
Case: excellent airflow and at a good price.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£169.73 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£24.25 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£105.56 @ Scan.co.uk)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£59.98 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£43.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£38.70 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (£164.74 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case (£59.15 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£44.11 @ CCL Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer (£11.09 @ Aria PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£44.99 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £766.29

m4ntl3 · Jul 14, 2014

How much is that in dollars?

Mubariz123 · Jul 14, 2014

envy14tpe :

Thanks for the recommendations and I will definitely be taking the the memory change that you suggested, however, wouldnt it be better to take the geforce graphics card so that I can get Physx? Also, as I am already 100 pounds over budget, I think that case might be slightly out of my price range. That being said if I cant find a cheaper alternative I will go with it!

Mubariz123 · Jul 14, 2014

m4ntl3 :

$1250 dollars

m4ntl3 · Jul 14, 2014

Mubariz123 :

If I were you I'd say drop the ssd and get a better GPU, an ssd is a luxury not a necessity.

envy14tpe · Jul 14, 2014

I'm mixed about dropping SSD. Originally I didn't have one but once I did I was blown away and won't go back.
Case: How about this:
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-s210e001

If you care about PhysX then grab the 760. Look at games you play and compare the benchmarks to a 280. Also, to save money you could get a 270x. Still really damn fast and good for 1080p gaming.

Mubariz123 · Jul 14, 2014

That case saves me £10 so great, and im comparing the graphics cards atm

m4ntl3 · Jul 14, 2014

envy14tpe :

I do enjoy fast loading speeds, but in the end better fps is what matters.
Also I like AMD way better than nVidia, so I'm all for the 280.

Edit: The case supports GPU's as large as 23 cm, I'm not sure how long the 280 is but my 280x is like 30 cm.

Mubariz123 · Jul 14, 2014

I was really starting to like that NZXT case too

specially since it came with the 2 fans and in white.

m4ntl3 · Jul 14, 2014

Mubariz123 :

Still not sure I'll check quick

Edit: The R9 280 is 26 cm.

Mubariz123 · Jul 14, 2014

I checked and your right, also I plan on updating the graphics card in a couple of years and maybe even doing as SLI, so I think im going to go with the first case that he recommended (due to more space), but the windowed version.

m4ntl3 · Jul 14, 2014

Mubariz123 :

Are you getting a GTX card because SLI is for nVidia cards? Or are you getting the R9 280?

Mubariz123 · Jul 14, 2014

Im comparing the benchmarks now (sorry im quite new to computers) but im leaning towards the GTX. However, if I do decide to go with the r9 280 I could downgrade the motherboard and save £40, as I only upgraded the MB in the first place to allow SLI in the future.

Also feels like a shame spending £30pounds extra on a case, that could be spent on a better Graphics cards, but I suppose its necessary.

LucoTF · Jul 14, 2014

Mubariz123 :

What's your budget?

Mubariz123 · Jul 14, 2014

It was £650 not including a monitor, looks like its been upped to £750 tho :/

LucoTF · Jul 14, 2014

Mubariz123 :

Well don't drop the SSD, they're nice and snappy. Just drop the overclocking aspect...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor (£127.00 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£55.69 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£59.98 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£43.65 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£38.70 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (£164.74 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case (£59.15 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£44.11 @ CCL Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer (£11.09 @ Aria PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£44.99 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £649.10
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Bam, £650

Mubariz123 · Jul 14, 2014

LucoTF :

I dont really mind going £100 pound over budget if it means its better for the future, my real dilemma is whether to get the geforce card so i can get Physx, or the Radeon R9 280 that everyone seems to be recommending.

edit: Could you let me know the difference between the processor you picked and the one i picked? Because if there isnt much difference, I am considering increasing the budget to £750 and adding a MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB graphics card with your build, but then ill also need a cooling fan, right?

LucoTF · Jul 14, 2014

Mubariz123 :

Building for the future is cool.

Physx is a marketing gimmick. I literally can't tell the difference whether it's on or off. The real difference between AMD and Nvidia is shadowplay - recording software that comes with nvidia and it's really good. The r9 280 is a slightly faster card than the 760 but for the same price, but if recording while you play is something that you might do then the 760 may be the better option.

LucoTF · Jul 14, 2014

Mubariz123 :

For gaming there isn't much difference, and most games these days are GPU bound so saving on the CPU and putting it on a bigger graphics card is awesome moves my friend

A cooling fan for what?

Mubariz123 · Jul 14, 2014

Ok, so how does this look? It is your build, but I decided to add in a higher tier graphics card.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor (£127.00 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£55.69 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£59.98 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£43.65 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£38.70 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (£227.72 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case (£59.15 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£44.11 @ CCL Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer (£11.09 @ Aria PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£44.99 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £712.08
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Edit: I probably should have mentioned that I use dual monitors and often watch gaming streams/ netflix, not sure if that means i should stay with the lower graphics card and keep the higher CPU.

Mubariz123 · Jul 14, 2014

LucoTF :

Also, how do you feel about this motherboard instead, to stop minor compatibility issues.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z97pcma...

LucoTF · Jul 14, 2014

Mubariz123 :

I just stole envy's build so it's a collaborative effort

You get a cooling fan in the box with the processor, it will be enough to stop overheating. Aftermarket coolers are for overclockers, but the stock cooler is good enough for anyone else.

Watching streams and netflix is more about your internet connection than anything, if you were the one who was live streaming your gameplay then your CPU would matter more, but watching stuff hardly uses any recources tbh.

I'm liking the build right now, the twin frozr is one of the better 770s. Let's change the motherboard:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor (£127.00 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£81.53 @ Ebuyer)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£59.98 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£43.65 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£38.70 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (£227.72 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case (£59.15 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£44.11 @ CCL Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer (£11.09 @ Aria PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£44.99 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £737.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Mubariz123 · Jul 14, 2014

I might be acting really ignorant, but I was comparing the Mother Board that you suggested and this one that i found, and I cant tell much difference:

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z97pcma...

But this one is £20 cheaper.

If im being stupid just tell me

Thanks for your help BTW I really appreciate it.
Im new in this scene and at first building a new pc was a hassle, but now after meeting members like you and the person who originally helped me choose the parts, i've really started to enjoy this process, so once again thanks!

£700 build, how does it look? :)

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