First time gaming build advice?

Epic Gamer

Reputable
Jul 27, 2014
5
0
4,510
Hey guys I am going to build a gaming PC for the first time myself and would like to ask your advice on a couple of things. Please note that I will not be overclocking it in any way so I am hoping to get parts that will be able to handle anything I throw a them straight out the box (Besides factory OC). I'm looking to make a PC that will be able to run any current games and upcoming games at ultra settings however I'd like to make it as reliable as possible.

Here are the parts I've already selected:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB DirectCU II Video Card

Case: NZXT Phantom 410

The rest of the specs I haven't decided on however I would like to get 16 GB of RAM. In your opinion do you believe I've chosen the right parts and what do you believe would be a suitable power supply and choice of RAM for the parts I have selected. I haven't decided on a CPU but I'd like one that won't hold back the graphics card in any way and I am considering the 'Intel Core i7-4790K' as an option.

In your response it would be great if you could list

A) Possible PSU
B) Possible CPU
C) Possible choice of RAM


Please let me know what you think

Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks EpicGamer
 
Solution
The MSI 780 is much faster, much quieter tha the Asus and is usually a lot cheaper (not this week tho ... last week was 4440 on newegg).

MSI - 30 dbA / 9.5* rating / 954 Mhz
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_780_TF_Gaming/25.html

Asus - 36 dbA / 9.4 rating / 889 Mhz
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GeForce_GTX_780_Direct_Cu_II_OC/31.html

* The MSI model tested in the review is no longer in production, the new model is 52 MHz faster and has better cooling

Your system is handicapped by having no 2nd GFX card slot so no future SLI upgrade. As you can see here:

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/geforce_gtx_780_review,9.html

A 550 watt PSU is recommended with a bit more for overclocking. I'd suggest a 650...

GetOwnedGaming

Honorable
Jan 20, 2014
635
0
11,010


PSU:700W Corsair

CPU: Intel i5 4690

RAM: G.Skill, corsair, and Crucial are all good brands, I would recommend 8 GB of RAM
 

Epic Gamer

Reputable
Jul 27, 2014
5
0
4,510
Thanks for your reply I will look into the parts you selected however I will probably stick with 16GB of RAM because I also do renders sometimes. Should have mentioned that and thanks for your quick response.

If anyone else has any other suggestions I'd like multiple opinions on this
 

GetOwnedGaming

Honorable
Jan 20, 2014
635
0
11,010


No problem! If you are rendering the MORE RAM you can get the better. Have fun with an awesome PC!
 
The MSI 780 is much faster, much quieter tha the Asus and is usually a lot cheaper (not this week tho ... last week was 4440 on newegg).

MSI - 30 dbA / 9.5* rating / 954 Mhz
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_780_TF_Gaming/25.html

Asus - 36 dbA / 9.4 rating / 889 Mhz
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GeForce_GTX_780_Direct_Cu_II_OC/31.html

* The MSI model tested in the review is no longer in production, the new model is 52 MHz faster and has better cooling

Your system is handicapped by having no 2nd GFX card slot so no future SLI upgrade. As you can see here:

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/geforce_gtx_780_review,9.html

A 550 watt PSU is recommended with a bit more for overclocking. I'd suggest a 650 watter. Listed in order from greatest to good enough

Seasonic X Series
Corsair HX, Seasonic M12, EVGA SuperNova
Corsair RM Series, Seasonic S-12, Antec HCG / HCP, XFX Core Edition

I'd strongly suggest upgrading to a MoBo w/ SLI capability (will require 850 watter) such as the MSI G45 / GD65 .... why ?

Your MoBo w/ 4790k is $434

This combo is just $16 more:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1730212

1. It's an overclocking / gaming oriented motherboard
2. It has a 2nd card slot for SLI
3. Better sound, better LAN, 2 extra USB

RAM advice changes week to week as pricing all over the place. System performance in gaming (average fps) say from 1600 to 2400 DDR speed can range from 0 % (Crysis) - 12% (STALKER, F1) according to THG testing. However, a $93 MoBo and $175 RAM is "unbalanced" approach to a system build. If budget an issue, RAM speeds from 1600 - 2133 can oft be had for the same price, so shop carefully.

G.SKILL Trident X Series (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 w/ 10-12-12-31 timings - $170

Mushkin Enhanced Redline (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 w/ 9-11-11-28 timings - $170 (Low profile)
CAS 10 starts at $163 so not worth the $7 savings

Corsair Vengeance Pro (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 w/ 9-10-9-27 timings - $158
All low profiles cost same or more as 2133

G.SKILL Ares Series (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 w/ 9-9-9-24 timings - $150 (Low profile)

With rendering in the mix and assuming air cooling negating anything that's not low profile, Id do the Mushkins ....should overclock well ... that's the only choice of the above that I know comes with Hynix memory modules, Corsair used to but they switched.


 
Solution