i need advice on picking out parts for a build

Malik Yolo · Aug 7, 2014

I need advice on which parts I should pick out for my first build

here are the parts i was planning on going with:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fuk.pcpartpicker.com%2Fp%2FLCznyc&h=EAQFQ9qwF

thank you for taking the time to read, it means a lot

Rationale · Aug 7, 2014

I think you may have used the wrong link.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/LCznyc

That's an extremely powerful build. But, depending on what games you play and the goals you have, there are always ways to reduce price without noticeably reducing performance.

Malik Yolo · Aug 7, 2014

i am planning on playing some of the higher end games on the highest settings

Rationale · Aug 7, 2014

Well, that build will certainly be enough.

However, if you intend to use effects like PhysX or Hairworks, in games like Borderlands 2, The Witcher 3, etc, then you would need an Nvidia card like a GTX 780.

Additionally, if you're trying to keep costs down, there won't be an appreciable performance difference from an i5-4590 to an i5-4690K for several years.

Malik Yolo · Aug 7, 2014

thank you for replying, you're awesome. does PhysX or Hairworks make a big difference?

Rationale · Aug 7, 2014

Malik Yolo :

Hairworks is very new, and so far I think is only used in 2 games. It's in Cod Ghosts a bit, and it's going to be in The Witcher 3. Other than that, it doesn't make a difference yet, and people aren't sure whether it'll catch on or not. There's as much of a chance of Mantle catching on as Hairworks.

PhysX is used in more games, having been around longer. I think it's worthwhile, but not everyone does. You'll have to decide that yourself, really. The game where it makes the most difference is probably Borderlands 2. It's been used to moderate extents in Metro 2033, Metro Last Light, Warframe, Mirror's Edge, Batman Arkham series, Mafia 2, Planetside 2, Assassin's Creed Black Flag, and Hawken. It's been used only slightly in many other lesser known games, and when PhysX is relatively light it can be safely put on the CPU. It's not meant to run on the CPU though, so in the games that use it most heavily it'll disable effects or cripple the framerate if it's used without an Nvidia card. PhysX is scheduled to be used in The Witcher 3 as well.

This is a Borderlands 2 PhysX showcase. Keep in mind, this is probably where it'll be used most heavily, I don't expect other games will ever adopt it quite as much as Borderlands 2 did.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rokcD0nh4I

Malik Yolo · Aug 7, 2014

do you think the motherboard is good enough?

Rationale · Aug 7, 2014

Malik Yolo :

Yes, and it's also compatible with overclocking.

Malik Yolo · Aug 7, 2014

thank you, i am really grateful that you used some of your time on me, it means a lot.

Ytyoussef · Aug 7, 2014

Your build is good, but there are a two things:
1. Definitely get an r9 290 with a custom cooler, something like a tri-x. (The reference design runs HOT and LOUD)
2. Get a z97 board, chances are the z87 board will come shipped with a bios that doesn't support the haswell refresh CPUs. Just get the z97 pro4 for example.

Malik Yolo · Aug 7, 2014

how much would a custom cooler cost me?

Ytyoussef · Aug 7, 2014

Have a look at the sapphire r9 290 Tri-X, http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003622sr
It's cheaper

And one of the best coolers for the R9 290.

Ytyoussef · Aug 7, 2014

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-wireless-network-card-7260hmwdtx1 Oh, and get this wireless adapter, not much more expensive, but you get wireless AC as well for the future, if/when you use an AC Router.

Malik Yolo · Aug 7, 2014

Ytyoussef :

can't afford it

Ytyoussef · Aug 7, 2014

Why not? It's cheaper than the 300 gbp asus reference model.... This is not only a cooler if that's what you think, it's the same graphics card, but with a better cooler on it.

Malik Yolo · Aug 7, 2014

Ytyoussef :

ahhhh, i just got confused, thanks man. :pt1cable:

Malik Yolo · Aug 7, 2014

should i go for the r290, or the r290x ?

Ytyoussef · Aug 7, 2014

The r9 290 is good enough, and great for the price.

Rationale · Aug 7, 2014

Ytyoussef :

I agree. Also, an R9 290 can be overclocked to perform similarly to an R9 290X if the extra performance ever becomes necessary.

Ytyoussef · Aug 7, 2014

But the r9 290X can be overclocked as well haha, so that's not exactly an advantage.

Rationale · Aug 7, 2014

Ytyoussef :

That's not quite like it sounds. The R9 290X is already at the limits of its thermal handling. It won't overclock much higher, as it's fundamentally the same chip as the R9 290, just pre-overclocked with a few more mostly irrelevant stream processors.

Ytyoussef · Aug 7, 2014

With a tri-x cooler? http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2014/03/11/sapphire-radeon-r9-290x-tri-x-oc-review/9
Check out the temps too, it runs at 52C at full load, cooler than a gtx 770.

Rationale · Aug 7, 2014

Ytyoussef :

The Sapphire version of the R9 290 has the exact same cooler, so once again, it has the same overclock ceiling as the R9 290X.

Ytyoussef · Aug 7, 2014

Well, you're not entirely right, it won't have the same overclocking ceiling, but it's very close. So the R9 290 is the better choice, without a doubt considering the price difference.

i need advice on picking out parts for a build

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