Help with computer decision

pwilson794 · Aug 19, 2014

Hello all,

First time caller long time listener.

Assumptions:

1, No Experience building but I have swapped out a video card. I also can mess up putting up a shower curtain.

2. I do not plan on overclocking anything.

3. Budget is up to 1500

Purpose: Used primarily for gaming. Nba2k, Star wars the old republic and skyrim.

Question: I am torn between 3 options. I realize that the people here are pro building your own but since I am very inept at manual dexterity I do not mind paying a premium to not have to fool with returns and to have someone else put them together.

Choices:

Check out CyberPowerPC - Configurator - Back to School Z97-I7 @ http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Back_to_School_Z97-I7/

pro: lots of bang for my buck and I do not have to put it together.
Con. Cyberpowerpc....

about 50 dollars more than my build but I get borderlands and case lighting and a 256 ssd and 2tb hd vs 120 and 1tb. (If it was a better company I would do it in a heartbeat)

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CJz9wP

Pro: My parts. Cheapest cost.
Con: I have no experience putting together computers and am not good at stuff like that. I loath returning items.

I am not sure which case is best so if you like this option suggestions on that would be great. (I also chose the motherboard from toms review and am not sure if it is too much if I do not plan on overclocking)

https://www.digitalstormonline.com/configurator.asp?id=995477

pro: Digital storm has a great reputation
cons: My main concern is that it is a H81 motherboard and not a z97. Will it matter if I am not overclocking?

thank you for your input.

tiny voices · Aug 19, 2014

If you are not overclocking, you should not be looking at K series CPUs and Z97 motherboards and aftermarket CPU coolers.

I fixed your PCpartpicker link to be better performing and better quality for less money.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/K4DTZL

This is what you want to shoot for even if you do not build it yourself.

pwilson794 · Aug 19, 2014

what series motherboard would you suggest? and do i even need a fan on the cpu thing? I was watching a build video on youtube and the cpu came with a fan?

zeyuanfu · Aug 19, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls
Check this out, it tells you the step-by-step way of putting together a computer. Also, Newegg CS is good, so you shouldn't worry about returns.

zeyuanfu · Aug 19, 2014

BTW PC building sites rip you off.

tiny voices · Aug 19, 2014

YEs you need a CPU cooler, the CPU comes with it. You MUST install it.

The build I posted is what you want to do. It will properly answer your motherboard question. (H97 for non-overclocking Haswell-Refresh CPUs)

tiny voices · Aug 19, 2014

zeyuanfu :

Not always 100% true. Sadly nowadays, with websites like Cyberpower PC, if you know what you are doing, you can configure a PC to be basically the same cost as building it in many cases.

zeyuanfu · Aug 19, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GD65 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($220.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($719.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $1586.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-19 09:17 EDT-0400

tiny voices · Aug 19, 2014

zeyuanfu :

I Would not suggest a tier 3 PSU to power this build. Change that for sure. Also, why do you have a locked CPU with an overclocking motherboard? A 780ti is WAY overkill for the games OP wants to play and is overkill for ANYTHING at 1080p. A normal 780 would be the proper choice here.

pwilson794 · Aug 19, 2014

thank you both for your help. I will take a look and get the best one

zeyuanfu · Aug 19, 2014

tiny voices :

zeyuanfu :

I Would not suggest a tier 3 PSU to power this build. Change that for sure. Also, why do you have a locked CPU with an overclocking motherboard? A 780ti is WAY overkill for the games OP wants to play and is overkill for ANYTHING at 1080p. A normal 780 would be the proper choice here.

Multiple monitors at 1440p?
Sorry about the mobo, it was in a combo, after all...

jimthenagual · Aug 19, 2014

tiny voices :

This is a very nice build.

(sorry for accidentally selecting best answer, I unselected it)

tiny voices · Aug 19, 2014

Thanks very much!

I think it is exactly what OP needs.

pwilson794 · Aug 19, 2014

I agree. I am going to look at it very seriously. As far as the case goes is that a good one for building first time (read forgiving of noobs)

tiny voices · Aug 19, 2014

Not it is more difficult than a normal case and I do not recommend it unless you need it for a specific size/ placement concern.

I would recommend the Corsair 300r to any first time builder. It is a very good case which is very easy to build in.

pwilson794 · Aug 20, 2014

quick question to see if I messed up. Ended up my computer went out before I was ready so I ended up having to get everything from amazon.
I went with

Intel Core i5-4690 Processor
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JST2QEW/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1 intel i-5 4690

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 2400MHZ Desktop Memory Model F3-2400C11D-8GXM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00COGLBPQ/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1

and Gigabyte LGA 1150 Intel H97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Gaming ATX Intel Motherboard GA-H97-Gaming 3 (I could not find the exact one tiny voices suggested)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KRUX0V4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I was looking over this morning and the memory says 2400 mhz and the board will only do 1300/1600.

I do not mind the wasted potential as long as it works and wont cause problems.

tiny voices · Aug 20, 2014

You have to manually overclock the RAM in the BIOS. If you just put it in and leave it it will only run at 1600, this is not a problem though.

All those parts will work fine.

pwilson794 · Aug 20, 2014

thank you so much! a sudden gasp of buyer's remorse/scare!

tiny voices · Aug 20, 2014

You are fine! Everything will work perfectly.

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