Need help for my first computer build

blackspidey2099 · Sep 26, 2014

Hey all!

This is my first computer build but I'm having trouble staying under budget with my parts, so I thought I'd ask for some help here. I live in Canada, so my budget is 1500 Canadian Dollars before tax (I don't mind going slightly over, but certainly not 1600+).

I need to start from scratch with my computer - I need the actual parts for it to work, a monitor AND a keyboard (I already have a good mouse). I'm looking to make the most powerful computer I can make with 1500, with a focus on gaming. I'd also like it to be future-proof, able to play games at atleast high/medium settings at 35+ FPS for the next 6 years at least.

Here's my build so far:

Core: i5-4690K (may upgrade to i7-4790k)

Motherboard: Asus Z97-A or Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H

Video Card: Asus or MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB

RAM: Patriot 2x4GB DDR3-1866

SSD: Looking for at least 125 GB

HDD: Looking for one with 1TB

Case: NZXT Phantom 410, H440 (Razer or Blue edition), NZXT Lexa S, NZXT Guardian 921(I really want my case to look as cool as possible)

Power Supply: EVGA Supernova G2 750W

Optical Drive: LG 24x DVD Burner (may get a Blu-Ray one)

OS: Windows 8.1 Pro

CPU Cooler: ????

Monitor: I'd prefer a 23-26 inch one, LED

Fans: Would I need extra ones?

Thank you all so much for the help!!! Hopefully my first build will be a success!

Warrior of Cats · Sep 26, 2014

Nice! You shouldn't need any more fans if you choose the Phantom 410. Im assuming youre overclocking? For some CPU fans, I would grab a Cooler Master if you're overclocking. If you aren't, get rid of the K-series processor and you should be fine with the stock fan. Also, take a look at some AMD GPUs as well. I have a MSI Radeon R9 270X and they are affordable, and they have a great amount of graphics power.

JackNaylorPE · Sep 26, 2014

The B2 version of that PSU is $60 .... 9.5 Build Quality Rating from jonnyguru ... There's $50
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438028&cm_re=EVGA_B2-_-17-438-028-_-Product

Save $20 on the MoBo / CPU Combo, save $10 on the MIR, save $10 off w/ promo code 926CAQEC29, ends 10/2
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1856008

Save $17 on faster RAM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231689

$75 for fastest gaming drive available ($5 off w/ promo code CEMCPAHH33, limited time offer)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822178381

It has a SSD "built in" so dropping the SSD is definitely an option.
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/hdd-charts-2013/-17-PCMark-7-Gaming,2915.html

If ya still think ya need one .....120 GB Samsung Evo
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147247

You can't have an optical drive in the H440, no place to mount it
Coolest case thermally and, to my eyes, visually, is the Phanteks Enthoo Pro ... w/ matching cooler
case won Case of the Year for 2014 ... built in fan controller, best cable management, best fans on market
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phes614pwt
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709001

For monitor Id want the 144 Hz Asus

Let's see how we did ....

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/frCTFT
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/frCTFT/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($256.98 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($87.87 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($154.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($97.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($80.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($409.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($68.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.95 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($108.34 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($267.98 @ DirectCanada)

Base Total: $1668.72
Promo Discounts: -$5.00
Combo Discounts: -$20.00
Mail-in Rebates: -$35.00
Missing $10 off w/ promo code 926CAQEC29, ends 10/2 on MoBo

Total = $1,598 + Shipping and taxes ... I made it by $2 !

For help w/ ya GFX selection

blackspidey2099 · Sep 26, 2014

Warrior of Cats :

Thanks for the reply. I'll take a look at some AMD GPUs for sure!

JackNaylorPE :

Thank you for all the options! The RAM, motherboard, and PSU seem like better options than what I had, so I'll change them. As for the case, I still prefer my NZXT options, so I think I'll go with one of them

JackNaylorPE · Sep 26, 2014

Cases are most often about looks. But if ya thinking features.... nothing comes close to the Phanteks at under $175

Looking at the reviews, I'd drop the Lexa S and the Guardian ... The H440 won't work as you can't use an optical drive in it. So the Phantom 410 looks like ya best NZXT option

9.1 H440 http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/H440/6.html
8.1 Lexa S http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/Lexa_S/6.html
8.0 http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/Guardian_921/7.html

9.2 Phantom 410 http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/Phantom_410/6.html
9.3 Enthoo Pro http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Phanteks/Enthoo_Pro/6.html

99% Enthoo Pro http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/6515/phanteks-enthoo-pro-full-tower-chassis-review/index8.html
91% NZXT Phantom 410 http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4526/nzxt_phantom_410_chassis_review/index8.html

If you get a 410 in a color, you can pick the cooler color to match the case color .... I went with white on white in the build I did.

If you have to cut costs, the 1st place I'd start is the monitor.

blackspidey2099 · Sep 26, 2014

JackNaylorPE :

Cases are most often about looks. But if ya thinking features.... nothing comes close to the Phanteks at under $175

Looking at the reviews, I'd drop the Lexa S and the Guardian ... The H440 won't work as you can't use an optical drive in it. So the Phantom 410 looks like ya best NZXT option

9.1 H440 http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/H440/6.html
8.1 Lexa S http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/Lexa_S/6.html
8.0 http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/Guardian_921/7.html

9.2 Phantom 410 http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/Phantom_410/6.html
9.3 Enthoo Pro http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Phanteks/Enthoo_Pro/6.html

99% Enthoo Pro http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/6515/phanteks-enthoo-pro-full-tower-chassis-review/index8.html
91% NZXT Phantom 410 http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4526/nzxt_phantom_410_chassis_review/index8.html

If you get a 410 in a color, you can pick the cooler color to match the case color .... I went with white on white in the build I did.

If you have to cut costs, the 1st place I'd start is the monitor.

Wow thank for this and the build you edited in your earlier post!! Thanks so much for the help. I think I'll go with a Black/Orange Phantom 410. That really helps me a lot.

JackNaylorPE · Sep 26, 2014

I see these in your future

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709031

blackspidey2099 · Sep 27, 2014

JackNaylorPE By any chance, would those come with blue LEDs?

Thanks for the help!

blackspidey2099 · Sep 27, 2014

Warrior of Cats · Sep 27, 2014

Yes. It's pre-installed top fan has blue leds on it.

JackNaylorPE · Sep 27, 2014

blackspidey2099 :

Blue white orange and red

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007998%20600035592%20600035673&IsNodeId=1&Description=Phanteks&name=3%20Pin&Order=BESTMATCH

blackspidey2099 · Sep 27, 2014

JackNaylorPE :

Thanks man

blackspidey2099 · Oct 17, 2014

Warrior of Cats :

So the pre-installed NZXT fan or the Phanteks one? Thanks!

JackNaylorPE · Oct 17, 2014

I dunno what's in the NZXT .... Phanteks has the 4 colors.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709024

Hurry only $12.99 now

..... expires 10/27/14

blackspidey2099 · Oct 17, 2014

JackNaylorPE :

Ok thanks! That looks like a great deal!

JackNaylorPE · Oct 17, 2014

I'll PM you my address.... I ask for 10% of all cost savings !

<kidding>

Warrior of Cats · Oct 20, 2014

blackspidey2099 :

For the white NZXT Phantom 410 it's blue NZXT top fan.. zit comes with 2 others, in the rear and at the front, with no leds.

Need help for my first computer build

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