Checking for compatibility issues before buying components (first time)

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alexblinks

alexblinks

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Oct 13, 2014
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Hey everyone.

I'm a first time builder. I think I've got a rig down, but it's hard for me to tell if all the components are compatible, if the PSU has all the necessary cables, and whether they'll all fit into the case.

It would be great if anyone can let me know if any of the components I've listed won't work, or have any suggestions for alternative components.
Thank you in advance.

Basic Info


  • ■ Approximate Purchase Date: Oct 13 - Oct 25 2014
    ■ Location: Tokyo, Japan
    ■ Budget Range: 10,000 Japanese Yen (about 1000 USD)
    ■ Overclocking: No
    ■ System Usage: Gaming (Dragon Age 3 to be precise)
    In general, a system I can use for 3 years. Not looking for anything fancy. I'm looking for a small footprint but I don't want to fight to put stuff in or wrestle around with wires. Cheaper is better but I'm not particularly aiming for bare-minimum. Hassle-free would be great.

Part List

Already Have

  • ■ [strike]Graphic Card: Nvidia GeForce GTS450[/strike] *too weak for Dragon Age 3
    ■ Monitor: FlexScan EV2455-BK / 1920x1200
    ■ DVD Drive: Generic DVD drive
    ■ Bluray Drive: Generic Bluray Drive
    ■ Secondary HD: Several external hard drives

New Components

Total cost: about 113000 JPY (about 1130 USD)

*added new video card, updated CPU
 
Solution
Alpha3031
That test was done with a 680, which is quite a bit faster than a 760. The CPU will not be a limiting factor with a 760 during games. If you are video editing etc., the Xeon 1230v3 offers a big leap, for just a few dollars over the better i5s.
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Alpha3031

Alpha3031

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What will you be using it for? If it's just office work or similar, I'd just use an i3. Won't even bother with the GPU, it's probably just going to sit in your case, wasting power, and not doing anything the iGPU on the CPU can't already do.
 
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Goldengoose

Goldengoose

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I think you are on the right tracks but maybe a few things you'll need to look at.

First off, that GPU you already have is terrible - it wont play DA3. Try getting something on the same level as a R9 270-280.
I disagree with Alpha3031 - at this budget of a build, you will want to keep your I5 otherwise you will get a clear bottleneck on CPU heavy titles. If you can work it into your build, get a lower priced case and go for the I5 4690. (A case i have been looking at is the BitFenix Colossus Micro).

RAM and PSU are fine.

Get a 120gb SSD and then a 1-2TB harddrive to go along side it - you'll be thankful you did a few years down the line.

MB looks good to me.

Can't really comment on the monitor, no idea what it is.

Stock cooling will be fine with a reputable case and stock intel fan. Regarding which version of windows you get (7 or 8), thats pretty much down to preference.

Hope that helps.

Edit: just read that bit about having loads of HDD's already. It will might be worth lowering the SSD size so you can invest more into your GPU.
Regarding the case - whichever you pick, check what size GPU you are getting and what sizes the ATX case allows. Many of them do allow full size GPU's but you dont want to get caught out.


 
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Alpha3031

Alpha3031

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I looked in to the dragon age series, and my suggestion still applies, as it has never been a very CPU intensive series. even for more CPU intensive games, there is no CPU bottlenecks at higher graphics settings, for an i3 and 760.
 
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alexblinks

alexblinks

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Oct 13, 2014
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Thanks Alpha3031. I saw some pretty good 3d games being played on an i3 laptop and it wasn't too bad, so you're right. I only listed gaming here (which will be the main task), but I also do some other things (just a little bit of 3D, illustration, and video work) so to be on the safe side I think I'll go with the i5.
 
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Goldengoose

Goldengoose

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I would say there's a huge difference. You're going from a dual core to a quadcore. Although a lot of games only take advantage of 2 cores (newer titles are slowly catching up and using all 4 cores), you still have to run all sorts of stuff in the background as well as windows. If you have only 2 cores taking care of your system, browsers open in the background, anything in your system tray; how quickly the game runs will take a hit.

Check this link out for the stats behind it: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2013/11/14/intel-core-i3-4130-haswell-review/5

FYI i don't think you'd want a xeon or an I7. I5 will be plenty, you will be happy with it and kick yourself at times if you stick to the I3.
 
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Alpha3031

Alpha3031

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Nov 27, 2013
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That test was done with a 680, which is quite a bit faster than a 760. The CPU will not be a limiting factor with a 760 during games. If you are video editing etc., the Xeon 1230v3 offers a big leap, for just a few dollars over the better i5s.
 
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