MY FIRST BUILD! Please help me pick a build!

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

Over the last few weeks i have done quite a bit of research on components for my very first build. this build will be primarily used for gaming streaming and some light video editing. the sites that i have visited to gather information on the components i chose include youtube, overclocked, tomshardware, amazon, and lastly newegg. i have come up with 2 builds one is AMD based and one INTEL/NVIDIA based. PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE WHICH BUILD IS THE BETTER ONE!!! for the INTEL build i am going to link 2 possibilities for the GPU AND MOTHERBOARD please help me decide which one to use. THE AMD BUILD IS MY BUDGET BUILD THE INTEL BUILD IS SLGHTLY OVER BUDGET BUT IM OK WITH THAT IF IT WILL PERFORM BETTER (800-1000$ budget) however I am willing to go up to $1200. If you see something wrong with a component and would suggest me to get another one please explain why (x) component is better than

component. I DO PLAN ON OVERCLOCKING ONCE I LEARN OW TO PROPERLY EXECUTE IT!!

INTEL BUILD #1 (higher end)
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($203.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 4GB ROG Video Card ($278.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.28 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-AC68 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($96.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1257.14
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-16 16:19 EST-0500

INTEL BUILD #2 (slightly cheaper)
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($236.86 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($143.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($85.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.28 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($27.13 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1167.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-16 16:26 EST-0500

AMD BUILD (cheapest)
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($102.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($85.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Dual-X Video Card ($264.29 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.28 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($27.13 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1034.58
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-16 16:31 EST-0500

Tradesman1 · Nov 16, 2014

Think I'd go build #2, and it will be well worth the extra money performance wise

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

will the hyper 212evo be enough or would you go with the h100i? i do plan n overclocking a bit once i learn how to

ImDaBaron · Nov 16, 2014

Build number 2 for sure. Depends on how far you want to overclock. If your willing to spend the money then go with the 100i.

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

may i ask why you guys suggest build 2 over build 1? is the gpu the deciding factor?

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

so this would be the final component list? are they all compatible? i want to add an ssd into the list but im not sure what the best buy is when it comes to the best bang for your buck. i will most likely just put my os on it and one game being World of warcraft! yes i love WoW!!!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($236.86 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($143.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($85.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.28 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($27.13 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1217.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-16 17:00 EST-0500

Tradesman1 · Nov 16, 2014

GPU is a big jump, no need for a H100, the Hyper 212 EVO cools almost as well as the H100 (so save some money there) and the 212 can handle a 4.6 OC easily, if the budget was a little larger, I'd say the Hero (my favorite) but have a half dozen builds with the Z97-A and it's a real good mobo also

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

sweeet thanks for your opinion dude!! what about this gpu which one is better?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($236.86 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($143.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($85.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($348.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.28 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($27.13 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1216.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-16 17:50 EST-0500

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

Tradesman1 :

the asus gpu or the eva gpu?? whats the diff besides cooling tech

Tradesman1 · Nov 16, 2014

I like both EVGA and Asus for nVidia cards, lean a little towards Asus, have always had good luck w/ their GPUs

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

and lastly what about a wireless network card? is there any one in particular that you would recommend? i had my eyes on this : Asus PCE-AC68 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($96.99 @ Amazon) but im not sure of there is one for a better value when it comes to bang for the buck.

Tradesman1 · Nov 16, 2014

For wireless I prefer the USBs, opposed to plug in cards, with all the power cords around the back of a typical tower (monitor, rig, speakers, etc the power cords can disrupt the antenna signals

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

i read aot of revies on newegg about the evga gpu apparently coil whine is a big issue there as well as 1/3 heat syncs not making contact with the gpu. here is a site with some reviews on it http://forums.evga.com/EVGA-GTX-970-ACX-20-quality-concerns-m2219546.aspx i think i may justgo with the asus version. BUT I CAN SAY I AM SO AFRAID TO MAKE A DECISION PLEASE HELP ME OUT OL

ImDaBaron · Nov 16, 2014

I have the Asus 970...great card. Quiet fans and overclocks nicely

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

can you recommend some usb wifi adapters that you would use for the build that im considering?

Tradesman1 · Nov 16, 2014

Keep a few of these handy (comes with a cable and stand for the antenna so can be moved around for better reception)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166056&ignorebbr=1

Also the N13

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320040&ignorebbr=1

and N13 w/ stand

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320178&ignorebbr=1

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

the asus gpu runs cooler and quieter under load but while idle the fans dont turn on until it hits 47 degrees c which i dont like here is a link http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GTX_970_STRIX_OC/1.html. here is a link for the evga http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_970_SC_ACX_Cooler/1.html

ImDaBaron · Nov 16, 2014

Why dont you like that? You can actually change it but it saves power since the GPU doesnt deem that temp hot enough.

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

here is a video review of the 970 cards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2KumhibfaA

ImDaBaron · Nov 16, 2014

Cool? Made up your mind?

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

ImDaBaron :

what would you pick baron? evga or asus?

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

what are your thoughts on the gigabyte z97x gamin 5 mobo guys? is it better than the asus z97-a? here is a reference build

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/rXWTt6
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/rXWTt6/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($348.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.28 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-AC68 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($96.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1281.16
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-16 19:26 EST-0500

Tradesman1 · Nov 16, 2014

I'd stick w/ the Z97-A

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

ok last 2 and i will be set aside from picking a wifi card or usb adapter. here we go boys!!!!

INTEL BUILD #1
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pXJWyc
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pXJWyc/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($236.86 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($143.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($85.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.28 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1190.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-16 19:58 EST-0500

INTEL BUILD #2
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/m6dTt6
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/m6dTt6/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($236.86 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($203.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($348.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.28 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1241.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-16 19:58 EST-0500

aocasio2891 · Nov 16, 2014

BUILD 1 IS BLUE THEME BUILD 2 IS RED

MY FIRST BUILD! Please help me pick a build!

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