mATX Build; Checking if parts fit and are okay

Melvin Luis Mendoza · Dec 10, 2014

Hi. I got this build going on but I'm not sure if they'll fit in the mini tower I chose. I built a pc before but that was before the DDR3 days so I'm kinda rusty already and need some help.

Here are the specs:

Mobo: ASUS Z97 Maximus VII Gene
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K OR Intel Core i5-4690K
RAM: G Skill RipjawsX 8GB (planning to go 16GB in the future)
GPU: MSI GTX 970 Gaming (planning to go Dual-SLI in the future)
SSD: Intel Series 530 120GB
HDD: WD Caviar Green 1TB
Network Adapter: TPLink TL-WDN4800 N900 PCI
PSU: (Tentative) Corsair AX760i 80PLUS Platinum
Chassis: Bitfenix Prodigy M (the black one for more ventilation)
Chassis Fans: Corsair AF120 Performance (for all vacant fan mounts)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i Hydro Series (to be installed at the top)

I would also like to ask if this build will still be worth getting in Q2-Q3 2015 since I will only get the money by then. I am not sure about the availability of Broadwell boards in my country, and I'm sure as hell that they will be priced around 1.5 - 2x the original when they get here.

I plan to bring this desktop to LAN parties, which explains the mATX form factor. I don't mind changing the parts as long as they remain mITX or mATX because I need this build to be portable. I plan to do editing with this PC (Blender, for example), which explains the i7 and the 16GB RAM. Alongside editing is gaming, probably on a single 1440p setup (dual-triple 1440p setup when I go SLI; no plan to go quad-display).

I plan to overclock the 4790k and the 970 as I see fit, which may introduce temperature problems I might need some help with as well.

If you would like to suggest other hardware options, please refer to the websites below which offer locally available hardware. Getting anything from other countries is terribly difficult to deal with in my country (and is very prone to corruption in the customs).

http://dynaquestpc.com/
http://pcx.com.ph/
http://www.villman.com/
Any other PC store in the Philippines.

Thank you!

EDITS:

Changed the mobo.

I replaced the Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB Single RAM into G Skill RipjawsX 8GB 2133.

I added a network adapter. Will this still fit inside the chassis?

matt1-0-1 · Dec 10, 2014

Looking good

, and with enough fans, the prodigy should be able to handle dual 970s, with their low tdp.

20salmon · Dec 10, 2014

Melvin Luis Mendoza :

Looks like a good build. My inputs:

I would consider going for the i5-4690k instead as this is the most widely recommended CPU in terms of value for money and overclocking nowdays.

The PSU is not powerful enough for a future crossfire/SLI, and it is not a great PSU for overclocking. Refer to this list for PSU recommendations: Link

I would recommend getting an additional 60gb SSD reserved for windows, keep your most played games on the 120gb SSD, and files/movies/music/less frequently played games on the HDD.

In terms of waiting till next year: You will usually get more bang for your buck by waiting if you don't care about having the newest hardware at all times. If you don't "need" to upgrade now, I would definitely wait and get the same or similar build for less money. One alternative (and what I am currently doing) is slowly but surely acquiring the parts I need by bargain hunting. I got a brand new Corsair h75 for half the retail price on ebay.

Melvin Luis Mendoza · Dec 10, 2014

20salmon :

I originally planned to get the 4690K and overclock that, but my friend suggested that I get a 4790K instead and take advantage of the HyperThreading since I'm going to use Blender a lot (especially next year, since it's my thesis year and I'm supposed to develop games) plus it's more "future-proof." Do you think the 4690K will still do a good job after, say, 5-7 years? If so, I'll go for that instead.

For the PSU, how much wattage do I need? The specs for the 970 says one card needs at least 500W. Does that mean I'm going to have to buy a 1000W PSU? Or will this do the trick if I'm overclocking both GPUs (in the future) along with the CPU? http://dynaquestpc.com/product/corsair-ax760i-digital-atx-80plus-platinum-modular-psu/

I don't really mind playing the games on the HDD, so I'm okay with the 120 GB SSD for Windows and the drivers. Thank you, though.

About waiting till next year, I don't really mind, as long as the hardware I'm getting will last long (around 5-7 years or more) and still be able to run games at High/Ultra, since this is considered splurging for me, and splurging for hardware that will last for only a couple of years would surely suck.

20salmon · Dec 11, 2014

A 750W PSU can pull off SLI/X-fire if the graphics card has a low power requirement, but it's not wise to push a PSU to its limit, better to have one thats too powerful rather than too weak so I would go for a 1000W one.

I don't think the 4690k will be more futureproof than the 4790k, I guess it comes down to the overclocking potential. Think your best bet is to take your friends advice and go for the hyperthreading.

Waiting until next year won't really make the system last longer (unless you spend a lot more to get top of the line stuff), the main benefit of waiting is to pay less for your current wishlist.

Melvin Luis Mendoza · Dec 11, 2014

20salmon :

A 750W PSU can pull off SLI/X-fire if the graphics card has a low power requirement, but it's not wise to push a PSU to its limit, better to have one thats too powerful rather than too weak so I would go for a 1000W one.

I don't think the 4690k will be more futureproof than the 4790k, I guess it comes down to the overclocking potential. Think your best bet is to take your friends advice and go for the hyperthreading.

Waiting until next year won't really make the system last longer (unless you spend a lot more to get top of the line stuff), the main benefit of waiting is to pay less for your current wishlist.

Thanks, man! Really appreciate it!

Search

mATX Build; Checking if parts fit and are okay

Melvin Luis Mendoza

Reputable

20salmon

matt1-0-1

Reputable

20salmon

Honorable

Melvin Luis Mendoza

Reputable

20salmon

Honorable

Melvin Luis Mendoza

Reputable

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page