First Time Computer Builder Build Review

draaen

Reputable
Jan 2, 2015
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Hi All,

I am building my own computer for the first time. I've reviewed a lot of the articles here and talked with my brother who has built some computers before so I was just hoping for a bit of a sanity check that there are no errors someone else may catch for me.

CPU - Intel i5-4460
MotherBoard - Asrock Z97 Extreme 6
Power Supply - Cooler Master RS-500-PCAR-D3 - Old power supply from my old computer.
Graphics Card - EVGA GTX 560 Ti again another old part used
Case - Rosewill Throne
Solid State Drive - ADATA Premier Pro SP600
Hard Drive - Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX
RAM - Ripjaws X series (2 X 4 GB)

I plan on upgrading some of the stolen components as I move along. I believe I have a system that will run well and be upgrade friendly. My main concern is more about compatibility. Especially with BIOS compatibility as it's just something I've never done before. I think it's right but I'd like a sanity check from someone a little more knowledgeable than me.

I looked on the cooler master site and had this full build estimated at consuming 405 Watts so I felt my 500 Watt power supply would be adequate for now.

Thanks a lot,
 
Solution


You could keep it how it is right now if you aren't comfortable...
You don't need a Z type motherboard with a CPU that you can't overclock on. You could get a cheaper motherboard like the MSI B85M-G43. Or you could go the more expensive way and get an i5-4690k with a CPU cooler. But that's gonna cost you a little bit more.

A 64gb SSD isn't really worth it for a normal PC. 120gb is the minimum in most cases. Otherwise the only thing that will fit on there is Windows, and maybe 2 games.

Do you have Windows? And a DVD/CD drive (you can pull it out of your old computer) is nice to have too.
 

draaen

Reputable
Jan 2, 2015
2
0
4,510
I was planning on using my old CD drive and purchasing a new copy of windows for this computer. I wasn't sure what my older optical drive specs were. But I have an external CD drive for my work laptop so even if it isn't compatible I figured I could truck along using that if necessary.

I was a little leery of trying an overclocked system as I have never done it before. Would I be tying my hands for future upgrades with a lower motherboard? I would like to be able to piecemeal upgrade this unit as I go along leaving the motherboard pretty much alone as I went which is why I went for a bit of overkill on it.

Thanks for your thoughts I'll definitely grab a bigger SSD
 


You could keep it how it is right now if you aren't comfortable overclocking, but since you have an i5 now you won't see a big performance upgrade if you upgrade to a K series CPU later. I would get an i5-4690k now with a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO or H100i for a cooler. Then you can OC when you're ready
 
Solution