new to pc build ( 1st gaming system help)

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Brokkensteel

Brokkensteel

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Jan 8, 2015
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Hello guys. New member here. I've been following tomshardware for some time, taking ideias and learning. So I finally decided to build my first custom gaming system. However im on a somewhat budget and my build is already a bit over it, not o big issue however, still within what I want to spend. Anyway I have some question and I would love some expert eye and advice. So basically the build is to run all the games on my steam library and hopefully run witcher 3 on high at least. My main doubts are with motherboard and psu. The system I'm imagining is this:

CPU: intel core i5 4690k 3.5ghz
GPU: nvidia geforce gtx 970 EVGA ssc acx 2.0 4gb edition
RAM: 1X HyperX 8gb 1866Mhz ddr3
Mobo: Asus sabertooth z97 mark 2
Case: cooler master HAF 912 advanced
PSU: cooler master G750M 750w
SSD: Kingston SKC 300S37A120G 120GB
HDD: Hitachi HUA 722010CLA331 1TB

How well are these parts work together? Any suggestion for a better/cheaper mobo/psu/case without compromising the system? Ill try to add another 8gb ram when I can maybe? What if in 2 years I want to add a second gpu? Will it work? The gpu doesnt have a backplate, and I heard about gpu bending and stuff in gpu's without backplate. Should I sacrifice the more powerful evga and go with a sturdy asus?
Is it hard to assemble the parts at home? If I ask to assemble at a store they will charge me 100~150 more at least. But my experience is with laptops only, disassemble, clean, put back together, but I dont know if a desktop is that easier.
Sorry about so many question.. but I dont want to make mistakes. Thanks in advance
 
Solution
herrwizo
Your build should work, but here are suggestions:

1) For the PSU, I'd go with a Seasonic or XFX 750W unit (better quality). 750W is a nice choice if you plan to add another 970 in the future. If not, 550W will do just fine.
2) Single RAM stick is OK (get 1600MHz, you don't need 1866) if you plan on adding another EXACTLY THE SAME stick later. If not, rather go with 2x4 GB matched pair sticks. Or simply get 2x8 and be done with it ;)
3) The case is excellent, but likely an overkill. You can save some cash by going for a mid tower, like Fractal Design Define R5 or Zalman Z12 or basically any Corsair above $40 and you should be just fine. There are also other cheaper Cooler Master cases, all but the cheapest ones should do.
4) You are...
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smorizio

smorizio

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Jan 22, 2010
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if you have a local micro center they have combo deals of 40.00 off that cpu and mb combo. one issue to watch out for is between now and summer time intel brodwell newer cpu may drop. then at the end of the year is the newer skylake that need a new mb. pc building is way easier then a laptop. the cpu/ram and power supply cables are all keyed. hard part is putting the case cables to the mb. look online at few free how to build a pc. also if your micro center is local they used to have build classes.
 
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holyrage

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from what i see everything is fine u should get a 212evo if u wana OC coz that's a K CPU

and well if imo MSI/gigabte/Asus are all better than EVGA ATM

1600mhz ram is fine u dont need 1866 unless it is cheaper or same price
 
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Mr_Venbeer

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Get a kit of RAM, rather than a single stick, so you can then run in dual channel.
The EVGA GTX 970 SSC+ is going to come out I think, you should wait for that one instead.
A Hyper 212 EVO cooler will get you some overclock on that CPU, but a decent water cooler will be way better.
 
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herrwizo

herrwizo

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Feb 17, 2009
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Your build should work, but here are suggestions:

1) For the PSU, I'd go with a Seasonic or XFX 750W unit (better quality). 750W is a nice choice if you plan to add another 970 in the future. If not, 550W will do just fine.
2) Single RAM stick is OK (get 1600MHz, you don't need 1866) if you plan on adding another EXACTLY THE SAME stick later. If not, rather go with 2x4 GB matched pair sticks. Or simply get 2x8 and be done with it ;)
3) The case is excellent, but likely an overkill. You can save some cash by going for a mid tower, like Fractal Design Define R5 or Zalman Z12 or basically any Corsair above $40 and you should be just fine. There are also other cheaper Cooler Master cases, all but the cheapest ones should do.
4) You are missing a quality CPU cooler if you plan to overclock (like Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO). If you don't plan to overclock, no reason for a K series CPU, nor for a Z97 motherboard (H97 would do just fine).
5) Instead of Kingston, go for Samsung 840 EVO SSD. Better reliability / quality.
6) For HDD, go with Western Digital Blue 1TB. Better reliability / quality.
7) That motherboard is an overkill. Basically, any Z97 (or H97 if you won't overclock) with SLI capability will do just fine if you plan on adding another 970 later.

It is not hard to assemble if you follow the guides and manuals. If you are able to assemble a laptop, which is very tricky in many cases, you should have no issues whatsoever with desktops - they are piece of cake to assemble.
 
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mdocod

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A trick to working with large flimsy GPUs is to plan the cable routing to act as a support... I own a pair of HD7870XT's, both powercolor brand. They are flimsy and will deflect under their own weight almost a half inch.

By carefully routing the 2x6 pin power connections to the GPU from above the GPU (the cable management holes in the tray usually line up pretty close to the 6pin connections on long cards), you can literally use the power cables as "hangers" to support the GPU and prevent the deflection.

Here's an example from one of my builds:

side1.jpg
 
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herrwizo

herrwizo

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Feb 17, 2009
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Take a look at this and see whether or not the price is OK with you. Performance of this build is top-notch. I have included 16GB of RAM, but you can go for 2x4GB no problem for gaming at this point. Also, an SSD is 256GB, you can go for 128GB model or exclude it if that is too much for you (I would keep it by all means, but your decision):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($130.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Zalman Z12 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($78.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1112.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-08 08:53 EST-0500
 
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Brokkensteel

Brokkensteel

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Jan 8, 2015
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Thanks for all this help. but i have to reduce the costs to the maximum to start the build. so ill skip the cpu cooler for now and some extra stuff that i will be able to get within the next 6 months. but i need to reduce the costs to the maximum and get a machine that gets me going while i dont get the rest.
what about this case?
http://www.gaminggear.eu/cases/876-cooler-master-elite-knight-350-midl-tower-black-with-window-with-usb-30-black-inside-w-o-psu-matx-atx.html
would it be able to fit everything in?
and the mobo, is that one the cheapest i can get without compromising? overcloock is something ill probably do but not from the start so ill better be ready and futureproff myself with a K cpu and Z motherboard
 
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