First Gaming Rig Build...Any Suggestions or Advice?

IIIDefalt

Reputable
Nov 7, 2014
10
0
4,510
Well this is my first Gaming Rig and first time building a PC EVER. I feel real confident doing it and I've already picked out my parts and even bought a few (CPU Cooler and Case). I will be purchasing the remaining parts sometime early/mid February (Next Month). Before I do so I just wanted to ask you knowledgeable people here on the forums if I should reconsider anything.

Before throwing out suggestions and fan favorites...I'm honestly only worried about the GPU. I DO want the R9 290x...I've just been juggling the manufacturer around lately and I need to come a final pick before purchasing. At first I was with the ASUS Direct CU II card but now I've switched it to the Sapphire Tri- X card. Can someone please tell me if I made the right choice by switching it out?

I'll post my markup below of my build. Please let me know if I should be worried about any bottlenecks as well. Thanks for your time and I hope someone can help me feel more comfortable before my purchase.

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/TXb4wP) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/TXb4wP/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54690k) | $199.99 @ Micro Center

**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2) | $28.75 @ OutletPC

**Motherboard** | [Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-maximusviihero) | $197.99 @ NCIX US

**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmz16gx3m2a1600c10) | $143.88 @ Amazon

**Storage** | [Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct256mx100ssd1) | $104.99 @ SuperBiiz

**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st2000dm001) | $77.75 @ OutletPC

**Video Card** | [Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 4GB Tri-X Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003612sr) | $348.99 @ SuperBiiz

**Case** | [Cooler Master Storm Stryker (White) ATX Full Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-sgc5000wkwn1) | $149.99 @ SuperBiiz

**Power Supply** | [Corsair Professional 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-hx650) | $94.98 @ Newegg

| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1347.31
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-08 12:51 EST-0500 |
 
Solution
Endeavour has some good suggestions. I would also add that you could get a more powerful power supply of equal or better quality for less. Would you ever run multiple GPU's? If so, I would suggest going with a 850 watt or higher PSU.

Here would be a nice one if you don't plan to go with multiple GPU's in the future.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($93.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $93.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-08 13:06 EST-0500

And I would suggest this if you DO plan to go with multiple GPU's in the future...
Endeavour has some good suggestions. I would also add that you could get a more powerful power supply of equal or better quality for less. Would you ever run multiple GPU's? If so, I would suggest going with a 850 watt or higher PSU.

Here would be a nice one if you don't plan to go with multiple GPU's in the future.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($93.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $93.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-08 13:06 EST-0500

And I would suggest this if you DO plan to go with multiple GPU's in the future.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($128.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $128.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-08 13:08 EST-0500
 
Solution

IIIDefalt

Reputable
Nov 7, 2014
10
0
4,510
I could go with the GTX 970 ...what manufacturer would you suggest? MSI, EVGA , ASUS?

The EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply is a good find...I'll grab that instead..thanks.
 


Here is your build with a few changes made to it that I would recommend.

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 ($30.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($197.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Team Vulcan GOLD 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($130.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Mac Mall)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($78.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($348.95 @ B&H)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Stryker (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($149.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($128.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1396.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-08 13:22 EST-0500

I went with some 2133 speed ram, the Samsung 840 evo 250gb SSD, and the MSI GTX 970 GPU. I have heard nothing but good things about the MSI twin frozr GTX 970 GPU. I also went with the 850 watt EVGA gold certified PSU in case you want to run dual GPU's in the future.

Let me know if you have any questions.
 

IIIDefalt

Reputable
Nov 7, 2014
10
0
4,510


Great suggestions! I have swapped a few things (GPU, RAM and PSU). I really wish I could go with the 840 EVO but my budget is at it's limits now. lol...maybe down the road I can toss it in there :) I got 1866 speed ram in there now If I can manage to afford other changes I will
 

endeavour37a

Honorable
There is not a great deal of difference between the manufactures of the 970, just stick with EVGA, Gigabyte, MSI and ASUS, they are all good quality cards, (EVAG has best customer support if that is a factor). Perhaps find one on sale/rebate or something that matches your color scheme if you want..

I would spend a few extra bucks and not go over 1.6V with 2133/9 memory, G.Skill Ripjaw and Trident are both 1.6V...
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f32133c9d16gxh
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f32133c9d16gtx
 

IIIDefalt

Reputable
Nov 7, 2014
10
0
4,510



The G Skill Trident is perfect actually. Fits color scheme as well lol..thanks.
 

endeavour37a

Honorable
One other thing, a $200 MB is not really necessary today for a good solid rig. Don't get me wrong, the HERO VII is a GREAT board, one of the best. But if your close to the top of your budget then perhaps consider an option less expensive. Mb's today don't have a big factor in system performance, especially with only a mild OC of the CPU and graphics card (that is about all you will be able to get with the 212 cooler anyway). Just something to consider.
 

IIIDefalt

Reputable
Nov 7, 2014
10
0
4,510


What would you consider?
 

IIIDefalt

Reputable
Nov 7, 2014
10
0
4,510


Alright..thanks :) I think I'm all set here...anyway I can choose more then one solution? lol Thanks for the input to you that did input something...err...thanks everyone! If I have any more questions may I get a hold of you endeavour37a?