Is this Z97 system's components compatible with each other?

HighOctanePanda · Feb 13, 2015

Could anyone help me? I would love to know if these components are compatible with each other for a build I am currently working on:

RAM: G.Skill Trident X 2x4GB 2400MHz

Motherboard: Asus Maximus VII Gene

Case: Fractal Design Define R5

CPU: Intel i5 4690k

PSU: Corsair HX750i

CPU Cooler: Fractal Design Kelvin S24

GPU: EVGA GTX 970 FTW ACX 2.0

HDD: WD Velociraptor 500GB

And if you have any suggestions on what I should improve or change about this build, don't hesitate to do so as a comment

Dark Lord of Tech · Feb 13, 2015

Don't change a thing , nice build.

All very solid components.

weilin · Feb 13, 2015

Good selection, one minor advice is switch the VelociRaptor out for a 256GB SSD for similar cost. Much higher performing, less storage space though...

vertexx · Feb 13, 2015

1TB HDD should be <$10 more. Also, if there is any way you can fit an SSD in your budget, that build is begging for a 256SSD, either the new Transcend, Crucial MX100, or Samsung 840 Evo.

Otherwise very nice build

HighOctanePanda · Feb 14, 2015

Thank you all for the quick responses! However, I realised that I am slightly over my budget and need some of the components in the system replaced with cheaper but same quality components. Could anyone help me pick some parts?

I have decided to replace my 500GB Velociraptor with a cheaper WD Black 500 GB that cost me half as much, though I am sacrificing speeds. I am unable to purchae the 256GB SSD as I need more than that amount for storage on my computer.

vertexx · Feb 14, 2015

what is the total of that build? what is your budget?

vertexx · Feb 14, 2015

Looking at your build a little closer:

1. You had a very expensive micro-ATX motherboard in an ATX Case
2. I think your velociraptor drive is a 10000 RPM drive (not sure because you don't have the actual models). If so, that is very expensive. You only need a 7200RPM drive. Get a 1TB 7200 drive + 240GB SSD if you can afford that.
3. That Platinum PSU is very expensive. You can get a very good quality Bronze rated PSU for much cheaper. Plus, 750W is overkill unless you intend on adding a 2nd GPU down the road.

Here is an example build. I don't know what your budget is:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z97 PRO GAMER ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($163.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($60.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Transcend SSD370 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($101.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card ($361.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($114.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1187.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-14 15:44 EST-0500

HighOctanePanda · Feb 14, 2015

Thank you for the example build, it has given me a clearer idea on what my system could be.

As you said, '750W is overkill unless you intend on adding a 2nd GPU down the road' what wattage for a power supply do you recommend for my build, considering I will not be doing an SLI configuration?

I have changed my WD Velociraptor 500GB to a more afforable and larger WD Black 1 TB.

Are there any mATX cases that you have worked on in the past or currently that support the corsair H105?

Could you recommend an mATX motherboard that features USB 3.0, 4 fan headers (4pin for the future), and does overclocking well?

And my budget is £800 or $1200.

Kind Regards.

vertexx · Feb 14, 2015

For good uATX gaming cases, try from this list: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/case/#s=1&u=1&f=7&m=52,11,106,229,63&t=7,6&sort=a8

The Silverstone cases will only support a 120mm AIO Cooler. The others should support the 240mm.

For a single GPU, a 80+ Bronze PSU in the 500-620W range is fine. Antec and Seasonic have a couple good Bronze models that are 620W

For motherboard options, lower priced uATX motherboards that will still OC fine include:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z97mgaming
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-fatal1tyz97mkiller
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-gryphonz97
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz97mxgaming5

My personal favorite would be the MSI Gaming.

HighOctanePanda · Feb 14, 2015

Thank you!

I've chosen a smaller case to fit all my components and changed my 750 watt power supply to a more suitable 550 watt.

Referring to as you said 'my personal favorite would be the MSI Gaming', I have heard from many people that MSI motherboards have a tendency to be cheaply made and die within a few months of usage. Have you owned one and how long have you used it?

vertexx · Feb 14, 2015

I have a cheap MSI AMD motherboard in one of my PCs. It's been running an overclocked Phenom II x4 965 overclocked at 4.0 Ghz for 3 years now. MSI has gotten better over the last couple of years. In general, their gaming series products have been very good quality. There are a number of reviews for this particular board. For a couple of the reviews, they noted a slightly higher than normal vcore to get a high overclock, but that may have just been their samples.

Poking around a bit more, it seems the Gigabyte has only a 4 phase VRM, so you probably want to stay away from that. Otherwise, the ASRock and MSI boards both have PCIe M.2, which is a nice option. I didn't see that the ASUS Gryphon does. The MSI has your 4 4-pin fan connectors. The ASRocks have 4 but 2 of them are 3-pin. I'd just put them up on comparison in Newegg and pick which one has the right mix of features for you.

You also could decide to splurge for the Asus ROG. You can go wrong there, but it's at the top of the price point.

HighOctanePanda · Feb 15, 2015

After poking around the internet for several hours, I came to a, sort of speak, conclusion on my new build and wondered what your thoughts about it were.

Chassis
Corsair Obsidian 350D

CPU
Intel i5 4460

Motherboard
Gigabyte Z97MX-GAMING 5

RAM/
G.Skill Trident X 2x4GB 2400MHz

GPU
EVGA GTX 970 FTW+ ACX 2.0

HDD
WD Black 1TB

PSU (Power Supply)
Corsair CS550M

I've made several changes according to your feedback, however I'm looking into what you had to say about the MSI motherboards and might want to change. However, take into consideration that I will not be overclocking the CPU and will not be going into an SLI configuration in the future.

DonkeyOatie · Feb 15, 2015

The memory will be limited to 1600Mhz. I would want a better PSU from this list http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

I made some changes.
You do not need a Z97 if you do not SLI or overclock.
1600Mhz is as fast as you need for memory
This is a better power supply.
Can you afford a SSD?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.69 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H97M-E Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($92.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($60.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($75.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card ($359.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 350D MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $908.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-15 13:38 EST-0500

HighOctanePanda · Feb 15, 2015

Thank you for the response.

How is the memory limited to 1600MHz when GIGABYTE's website indicated that the Gigabyte Z97MX-GAMING 5 can go up to 3100MHz (O.C.)?

As for the power supply, I am happy to change into the one you have recommended, the XFX 550W.

I am unable to afford an SSD, but in the coming month(s) I will be able to purchase one for my OS.

The motherboard will also be changed to your recommended.

DonkeyOatie · Feb 15, 2015

The CPU cannot run memory over 1.5 volts, which limits it to 1600Mhz. You can do this only if you overclock.

HighOctanePanda · Feb 15, 2015

I see. Thank you for the clarification.

In that case, I have switched back to the i5 4690K, however I need a cheaper alternative from the Asus Maximus VII Gene as it is over my budget. Could you recommend me another Micro ATX motherboard?

I have heard MSI and GIGABYTE are heavy contenders with the Z97M and Z97MX-GAMING 5.

DonkeyOatie · Feb 15, 2015

My budget go-to choice is the ASRock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer at about $110US.

Here's a review http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014/07/02/asrock_fatal1ty_z97_killer_lga_1150_motherboard_review#.VOED-uk5BD8

You will also need a CPU cooler. Budget go-to is Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO. although there are others. I would also increase the PSU to an Antec semi-modular High Current Gamer, either 620W or 750W. Buy best price at about $60.

HighOctanePanda · Feb 15, 2015

Thank you for the recommendation.

Another question I would like to ask is do you know of any budget CPU's, such as the 4460 that accept 1866MHz memory?

DonkeyOatie · Feb 15, 2015

The locked CPUs are all limited to 1.5V and that limits them to 1600Mhz memory. If you want to use 1866 Mhz memory or more, you need to be using AMD's unlocked CPUs.

There is the G3258 Pentium, but it brings other limits to the table.

vertexx · Feb 15, 2015

HighOctanePanda :

In most situations, increasing the memory beyond 1600 will have very small impact on performance, and almost no impact in most gaming situations.

Is this Z97 system's components compatible with each other?

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