Looking For Some Feedback On First Ever Build

Phaesal · Mar 2, 2015

This is going to be the first build I have ever put together, and I am going to dive right into the gaming scene. It's a bit of a change for me as I have never been an avid gamer before, but seeing the stunning graphics on PC games has changed my mind. Suggestions, comments, insight and criticism is welcome!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($258.32 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($163.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.66 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($112.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.95 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($358.37 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Case: NZXT H440 (Blue/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($129.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX)
Speakers: Logitech S120 2.3W 2ch Speakers ($12.50 @ Vuugo)
Total: $1285.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-02 16:38 EST-0500

Werner0707 · Mar 2, 2015

Everything looks really good except the hard drive.
It only supports 3gb/s speeds and way overcharges you. Here's a much faster drive with the same storage for half the price.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840&cm_re=seagate_1tb-_-22-148-840-_-Product

Werner0707 · Mar 2, 2015

Oh, and hold on, your GPU is listed as requiring a higher power output than your power supply supports.

Phaesal · Mar 2, 2015

Werner0707 :

Thank you so much! Thread updated with your suggestion, just on the offchance that anyone else foresees any issues! If you don't mind, what exactly does that support speed mean? Will I need faster?

Phaesal · Mar 2, 2015

Werner0707 :

Does it not only require 250W, while I have a 600W PSU?

Werner0707 · Mar 2, 2015

Here, this GTX 970 costs about the difference you save by switching hard drives, and will fit within your power supply's energy budget.
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9193564&sku=RSC-102598686

Werner0707 · Mar 2, 2015

Unfortunately not, if you look under the "specifications" page of the GPU card on TigerDirect, it recommends a 750W PSU.

By "support speed" I just meant transfer speed. The hard drive you listed can only transfer data at a maximum at 3Gb/s. The motherboard you picked out can support sata speeds of up to 6Gb/s. So the hard drive I recommended is one that has the same capacity, but also has that 6Gb/s data transfer speed. =)

Phaesal · Mar 2, 2015

Werner0707 :

Do you think you could find me a better PSU then, or suggest one that is 750 for a low price? I don't want to spend the difference on the GPU as I intend to eventually get a 4K monitor and I am under the impression that the r9 performs much better at 4k!

Bossyfins · Mar 2, 2015

Werner, he is fine with a 650. He will NOT exceed more than 550 watts in total use.

@op The only problem with your build is the PSU. Look into an XFX 650 or an Antec 650 watt..

Phaesal · Mar 2, 2015

Bossyfins :

Hi there, would you be able to tell me what is wrong with the current one?
Also, when picking..does it need to be modular etc?
I'm not sure what that means

Werner0707 · Mar 2, 2015

Ah, that makes sense. I don't think I can find a PSU quite as cheap as the one you found, but here's what I could dig up.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438025

It's tempting to want to skimp on the power supply, but getting a reliable brand will pay off in the long run.
The last thing you want is your new monster gaming rig dying after a few days, or worse, after the warranty, haha.

Bossyfins · Mar 2, 2015

That PSU is literally crap. Look into an XFX or EVGA b2/g2 psu

Werner0707 · Mar 2, 2015

Bossy fins, which PSU are you referring to and what are you basing your statement off of?

Bossyfins · Mar 2, 2015

I am making my statement with the support most of the long term members on Tom's.

I can happily bring a moderator to also state why this PSU is bad. I am pointing at the one you pointed at just now.

The EVGA b2/g2/p2 line of PSUs is made by seasonic. The NEX series uses poor quality components

Werner0707 · Mar 2, 2015

Thanks Bossy. I wasn't trying to dispute what you were saying, I just wanted to know what you were basing it off of. I hadn't researched the NEX series specifically, so I wasn't aware of it's component quality.

Bossyfins · Mar 2, 2015

IT alright

I did this a lot.

Just avoid anything that says NEX from EVGA. Also avoid Corsair PSUs as they are either overpriced, or overpriced with bad components

Phaesal · Mar 2, 2015

I really appreciate the inputs!
I have updated my build in the description.
Cheers!

Looking For Some Feedback On First Ever Build

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