My 1st time gaming pc build

snh73385

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Jun 26, 2015
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Hi guys I'm new to building custom desktops and I would like to seek professional opinion on my components list. Currently I have picked the components to build a gaming desktop that is below $1500. Please help me evaluate if it will function properly and efficiently so I can maximise my gaming experience. The components are as follows:

CPU: Intel core i5-4690k 3.5GHz quad core
Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM liquid cpu cooler
MOBO: ASUS Z97-A ATX
Graphic card: MSI GeForce 970 GTX 4gb Twin Frozr V
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X series 8 (2×4gb) ddr3 1600
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO series 250 2.5"
Power supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ bronze certified semi-modular ATX power supply
OS: Microsoft windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802, 11 a/b/g/n, PCIexpress
Case fan: Corsair air series AF140 quiet edition 67.8cfm 140mm fan
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24"
External hard drive: Seagate Expansion 4tb external hard drive

Some queries that I have is that
1) Is there any more improvement i can make to the components for the whole system to run better? Like which component have better counterparts which I can purchase instead of the one stated.

2) How do you know what brand and type of RAM to install into the mobo to get the maximum out of it?

3) what are some casing I can use because I haven't picked one and do I need a lot of fans?

Thanks alot guys, just for reference some games that I play is battlefield 4, far cry 4,watchdog and dota 2.




 
Solution
Similar build to your original but with a better power supply. Added a case that would work though it's down to your personal preference. The corsair spec cases don't offer the best airflow and are too narrow for most decent coolers including the hyper 212 evo. I wouldn't change the monitor, it's more expensive but would be much, much better for gaming. Only 1 hdd, if you need more they can be added later. I'd hold off on the case fan unless you're sure you need one, the case included in this build comes with a 200mm front intake and 140mm exhaust. More fans can be added if needed but you may not even need them. I'd be careful of $6 case fans, you get what you pay for in noise/airflow and quality.

PCPartPicker part list /...
You only need basically the fans that usually come with case itself. Later fan additions/replacements come as you see needed.

Also, NZXT Phantom 530 is very nice Full Tower than can hold those parts.
However, H100i is a bit problematic to put in it. But not impossible.

NZXT H630 is nice as well and will fit H100i good.


Addition:
H100i stock fans can be quite loud, so you might want to swap them.
Noctua NF-F12 IndustrialPPC-2000 and EK-Waterblock Vardar F4-120 are very good static pressure fans, specifically meant for liquid-cooling radiators.
 

RLBalane

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Jun 22, 2015
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Hi there! :D

Check this out:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-P ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($52.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($325.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair SPEC-03 Red ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($19.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN3200 802.11a/b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($23.22 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($5.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Acer K242HL Bbid 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($141.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1252.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-27 01:48 EDT-0400

*I picked an air cooler instead a liquid cooler for a safer gaming operation. Hyper 212 is one of the most effective air cooler for overclockers
*About the RAM, Crucial, G.Skill, Kingston and Corsair are some of the popular brands for RAM. If you want to take out the maximum performance from it, Overclocking is the solution. I picked 1600MHz RAM for you so you can overclock it to 1866 or higher.
*About the case, I also picked one for you.
*Fans? For better cooling, use as many fans as you can but just make sure the intake and exhaust is balanced. Aside from balancing the intakes and exhaust of the fans, another con is having a less quiet system. But for me that's Ok as long as those fans help my system to become cooler.
That's all

Hope this helps :D
 
Similar build to your original but with a better power supply. Added a case that would work though it's down to your personal preference. The corsair spec cases don't offer the best airflow and are too narrow for most decent coolers including the hyper 212 evo. I wouldn't change the monitor, it's more expensive but would be much, much better for gaming. Only 1 hdd, if you need more they can be added later. I'd hold off on the case fan unless you're sure you need one, the case included in this build comes with a 200mm front intake and 140mm exhaust. More fans can be added if needed but you may not even need them. I'd be careful of $6 case fans, you get what you pay for in noise/airflow and quality.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($95.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($60.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($316.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($86.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($37.24 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($249.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1441.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-27 02:42 EDT-0400
 
Solution

snh73385

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Jun 26, 2015
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Hi thanks for the help! I am taking your advice and changing to an air cooler rather than a liquid one. For the case, is it fine if I use NXZT Phantom 530? Is It better than the one u suggested? Also for the power supply should I get a better one since I don't want my rig to snap because of the PSU.
 

RLBalane

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Jun 22, 2015
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Yeah! I'd recommend using NZXT Phantom 530 over the SPEC 03 since your budget is not yet maximized. The case is also more convenient, more stylish, and the features are more unique. The reason why get the other one is just to have a decent case that is cheaper to save you more money hehehe :).
About the PSU, no problem.

Here's the review for NZXT Phantom 530:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v735bGH00rA
Enjoy! :D


Good Luck on your build :D