System Build - Opinions

Tried that part picker... best thing ever... I'd like to cut the cost down an extra $100 if possible, and had a few issues with a PSU.... the one listed is on sale and a Tier2 I think... but also looking at the CORSAIR CX series CX600M, saved about $30. Plus those mail in rebates are crap... it always comes as an American Express prepaid credit card, and in Canada... NO ONE takes them. I have 2 in my wallet, both over a year old because can't give them away. So basically be saving $50. Though there is a 650w available too.

I actually originally had the Asus H97-Plus as the board, but I guess really the big difference is faster memory speed if overclocking? Both support 5th Gen i7's correct? No immediate plans for it, but, my current board was bought with a Core2Duo... then a few years later snagged a Core2Quad Q9450 for $30 (used) which was great and the reason I bought the motherboard because supported higher than what I had. Maybe 3yrs from now I'll find a 5th Gen i7 to upgrade with.

Wait wise, I'm buying parts this/next week. ALWAYS going to be something newer/better if you wait... but, my board is now about 8yrs old, I've waited long enough.

Memory wise, I'm really not sure where to go on that... I was looking at the 4x4GB kits because I want all 4 module to match... which is why I didn't opt for 2x8GB since I know with 16GB, I'd never upgrade anyways. I pretty much went to newegg and sorted the ram by best rated and went with that.

Love the case... I like the 200r, but, like the front fan and mesh.

PSU... that tier chart annoys me. So much trouble finding stuff and not sure if just not on the chart or not looking at it properly, but I will see if I can find that EVGA. My PSU needs won't ever exceed 650w, which I find on that PSU Tier chart that a lot of the Tier 1's are not only expensive but overkill in size. My current system only needs a 450w, I'm aiming for 650w for future video card upgrades... 850w and higher for me is money I can spend on a nice media server case.

Motherboard and PSU though for sure I'll recheck. So far other than overclocking and 2 sata ports and a vga port, the H97 vs Z97, I think I'll save me some money there. Thanks

EDIT - PSU in that link is 550w... probably would be fine but again, aiming 600-650w. I think the one I listed is a Tier2, no?

I was thinking SSD some day... I'd like a 250GB right now and no 1TB at all... I have a 2TB external for files, and my media server has 2x3TB drives, so... this computer I have now has a 250GB C:\ drive and 130GB is free space. Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB I want to add but, wow those prices are still up there... $125 for 250GB, vs $57 for a 1TB HDD. And not even sure if a good Samsung, it's just the cheapest... one is almost $700.

This case I picked though, the drive days are designed for HDD drives and SSD. Plan was, 1TB now (because cheaper than a 250GB or 500GB) and maybe boxing day, switch the 1TB to an internal backup, and a 250GB primary SSD...?

Watched videos on startup times and such and wow, nice stuff. Does it help with gaming at all? or not really? General internet I know I won't see any difference since mostly network speed related.

PSU... trying to stay in at least Tier2 minimum... but also 600-650w and under $120.... any suggestions? Been just clicking through pages of options and cross-referencing but I know I'm probably missing stuff.

Found a few, nice Corsair RM750 for about $120, but that's after a mail in rebate and again, always am AMEX prepaid card and no one here uses AMEX/American Express so... excluding rebates, it's a bit pricey. I know the more you pay the better, but, budget is a budget.

Plus I need to buy a cheap 1GB video card with HDMI for this computer when made into a media player since the GTX650 is coming out, plus a new media server case. More I save on the build, the more goes into the media player.

For that part builder site... if I post the URL, other people can't edit/save it can they? EDIT THIS PARTS LIST seems to show up, worried if I post the list someone will change it on me.

EDIT - Changing to 2x8GB ram... from what I can tell no change in performance, but started to think, 4 sticks clustered together will probably generate more heat, than 2 sticks with air flowing around them. I want to stick to the ASUS qualified vendors list, but, almost all modules listed are 2x4GB... why make a computer that handles 32GB of ram... and not have a list that shows any 8GB sticks?

Is there a cheaper ASUS H97 board? Thought this one was the cheapest ATX? (again, ASUS board or nothing for me)

RAM wise, I am looking at the G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) for $119, which saves $10... not a lot but, $10 is $10.

XEON wise... looking at the comparison chart, you're right... basically the same thing no? Honestly I just stuck with i7, because outside of that I have no idea which processor is which... for example, no idea why if about the same CPU why is it called a XEON? I know mobile and celeron were always kinda lesser processors... had no idea what a XEON was and didn't bother with it.

Though, looking at the H97-Plus board specs, I don't see XEON listed... so, it needs a different board totally?

EDIT - Nevermind, on their specs it's not there, but the CPU support page lists it. About $40 cheaper, but ASUS says "Intel Xeon Processor Family is designed for servers. Some features may not support when installed on 8 series chipsets" but not sure which ones or if affect me.

Spending so much time on the PSU portion, but I see a finish line ....

Basically, using that parts site, set the filters to show 550-750w, under $150... then tried to cross-reference everything to the tier list for Tier 1 and Tier 2.

I 'think' this is my lsit

• 
  Antec HCG-620M - 620w - Bronze - Tier2 - $88.99
  Enermax Revolution X't - 630w - Gold - Tier1 - $139.99
  OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY - 550w - ??? - Tier 2 - $95.20
  Rosewill Hive-550 - 550w - Bronze - Tier2 - $94.98
  Rosewill Hive-650s - 650w - Bronze - Tier2 - $104.98
  Cooler Master VSM RS750-AMAAG1-S1 - 750w - Gold - Tier2 - $119.99

The tier list showed the Enermax Revolution as a Tier1... this is a Revolution X't... make a difference?

Build (updated) is this... pretty happy with it... I already own the GTX650ti, it's no longer available hence the $0...

What do you guys think? Will that fan for the cpu fit in that case? I never had issues with oem heat-sinks but, maybe grab this anyways... still debatable, since again, no overclocking and I'll have 2 big fans running in this thing.

Memory wise, again, decided 2x8GB for more air flow between modules. There are ones for $119, CAS10, I read CAS9 was better so opted for these but totally open to suggestions.

If I drop the CPU cooler and switch the i7-4790 for the XEON E3-1231V3... brings the total down to $813.85.... about $70.

Ah Tier3... that X't part kinda threw me, didn't know if a newer version, different model totally, or what... Antec it is.

Took your advice, I see 0 advantages in the i7-4790 for my use, and the XEON from what I read, is a bit more stable in terms of data corruption and such, and was designed to run 24/7 and use less power... like $3/yr but still, no real downside for me apart from a very very small drop in speed that I would never notice.

Intel XEON E3-1231v3 vs Intel i7-4790

So... here's the build. Only thing left is, does the fan fit? and should I even bother with it?

Is that PSU better? I think it's a Tier3 PSU, the Antec is a Tier2.

EVGA Supernova NEX is Tier3... I can't seem to find the EVGA Supernova GS on the list.

Anyone know?

EDIT - Nevermind, I was on the NewEgg list, the Tom's Hardware list shows as Tier 1. I will switch.

Ya, searched on here for it and found it on their list. So... switched PSU's and deleted the cooler... which if I want I can buy later anyways, after it's built and I can measure the space. Brings the price down to about $810. Which is better than I expected, and I suspect this system will be better than the DELL XPS 8700 I almost bought instead.

Almost debatable to drop the $57 HDD, and get the $125 Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB SSD drive. Would be be about $880. Not sure if worth it for what I do or not... I know the graphics card is more important for gaming... and I know startup will be way faster with SSD... but how about Adobe stuff like Photoshop and stuff like Handbrake for re-encoding large MP4/MKV files?

Trying to convince myself, but probably stick with the 1TB. Still faster than what I have... a 10yr old 250GB SATA drive, I think SATA1, on a SATA3 port.

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/RC4d23

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No, I saw what I thought was the PSU and it had some big handle on the back that was sometimes not compatible with some cases... then after I posted about it, realized it was a slightly different model number. The one you listed has no handles, so, changed my build.

Also realized that the PCPartPicker site no longer shows TigerDirect pricing so, compared my list to what they have in stock, saved another $10...

Goal was under $950... switching to the XEON CPU, dropping the CPU Cooler, H97 board not Z97, etc... now under $800.

Order a few parts this week, rest next week. Unused vacation days, 2 weeks worth coming next week so, buy the rest when I get the 'free' money in.

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/RC4d23

Ordering this week... gave the list a rest for a few days, come back and give it another look over.

Was looking at the

EVGA Supernova 650w GS

but saw on NewEgg for about $10 less one listed as a new arrival

EVGA Supernova 650w G2

Other than maybe the fan size (120mm Teflon NanoSteel Bearing VS 140mm Double Ball Bearing)... not sure the difference... both Tier1 right?

$10 cheaper, longer warranty... ans still a Tier1... made that decision easy.

I've got the system essentially figured out. Come Friday when I get paid all the un-used vacation days, depending what's left over, I'm kinda debating

1)
Seagate 1TB HDD -VS- Samsung 250GB SDD - I don't need a full 1TB space, I have a 250GB now, with 130GB free. Though, if I get the 1TB now, can add the 250GB SDD in a few months, and have the 1TB as an internal backup/scratch drive and not have an ugly external 2TB anymore.

2)
Asus Radeon R9 270X 2GB video card - When I build a media server I'll need a $50 video card to run it with if I keep my GTX650. But, if I give my GTX650 to my nephew and take his old (my old) video card back, ATI HD4560 1GB, it will play movie just fine (did for years) then he gets a better card and I save $50 towards a new card. I'm not a gamer... but... that 270x would probably last me a good 3yrs before I upgrade again.

At that point of... what do I want more? what do I need more? and what will affect me more? Likely the video card will win.

But... the base system, you guys helped a lot. CPU/Motherboard/PSU/Ram is all picked... MB and Case already ordered actually because both were on sale and sale ended soon so got a jump on that.