First Build. Budget 500$-750$. Usage: Development, (light) Gaming.

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sanchitgn

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Jul 21, 2015
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Hello everyone, this is my first build so I am still learning. My budget is around 750$ for performance hardware. I am a novice developer (open source contribution, projects, etc). Since it will be used primarily for development (so I assume it needs more memory) and this being my first build I have limited my budget. I will also be using it for some games (Far Cry 4) at a modest quality. After some research I have configured this build. I will be purchasing parts from a local vendor, hence some of them may not be available. Any suggestions/advice/help is welcome! :)

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bxDqf7

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI B85M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.95 @ OutletPC)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($132.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair VS 650W ATX Power Supply
Total: $579.79

I have the following doubts/questions:
1. Are the parts compatible?
2. Is it scalable? (In case I want to add more memory or swap graphic cards)
3. [Unrelated] Since it's usage is primarily development (Linux OS necessary), should I dual-boot or use virtual machine?

Thank you.
 
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TheRedMan

TheRedMan

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Jun 15, 2015
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Q1: The processor and motherboard are not natively compatible. Choose a motherboard with H97 in it's name.

Q2: Yes it is, you have 4 memory slots there. Why did you get a single 8GB stick? You should get 2x4GB RAM and it will give you better performance due to dual channel memory speed.

Q3: Can't help you, I'm not a programmer :D

Note: If you are not going to overclock your CPU, don't pick an unlocked "K" processor. If you are going to overclock, get a Z97 motherboard and a CPU cooler. And more importantly get a better quality PSU, that one and it's cheap cousins are notoriously terrible.
 
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sadams04

sadams04

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Nov 23, 2010
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You have some mismatches there...

CPU & MB - The B85 chipset is older and not meant for overclocking. The 4690k is an unlocked CPU and meant for overclocking efforts. ...and you would need an aftermarket CPU cooler to do so.
MEM - A single module will have you running in single channel mode (reduced performance). Always install modules in pairs to take advantage of the dual memory controllers.
PSU - The VS series is a Tier 3 unit and not that great. Look toward a Tier 1 or Tier 2 unit.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

Look toward the H97 chipset with either the i5-4460 or 4590, 2x4GB DDR3-1600 CL9, HD, GPU and a PSU from either XFX or Seasonic.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($97.95 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H21 ATX Mid Tower Case ($35.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $755.36
 
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sanchitgn

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Jul 21, 2015
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Thanks for the feedback @TheRedMan :D. Some of the parts like the ASRock motherboard and XFX PSU aren't available with my vendor (I stay in India). Hence, I opted for the Gigabyte GA-H97M-D3H and Corsair CS Series Modular CS550M. Following your suggestions I've made some changes. How's this build?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($82.99 @ Directron)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($71.49 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($195.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($61.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $696.34

Thanks :)
 
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TheRedMan

TheRedMan

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Jun 15, 2015
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The PSU that you picked is notorious for having bad quality components and sits on Tier 3 in the PSU Tier list.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

As advised by sadams04, try getting a PSU that's at least in Tier 2 or made by Seasonic like this one:
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-s12g550
It might cost slightly more expensive but the build quality is superior and this particular type is in Tier 2.
 
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