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Any Advice on this Build?

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  • SSD
  • Monitors
  • Build
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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April 9, 2014 3:45:07 PM

I'm currently considering a modified built posted by another member: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3DXzc


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.94 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($334.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Zalman ZM-Z9 U3 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1086.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-04 18:45 EDT-0400)

I'm not sure about the SSD, I may or may not get it, and I still need a monitor and windows 8.1. This is primarily going to be a gaming desktop, and I'm wondering if anyone can give some insight into whether or not the cooling will be appropriate, or if I should make any other changes, or if these parts are suitable. Mostly wondering if I should spend the small amount of extra money for liquid cpu cooling (I'm not extremely hardware savvy, so I would be weary of how difficult a liquid cpu cooler would be to install). I'll also most likely be adding 8gb more ram when I have the spare cash. Thanks for any help.

More about : advice build

a b C Monitor
April 9, 2014 4:19:32 PM

Consider a bigger power supply if you are planning on overclocking.
April 9, 2014 4:40:57 PM

I don't believe I'll be overclocking, should be able to play everything I want on max settings with that setup, I was mainly worried about cooling/anything else, as I don't know a lot about that.
Related resources
a b C Monitor
April 9, 2014 4:56:54 PM

If you are not overclocking you could save some money by changing the cpu to a i5 4670 (no k) and an H87 motherboard.

Also, the corsair cx series has some lower quality components (chinese made capacitors) that makes me not recommend them for decent builds (only for really tight budget builds).

Try to go for something like these:
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $59.99

Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $64.99

Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $69.99

I know they are almost 2x as expensive but there is a good reason for that. The power supply is the last place you should look to save money.
April 9, 2014 5:20:04 PM

numanator said:
If you are not overclocking you could save some money by changing the cpu to a i5 4670 (no k) and an H87 motherboard.

Also, the corsair cx series has some lower quality components (chinese made capacitors) that makes me not recommend them for decent builds (only for really tight budget builds).

Try to go for something like these:
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $59.99

Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $64.99

Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $69.99

I know they are almost 2x as expensive but there is a good reason for that. The power supply is the last place you should look to save money.


Thanks for the advice, and I notice the price difference between the 4670 and 4670k is close to minimal. I will look at those other power supplies though.
a b C Monitor
April 9, 2014 5:26:10 PM

yeah its about $20 from k to non k and probably another $10-20 for the mobo change. I would just go with the k and z87 but some people have really tight budgets and such.

Just so you know, both the xfx and antec psu that I posted are made using seasonic oem so they are pretty similar with the differences being modular/non-modular, cabling, and looks, and total wattage.
April 9, 2014 5:32:48 PM

My budget is a little flexible, not that rigid, thanks for the links to the power supplies, I'll probably go with the xfx 650w.
April 9, 2014 5:35:38 PM

Why the 780 instead of the 770 for your budget.
April 9, 2014 5:40:16 PM

My budget isn't really existent, more of a "How can I play all MMOs at max settings with the cheapest build that still maintains quality". I haven't tested either Video Cards, would you say that the 770 would be also able to run all MMOs at max settings? I'm not looking for heavily modded skyrim or battlefield 4 with an extremely high resolution, just MMOs.
April 9, 2014 5:45:35 PM

770 will do that fine.
April 9, 2014 5:49:54 PM

Well thank you for the advice, I may definitely go with the 770 then. Can anyone comment on whether or not they believe the cooling will be sufficient?
a b C Monitor
April 9, 2014 7:40:05 PM

The 770 would handle fully modded skyrim and battlefield 4 well. I have a 760 and have my skyrim modded pretty well and it runs without a problem, though I kind of wish I spent an extra $100 on the 770 since it would last me a bit longer.
April 9, 2014 8:08:58 PM

Yeah I was kind of planning for the future as well, as this desktop will probably last me the next 5 years at least (maybe upgrade ram at some point). Could anyone comment on the cooling, that's the area I am least informed about or, if I'm not overclocking, is an aftermarket cooler fan even needed? (Would just buy one if I ever did overclock).
April 10, 2014 5:08:16 AM

I've also noticed that the z87 has pretty poor reviews on many sites, could anyone suggest a better motherboard, or would the z87 still be suggested?

And then there is the monitor :x I'm not looking for a pricey one, just one that can display the amount of detail my build would be capable of outputting (don't need 4k.)
a b C Monitor
April 10, 2014 8:21:52 AM

The Asrock extreme 3 and extreme 4 are pretty well liked. Also the Asus Z87-A is pretty good but $20 more.
May 4, 2014 3:46:19 PM

Updated the main post with modifications I've made after advice/research, would love to hear any suggestions.
a b C Monitor
May 4, 2014 9:51:11 PM

The build looks pretty good. The 212 evo is good for a bit of overclocking but nothing too extreme. For the cooling, I would say stick to air cooling, good liquid coolers are $80+ mostly, and a high end air cooler will do pretty much the same job.
June 21, 2014 10:08:22 AM

I've now completed my build and have been using it for a while, and am looking to SLI two gtx 780 tis (the 2883's) to run 4k on all games at a nice fps, hopefully 60fps. I've already got a 780ti that I installed (had to get it RMA'd by evga because someone on craigslist screwed me and gave me one with overheating problems), and plan to acquire another once the new 780ti that shipped from evga is delivered. My question is, besides a new PSU, what, if anything, will I have to upgrade? A suggestion for a PSU would also be welcomed, for reference the 2883 edition requires two pci-e ports and two modular ports for each GFX card. Preferably looking for something so that if, for whatever reason, I decided to add another gfx card or some more fans or something, I wouldn't need another new psu (So 1000w+ probably). EVGA's are nice, despite their terrible RMA shipping times they did infact replace my card. My current build is also near silent at max fan load, so something very noisy wouldn't do.

Thanks for any help.
June 26, 2014 6:01:17 AM

numanator said:
You should only need a PSU upgrade, your Mobo supports SLI as it is.

Some PSU options:

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 1050W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($159.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 1050W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($187.04 @ Newegg)


Thanks for the advice, also, does anyone know the difference between EVGA's p2 and g2 series.
a b C Monitor
June 26, 2014 8:12:15 AM

The P2 series is platinum rated and the G2 is gold rated. The rating just refers to the power supplies efficiency, the higher the efficiency the more money you will save on your power bill. Gold is a minimum of 90% efficient and platinum is 95% I believe.
June 26, 2014 3:31:34 PM

numanator said:
The P2 series is platinum rated and the G2 is gold rated. The rating just refers to the power supplies efficiency, the higher the efficiency the more money you will save on your power bill. Gold is a minimum of 90% efficient and platinum is 95% I believe.


Looks like I'll be going with the p2 once I get the money, thanks for the help.
!