[New Build Feedback Request] $1500 Gaming PC — i7 4790k, GTX 970

[awilson]

I am looking for some feedback on a new build. It's been a good couple years since I have built a new rig, so I just want to make sure I am not missing out on anything that would help to maximize my cost/performance ratio. I am a bit below my max budget, but I wanted to leave some wiggle room for any potential upgrades. Thanks!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.66 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($136.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($73.80 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($73.80 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($356.13 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($112.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($112.98 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Cooler Master JetFlo 95.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.94 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Cooler Master JetFlo 95.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.94 @ Amazon)
Total: $1477.45
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-20 19:57 EDT-0400

 

[gizzard1987]

I'd say that build looks pretty solid. I'm not sure if you're much of an OCer or not, but Haswell can handle up to 2133, then you've gotta do some tweaking if you want to go above that. From what I've read, 2133 is the "pretty much garunteed" point for all processors, beyond that it's getting everything fine tuned in to make all the voltages and whatnot work, otherwise it'll downclock itself. I know I had a hell of a time with my 2400, which I ended up sending back for 2133s. The refresh might be better, but I know my 4770k didn't like the 2400. Secondly, that Mobo is dual channel, you might be better off just getting 2x8GB unless you're just wanting your slots full. Sometimes it's cheaper, sometimes it's not.

Only thing I'd change is the graphics card, but that's just because I like matching my mobo and graphics card brands. I know Asus and Gigabyte both have their own little kit programs that come with the motherboards and cards, and they don't have to, but really work best together. Plus the Gigabyte one is the fastest on the market right now, for a few dollars more than the MSI.

 

[awilson]

Thanks for the feedback. That is good to know about the 2400 vs 2133, I will have to look into that some more. I only plan on doing minimal overclocking, so I don't wan to run into any issues there. I was just going off of what read about haswell performing better with higher-clocked RAM and that the price/performance had diminishing returns beyond 2400, so that is where I stopped. Are there any dangers in running downclocked RAM in the long run if I did go with a 2400 kit?

I have been debating between the Gigabyte and the MSI card (I am currently running a MSI GTX 770 which has the same cooling system and I have been very pleased with it, so that is my logic for the MSI card), but you are the second person to recommend the Gigabyte card, so I am definitely considering it.

 

[gizzard1987]

Maybe this will help. Since the coolers are generically the same from card to card, only differing per brand I'll offer a link to help.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-r9-280x-third-party-round-up,3655.html

I know this is for the 280x cards, but they all use the same fans and whatnot regardless of the card. The gigabyte cards tend to be a bit louder, at max load, but they're also running 3 fans. In the end they tend to have the more effective cooling on their cards.

 

[awilson]

I'd say that build looks pretty solid. I'm not sure if you're much of an OCer or not, but Haswell can handle up to 2133, then you've gotta do some tweaking if you want to go above that. From what I've read, 2133 is the "pretty much garunteed" point for all processors, beyond that it's getting everything fine tuned in to make all the voltages and whatnot work, otherwise it'll downclock itself. I know I had a hell of a time with my 2400, which I ended up sending back for 2133s. The refresh might be better, but I know my 4770k didn't like the 2400. Secondly, that Mobo is dual channel, you might be better off just getting 2x8GB unless you're just wanting your slots full. Sometimes it's cheaper, sometimes it's not.

Only thing I'd change is the graphics card, but that's just because I like matching my mobo and graphics card brands. I know Asus and Gigabyte both have their own little kit programs that come with the motherboards and cards, and they don't have to, but really work best together. Plus the Gigabyte one is the fastest on the market right now, for a few dollars more than the MSI.

I swapped down to a 2133 kit that was specified on the motherboard's compatible memory list, just to avoid any headaches with it there. I will most likely end up going with the Gigabyte card — that cooling is too good to pass up. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[gizzard1987]

I'm glad to hear it. Gigabyte makes wonderful products. I am personally an Asus fanboy, but I cannot argue that gigabyte has better cooling. I love the Asus AI Suite that came with my motherboard and graphics cards. Gigabyte offers the same sort of thing, fancy interractive BIOs and all that. They have really come a long way since my first bio experiences back in windows 98.

 

[EatMyPizza]

I am looking for some feedback on a new build. It's been a good couple years since I have built a new rig, so I just want to make sure I am not missing out on anything that would help to maximize my cost/performance ratio. I am a bit below my max budget, but I wanted to leave some wiggle room for any potential upgrades. Thanks!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.66 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($136.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($73.80 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($73.80 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($356.13 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($112.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($112.98 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Cooler Master JetFlo 95.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.94 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Cooler Master JetFlo 95.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.94 @ Amazon)
Total: $1477.45
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-20 19:57 EDT-0400

I don't know if you already built your rig or not, but I just built a very similar build to this. Same motherboard too. Mine is also a 4790k, and I bought the same SSD, but I'm using 16 gb ddr3 2400 2X8 sticks ram running at 2133mhz and I originally had an r9 290 but got a refund because of the black screen issues and now have a msi GTX 970.

Anyway, my advice is to not use the hyper 212 evo with that cpu. It gets hot. I recommend the Noctua NH D15 if your case can handle it.

 

[Toguro]

I would go with msi gaming 5 for the Mobo, the gaming msi for the card and tridents instead of ripjaws. I think the 250gb is unnecessary since I'm assuming ur going to mostly be using the 2tb and just installing windows on the ssd. 128 should be fine and I'd go with the 850 pro since it's practically the same price no reason not to.

 

[Guest]

That looks pretty darn good. Get the gigabyte 970 if you want (it probably will work better)

I would get dual 8GB DIMMS as oppose to quad 4GB DIMMS so you have more room to upgrade (since this processor is dual channel there is no performance increase between 2 and 4 sticks)
If you have to have 4 sticks get a kit with 4 sticks as oppose to 2 8GB sticks (so they are validated to work with each other).

If those options are too expensive, stick with your current build its great