Building my first rig and would certainly appreciate any advice!

[Oolawloo]

I've quickly thrown together an example of what I want to build. I'd like any advice anybody could provide me with, specifically on compatibility of my build as well better choices for certain components or better places to buy them.

Here's what I have so far.

MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130770

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487024

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438014

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

Processor, HDD Combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1911343

Definitely looking for something on the high end side but definitely not top of the line.

Thanks in advanced!

 

[tiny voices]

Is this for gaming? If so you need to reallocate basically everything as the GPU is very weak compared to everything else.

You also have a locked CPU on an overclocking motherboard.

Case is HUGE for a build like this.

PSU is not the best quality.

 

[Oolawloo]

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback so quickly. I'll shop around for a smaller case, better video card, and an unlocked processor.

 

[tiny voices]

DO you plan to overclock?

If this is for gaming, get an i5 not an i7. You want something like a gtx970 to compliment this build. Otherwise you won;t even get full use out of the i5 as you will be limited by the GPU.

 

[Oolawloo]

It is indeed for gaming, and I'm interested in overclocking for sure but I can live without it. Why i5 over i7 if you don't mind me asking. I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to components right now and I'd like to learn as much as I can before I order parts.

 

[tiny voices]

The i5 and i7 perform the same in games. No difference really. Always get an i5 for a gaming machine.

Get an i5 4690k and a CM hyper 212 EVO for overclocking. ONLY do this if you can swing something like a gtx970 for the GPU. Otherwise we need to cut ALOT of money out to buy a better GPU.

 

[mhirons]

I second tiny's advice. For a gaming rig, the GPU is more important than the CPU.

If you can live without overclocking, you could save a few bucks by getting a cheaper MB and the non-K 4690, but only if it's more than $20-25 less, otherwise just get the K.

If you aren't overclocking too much, here's a really good 550W PSU for $26 AR.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=125449

BTW, check out pcpartpicker.com if you haven't already. You can provide one link to people and it will let you see the whole build without going to individual component links.

 

[likes0079]

1600 ram is like standard. They really are not that expensive compare to the 1333.
pick gtx970
get i5-4590 and a SSD

I don't know what your budget is. Go to pcpartpicker to start would save you some time.
I decent biuld probably takes $1200, cut down to $1000 will be tight. Lower than that is really budgeted that you will need to give up something.

check this out
Didn't add case, os, extra cpu cooler.
Case is where you can cut down price. I don't know why you pick that case.
a z97 platform leaves you room to overclock in the future, just in case you feel like to replace the i5 stock cooler with a tower or aio cpu cooler.

 

[logainofhades]

Is this for gaming? If so you need to reallocate basically everything as the GPU is very weak compared to everything else.

You also have a locked CPU on an overclocking motherboard.

Case is HUGE for a build like this.

PSU is not the best quality.

The PSU is fine for a budget build. Case is just a mid tower, not sure why you think it is huge. It is definitely overpriced. A Corsair 200r would be more suitable, a spec 02/03 if wanting a side window. I agree that this system is severely unbalanced. OP, what is your budget?

 

[Oolawloo]

I'm looking at a budget anywhere between $1,000 to $1,500. I appreciate all the replies, I'll update my build and post it here for an update once I get home from work. Thank you all!

 

[mhirons]

Yeah, with that budget, I'd definitely go 4690K, Z97 MB, 16GB, GTX970.

 

[logainofhades]

I'm looking at a budget anywhere between $1,000 to $1,500. I appreciate all the replies, I'll update my build and post it here for an update once I get home from work. Thank you all!

Something closer to the upper end of your budget. Top GPU, and the CPU is basically an i7 4770, without the integrated graphics.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($248.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($92.75 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($569.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($90.26 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1422.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-10 10:30 EDT-0400