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Reccomendations, Critiques, and Opinions on a Noob's First PC

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October 12, 2014 7:59:32 PM

So as the title suggests, I'm looking for more professional or knowledgeable opinions on what is to be my first gaming PC. I'm practically entirely inexperienced with building, maintaining, and operating an actual gaming PC inside my own home, since I'm mostly restricted to a laptop, but this is what I have planned:

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/YeOldTurnip/saved/j9jBD3
(I'm planning buying all this through NewEgg, so the actual price is at $1992.)

My budget is 2000$, but the peripherals (monitor, surge protector, mouse, etc.) end up taking a good chunk of that out, so realistically my PC budget itself is around $1400.

I've created this with future-proofing in mind, but even that may change because I plan to be obtaining and building this a year from now. I've been assembling all this over the course of probably a few weeks now and have read the many reviews, consumer or otherwise, that go along with these parts. Reading a review is all well and good, but for me that all seems too theoretical since I have no idea how these will all actually function together in practice.

So with that in mind, I'd like your opinions on things that should be changed, if anything. A few key concerns that I have are:

- Will I have enough air circulation to keep my computer at a safe temperature? Do I need to invest in more case fans? The "Enthoo Pro Series" case I plan to get only comes with two pre-installed fans: 1x 140mm rear fan & 1x 200mm fan at the front.

- Do I need a better CPU cooler? I have no plans to overclock because I think I'd just break something and I want to give my computer the longest lifespan possible (part of the future-proofing thing). I feel like the answer to this is "no", since basically every source says that the 212 EVO is a great fan, but I still would like to have a secondary opinion, from 212 EVO users themselves if possible.

- Is anything too overkill, or do I need anything else? I don't play too many AAA titles (namely the FPS side), but there are still things graphically up there I plan to play. It's all about future-proofing.

I know that I'm asking for what looks like a lot here, and if you're still reading at this point I'd like to say thanks, but any recommendations would be appreciated. I have a good few months to get this right, so I want to do the best I can.

More about : reccomendations critiques opinions noob

a b 4 Gaming
October 12, 2014 9:10:09 PM

1. Should be fine.
2. No, and more on overclocking later.
3. Yes

Your spending money in a few places where you simply just dont need too. If your not overclocking, you dont need a Z97 motherboard, much less an expensive overclocking optimized one.
And a bunch of other places where small changes can save you some cash.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H97 GAMING 3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($125.91 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($355.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($86.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($287.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K95 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($135.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: SteelSeries Rival Wired Optical Mouse ($54.98 @ Newegg)
Headphones: SteelSeries Siberia V2 Headset ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Other: Corsair Mouse Mat ($27.00)
Other: Belkin Surge Protector ($26.00)
Total: $1767.03
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-13 00:09 EDT-0400
a b 4 Gaming
October 12, 2014 11:22:40 PM

The hybrid hard drive is redundant if you are using an SSD . Its essentially a small SSD built in to the hard drive , and since you have an SSD you wont get any benefit from it

I would leave open the door to OCing by sticking with the Z97 motherboard and using a 4690K processor . In a couple of years that might extend the life of your computer . Z97 also opens the door to potentially adding a second graphics card
Related resources
October 12, 2014 11:33:40 PM

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3tHqwP
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3tHqwP/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.95 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($98.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($264.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K95 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($135.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: SteelSeries Rival Wired Optical Mouse ($49.19 @ NCIX US)
Headphones: SteelSeries Siberia V2 Headset ($53.99 @ Micro Center)
Other: Corsair Mouse Mat ($27.00)
Other: Belkin Surge Protector ($26.00)
Total: $1781.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Future-proofing right here, I would really suggest overclocking LATER ON, maybe not now, in 2-3 years.
a b 4 Gaming
October 13, 2014 12:43:37 AM

sparestuff said:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3tHqwP
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3tHqwP/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.95 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($98.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($264.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K95 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($135.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: SteelSeries Rival Wired Optical Mouse ($49.19 @ NCIX US)
Headphones: SteelSeries Siberia V2 Headset ($53.99 @ Micro Center)
Other: Corsair Mouse Mat ($27.00)
Other: Belkin Surge Protector ($26.00)
Total: $1781.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Future-proofing right here, I would really suggest overclocking LATER ON, maybe not now, in 2-3 years.


Cant say I like the white case , but the rest of it makes good sense
October 13, 2014 1:06:12 AM

Outlander_04 said:
sparestuff said:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3tHqwP
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3tHqwP/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.95 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($98.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($264.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K95 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($135.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: SteelSeries Rival Wired Optical Mouse ($49.19 @ NCIX US)
Headphones: SteelSeries Siberia V2 Headset ($53.99 @ Micro Center)
Other: Corsair Mouse Mat ($27.00)
Other: Belkin Surge Protector ($26.00)
Total: $1781.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Future-proofing right here, I would really suggest overclocking LATER ON, maybe not now, in 2-3 years.


Cant say I like the white case , but the rest of it makes good sense


I guess the case is more of a personal thing, I like the modern look of it but people have their opinions. @OP
That build could probably run everything on ultra, especially when overclocked.
October 13, 2014 9:24:45 AM

Thanks for all the replies guys. I like what you guys are suggesting for what you think should be changed, but I have a few questions...

- I'm using the hybrid drive for storage of everything else, games included, or at least that is my plan. The SSD is only for the OS, which is why it's relatively small. Would swapping the SSHD for a regular HDD produce similar results?

- Gold PSU vs. Bronze PSU, any important or noticeable? Since you guys suggest getting a bronze certified instead.

- You're all suggesting the G. Skill series of RAM, but on Newegg it says it only supports LGA 1155/6 chipsets. What do? Or is that a misprint on NewEgg's part?
a b 4 Gaming
October 13, 2014 11:32:59 AM

The hybrid drive caches frequently used programs . The cache is only 8 gig which was a size chosen because most business users use less than that amount of software and operating system . If you are using it as a data drive it probably wont even use the SSD portion , but if it does it will be with data that will change all the time [ unless you open the same 8 gig of files each day ] so the caching will be pointless .
Yes , swap it for a conventional 7200 rpm drive

Gold psu's will run cooler , use slightly less power and will probably be quieter . I would use one if it fitted in the budget , but it is only a marginal improvement so a bronze unit is OK .

The RAM is the right voltage , and spec for running with the i5 . Its also the same color as the motherboard which will look better . Its fine
October 13, 2014 5:45:39 PM

OK well I thought about what you guys suggested and have changed my original build around that. Some money has been saved, some unsure things have been reassured. Overall I'm pretty happy with whats been planned for. The only regrets I have is that my original color scheme didn't quite work like I wanted (doesn't really matter though since I have the windowless Enthoo case... PCPartPicker doesn't carry it so that's why you didn't see it before) and I didn't get to use the Ripjaws Z series of the RAM. Only comes in 4x2 formats for 1.5 volts... doesn't make sense to me.

My final build (maybe probably), for any further suggestions or opinions:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/YeOldTurnip/saved/j9jBD3

I want to thank you guys for helping me decide on what to finally get. Just feels better knowing I have opinions from actual people.
a b 4 Gaming
October 13, 2014 5:53:49 PM

Looks good to me
a b 4 Gaming
October 13, 2014 7:50:18 PM

Looks fine, though one small thing.
If your only plan on having a single GPU in the system, switch to the PSU I recommended in my build. Its cheaper, same if not better quality and will support the same number of GPU's as that 650W based purely on the number of PCIe connectors it has. If you plan on SLI sometime down the line or just want the capability, get a 750W.
October 13, 2014 8:07:49 PM

I didn't bring it up, but I am planning to SLI sometime down the road with another 970 most likely. Thanks for the advice!
!