New Gaming Build - Need Some Critique

[Taioneren]

Hello,

I am planning on building a new gaming/entertainment rig. Please help me critique the build, any suggestion for replacement or advice will be much appreciated. Thank you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.88 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($146.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($343.99 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($112.75 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1415.03
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-20 15:01 EST-0500

I am planning on running the SSDs on raid 0 as OS and program drive. The 1 TB will be storage only.

 

[James Mason]

Raiding SSDs can be a bad idea, google it.
Only thing is you're getting more wattage than you need, and you can get a better brand for cheaper:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($146.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($165.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($165.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ Directron)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($343.99 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($112.75 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($75.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1401.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-20 16:20 EST-0500

 

[shenoavox]

I think you have built a solid rig. I always find it fascinating when someone builds a modern PC without SSDs. But yes, good luck with the SSDS in raid. There is some firmware problems with that currently.

 

[James Mason]

I think you have built a solid rig. I always find it fascinating when someone builds a modern PC without SSDs. But yes, good luck with the SSDS in raid. There is some firmware problems with that currently.

Yeah you don't need to raid them, just leave them separate and label one OS and one Games and the HDD as Storage.

But SSDs don't really provide MUCH noticeable performance increases, really only starting up windows and loading levels, but no actual FPS increases.

The difference is maybe like 10 seconds.

 

[Taioneren]

so technically, i don't need 2 SSD, since I will be playing mostly online games. I just need 1 SSD for os and maybe pick up another 1TB for raid 0.

I see a couple people using Asus z97 board, are those fairly decent? Also, do you guys have any other case suggestion? The reason I got the Fracture Design case is for the 2 x 2.5 bay for SSD. As for the PSU, I just figure I get a bigger one just in case I decide to run SLI or expand in the future. Thank you guys for your suggestions

Lastly, if i were to play mostly online game (most none graphic intensive), is there other graphic card recommendation? Also, do you guys recommend SLI?

 

[James Mason]

so technically, i don't need 2 SSD, since I will be playing mostly online games. I just need 1 SSD for os and maybe pick up another 1TB for raid 0.

I see a couple people using Asus z97 board, are those fairly decent? Also, do you guys have any other case suggestion? The reason I got the Fracture Design case is for the 2 x 2.5 bay for SSD. As for the PSU, I just figure I get a bigger one just in case I decide to run SLI or expand in the future. Thank you guys for your suggestions

Don't do SLI in the future, just get a better single card, it's not "worth it" anymore.
The future is gonna be 2-4 years anyways.
Asus is a good brand, MSI is good as well, I currently prefer MSI though.
You can get a 500gb SSD for only like $50 more if you just wanted the space: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te500bw

 

[Taioneren]

Ok no SLI it is. Here is the updated parts. Still taking recommendations on cases, but everything else I think should be set in stone. Thank you guys for your inputs.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($146.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($343.99 @ B&H)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1207.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-20 18:14 EST-0500