Need input for a new build

[LysergiX]

I'm planning on building a new tower and have all the components pretty much picked out. I wanted to run my build list by this forum and try to garner some feedback from the community here. I'm trying to keep this build near or under $1,000.

If anyone sees an area where there is potential savings for a replacement part, please feel free to let me know. Otherwise, general feedback on my build list would be greatly appreciated!

Without further ado:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K
Cooling: Noctua NH-U14S
Motherboard: ASUS Z97-A
GPU: Sapphire Radeon R9 280
Power Supply: SeaSonic G Series 550W
Case: Fractal Design Define R4
Memory: Corsair Vengeance (2 x 4 GB)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB

Thanks for checking this thread out!

 

[X79]

You can save money on a non-K edition build, if you don't intend on overclocking.

And if that's the case, you could remove that CPU cooler and just go with stock as well.

Same for a lower grade motherboard. ASUS is however very good.

If your RAM is over 1600Mhz, you can lower it to 1600Mhz too.

You didn't list an HDD. You won't survive on a 120GB SSD, when 15 to 20GB will go to windows alone.

Then you add programs and the fact that SSDs need 10 to 20% clear space to perform maintenance tasks and suddenly

you have no space. Get a WD Caviar Blue 1TB 7200 RPM HDD to balance out your SSD.

Naturally you can lower the GPU too. Depending on which games you intend on playing and on which resolution and detail level.

Lastly, remember to factor the OS into the cost, if you need one.

 

[LysergiX]

Thanks X79. I don't plan to OC so a non-K edition build sounds like a good idea. I'm not sure which motherboard I should get though. I listed the Z97 because it is supposed to be future compatible with newer CPUs.

My RAM choice is 1600Mhz, so I'm good there and I do plan on purchasing a HDD, but they price so low I wasn't really adding it in the build budget.

I do need an OS (most likely Windows 7) and a 1080 monitor (ASUS VS228H-P)

Ultimately, which ATX motherboards are good for an i5 with a possibility of upgrading in the future?

 

[X79]

Don't worry so much about the future. Depending on if future for you is 6 months or 5 years, things can be very different.

For instance, DDR4 RAM is coming. Which would require you to change your motherboard anyway most likely.

Z97 would be good and will give you a good run.

Do get a good case though. That's sure to last a long time.

 

[LysergiX]

Well after some more research, and thanks to your advice, X79, I've come up with a slightly different build. I've added HDD, OS, and a monitor and I've still managed to keep it around $1,000.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HTKbf7

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($176.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($72.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($52.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card ($170.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ 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 ($18.95 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.89 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N250PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($20.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VS228H-P 21.5" Monitor ($129.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1011.13
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-21 15:14 EDT-0400

 

[X79]

Get a board with the Z97 chipset.

 

[LysergiX]

Okay, I have added the Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3.

What's the difference in the H97 and Z97?

 

[X79]

Goodie