PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Gokku]

trying to pick up a new video card to replace my 2 outdated HD4850's

Looking at the R9 280x only have a 600 watt PSU so i cant get the black editions.Any other input is helpful ill probably buy it later today

#1: cheapest no free games : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-678-_-Product
#2: same card slightly faster clock speed :http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-490-_-Product

[Kalmado]

trying to pick up a new video card to replace my 2 outdated HD4850's

Looking at the R9 280x only have a 600 watt PSU so i cant get the black editions.Any other input is helpful ill probably buy it later today

#1: cheapest no free games : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-678-_-Product
#2: same card slightly faster clock speed :http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-490-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...4127789&cm_sp=
Pay through Masterpass and make sure to use the promo code to MASTERPASS23 to get another 10% off. After rebate you get this card for $179.99 and the three games. Yes it's not the X version, but for the cost I would grab this one and just overclock it.

[BaneTheBrawler]

so, this is the build i've come up with so far. i basically just sorted by rating and picked what looked like the beefiest part. i have the compatibility filter on, but idk if that takes into account such things as "will this physically fit next to that?"

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Z98bv

i also don't know if i have everything i need, or if integrated sound/ethernet is good enough. i didn't pick a case because i'd like to do a rackmounted case if possible, and couldn't find any on the list. i don't know how to figure out which cases will work with everything.

[Jojimbo]

You basically ended up picking a bunch of components that are expensive for the sake of being expensive, what are you looking to use the PC for? Would you be ok OCing it yourself and what kind of budget do you have.

[Kalmado]

so, this is the build i've come up with so far. i basically just sorted by rating and picked what looked like the beefiest part. i have the compatibility filter on, but idk if that takes into account such things as "will this physically fit next to that?"

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Z98bv

i also don't know if i have everything i need, or if integrated sound/ethernet is good enough. i didn't pick a case because i'd like to do a rackmounted case if possible, and couldn't find any on the list. i don't know how to figure out which cases will work with everything.

If you're dropping that much dough then I'd get the Corsair H100i cooler. As Jo said, these components look to be expensive just because. You can do better for the cost even without watching for every mega deal. I don't understand the need for a 1k watt psu either. Seems unnecessary.

[BaneTheBrawler]

because i don't know what i'm doing.

[Kalmado]

Better cpu, mobo, ram, cooler, 2x SSD size, bigger HDD, and including case as well. $13 more. Will still need case fans.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Gene Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($169.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($148.50 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($148.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($479.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define XL R2 (Titanium Grey) ATX Full Tower Case ($100.00 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($153.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDR-209DBK Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1878.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

[BaneTheBrawler]

Thanks!

Also I didn't see your post, Jojimbo. Going to use it for gaming/streaming/watching shows etc. but i want it to last quite a while, with as much future-proofing as possible. so if i decide down the road that i need to upgrade, i only need to swap a few parts at a time. Budget is extremely flexible, as I'm planning to buy the parts over several months. seems like there's not much reason to go above ~1800ish, though.

[Jojimbo]

Planning to use Shadowplay or something else for recording? Eitherway 32GB RAM is overkill for what you are planning to use it for, hell even 8GB would probably work but 16GB would allow for some room. What resolution are you planning to play at as well? Depending on what you want to use to record/stream and what games/resolution you may find that an R9-290 is just as fast or very close to but a lot cheaper.

Significantly cut down build with similar gaming performance: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JTCD7P, plenty of budget spare if you wanted to get a GTX 780, i7 might be useful if you are streaming as well otherwise an i5 would be just as fast.

[Oreth]

If you're moving to Vancouver. Check out NCIX. You may find cheaper deals and can pick up in person. Service is horrid though. As long as you know what you're looking for.

Thanks will check it out. Half considering taking my GTX770 oc with me now to save that purchase!

[Oreth]

Ok so refined this up a little bit. Decided i am going to try and bring my GPU with me to Canada. Anyone see any issues / problems with this build especially from a space point of view with the MOBO should i ever want to add another GPU or anything? Never run the Liquid CPU coolers either so not sure how it might all fix? I know the case has ample room just more concerned about this MOBO. I was going to go with the Asus HERO VIII for it is an extra $70 or so.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($252.66 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($94.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($148.97 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($174.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($149.99 @ Canada Computers)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case ($179.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($144.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($67.99 @ NCIX)
Wireless Network Adapter: TRENDnet TEW-805UB 802.11a/b/g/n/ac USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($32.34 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $1396.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

My GPU is - Gigabyte Windforce Nvidia GTX 770 OC 4GB DDR5 WF3 PCI-E Graphics Card

Appreciate any tips etc.

[Jojimbo]

At 1440p 110Hz you'll probably want another GPU and a 850W PSU (if you are planning to do any OCing as well), for a single GPU you could drop it down to a 600~650W PSU. Not sure if you need 16GB RAM, as you have an i5 I would assume 8GB would work (and you can upgrade it to 16GB later as well, unless you think you'll need 32GB RAM for some reason). I would also consider going for mid tower rather than full, since it'll still fit dual GPUs but be a lot smaller and cheaper, the HAF XM looks similar to the HAF X if you like the design. Samsung has the 850 Pro series as well to replace the 840, however Crucial has the newly released MX100 which is a lot cheaper but still has good performance so I would get that. Blu-ray/WiFi card are up to you, don't make use of either them myself.

I wouldn't spend the extra for the HERO VIII, it's simply not worth spending that much on a LGA 1150 board. If you have money to spare you may as well spend it on an LGA 2011 MB + -E CPU so you can get PCI-E x16/x16 rather than x8/x8, although there might not be much of a difference (0 if you stick with a single GPU).

So something like this with the extra money being saved up for another GPU if your monitor does actually successfully OC.

[Oreth]

Hey, Thanks for the response and the help. The 770 that i have at the moment has run the 1440p QNIX monitor at 110Hz with little trouble but that is the 4GB model. Think i will end up buying that monitor again. True about the RAM. Just had 16GB at the moment and while not really using it would just feel like a downgrade but will probably just go for 8GB at the moment. Would there definitely be enough room in a Midi case for 2 GPUs and the H80i or a larger Noctuna DH-14 if i went that route?

Also is that Motherboard you put in there one of those newer ones you mentioned? As in buy the i5-4690k and use that now and then be able ot upgrade to the new CPU from the 2011 range whenever they come out? Also iv been ASUS these last few builds and i find them great. Never used Gigabyte before, how are they as a comparison.

At 1440p 110Hz you'll probably want another GPU and a 850W PSU (if you are planning to do any OCing as well), for a single GPU you could drop it down to a 600~650W PSU. Not sure if you need 16GB RAM, as you have an i5 I would assume 8GB would work (and you can upgrade it to 16GB later as well, unless you think you'll need 32GB RAM for some reason). I would also consider going for mid tower rather than full, since it'll still fit dual GPUs but be a lot smaller and cheaper, the HAF XM looks similar to the HAF X if you like the design. Samsung has the 850 Pro series as well to replace the 840, however Crucial has the newly released MX100 which is a lot cheaper but still has good performance so I would get that. Blu-ray/WiFi card are up to you, don't make use of either them myself.

I wouldn't spend the extra for the HERO VIII, it's simply not worth spending that much on a LGA 1150 board. If you have money to spare you may as well spend it on an LGA 2011 MB + -E CPU so you can get PCI-E x16/x16 rather than x8/x8, although there might not be much of a difference (0 if you stick with a single GPU).

So something like this with the extra money being saved up for another GPU if your monitor does actually successfully OC.

[Jojimbo]

No, SB-E/IB-E (LGA 2011) is a different socket and the CPUs are incompatible (also, I think Haswell-E is planned to be released soon which again will use another socket afaik). There wouldn't be a worthwhile upgrade path for either Haswell or IB-E that didn't involve buying a new MB (and by the time you want to upgrade, new DDR4 RAM as well).

A Mid-Tower would have room for dual GPUs, the HAF XM has 8 PCI-E slots and the GPUs will take up slots 2+3 and 5+6. Max heatsink height is down to the case so check before hand and the H80i will fit on the rear exhaust of almost any case, for the HAF XM that's 196mm (6mm more than the HAF X actually) so it'll fit the 160mm tall NH-14, the 165mm NH-D15 or the 171mm Phanteks PH-TC14PE as well as practically every other CPU cooler as well. The XM will also fit dual radiator AIOs like H100i (and maybe H110, not sure on spacing) whereas the X is stuck using 200mm fans so at best you could kinda get it to fit.

MB is up to you, either one of those would work and Gigabyte is a pretty good brand (plus I prefer black+red to...gold)

[Scorp]

Hey all. I'm looking to build a gaming system to play Elite Dangerous and FFXIV without any issues, and hopefully last for 3-4 years without a full rebuild. No particular budget in mind but wanting to make sensible choices. I was looking to base it around an r9 280 gpu, and put together two builds.

Three questions;
- i5 and i7 chips seem to be mentioned fairly interchangeably, is there any real difference for gaming between them?
- is cpu water cooling the only option for these chips, or just for overclocking?
- I'm not certain on the case choice. I don't have space constraints outside the case, I'm just concerned about blocking upgrade paths (crossfire or larger gpu).

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/Scorp/saved/smpmP6

CPU Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core $349.99
CPU Cooler Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid $109.99
Motherboard Asus MAXIMUS VII GENE Micro ATX LGA1150 $220.05
Memory G.Skill Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 $186.99
Storage Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" SSD $114.99
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $59.95
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $59.95
Video Card MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR $249.98
Case Fractal Design Define XL R2 (Titanium Grey) ATX Full Tower $109.99
Power Supply Fractal Design 800W ATX12V / EPS12V $189.99
Keyboard Corsair Vengeance K70 $120.86

[Jojimbo]

For gaming you only really need an i5, an i7 only has slightly more cache and HTing and while we are starting to see a couple of games that can take advantage of more than 4 cores HTing isn't exactly the same as more cores and will only offer minor performance improvements at best. I'll also go with the Devil's Canyon refresh (4690k and 4790k) rather than Haswell.

You don't even need to go with a high end AIO, on the low end a 212 EVO should allow for a moderate OC and there are larger air coolers and AIOs that perform better if you want to be able to push the CPU higher. I would also go with a cheaper MB, no real need to spend $200+ on an LGA 1150 board and you may as well get an ATX board rather than an mATX board if you are going with a full tower case. You shouldn't need 16GB of RAM for gaming, get 8GB RAM and upgrade it later to 16GB if required. You could also go for a much cheaper PSU, and potentially a lower wattage unit unless you are planning on dual GPUs in the future (in which case you'll definitely want an ATX MB with better spacing).

So like this, which is cheaper than your original and even includes dual GPUs (not that you have to get both right now), you may also want some addition fans for the case though (especially one for the side panel if going CF) as the Define series are aimed at silence and not cooling performance.

[Scorp]

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. I think I'm going to go with that build on a single gpu and add a second if I'm seeing any issues. Good point on the case as well, being able to cool with more components means a lot more to me than noise levels. I'll shop around and find something better suited.

[Jojimbo]

Corsair 300R, 400R or 450D are good cases with relatively simple looks and are in a similar price range. Alternatively there's also the NZXT Phantom 410 or one of the Cooler Master HAF series if you like the looks of them.

[BaneTheBrawler]

ok this is what i've got after consulting with a friend about some of the details. feelin pretty good about this as a final build, but i want to make sure i've got all my ducks in a row before i start buying stuff.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2nvC4D

do i have everything i need? any flaws, conflicts, or lemons?

[Jojimbo]

Arctic Silver 5 is a bit outdated now and the stock stuff on the H100i is pretty good afaik, there are better pastes but you can make do with the stock on the H100i and I'm not 100% what's the best of the best atm (without ridiculous price tags anyway). You don't really need the full tower either with that build, the ATX version should be just good and have ample space unless you are planning a custom water loop but as they are similar prices at worst you'll have tons of empty room. Never been a fan of fan controllers either, with my PC I just have a simple 5/12v switch but even then I've kept my fans running on 5v however they are both up to you.

This MSI 780 is $60 cheaper as well, and even goes with the red+black colour scheme.