MicroATX Build - Coming from a laptop

[peacemak3r]

Hello everyone! I've lurked a bit on these forums and decided to be a bit more active here.

 

I've used a laptop, Dell XPS 15 (L502X), for some time now and it has peaked and I opted to go back to a desktop format. I didn't much care for a full sized build anymore and though to go smaller but not too small. I originally opted for a Corsair Air 540 or 240 case but eventually came down to purchasing the 350D case. I've used a lot of builds from pcpartpicker as a reference and I thank those people's builds that I've seen.

 

Build as follows:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K

Motherboard: ASUS Z97M-Plus

RAM: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2x 4GB @ 1600MHz)

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD

Storage: WD Black Series 1TB HDD

Case: Corsair 350D mATX case -- Non-windowed case and I'm kicking myself for not getting the windowed one.

PSU: Corsair AX760

OS: Windows 8.1 Pro

 

2x Noctua NF-S12A PWM (Rear/Top exhaust)

2x Noctua NF-A14 PWM (Dual intakes)

 

Coming soon:

Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming -- [i originally had this locked down, but due to a mistake on the website, it was actually back-ordered and I have to wait until 10/31.]

Noctua NH-U12S -- [using the stock Intel cooler at the moment]

 

Notes:

I feel like I will be upgrading the motherboard soon though, it was a salvage from a friend's build so I felt I could cut corners there.

Originally I was going to opt for Windows 7 Home Premium but I've come so accustomed to Windows 8 from the Surface Pro that I've opted for the 8.1 Pro using a student's discount.

Eventually will be getting the Noctua CPU cooler, but at this time, I don't think I'll be overclocking anything thus keeping with the Intel stock cooler.

May add another SSD for specific games that I play.

I've ordered sleeved cables for the PSU as well, they should actually be coming in today or tomorrow (Saturday).

 

I'll be posting pictures of the build soon!

[JoaoPRSousa]

Nice

[clarkmcc]

Looks good! Any modding?  Sleeved cables? Do you have any experience with cable management? Even a crappy build can look amazing with cable management (and vise versa)

[Garuger]

I dont like psu / ram / mobo. i would go with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226404 for ram / http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171094 for psu  and this for mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157520&cm_re=z97m-_-13-157-520-_-Product.Not to mention noctua are over hyped and over priced do your self a favor and buy scythe fans , far better performance and far better pricing .Or do you have order them already ?

[peacemak3r]

Nice

 

Thank you!

 

Looks good! Any modding?  Sleeved cables? Do you have any experience with cable management? Even a crappy build can look amazing with cable management (and vise versa)

 

I have sleeved cables on the way! I have some knowledge with cable management but could never make it nice and neat...in the back at least.

 

I dont like psu / ram / mobo. i would go with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226404 for ram / http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171094 for psu  and this for mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157520&cm_re=z97m-_-13-157-520-_-Product.Not to mention noctua are over hyped and over priced do your self a favor and buy scythe fans , far better performance and far better pricing .Or do you have order them already ?

 

I was looking into ASRock motherboards as well, but not exactly sure yet. I seem loyal to ASUS at the moment and remembering that I got the motherboard from a friend. Power supply, I've been using Corsair before turning to laptops before so I've stayed with Corsair, same goes with the RAM though this time I opted with Kingston.

 

On the Noctua's, yeah they are overpriced in retail. But at the time, I got all my fans for $14/15 a fan so I'm content with that.

[F0xX]

Have you seen the zotac gtx 970s yet they aren't for everyone but damn they are sexy, quite an upgrade from your laptop

[peacemak3r]

I'm on a waiting list for the Gigabyte 970 at the moment after a mix up on the website. I did indeed see Zotac's AMP Extreme 970 that looks pretty similar to Gigabyte's Windforce. Only problem I'm having is, I haven't heard much things about Zotac to consider it. I originally wanted to get EVGA's but have been hearing some problems with the new ACX, at the moment I'm still sitting strong for that Gigabyte's 970.

[peacemak3r]

I'm #14 on the waiting list for the Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970 at the moment so I'm living with the HD 4600.

The CPU cooler is on its way and I was able to snag another 2x 4GB sticks of RAM, same model and everything for cheap.

Sleeved cables are still somewhere in shipment, hopefully I get them by tomorrow afternoon.

 

Still need to pick up a fan splitter to compensate for the few fan headers I have available.

 

Current wire management is trash, but I just wanted to know everything works and decide on fitment and what not when the sleeved cables arrive.

 

More pictures to come soon!

[peacemak3r]

 

Not the best wire management but it's a start. I feel as if I could of positioned the cooler's fan where the wire won't show as much as well.