New PC Parts!

[AaronHilton]

Hi guys!

 

I'm looking to build myself a gaming PC and I have collected a list of parts that I am going to get. So far I have only bought the motherboard and RAM as I'm waiting to get paid to get the rest.

 

I would just like any advice on how to make this rig any better or any advice to get the best performance out of it when I do build it.

 

Excluding the motherboard and RAM, I'm looking to spend about £800-£900 ($1200-$1350) more, or at least just to get the main parts. I was thinking of getting two graphics cards (I would only get the second one in march time) and I am wondering if it would actually be worth it to play the next gen games that are coming out.

 

Here is the parts list (including the motherboard and RAM that I have already bought):

 

- Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core

- NZXT Kraken X41 106.1 CFM Liquid

- ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150

- G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600

- Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" SSD

- Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM

- MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V

- Corsair 750W ATX12V

- NZXT H440 Midi - White

 

Like I said before I am thinking of maybe getting a second GTX 970 in the future but I would like to know how much this will affect the performace. I would also like some advice on the CPU cooler as I know very little about cooling and whether the Kraken X41 is good or not.

 

******EDIT******
I also know very little about network cards. I'm looking to use wireless but I would still like the opportunity to go ethernet if the chance arises.

 

Any help would be apprieciated.

 

Thanks,

 

 

Aaron

[BurgerBum]

what case are you looking to get?

if a side panel window is important to you that would help us out alot! 

[AaronHilton]

what case are you looking to get?

if a side panel window is important to you that would help us out alot! 

Hey, I have updated the list. I totally forgot to put it in aha.

 

Im looking to get the NZXT H440 Midi - White

[dizmo]

You need a Z97 board for the best compatibility, don't get the M500, and check to make sure that there isn't faster RAM for only a few pound more.

[AaronHilton]

You need a Z97 board for the best compatibility, don't get the M500, and check to make sure that there isn't faster RAM for only a few pound more.

 

Like I said, I already have the motherboard. I may be able to return it but is it worth the hassle? How much of a difference would the Z97 make?

Also, would you recommend a different SSD? I am keen on getting one for the start-up times.

[dizmo]

Like I said, I already have the motherboard. I may be able to return it but is it worth the hassle? How much of a difference would the Z97 make?

Also, would you recommend a different SSD? I am keen on getting one for the start-up times.

I'd check to make sure it can be used with a Haswell Refresh chip. If not, then you have to put a chip into the board, and flash the BIOS to the newest version.

So...that's really up to you.

The MX100 is really solid for the price.

[AaronHilton]

I'd check to make sure it can be used with a Haswell Refresh chip. If not, then you have to put a chip into the board, and flash the BIOS to the newest version.

So...that's really up to you.

The MX100 is really solid for the price.

 

Really sorry but I'm still a rookie with this kind of thing. This is only the second computer I have built and the first wasn't anywhere near as expensive. Could you expand on what you mean about the motherboard chip? Sorry if this is like talking with a child aha

[BurgerBum]

Hey, I have updated the list. I totally forgot to put it in aha.

 

Im looking to get the NZXT H440 Midi - White

alight!

what about operating system? do you already have a copy of windows or shall we include that in the list?

[AaronHilton]

alight!

what about operating system? do you already have a copy of windows or shall we include that in the list?

 

Yeah I already have a copy of Windows 7 ready

[BurgerBum]

Really sorry but I'm still a rookie with this kind of thing. This is only the second computer I have built and the first wasn't anywhere near as expensive. Could you expand on what you mean about the motherboard chip? Sorry if this is like talking with a child aha

what he's saying is if that motherboard isnt quit compatible wtih a haswel CPU, you're gonna have to put in a non-haswell cpu and update the bios so it is compatible.

[BurgerBum]

Yeah I already have a copy of Windows 7 ready

alright.

*already working on list*

[dizmo]

Really sorry but I'm still a rookie with this kind of thing. This is only the second computer I have built and the first wasn't anywhere near as expensive. Could you expand on what you mean about the motherboard chip? Sorry if this is like talking with a child aha

So the 4790k is a refresh of the first Haswell CPU the 4770k. The 4790k won't work on a Z87 board without a BIOS update.

...I could actually be wrong about that though. It might be the other way around now that I think about it.

[AaronHilton]

what he's saying is if that motherboard isnt quit compatible wtih a haswel CPU, you're gonna have to put in a non-haswell cpu and update the bios so it is compatible.

 

So the 4790k is a refresh of the first Haswell CPU the 4770k. The 4790k won't work on a Z87 board without a BIOS update.

...I could actually be wrong about that though. It might be the other way around now that I think about it.

 

I would have no idea how to change the BIOS to make it compatible. Is there a different CPU I should go for? I'm not massively bothered, just as long as I can overclock it to decent speeds.

[BurgerBum]

okay...

so, would looks happen to matter to you a whole lot? or are you like me in that once its put together youre just gonna stick it somewhere and not care, or are you gonna show it off alot?

[AaronHilton]

okay...

so, would looks happen to matter to you a whole lot? or are you like me in that once its put together youre just gonna stick it somewhere and not care, or are you gonna show it off alot?

 

Well I would like for the outside to look nice, hence the case. But if you are talking about internal features, then no, I'm not very bothered.

[AaronHilton]

So the 4790k is a refresh of the first Haswell CPU the 4770k. The 4790k won't work on a Z87 board without a BIOS update.

...I could actually be wrong about that though. It might be the other way around now that I think about it.

 

I also just had a quick google and I have found a list of compatible motherboards for the 4790K and the Z87 isn't on there.

http://processormatch.intel.com/MotherBoards/CompatibleBoards

[BurgerBum]

I would have no idea how to change the BIOS to make it compatible. Is there a different CPU I should go for? I'm not massively bothered, just as long as I can overclock it to decent speeds.

its not all that hard. just tedious as it requires getting another cpu. 

the 4690k is 100 dollar cheaper for like, 0.5% preformance drop. 

[BurgerBum]

Well I would like for the outside to look nice, hence the case. But if you are talking about internal features, then no, I'm not very bothered.

alright.

[AaronHilton]

its not all that hard. just tedious as it requires getting another cpu. 

the 4690k is 100 dollar cheaper for like, 0.5% preformance drop. 

 

I haven't actually bought the CPU yet so I am definately willing to change the CPU to avoid any problems.

[Bucax]

Are you planning to overclock now? If not I would get a cm hyper 212 Evo and 2x 8GB ram sticks.

If you are planning to game at resolutions higher than 1080p them you would see a performance difference in sli. Otherwise a single Gtx 970 should be able to max out current games.

[BurgerBum]

i colour coded it anyway because i found some great deals on yellow and black parts that also preform well.

change it out for a 970 of sorts if you wish, the 290/290x just have a special place in my heart. (also this one is 100$ cheaper)

i fit in a z97 mobo too.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3x9brH

[AaronHilton]

Are you planning to overclock now? If not I would get a cm hyper 212 Evo and 2x 8GB ram sticks.

If you are planning to game at resolutions higher than 1080p them you would see a performance difference in sli. Otherwise a single Gtx 970 should be able to max out current games.

 

Why the 16GB ram? And I will only be starting this build mid February as I need to get the money first. I currently have an AOC i2369Vm monitor and I will be playing the games on the best I can get with this.

[SteveGrabowski]

Like I said, I already have the motherboard. I may be able to return it but is it worth the hassle? How much of a difference would the Z97 make?

 

Do you know the BIOS version on your board? Contact AsRock tech support and maybe they'll be able to tell you what version of BIOS you have. If it's a new enough version you'll be fine dropping a 4790k in. Otherwise you'll have to either flash the BIOS somehow or pehaps change the BIOS chip (can you still do that?) before putting in a 4790k.

[AaronHilton]

i colour coded it anyway because i found some great deals on yellow and black parts that also preform well.

change it out for a 970 of sorts if you wish, the 290/290x just have a special place in my heart. (also this one is 100$ cheaper)

i fit in a z97 mobo too.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3x9brH

 

This was my original parts list (excluding the case).

Will the parts list that you linked be able to perform as good/out perform this list?

I am definately looking for the best build I can get for the price.

 

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/aaronhilton/saved/7ZVbt6

[AaronHilton]

Do you know the BIOS version on your board? Contact AsRock tech support and maybe they'll be able to tell you what version of BIOS you have. If it's a new enough version you'll be fine dropping a 4790k in. Otherwise you'll have to either flash the BIOS somehow or pehaps change the BIOS chip (can you still do that?) before putting in a 4790k.

 

I can't say I do. Like i mentioned, I am new to dealing with BIOS so I wouldn't be able to comment much on that