m3ki

Alright I pulled a trigger over the weekend and this is the system I ended up ordering. I am pretty happy with it. I cut out a lot of stuff I didn't need. I ended up saving buttload of money as well as taxes with ncix' price match and the fact I am not in BC. http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1wA43 I want to thank everyone for their valuable feedback and suggestions! (btw don't kill me for the psu that was the only seasonic available). I already received everything minus the case. Will probably do the build this weekend. Should I post pictures of the process?

I was wondering does anyone have any experience or benchmarks of Corsair H100i with Noctua fans vs NH-D14 Noise wise?

I was looking at DR 2 but I have read that the performance of noctua is a bit better and DR is harder to install ;) As for HDD yeah I will go for seagate. For 780 this one seemed to be the best tripple cooler I didn't see any other available in tripple cooler. Gigabyte does 39db @ load. R4 isn't quietest? Which one would you recommend? Re PSU I isn't gold more efficient? It would draw less power when idle am I wrong? Also If i get a second graphics card later would this psu be just right? Linus mentioned in some of his reviews that psus degrade over time. What do you mean by fan headers you mean extensions or splitters? Forgive me if im wrong I am still learning. Update with seagate http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1uppf

Alright I seem to be leaning towards this configuration: PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1uk1h Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1uk1h/by_merchant/ Benchmarks: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1uk1h/benchmarks/ CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ NCIX) Haswell, more energy efficient and I can upgrade cpu down the line if needed also overclockable even though I will probably not do that now. CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($84.99 @ Memory Express) Quietest cooler on the market. Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD5H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($219.75 @ Vuugo) decent Motherboard also has 5 fan headers so I can install noctua fans. Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($143.30 @ NCIX) 1866 seems to be sweet spot for haswell. Also low profile. I will be running other processes in the background so that's why 16gb. Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.25 @ DirectCanada) Cheap, good ssd Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($149.99 @ Canada Computers) Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($149.99 @ Canada Computers) Some storage for games etc... fast Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($699.99 @ NCIX) This I don't know seems to be quietest video card but I need help with this one. I don't want ati. But I want something really good + so I can add another one much much later. Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Arctic White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Memory Express) Quietest case on the market? Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($204.00 @ Canada Computers) Total: $2191.24 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-20 19:26 EDT-0400)

Thank you for your replies. I will go do more research now

SSD in the parts picker I chose is 256GB more is more expensive :( http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1tlRG

Thank you. That makes sense.

This is where I am so far: PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1tlyG Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1tlyG/by_merchant/ Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1tlyG/benchmarks/ CPU: Intel Core i7-3770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($274.99 @ Newegg) CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($52.99 @ Newegg) Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z77 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($224.99 @ Newegg) Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($121.99 @ Newegg) Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($214.99 @ NCIX US) Storage: Western Digital WD VelociRaptor 1TB 2.5" 10000RPM Internal Hard Drive ($239.98 @ SuperBiiz) Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($675.98 @ SuperBiiz) Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Microcenter) Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($166.98 @ SuperBiiz) Total: $2062.88 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-18 11:18 EDT-0400) I understand that K version allows for overclocking, I probably won't be doing that. I would like to stick with Nvidia if possible. Any particular reason people are suggesting WD Black or Blue vs Raptor? SSD will be used for system. Raptor for storage of games.

Sorry I updated my post I have posted the wrong parts picker link. This is the system I meant to post with fractal R4. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1t6qR

Aha ok... by the way I haven't bought anything yet! I am still planning and planning. If you saw my parts picker I have decided on Fractal R4 it seems like the best option. What single more powerful card would you recommend? I would like to stick to Nvidia. Is there an advantage of an SLI configuration over a single card on a single monitor?

Thanks for the reply but my main workstation in another room is an iMac so is my laptop. This system I am building will be located in the living room with the purpose of entertainment and games. A monitor isn't really an option in the living room in front of a couch :( Ok so no 16GB ram? Any particular reason you changed a raptor hdd to black? Also why this motherboard over one I chose? The reason for my choice of video card is it seems to be quietest on the market (Direct Cool 2 something)

Hey everyone, In the past several days I have been digging through Linus' videos and threads etc.. trying to find solution to my problem. Let me preface this saying that I used to be a pc gamer about 5 years ago and used to build my pcs, now I am out of the game. 1. Budget & Location I am in Montreal, Canada. Budget is up to ~2300$CAD 2. Aim I want a no compromise gaming rig(steam) that would lats me ~5 years, a replacement for PS4 and Xbox One. I will be using an xbox 360 controller. (I've yet to figure out how to do keyboard and mouse gaming comfortable from the couch) This box will also serve as a Plex media server and a client connected to gigabit lan serving videos from a NAS. I want silence (This is very important). 3. Monitors Samsung UN65SE8000 65" TV via HDMI. 4. Peripherals I already have Win 7x64 Ultimate license. 5. Why are you upgrading? Because I am tired on spending money on console games and want to take advantage of Steam sales ;) -------- So far... I got really excited when I saw this build: http://www.overclock.net/t/1275419/build-log-liquid-prodigy-bitfenix-prodigy-m-itx-watercooled-gaming-build-white This case would fit nicely in my living room and fiancee would love the look. Couple of problems with this build is that video card is not liquid cooled and the system will be loud and/or not ventilated properly. Second problem with liquid cooling is maintenance. I have never done LC and not sure how much it requires. I also heard you need quality pumps etc... ---- Then I decided to scrap that idea and go this system: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1wA43 (Updated as per your suggestions so far) I will be replacing all fans with noctua. The reason I went with those video cards is it seems they are quietest. Criticism and Critique are welcome! My questions: 1. Could a quiet and powerful rig have been done in a bitfenix or another HTPC case? Fiancee wants something that looks good in ikea living room. 2. If not Is this case I chose quietest and most configurable? 3. Would video card configuration I chose give me a performance boost? Or should I have gone with a single card? 4. Should I consider liquid cooling? Please let me know what you think