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Planning a build for gaming & Coding general browsing

Hello everyone, I'm putting together a parts list for my first build, and I'll looking for insight on the parts list I have created so far.

 

I have brought it down between just the processors, so here are the two builds:

 

Option 1:

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/6c7yrH
 
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($424.98 @ Amazon Canada) 
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($160.87 @ Amazon Canada) 
Motherboard: MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($169.98 @ Amazon Canada) 
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($138.99 @ Amazon Canada) 
Storage: Intel 730 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($112.00 @ Amazon Canada) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card  ($271.27 @ Amazon Canada) 
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case  ($334.42 @ Amazon Canada) 
Power Supply: Corsair 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($189.98 @ Amazon Canada) 
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer 
Monitor: LG 22MP55HQ-P 60Hz 22.0" Monitor 
Total: $1802.49
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-29 22:18 EDT-0300

 

Option 2:

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/3ZKk3C

 
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($309.95 @ Amazon Canada) 
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($160.87 @ Amazon Canada) 
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste  ($16.39 @ Amazon Canada) 
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste  ($16.39 @ Amazon Canada) 
Motherboard: MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($169.98 @ Amazon Canada) 
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($138.99 @ Amazon Canada) 
Storage: Intel 730 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($112.00 @ Amazon Canada) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card  ($271.27 @ Amazon Canada) 
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case  ($334.42 @ Amazon Canada) 
Power Supply: Corsair 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($189.98 @ Amazon Canada) 
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer 
Monitor: LG 22MP55HQ-P 60Hz 22.0" Monitor 
Total: $1720.24
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-29 22:12 EDT-0300
 
I just wanted to know which one I should go for if I am going to be:
  • Browsing, A lot of YouTube videos, forums, and sites like reddit.
  • Gaming, A wide range of games, including CS:GO and GTA V and similar, probably when I get the computer I will also be playing DayZ, Rust, and other similar games, like Arma, etc.
  • Coding, nothing more to say, really.
  • Possibly some photoshop/photo management

I know some people might ask me if I am interested in Overclocking, and I know with both processors I am able to OC, but I am not sure if I will be getting into Overclocking since this will be my first build, so I will say no for now, but I know that this MOBO here: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97ais apparently a really nice and easy motherboard to use when overclocking, so if I were to be interested in overclocking in the future should I go with this motherboard instead of the one I have listed with the two other parts lists?

 

The board I have in the build as it stands, I chose because I liked the color mix with the black, but I'm not 100% how it will mix with my RAM, but I just prefer the white MOBO because even though the RAM is red and black, it seems there is not much red at all on the RAM, so it will possibly all contrast well, the white and black, and the little bit of red on the RAM and on the power supply text.

 

I also chose the motherboard because it fit my needs, and it fits the case's needs, with the USB (3.0) headers on the case. While both cases do meet the requirements for everything I need, I just want people's thoughts on the whole group.

 

EDIT: Also one last question, I will be adding two extra case fans to help with air flow - Should I get a fan controller to go with the build?

 

As well: I know one of the builds doesn't have the Thermal Paste listed, it was just something I thought of as extra while changing the processor, so in both builds I WILL be buying the Thermal Paste.

 

I hope I gave all the information that is required for people to help me. Thanks.

Downloading programs from CNet is not a good idea, as they will commonly include unwanted, and sometimes dangerous bloatware... The more you know.

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1. Don't waste money on aftermarket thermal paste

2. Please don't pair an i7 with a GTX 960. If you can get an i5/GTX 970 that would be fantastic

Nude Fist 1: i5-4590-ASRock h97 Anniversary-16gb Samsung 1333mhz-MSI GTX 970-Corsair 300r-Seagate HDD(s)-EVGA SuperNOVA 750b2

Name comes from anagramed sticker for "TUF Inside" (A sticker that came with my original ASUS motherboard)

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You may really like that case, but if you get a cheaper case, you can buy a 970.

Stuff:  i7 7700k @ (dat nibba succ) | ASRock Z170M OC Formula | G.Skill TridentZ 3600 c16 | EKWB 1080 @ 2100 mhz  |  Acer X34 Predator | R4 | EVGA 1000 P2 | 1080mm Radiator Custom Loop | HD800 + Audio-GD NFB-11 | 850 Evo 1TB | 840 Pro 256GB | 3TB WD Blue | 2TB Barracuda

Hwbot: http://hwbot.org/user/lays/ 

FireStrike 980 ti @ 1800 Mhz http://hwbot.org/submission/3183338 http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/11574089

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1. Don't waste money on aftermarket thermal paste

2. Please don't pair an i7 with a GTX 960. If you can get an i5/GTX 970 that would be fantastic

1. Okay.

2. So I shouldn't go for an i7, and instead with the i5 build and get the 970?

 

You may really like that case, but if you get a cheaper case, you can buy a 970.

Yes, I like the case, but if I go with an i5, like suggested above, I could get the 970 in there, I am flexible, in the $1500-$1700 range, so it will be fine. There are cases I can switch to if I go over my budget.

Downloading programs from CNet is not a good idea, as they will commonly include unwanted, and sometimes dangerous bloatware... The more you know.

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1. Okay.

2. So I shouldn't go for an i7, and instead with the i5 build and get the 970?

 

Yes, I like the case, but if I go with an i5, like suggested above, I could get the 970 in there, I am flexible, in the $1500-$1700 range, so it will be fine. There are cases I can switch to if I go over my budget.

 

 

If you go down in case choice and get an i5, you mayyyy be able to squeeze in a 980 actually.

Stuff:  i7 7700k @ (dat nibba succ) | ASRock Z170M OC Formula | G.Skill TridentZ 3600 c16 | EKWB 1080 @ 2100 mhz  |  Acer X34 Predator | R4 | EVGA 1000 P2 | 1080mm Radiator Custom Loop | HD800 + Audio-GD NFB-11 | 850 Evo 1TB | 840 Pro 256GB | 3TB WD Blue | 2TB Barracuda

Hwbot: http://hwbot.org/user/lays/ 

FireStrike 980 ti @ 1800 Mhz http://hwbot.org/submission/3183338 http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/11574089

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You could get this:

 

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/Qsrtyc

 

i5 + 980, still a wonderful performing PC.

Stuff:  i7 7700k @ (dat nibba succ) | ASRock Z170M OC Formula | G.Skill TridentZ 3600 c16 | EKWB 1080 @ 2100 mhz  |  Acer X34 Predator | R4 | EVGA 1000 P2 | 1080mm Radiator Custom Loop | HD800 + Audio-GD NFB-11 | 850 Evo 1TB | 840 Pro 256GB | 3TB WD Blue | 2TB Barracuda

Hwbot: http://hwbot.org/user/lays/ 

FireStrike 980 ti @ 1800 Mhz http://hwbot.org/submission/3183338 http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/11574089

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If you go down in case choice and get an i5, you mayyyy be able to squeeze in a 980 actually.

I don't need to go crazy high on the graphics card, this is going to be something for gaming, and sometimes school work, I'm not going to need to kick the shizzlenits out of a game by having a better graphics card, I think a 970 would be fine for the games I'd be interested in playing/have to play :P 

 

Thanks though.

Downloading programs from CNet is not a good idea, as they will commonly include unwanted, and sometimes dangerous bloatware... The more you know.

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1. Okay.

2. So I shouldn't go for an i7, and instead with the i5 build and get the 970?

The i7 doesn't do much for most people. All it is is an i5 with hyperthreading. If you aren't doing really thread intensive work like video rendering, an i7 is wasteful. The 970/i5 would be a powerful gaming computer overqualified for most all general usage and schoolwork

Edit: don't use fan controllers. They're obsolete due to motherboard fan control being a thing now. Just plug all your fans into the motherboard. For this build 2 case fans should be plenty. Usually cases come with 2 fans already. Having too many fans is bad. And an i5 or i7 and gtx 970 will not make much heat at all

Nude Fist 1: i5-4590-ASRock h97 Anniversary-16gb Samsung 1333mhz-MSI GTX 970-Corsair 300r-Seagate HDD(s)-EVGA SuperNOVA 750b2

Name comes from anagramed sticker for "TUF Inside" (A sticker that came with my original ASUS motherboard)

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Reallocate some resources or simply save a bit. A locked i7 on an H97 motherboard will provide good performance. Especially if you will be running VM.

 

You might consider a larger ssd or a better gpu. A better gpu will provide for a nicer gaming and video editing experience.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($365.00 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: Asus H97-PRO GAMER ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($153.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($72.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5"; Solid State Drive  ($127.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5"; 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($84.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card  ($412.40 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case  ($139.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($90.30 @ DirectCanada)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($21.50 @ Vuugo)
Monitor: LG 22MP55HQ-P 60Hz 22.0"; Monitor  ($138.88 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1608.01
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-30 01:00 EDT-0400

80+ ratings certify electrical efficiency. Not quality.

 

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