Comments on my first build?

[nuubmaster]

Budget:

$1300 USD is the tentative budget. I live in the United States so all totals will be 100% more legible to me if they’re also in $USD, just so we’re all on the same page.

 

Aim:

I’m hoping to build an m-ITX rig (overclocked) that can achieve 60+ fps in any modern gaming title at high or better settings at 1080p. I also have quite the vast collection of digital media so it will be pulling double duty as a media center. I have no prior experience with doing so, but I’m interested in recording my gameplay with GeForce experience  to view later or to post online as just another shitty gaming channel. As a full time student (chemistry major) I’ll be writing more than a couple papers on it until I find a more suitable place to do so like an ultrabook or something. AC wireless on MoBo is a strong preference.

 

Monitors:

I only really plan on running a single AOC2367fh (23”, 1080p) but I could probably salvage my current monitor (24” 720p) in some way.

 

Peripherals:

I’ll supply my own peripherals and my own copy of windows so you needn't worry about that.

 

Why I’m Upgrading:

This computer will be replacing my beyond ancient Dell Inspiron 530S because it has outlived its usefulness.


I'm not exactly asking you to compile a theoretical build for me, I’m more along looking for advice on not wasting money on features I really don’t need. I can answer most any question you have whether they are on my part selection or clarification on use case or otherwise.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

 

CPU:  Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($234.99 @ Amazon) 

CPU Cooler:  Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard:  Asus Maximus VI Impact Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($209.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory:  Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($86.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage:  Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($75.71 @ Amazon) 

Storage:  Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($104.99 @ NCIX US) 

Video Card:  EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Dual Superclocked ACX Video Card  ($259.99 @ Amazon) 

Case:  EVGA Hadron Mini ITX Tower Case w/500W Power Supply  ($149.99 @ Amazon) 

Case Fan:  Noctua NF-S12A PWM 120mm  Fan  ($19.99 @ Amazon) 

Case Fan:  Noctua NF-S12A PWM 120mm  Fan  ($19.99 @ Amazon) 

Total: $1179.62

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-29 23:16 EDT-0400)

 

 

How did I do for my first actual post?

[Wtalk2]

I actually just put a $1300 Mini-ITX build together on PCPartPicker for fun

 

Here it is:

 

CPU:  Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($229.98 @ OutletPC) 

CPU Cooler:  Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($89.98 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard:  MSI Z87I GAMING AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($164.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory:  Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($79.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage:  Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($149.99 @ NCIX US) 

Storage:  Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($54.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card:  MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card  ($319.99 @ Newegg) 

Case:  Corsair 250D Mini ITX Tower Case  ($89.99 @ Amazon) 

Power Supply:  Corsair RM 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($119.33 @ OutletPC) 

Total: $1299.22

 

This build has overall great performance and will run any game at max settings at 1080P. Plus the 250D is a beautiful Mini-ITX case with many great features.

[TheNinjaNextDor]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

 

CPU:  Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($229.98 @ OutletPC) 

CPU Cooler:  Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard:  Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($128.90 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory:  Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($84.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage:  Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($80.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage:  Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($54.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card:  EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Superclocked ACX Video Card  ($499.99 @ NCIX US) 

Case:  EVGA Hadron Mini ITX Tower Case w/500W Power Supply  ($149.99 @ Amazon) 

Case Fan:  Noctua NF-S12A PWM 120mm  Fan  ($19.99 @ Amazon) 

Case Fan:  Noctua NF-S12A PWM 120mm  Fan  ($19.99 @ Amazon) 

Total: $1309.79

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-29 23:42 EDT-0400)

[nuubmaster]

Do you guys really think I should go from a 3TB HDD to a 1TB to save money for use on other components?

 

And Does using dual channel promote any (noticable) performance benefits?

[TheNinjaNextDor]

Do you guys really think I should go from a 3TB HDD to a 1TB to save money for use on other components?

 

And Does using dual channel promote any (noticable) performance benefits?

Yes. Are you REALLY going to store 3TB of stuff?

 

Not really, but it fits in there so why not?

[Hidden Orange]

Do you guys really think I should go from a 3TB HDD to a 1TB to save money for use on other components?

 

And Does using dual channel promote any (noticable) performance benefits?

Kind of depends on how much you store stuff. If don't you cram tons of videos, photos, games, music, etc., in your drives, then 3TB might not be worth it since the money could go somewhere else like a better GPU, CPU, more RAM, etc.

 

As for RAM channels, dual is generally better, but single is okay in most situations, like I think gaming, but video editing might be slower with single channel. I'm no expert on this, so it's best to wait for someone else.

[WoodenMarker]

Better: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3B7SL

[nuubmaster]

Yes. Are you REALLY going to store 3TB of stuff?

 

Not really, but it fits in there so why not?

I'm currently using 800Gb of my 1Tb drive in my computer. I'll probably need more to be honest.

I was hoping, knowing that unpaired ram kits can be finicky, that I could stick another 8Gb stick in there if I ever needed it instead of buying a fresh kit of 2x8Gb. I could just be optimistic though.

 

Kind of depends on how much you store stuff. If don't you cram tons of videos, photos, games, music, etc., in your drives, then 3TB might not be worth it since the money could go somewhere else like a better GPU, CPU, more RAM, etc.

 

As for RAM channels, dual is generally better, but single is okay in most situations, like I think gaming, but video editing might be slower with single channel. I'm no expert on this, so it's best to wait for someone else.

see above.

[TheNinjaNextDor]

I'm currently using 800Gb of my 1Tb drive in my computer. I'll probably need more to be honest.

I was hoping, knowing that unpaired ram kits can be finicky, that I could stick another 8Gb stick in there if I ever needed it instead of buying a fresh kit of 2x8Gb. I could just be optimistic though.

 

see above.

Yeah, if so, I would go with a 2TB HDD, 3TB is a lot.

 

You could go dual channel and get another dual channel kit, but single channel would be more expandable. But, are you going to need 32GB of RAM at some point?

[nuubmaster]

Better: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3B7SL

I'll admit this is much cheaper and probably performs really well. That being said, I'd like to use the GeForce experience to capture game footage, and I don't really have an extra PCI-e slot for an AC wireless card. Ethernet is not possible for me. These are things that I should add the OP. Sorry about that.

[nuubmaster]

You could go dual channel and get another dual channel kit, but single channel would be more expandable. But, are you going to need 32GB of RAM at some point?

Oh, no. I meant instead of the planned 8Gb, I'd try to bump it up with another single 8Gb stick later on for a total of 16Gb. 32 is overkill, and 16 probably will be too, for simple video editing that may or may not even happen. That's why I'd like to take baby steps as far as ram is concerned.

[TheNinjaNextDor]

Oh, no. I meant instead of the planned 8Gb, I'd try to bump it up with another single 8Gb stick later on for a total of 16Gb. 32 is overkill, and 16 probably will be too, for simple video editing that may or may not even happen. That's why I'd like to take baby steps as far as ram is concerned.

Oh, I see. I would still do dual channel though, especially since you can add another 8GB kit and have 16 still.

[WoodenMarker]

I'll admit this is much cheaper and probably performs really well. That being said, I'd like to use the GeForce experience to capture game footage, and I don't really have an extra PCI-e slot for an AC wireless card. Ethernet is not possible for me. These are things that I should add the OP. Sorry about that.

How's this then? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3B8gN

[nuubmaster]

Oh, I see. I would still do dual channel though, especially since you can add another 8GB kit and have 16 still.

Well, on m-ITX, dual channel is the most you can allocate. only 2 DIMMs available if I'm not mistaken.

[TheNinjaNextDor]

Well, on m-ITX, dual channel is the most you can allocate. only 2 DIMMs available if I'm not mistaken.

Oh god, I'm an idiot LOL

 

Yeah, if you are looking to upgrade go with a single channel 8GB stick.

[nuubmaster]

How's this then? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3B8gN

This is a solid build. I'll keep it in mind.

[nuubmaster]

Oh god, I'm an idiot LOL

 

Yeah, if you are looking to upgrade go with a single channel 8GB stick.

No worries. You're just trying to be helpful aha

[nuubmaster]

If I were to go for an unlocked CPU, such as the 4670K that I listed, would overclocking (from 3.4 to ~4.0) provide a visible difference in performance in games or basic editing and rendering tasks?