First experience, need input on the material for my first build

Zombzz · June 3, 2014

Hey there, sooooo.. after quite some time I've decided to give it a try and build my own custom rig, I'd say I know a few things about PCs but I still am nervous picking the parts for my rig and am really scared of screwing stuff up, please, ENLIGHTEN me.

I have come up with a rig but I'm not too sure about it and I'd like some inputs about it

Usage?

So, right now I'm using a MacBook Pro Retina 13", I've been extremely pleased with it as I use it mainly for studies and media (Video/ Photo editing).

I also use it (I know it's definitely not appropriate) to play Minecraft, I'm a huge fan of this game since the alpha and can't stop playing it.

I want to build a rig to get faster video editing but mainly to be able to play games (as you guys know , Macs are everything but good for gaming). I don't want to be able to play all the new games fully maxed out at 200fps, don't get me wrong, I'm more interested in being able to play games like CS:GO, Portal, Minecraft perfectly smoothly and record at the same time, eventually, I'd still like to play recent games but it's not my main focus.

About Minecraft, I know it might seem really weird to some to build a rig around such a game, but ey, I love that game. I know it is awfully optimized as it's a single threaded game written in Java, so basically, CPU power and good RAM is the main thing (?)

Here is what I've come up to so far:

~~Intel i5 4670~~ => i5 4690k

EVGA GTX760

~~Gigabyte GA-Z87-034~~ => A Z97 mobo (GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-Gaming?)

Cooler Master 212 EVO

~~Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB DDR3 RAM~~ => A 2x4GB pack

Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD

Seagate Barracuda 1TB

Corsair Carbide Series 400R

Corsair CX Series CX750M 750W (Will be staying with a 750W for further upgrades )

For the most part, I used http://www.logicalincrements.com/ to help me find the parts, but then again, I'm really not sure of myself and I might be doing everything completely wrong. I was going for an AMD rig at first, mostly because of the price, but I've seen that AMD doesn't perform well on minecraft (?) , is this true?

Thank's for your time and I hope someone can help me on this very first rig of mine

EDIT: I'm trying to get this rig set up as I'd most likely be upgrading it in the future to get better performance and get a Dual-screen set-up

EDIT #2: Crap, just realized this might not be the right place

Edited June 3, 2014 by Zombzz

MetEishYa · June 3, 2014

Where are u from (country) and do you have a budget?

Those parts seem to be a good balance.

Rheinwasser · June 3, 2014

looks like everything is fine, i'd get another psu.

and amd and intel isnt much difference for minecraft.

Edited June 3, 2014 by Rheinwasser

Stefken89 · June 3, 2014

Hi!

First of all, welcome to the forum.

You picked some good parts, but these are some things to consider.

First a question: what monitor will you be using?

- If it's a 1080p monitor, a GTX760 should be good.

- Get a K-processor (unlocked so you can overclock = free extra performance). The 212 EVO is a really good cooler so it can handle it. Also, if you are video-editing and using a program that can leverage the power of hyperthreading, I would suggest to go for an i7.

- Also, when video-editing, think about 16GB of RAM.

- Also for RAM: get 2 sticks for dual channel speeds. Either 2x 8GB, or if you really feel you won't need 16GB, get 2x 4GB.

- For your mobo: there are newer Z97 boards. Is there a reason you went with this specific board?

Greetings and good luck!

Stef

Zombzz · June 3, 2014

Where are u from (country) and do you have a budget?

Those parts seem to be a good balance.

I live in Canada, and I'd say around CA$1400 max

PassionFruit · June 3, 2014

If you are not overclocking, you won't need the Z87 motherboard. But if yes, then you need an unlocked processor.

750 watts is a bit overshoot for that kind of system, even a 500 watt power supply would run it.

Besides that, it is going to be a very nice build.

Also, welcome to the community.

Zombzz · June 3, 2014

Hi!

First of all, welcome to the forum.

You picked some good parts, but these are some things to consider.

First a question: what monitor will you be using?

- If it's a 1080p monitor, a GTX760 should be good.

- Get a K-processor (unlocked so you can overclock = free extra performance). The 212 EVO is a really good cooler so it can handle it. Also, if you are video-editing and using a program that can leverage the power of hyperthreading, I would suggest to go for an i7.

- Also, when video-editing, think about 16GB of RAM.

- Also for RAM: get 2 sticks for dual channel speeds. Either 2x 8GB, or if you really feel you won't need 16GB, get 2x 4GB.

- For your mobo: there are newer Z97 boards. Is there a reason you went with this specific board?

Greetings and good luck!

Stef

Thank's for your advice! Yes I will be using a 1080p monitor at 144Hz, an ASUS VG248QE

I was thinking about a 4670K as it fits better in my budget, but I wasn't to sure about whether overclocking or not, eventually, I'd like to, so I'll take your advice

Will do for the RAM, I think I'll go with 2x4GB for now and upgrade to 16GB later

And for the mobo, I followed logicalincrements, the mobo really was the one part I wasn't sure of, any suggestions for that one?

Thank's again

sgrubmayr · June 3, 2014

Hey welcome to the forum

Get an Z97 motherboard newer and better upgradability
As @Stefken89 already said go with 16GB of Ram Dual-Kit or if you really want 8GB but Dual-Kit
I recommend a ''K'' CPU for example the i5-4670K that's because you can overclock it
Also 750Watt is too much better go with 600Watt still enough even for Overclocking

-Stefan

Stefken89 · June 3, 2014

Thank's for your advice! Yes I will be using a 1080p monitor at 144Hz, an ASUS VG248QE

I was thinking about a 4670K as it fits better in my budget, but I wasn't to sure about whether overclocking or not, eventually, I'd like to, so I'll take your advice

Will do for the RAM, I think I'll go with 2x4GB for now and upgrade to 16GB later

And for the mobo, I followed logicalincrements, the mobo really was the one part I wasn't sure of, any suggestions for that one?

Thank's again

- That 760 will probably not get 144Hz in many games. It's not really a problem, but this is just FYI. :-)

- About mobo's: It's really a matter of features and connections, so it's really your choice, but this is a board from Gigabyte for about the same price and the same format (ATX):

- You CAN go lower then 750W as stated above by others, but if you wanted to upgrade in the future to 2 GPU's, you will need the 750W. It's really up to you. :-)

_wky · June 3, 2014

The only things I could recommend is to get a lower wattage PSU, 600W should be plenty for your system but if you're planning on going SLI then leave it in.

Consider getting 16GB to help you in video editing.

Everything else looks good. Minecraft should run well, you might even get some nice shaders running.

Enderman · June 3, 2014

All of these ^^^ are very good suggestions, I will not repeat anything said above

an Nvidia card is a good choice since you will be recording, you will get nearly no fps drops with Shadowpaly

Zombzz · June 3, 2014

If you are not overclocking, you won't need the Z87 motherboard. But if yes, then you need an unlocked processor.

750 watts is a bit overshoot for that kind of system, even a 500 watt power supply would run it.

Besides that, it is going to be a very nice build.

Also, welcome to the community.

Hey welcome to the forum

Get an Z97 motherboard newer and better upgradability

As @Stefken89 already said go with 16GB of Ram Dual-Kit or if you really want 8GB but Dual-Kit

I recommend a ''K'' CPU for example the i5-4670K that's because you can overclock it

Also 750Watt is too much better go with 600Watt still enough even for Overclocking

-Stefan

Thank's for the advice

So I think I'll be going with a 600W Corsair CX series (http://www.ncix.com/detail/corsair-cx-series-cx600m-600w-83-78577-1734.htm) then

Also, definitely getting 2x4GB , the corsair Vengeance seems like a good choice http://www.ncix.com/detail/corsair-vengeance-blue-cmz8gx3m2a1600c9b-8gb-f7-59431.htm

I will be getting a i5-4670K too

Now the question is, are Z97s ok for overclocking? Nothing too fancy but just a bit to get some of that horsepower

Thank's for the greeting too

MetEishYa · June 3, 2014

This build is in your budget it includes:

[PCPartPicker part list](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/QXPbwP) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/QXPbwP/by_merchant/) / [benchmarks](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/QXPbwP/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price

:----|:----|:----

**CPU** | [intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54670k) | $249.99 @ NCIX

**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2) | $28.79 @ DirectCanada

**Motherboard** | [Gigabyte GA-Z97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz97md3h) | $119.99 @ NCIX

**Memory** | [G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f31600c8d8gab) | $118.48 @ Newegg Canada

**Storage** | [samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te120bw) | $94.79 @ DirectCanada

**Storage** | [seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st310005n1a1asrk) | $64.99 @ Amazon Canada

**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB ACX Video Card](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-03gp42782kr) | $564.98 @ Newegg Canada

**Case** | [Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-300r) | $69.99 @ NCIX

**Power Supply** | [be quiet! Pure Power L8 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/be-quiet-power-supply-bn624) | $86.80 @ DirectCanada

| | **Total**

| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1398.80

| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-03 13:36 EDT-0400 |

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

Can swop out the 4670k for a 4690k when it comes out.

sgrubmayr · June 3, 2014

Thank's for the advice

So I think I'll be going with a 600W Corsair CX series (http://www.ncix.com/detail/corsair-cx-series-cx600m-600w-83-78577-1734.htm) then

Also, definitely getting 2x4GB , the corsair Vengeance seems like a good choice http://www.ncix.com/detail/corsair-vengeance-blue-cmz8gx3m2a1600c9b-8gb-f7-59431.htm

I will be getting a i5-4670K too

Now the question is, are Z97s ok for overclocking? Nothing too fancy but just a bit to get some of that horsepower

Thank's for the greeting too

For sure there are some great Z97 MOBO's out there which are great for overclocking

Zombzz · June 3, 2014

- That 760 will probably not get 144Hz in many games. It's not really a problem, but this is just FYI. :-)

- About mobo's: It's really a matter of features and connections, so it's really your choice, but this is a board from Gigabyte for about the same price and the same format (ATX):

- You CAN go lower then 750W as stated above by others, but if you wanted to upgrade in the future to 2 GPU's, you will need the 750W. It's really up to you. :-)

I was really aiming at the high fps on minecraft when choosing that screen, I am aware that I won't get as good performances on more demanding games, I just wanted to get the best out of minecraft (I also think I'll be adding a second GPU when upgrading my rig so I can get better performances in games and have a smooth dual-screen display )

This mobo looks great, but then again I'm a bit lost, are Z97s ok if I want to overclock?

Since I probably will be ugrading to add another GPU, I might as well stick with that 750W

Again, thank's a lot for taking the time to help me out, I appreciate it

Zombzz · June 3, 2014

This build is in your budget it includes:

[PCPartPicker part list](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/QXPbwP) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/QXPbwP/by_merchant/) / [benchmarks](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/QXPbwP/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price

:----|:----|:----

**CPU** | [intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54670k) | $249.99 @ NCIX

**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2) | $28.79 @ DirectCanada

**Motherboard** | [Gigabyte GA-Z97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz97md3h) | $119.99 @ NCIX

**Memory** | [G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f31600c8d8gab) | $118.48 @ Newegg Canada

**Storage** | [samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te120bw) | $94.79 @ DirectCanada

**Storage** | [seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st310005n1a1asrk) | $64.99 @ Amazon Canada

**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB ACX Video Card](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-03gp42782kr) | $564.98 @ Newegg Canada

**Case** | [Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-300r) | $69.99 @ NCIX

**Power Supply** | [be quiet! Pure Power L8 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/be-quiet-power-supply-bn624) | $86.80 @ DirectCanada

| | **Total**

| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1398.80

| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-03 13:36 EDT-0400 |

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

Can swop out the 4670k for a 4690k when it comes out.

Thank's a lot! Although something like the 780 don't seem very appropriate for the use I'll be having, I would feel bad waisting a 780 on minecraft That pc is great though, I'll be using it as a starting point for my rig for sure

For sure there are some great Z97 MOBO's out there which are great for overclocking

Thank's a lot, I'm looking into it right now

MetEishYa · June 3, 2014

Thank's a lot! Although something like the 780 don't seem very appropriate for the use I'll be having, I would feel bad waisting a 780 on minecraft That pc is great though, I'll be using it as a starting point for my rig for sure

Thank's a lot, I'm looking into it right now

Glad i can help.

Stefken89 · June 3, 2014

I was really aiming at the high fps on minecraft when choosing that screen, I am aware that I won't get as good performances on more demanding games, I just wanted to get the best out of minecraft (I also think I'll be adding a second GPU when upgrading my rig so I can get better performances in games and have a smooth dual-screen display )

This mobo looks great, but then again I'm a bit lost, are Z97s ok if I want to overclock?

Since I probably will be ugrading to add another GPU, I might as well stick with that 750W

Again, thank's a lot for taking the time to help me out, I appreciate it

No problem, that's what we are here for :-)

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First experience, need input on the material for my first build

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