Another Console Convert

TymmVonD · June 7, 2014

Of course, with my PC elitism, I let everyone know how much better it really is. And this year, I've built half a dozen PCs. I don't know what the final push was, but my brother-in-law calls and says,"Build me a gaming PC ASAP".

I almost ordered the 8350 and built 990FX, but I wouldn't build an outdated platform, even for a console noob. So, here's what I came up with. Arriving Tuesday. Pics later that night.

Prices are not accurate. II ordered everything from Amazon with LTT affiliate link, as usual. Total $1271 after tax.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HV6snQ

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HV6snQ/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HV6snQ/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.97 @ OutletPC)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H55 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: MSI Z87-G55 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($134.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Vapor-X Video Card ($352.98 @ Newegg)

Case: Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ Micro Center)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Case Fan: Corsair CO-9050016-BLED 52.2 CFM 120mm Fan ($18.96 @ Mwave)

Total: $1149.72

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

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-07 11:41 EDT-0400)

I've never seen a Spec-02 build on here. I'm interested to know how the quality stands up with this budget case.

helping · June 7, 2014

I would go for an air cooler, or at least an H80 minimum if going AIO.

I wouldn't bother with LED fans, instead if he likes the looks and doesn't care that much about noise, then the twin pack SP/AF fans are probably better.

ForsakenLive · June 7, 2014

The H55 is not a good cooler, get him air or a better AiO. Is he going to Crossfire? If not that PSU is massive overkill

Nickolas47 · June 7, 2014

i disagree on the cpu cooller everything else is good

TymmVonD · June 7, 2014

I would go for an air cooler, or at least an H80 minimum if going AIO.

I wouldn't bother with LED fans, instead if he likes the looks and doesn't care that much about noise, then the twin pack SP/AF fans are probably better.

You're probably right, but telling his friends he's watercooled may help convert lol, and LED fans add flash. My first build was like this. It wasn't much, but I felt Elite AF! The goal is to get market share up, so we get treated the same as console gamers. Convert your console friends.

The H55 is not a good cooler, get him air or a better AiO. Is he going to Crossfire? If not that PSU is massive overkill

Partpicker says 453 estimated wattage. PSU efficiency is rated 80+ at 50%. So at load it'll run about 65% or so. I used a CX600 when I had the 8350/7970, and with OC on both CPU and GPU, I would have random shutdowns.