First Ever Build

[IdortMasterRace]

So next month I'm looking to build my first ever computer. After doing a load of research, I've come to approximately this:

 

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/MDhfFT

 

Alongside the GTX 780, I have roughly £500 (UK) to buy the rest of the parts so can't really spend any more than in that above build. But how is it? Any suggestions or improvements? Anywhere I could improve value/performance? Also I will not be overclocking (not with this first build), and will be using this PC mainly for gaming (current releases, the most intensive stuff hopefully) and image editing (Photoshop, etc) on a single 1080p monitor (maybe dual 1080ps in the future, but that'd be for general browsing, I'd still only use one in gaming likely).

 

Thanks guys.

[Phllips]

you dont really need a better cooler if your not overclocking unless its for looks

[SAV1OUR]

hows this? use the quote button if you want my help

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor  (£100.79 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  (£24.25 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  (£79.19 @ Scan.co.uk)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  (£60.89 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (£50.00 @ Ebuyer)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (£35.94 @ Aria PC)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  (£79.99 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: SeaSonic EVO Edition 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  (£63.74 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £494.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

[Gachr]

Looks good, I wouldn't take a Gigabyte card though, they're a bit loud.

[IdortMasterRace]

you dont really need a better cooler if your not overclocking unless its for looks

 

Well if that money can be put to better use, I'll do it. I was told it was run a lot cooler and quieter with the fan though, so I thought I may as well spend the £20+ for the benefit.

 

Looks good, I wouldn't take a Gigabyte card though, they're a bit loud.

 

I also considered ASUS but they are quite a bit more money. Is it going to be a huge deal?

[Gachr]

I also considered ASUS but they are quite a bit more money. Is it going to be a huge deal?

I only use  ASUS stuff and it's worth it

[IdortMasterRace]

I only use  ASUS stuff and it's worth it

 

I originally had http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EDDRV5C in my build but I think it was the smaller number of USB 3.0 ports that turned me away, though looking back that was probably a neglible reason to turn down an entire board. If I remember right, Linus himself swears by ASUS boards lol, so maybe it's worth considering.

[Gachr]

2 USB3 ports at the back is enough. Remember that you'll still have ports at the front.

[IdortMasterRace]

Alright thanks, will go with the ASUS board then.

 

Anyone got anymore suggestions or changes before I commit myself to this?

[Gachr]

Alright thanks, will go with the ASUS board then.

 

Anyone got anymore suggestions or changes before I commit myself to this?

Board? What about the card?

[IdortMasterRace]

Board? What about the card?

 

Oh lmao, for some reason I thought you were on about the motherboard all this time. The Gigabyte Winforce version of the 780 is apparently the quitest and coolest 780 according to

and also has the best performance for the price I'm paying.

[Gachr]

Oh lmao, for some reason I thought you were on about the motherboard all this time. The Gigabyte Winforce version of the 780 is apparently the quitest and coolest 780 according to https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=MtIl-W4hqrA#t=397 and also has the best performance for the price I'm paying.

I don't know about this one, but in my experience Gigabyte cards were the loudest. It didn't say anything about Gigabyte's noise in the review o.0 Also, I heard that some features of Gigabyte cards are locked unless you've got a Gigabyte motherboard.

[IdortMasterRace]

I don't know about this one, but in my experience Gigabyte cards were the loudest. It didn't say anything about Gigabyte's noise in the review o.0 Also, I heard that some features of Gigabyte cards are locked unless you've got a Gigabyte motherboard.

 

After more research, I'm now considering http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DWV3NM6/ instead. Apparently the previous card is only marginally cooler, but almost twice as loud I have been reading. And it means both my card and motherboard would be ASUS, not sure if there are any benefits there but meh.

[Gachr]

After more research, I'm now considering http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DWV3NM6/ instead. Apparently the previous card is only marginally cooler, but almost twice as loud I have been reading. And it means both my card and motherboard would be ASUS, not sure if there are any benefits there but meh.

Good choice

[IdortMasterRace]

Alright, thought I'd update this thread. About to start ordering in the parts tomorrow, so one last bump for any final suggesions that people have.

 

Currently: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/vWJxRB

[Gachr]

Looks great.

IMO taking an ATX system is a waste of space with such hardware, I'd rather to mATX.

[IdortMasterRace]

Alright, looks like I will be going ahead with this and ordering!

 

I do have one final quick question though... how do I know it's going to all fit on the MOBO and inside the case? That's the only thing worrying me if things don't fit and I have to send stuff back. Or does it look like it will be fine? I see that GPU especially is pretty huge.

[Gachr]

Alright, looks like I will be going ahead with this and ordering!

 

I do have one final quick question though... how do I know it's going to all fit on the MOBO and inside the case? That's the only thing worrying me if things don't fit and I have to send stuff back. Or does it look like it will be fine? I see that GPU especially is pretty huge.

PCPP would let you know if there is something wrong, well, if something won't fit it will be between the specific parts, it is very rare.

[IdortMasterRace]

Okay, I've actually just found out I'll be able to stretch my budget a bit more, by about £50, which could actually make a pretty big difference and allow me to overclock. I've already bought the GPU but that'd be the same anyway.

 

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/CCgBGX

• Unlocked CPU. It ended up being about £25 more. The 4690K is apparently one of the best i5s for gaming too.
• Different motherboard. It's apparently much better for overclocking, and is also a couple £ cheaper than the previous one. I read that using a MSI motherboard with ASUS graphics card shouldn't make a difference for me at least.
• I'll have about £20 extra, which I'd like to put towards a masterplug with surge protection, and also a decent ratchet screwdriver. Both I need pretty desperatly.

Everything else is the same. So how are these CPU and MOBO changes? I'm sure they are fine, just want to make sure. Pretty happy I'll be able to overclock now anyway.

[Gachr]

Honestly, this mobo is too cheap... there needs ot be a reason for it. I would just go non-OC and buy for example a mechanical keyboard.

It doesn't matter if you put an ASUS card to a non-ASUS board.

[IdortMasterRace]

Does it necessarily matter that the motherboard is cheap? I've read that it's still pretty good. I guess there's two options:

 

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/pstQcf (overclock, slightly more expensive CPU, cheaper motherboard)

 

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/ky8jBm (don't overclock, go with a Devil's Canyon, slightly cheaper CPU, more expensive motherboard)

 

Also, went with slightly cheaper RAM and SSD to save a few pennies, but apparently they are both still very good choices.