Opinions Please =]

[hrdesantis]

Hey everyone, i'm new to the forum and thought that I would do something exciting for my first post. I'm planning on building a new PC and this will be the first other than minor upgrades to my old HP desktop that I got back in 2003. Pleases tell me what you think of my parts selection, and if you have any suggestions for me. Everything is appreciated, =D

 

Ill also post the PC Part Picker URL for my list online for those who want to take a look. I put some fans and sleeved cables on there but I haven't completely decided on the color, but as you'll probably be able to tell, i'm pushing towards green.

 

Parts:

 

CPU: AMD FX-9390 (4.4Ghz 8-Core)

Mobo: ASRock 990FX Extreme9

CPU Cooler: Swiftech H 220X

RAM: 16GB Kingston Fury Black Series (2x8GB 1866Mhz)

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 SSD (256GB), Seagate 4TB Hybrid (5900RPM 7.8GB SSD)

Case: Corsair 450D 

PSU: Corsair AX 760

Graphics: EVGA GTX 980 (Reference)

Wireless Card: Intel 7260HMWDTX1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (PCI-E -1)

 

PC Parts Picker URL: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/hrdesantis/saved/y6mNnQ

 

I also plan on adding in another 240mm rad and the matching Swiftech waterblock when its released to expand on the loop and cool the graphics card.

Also on a side note, I was thinking of maybe grabbing another GTX 980 and doing SLI, just depends on how well I manage my money while at the Police Academy.

 

Any thoughts guys? Think I should choose something different? 

[TheSLSAMG]

I would recommend against this system for a variety of reasons, the largest of which being the CPU and motherboard. What is the max spending limit?

[simtransporter]

I normally wouldn't recommend that configuration either....

In order for us to help you out a little better, please tell us what the purpose of this system is, and what the budget is?

[Captain_Slow]

This is less expensive and better.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jMkZWZ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jMkZWZ/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($338.96 @ NCIX US)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G55 SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($114.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Corsair Force LX Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($114.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($234.03 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB Video Card  ($559.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case  ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: Intel 7260HMWDTX1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 56.2 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($14.07 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 56.2 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($14.07 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 56.2 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($14.07 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 56.2 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($14.07 @ Amazon)
Other: Green Sleeved ATX 24-Pin Power Cable ($19.99)
Other: Green Sleeved ATX Power Cable Set ($79.99)
Other: Bitfenix Alchemy Green LED Strips ($21.12)
Total: $2022.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-23 12:40 EDT-0400

[FuzzyYellow]

I would go with this cpu/mobo combo instead. otherwise its great

 

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LXQ923) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LXQ923/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price

**CPU** | [intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74790k) | $338.96 @ NCIX US

 

**Motherboard** | [Asus Z97-AR ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97ar) | $154.95 @ Amazon
 

**Total**

 Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $493.91
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-23 12:41 EDT-0400 |

[TheSLSAMG]

This is less expensive and better.

 

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

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

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($338.96 @ NCIX US)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($99.99 @ Newegg)

Motherboard: MSI Z97-G55 SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($114.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($76.50 @ Newegg)

Storage: Corsair Force LX Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($114.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($234.03 @ Amazon)

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB Video Card  ($559.99 @ Amazon)

Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case  ($119.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Corsair 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($139.99 @ Amazon)

Wireless Network Adapter: Intel 7260HMWDTX1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 56.2 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($14.07 @ Amazon)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 56.2 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($14.07 @ Amazon)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 56.2 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($14.07 @ Amazon)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 56.2 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($14.07 @ Amazon)

Other: Green Sleeved ATX 24-Pin Power Cable ($19.99)

Other: Green Sleeved ATX Power Cable Set ($79.99)

Other: Bitfenix Alchemy Green LED Strips ($21.12)

Total: $2022.80

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-23 12:40 EDT-0400

I personally would drop the WD Black for a Seagate Barracuda as to save a little money, but this is great.

[Captain_Slow]

I personally would drop the WD Black for a Seagate Barracuda as to save a little money, but this is great.

 

I used to think that then all my baracudas started failing.

now I have WD REs

[TheSLSAMG]

I used to think that then all my baracudas started failing.

now I have WD REs

My Barracudas have been running solid for years, except for the one I dropped. Ah well, I guess one experience doesn't define them all.

[hrdesantis]

This is less expensive and better.

 

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

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

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($338.96 @ NCIX US)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($99.99 @ Newegg)

Motherboard: MSI Z97-G55 SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($114.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($76.50 @ Newegg)

Storage: Corsair Force LX Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($114.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($234.03 @ Amazon)

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB Video Card  ($559.99 @ Amazon)

Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case  ($119.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Corsair 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($139.99 @ Amazon)

Wireless Network Adapter: Intel 7260HMWDTX1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 56.2 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($14.07 @ Amazon)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 56.2 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($14.07 @ Amazon)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 56.2 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($14.07 @ Amazon)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 56.2 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($14.07 @ Amazon)

Other: Green Sleeved ATX 24-Pin Power Cable ($19.99)

Other: Green Sleeved ATX Power Cable Set ($79.99)

Other: Bitfenix Alchemy Green LED Strips ($21.12)

Total: $2022.80

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-23 12:40 EDT-0400

 

I would recommend against this system for a variety of reasons, the largest of which being the CPU and motherboard. What is the max spending limit?

Thanks for such a quick response! I'd like to keep it somewhere below $2500, not including any last minute over the top decisions like get another 980 or something like that. I was going to reward myself on the new career and life with something nice to put in a new condo after I graduate as an officer. To be honest most of these parts will be bought online while i'm there so that I can relax at home and build it after graduation with my little brother. It will be used for gaming in surround and sort of a media pc on my days off.

 

That being said I definitely want this build to be a little over the top and something to show off. With that in mind I realize I really don't have any reason in particular for choosing the AMD FX processor so ill go Intel. 

 

With regard to the mobo, I really don't want to make the rig blue. Any thoughts on the Gigabyte G1 Sniper 5? (http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4487#ov) I just quickly glanced over it again and it seems that the only big thing its missing feature wise is the M.2 port. Whereas it has both Dual Killer LAN and the Creative Sound Core for on board audio. Or is the Z97 chipset really that big of a deal buster...? Seems the G1 was the only green mobo I could find.

 

And I had chosen the Swiftech H220-X because it was an all in one and had a green light option, something I really didn't find anywhere else.  Do you think it would be better to get an H110, an all in one for simplicity purposes, or just take the time and money hit and build a loop from scratch? I've helped a friend build a loop and feel pretty confident that I could pull it off myself.

 

Thanks again for the advise and I'll definitely look into the parts I didn't mention like the storage, speaking of which I might just buy a small SSD and cache a Barracuda or WD or something. Some research and food for thought I guess, and the memory.

[hrdesantis]

And to TheSLSAMG and FuzzyYellow, thanks for the response. Ill look into what you guys said too.

[TheSLSAMG]

 

Thanks for such a quick response! I'd like to keep it somewhere below $2500, not including any last minute over the top decisions like get another 980 or something like that. I was going to reward myself on the new career and life with something nice to put in a new condo after I graduate as an officer. To be honest most of these parts will be bought online while i'm there so that I can relax at home and build it after graduation with my little brother. It will be used for gaming in surround and sort of a media pc on my days off.

 

That being said I definitely want this build to be a little over the top and something to show off. With that in mind I realize I really don't have any reason in particular for choosing the AMD FX processor so ill go Intel. 

 

With regard to the mobo, I really don't want to make the rig blue. Any thoughts on the Gigabyte G1 Sniper 5? (http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4487#ov) I just quickly glanced over it again and it seems that the only big thing its missing feature wise is the M.2 port. Whereas it has both Dual Killer LAN and the Creative Sound Core for on board audio. Or is the Z97 chipset really that big of a deal buster...? Seems the G1 was the only green mobo I could find.

 

And I had chosen the Swiftech H220-X because it was an all in one and had a green light option, something I really didn't find anywhere else.  Do you think it would be better to get an H110, an all in one for simplicity purposes, or just take the time and money hit and build a loop from scratch? I've helped a friend build a loop and feel pretty confident that I could pull it off myself.

 

Thanks again for the advise and I'll definitely look into the parts I didn't mention like the storage, speaking of which I might just buy a small SSD and cache a Barracuda or WD or something. Some research and food for thought I guess, and the memory.

 

The Z97 chipset has a potential to be a deal-breaker. The motherboard will need a BIOS update to work with a Devil's Canyon chip (I recommend the i7 4790K) and some Z87 motherboards have issues with power management with DC chips.

 

Going upon this, I would recommend this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($338.96 @ NCIX US) 

CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($122.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD5H-BK ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($184.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($159.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Crucial M550 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($147.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($82.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($549.99 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($549.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: NZXT H440 (Green/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($109.99 @ Micro Center) 

Power Supply: SeaSonic Platinum 860W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($183.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Total: $2431.85

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-23 20:05 EDT-0400

 

Add green LEDs, wireless adapter and fans as you will. You could also go the orange route and get the Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SOC Force and the Orange/Black H440 from Newegg. If you need to bump down the price a little bit, you could drop one GTX 980 for now or go for an 80+ Gold or 80+ Bronze PSU instead. If you are willing to, there is a Micro Center in Tustin. If you drive the hour there, you can get the CPU and motherboard for about $70 less. But, IIRC, you said that you wanted to order online.