$1750(+/-) budget build with a few questions!

[berna]

I'm planning to replace my rig for a long time now, but with the new nvidia cards I couldn't wait any longer so here we go:

 

Budget: around $1750

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790S 3.2GHz - $309,90

Cooler: Corsair H110 - $119,99

Mobo: Asus Z97-PRO - $199,90

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3-1600 - $102,99

Graphics: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX - $349,99 (future SLI)

SSD: Samsung SSD 850 Pro 256GB - $199,90

HDD: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB - (already have it)

OD: Asus BD-ROM & DVD/CD-RW - $57,99

Power Supply: Corsair AX760i 80+ Platinum - $139,99

Case: Corsair 550D ATX - $129,99

Monitor: Samsung 24" 16:10 - (already have it) waiting for better & cheaper IPS 28" 4k monitors

 

Total: $1610,64

_________________________

 

- This computer will be used for gaming, graphic design & motion graphics (after effects, cinema 4D, photoshop & illustrator)

- I'm open to suggestions. (3 weeks before I start buying all the components)

- I picked the i7-4790S due to be the most recent cpu, is it a good pick? I will not overclock.

- Is the Corsair H110 the best pick for silent and cooling (I live in a warm country)? And will it fit on the Corsair 550D case?

- I'm clueless about the motherboard, so many options... help?!

- The power supply, Corsair AX760i, is enough for this build?

 

Many thanks in advance.

(sorry for my english)

[dizmo]

If you're going with the S, don't get a Z series board, get an H or a B. I'd also reconsider it depending on the cost difference between it and the K SKU.

If you're not overclocking, get a cheaper cooler. Unless it's just for looks.

Why the 850 Pro? An 840 EVO would likely be cheaper and offer similar performance.

Do you really need an optical drive, especially one that expensive? Seems a bit much.

[flibberdipper]

I think the 4970S is the low-power variant of the 4970, so I wold just get the 4970.

 

The H110 will fit.

 

PSU is overkill. You could easily get away with a 600 watt PSU (so long as you don't really want to upgrade a ton later on).

 

Motherboard is good, but I'd recommend a Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 5, since it's cheaper, has the same features (more or less), and matches the STRIX video card.

[rambi36]

I would go with a 4790k over the 4790s. ALL THE OVERCLOCKING!

Also something like the EVGA G2 750w would do just as well in that build

[mansoor_]

I don't understand this build, really weird choices. 

[berna]

If you're going with the S, don't get a Z series board, get an H or a B. I'd also reconsider it depending on the cost difference between it and the K SKU.

If you're not overclocking, get a cheaper cooler. Unless it's just for looks.

Why the 850 Pro? An 840 EVO would likely be cheaper and offer similar performance.

Do you really need an optical drive, especially one that expensive? Seems a bit much.

 

Can you explain why not the Z? Because alot of boards use the z variant. Thanks a lot.

 

I think the 4970S is the low-power variant of the 4970, so I wold just get the 4970.

 

The H110 will fit.

 

PSU is overkill. You could easily get away with a 600 watt PSU (so long as you don't really want to upgrade a ton later on).

 

Motherboard is good, but I'd recommend a Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 5, since it's cheaper, has the same features (more or less), and matches the STRIX video card.

 

Thanks for replying. I'm thinking on a SLI setup for the next summer or so.

 

I would go with a 4790k over the 4790s. ALL THE OVERCLOCKING!

Also something like the EVGA G2 750w would do just as well in that build

 

lol but but i'm not into OVERCLOCKING

 

I don't understand this build, really weird choices. 

 

Enlighten me, please

[flibberdipper]

Can you explain why not the Z? Because alot of boards use the z variant. Thanks a lot.

 

 

Thanks for replying. I'm thinking on a SLI setup for the next summer or so.

 

 

lol but but i'm not into OVERCLOCKING

 

 

Enlighten me, please

Non-Z variants can't really overclock that well (if they even bother to in the first place), and have less features and might look worse.

[natelliot123]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor  ($384.94 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($122.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-UD4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($243.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($194.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($369.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer  ($57.31 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1669.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-05 14:19 EDT-0400

 

or

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($317.27 @ TigerDirect)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($93.45 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($134.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Team Dark Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer  ($57.31 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1732.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-05 14:25 EDT-0400

[dizmo]

Can you explain why not the Z? Because alot of boards use the z variant. Thanks a lot.

 

 

Thanks for replying. I'm thinking on a SLI setup for the next summer or so.

 

 

lol but but i'm not into OVERCLOCKING

 

 

Enlighten me, please

If you're going SLI, just make sure the board you get supports it.

Not all boards do.

 

Non-Z variants can't really overclock that well (if they even bother to in the first place), and have less features and might look worse.

That's...sort of correct.

 

The Z series board are Intel "certified" to overclock the K sku chips. The other chipsets, not so much. They also support more SATA ports, etc.

H97 is a high end consumer board, H81 is a slightly lower end one with less expansion, B85 is a business grade chipset.

You really have to look at each board to find out what works for you and what doesn't.

 

If you're not overclocking you can likely save some money by hunting down an H97 board that will work for you.

[flibberdipper]

If you're going SLI, just make sure the board you get supports it.

Not all boards do.

 

That's...sort of correct.

 

The Z series board are Intel "certified" to overclock the K sku chips. The other chipsets, not so much. They also support more SATA ports, etc.

H97 is a high end consumer board, H81 is a slightly lower end one with less expansion, B85 is a business grade chipset.

You really have to look at each board to find out what works for you and what doesn't.

 

If you're not overclocking you can likely save some money by hunting down an H97 board that will work for you.

Well... Still mostly right.

[dizmo]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($247.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-PRO(Wi-Fi ac) ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($207.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($144.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($196.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($569.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 550D ATX Mid Tower Case  ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer  ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1655.86
 

 

Better performance, and $100 under budget.

Personally, I'd have made some changes to save even more money like the 350D, ditch the optical drive, go with an MX100 512gb for the SSD, and a much cheaper motherboard.

I tried to pick what you'd already picked though.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($247.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($115.97 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($144.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($208.97 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card  ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1290.87
 

[berna]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($247.98 @ SuperBiiz)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.98 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: Asus Z97-PRO(Wi-Fi ac) ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($207.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($144.00 @ Newegg)

Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($196.97 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($569.99 @ Amazon)

Case: Corsair 550D ATX Mid Tower Case  ($124.99 @ NCIX US)

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ NCIX US)

Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer  ($49.98 @ OutletPC)

Total: $1655.86

 

 

Better performance, and $100 under budget.

Personally, I'd have made some changes to save even more money like the 350D, ditch the optical drive, go with an MX100 512gb for the SSD, and a much cheaper motherboard.

I tried to pick what you'd already picked though.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($247.98 @ SuperBiiz)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.98 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($115.97 @ OutletPC)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($144.00 @ Newegg)

Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($208.97 @ SuperBiiz)

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card  ($349.99 @ Amazon)

Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($109.99 @ NCIX US)

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ NCIX US)

Total: $1290.87

 

 

wow I really like your first build...

Question, changing the Xeon for a Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz, good or bad? and the board for a Asus Z97-A or the  Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5?

btw I will be ditching the optical drive.

 

Thanks a lot for your time!

[dizmo]

wow I really like your first build...

Question, changing the Xeon for a Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz, good or bad? and the board for a Asus Z97-A or the  Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5?

btw I will be ditching the optical drive.

 

Thanks a lot for your time!

Yup, I'd personally have gone with something like that anyway. I was just trying to match the choices you'd made

[berna]

Yup, I'd personally have gone with something like that anyway. I was just trying to match the choices you'd made

 

Thanks a lot man, you really helped me! Much appreciated.

[dizmo]

Thanks a lot man, you really helped me! Much appreciated.

No problem. One thing worth noting is that the Gigabyte is an mATX board, and your case is ATX...so it'll look a little small when you mount it.

I'd probably look for a full size board. Just for aesthetics.