My custom build. Tips/hints/help?

[ariecos]

TL:DR, Water cooling noob wants help figuring out which components to get for his custom loop.

 

Hello there lovely techies, nerds, geeks, and technology lovers! First, I wanted to say thank you for having me in the community, I'm new here at the forums. I visit Linus's channel for basically all of my tech needs, and I'm really glad I do. I've learned a lot, and I'm learning more every day.

 

I don't have a particular budget for this build, but cheaper IS better for me. It's a long-term build, but I'd like to have it done sooner than later. All prices will be in USD. This build will be primarily for gaming, and I only really plan on one or two monitors. I do plan on overclocking the system, so please also keep that in mind as well.

 

ANYWHO. To the meat and taters. I'm planning on building a new rig to beat my current build. I've gotten basically everything I want planned out EXCEPT the water cooling. I'll admit, I'm a noob when it comes to water cooling, but I really love the aesthetics of a build with a custom loop. So I would like some help and suggestions for how to proceed.

Firstly, the planned specs. You can either go to the pcpartpicker page I've been working on to plan all this out here: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ariecos/saved/VK3WGX

 

Or read the list:
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper (Windowed version). NON-NEGOTIABLE.

MOBO: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 FTW
RAM: 16 Gigs of G.Skill Ripjaw X Series DDR3-1600
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000W 
STORAGE: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB SSD  x1

Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200RPM  x1

 

 

 

I'm pretty open to suggestions and tips. I went for a red and black theme. I've also got two Phobya Flexlight LEDs in the list and I pretty much know I want my tubing to be the PrimoFlex tubing in Bloodshed Red.

 

My real conundrum is what sort of rad and cooling solution I want in my case. What will fit? What will provide the cooling I need? What sort of fans should I get? Which waterblocks should I grab for my components? Pump? Which res would look baller in my build? These are all questions I would really appreciate getting some feedback to. Thanks so much in advance, guys!

 

~Ari

[SAV1OUR]

do you already have the rig? if not please read before posting for a better list what your currently have is utter shit for gaming 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/

must you water cool? there's no point water cooling a 760 

uses? 

use the quote button if you want my help 

[ariecos]

do you already have the rig? if not please read before posting for a better list what your currently have is utter shit for gaming 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/

must you water cool? there's no point water cooling a 760 

uses? 

use the quote button if you want my help 

It's an in-progress build. So no, I don't currently have the build.

Please help me figure out how to better this build for gaming, but without breaking the bank to do so.

I don't HAVE to do water cooling, but I want the experience on how to do it. I don't want my first time building a loop to be on high-end parts. That could end up being a lot of wasted money.

Gaming.

 

Edited the original post to answer the questions posed in your referenced thread. Thanks for pointing out how to make my posts more detailed.

Also, I realize this thread is in the wrong sub-forum. If I could figure out how to move it, or delete it and re-create it, that'd be swell.

[SAV1OUR]

It's an in-progress build. So no, I don't currently have the build.

Please help me figure out how to better this build for gaming, but without breaking the bank to do so.

I don't HAVE to do water cooling, but I want the experience on how to do it. I don't want my first time building a loop to be on high-end parts. That could end up being a lot of wasted money.

Gaming.

 

Edited the original post to answer the questions posed in your referenced thread. Thanks for pointing out how to make my posts more detailed.

Also, I realize this thread is in the wrong sub-forum. If I could figure out how to move it, or delete it and re-create it, that'd be swell.

budget? a mod should move the post just give it a bit of time 

[ariecos]

budget? a mod should move the post just give it a bit of time 

I don't have a set number in mind. It's going to be a long-term build, but I'd like it to keep on the cheaper side of the spectrum. I understand water cooling isn't cheap, and accept that I'll be spending $300 minimum on the water cooling alone. However, my hope is to keep it within $1500-$2000.

[SAV1OUR]

I don't have a set number in mind. It's going to be a long-term build, but I'd like it to keep on the cheaper side of the spectrum. I understand water cooling isn't cheap, and accept that I'll be spending $300 minimum on the water cooling alone. However, my hope is to keep it within $1500-$2000.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.99 @ Micro Center) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97-G55 SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($116.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($71.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($98.99 @ NCIX US) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card  ($349.99 @ B&H) 

Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper ATX Full Tower Case  ($129.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1126.89

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-19 02:27 EDT-0400

[ariecos]

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.99 @ Micro Center) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97-G55 SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($116.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($71.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($98.99 @ NCIX US) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card  ($349.99 @ B&H) 

Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper ATX Full Tower Case  ($129.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1126.89

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-19 02:27 EDT-0400

 

1) The motherboard clashes with the overall color scheme I was going for with this build. I'm fine with paying $30 more to meet that end. I'd much prefer sticking with what I've got.

2) I could probably dumb down my storage choices to match what you've got on your list. Thank you.

3) I don't understand why the video card you selected is $100 more when it provides very little improvement in the ways of clock speeds, cuda cores, ect. What makes it better than the one I selected? (Sorry about general ignorance. Still learning)

[SAV1OUR]

1) The motherboard clashes with the overall color scheme I was going for with this build. I'm fine with paying $30 more to meet that end. I'd much prefer sticking with what I've got.

2) I could probably dumb down my storage choices to match what you've got on your list. Thank you.

3) I don't understand why the video card you selected is $100 more when it provides very little improvement in the ways of clock speeds, cuda cores, ect. What makes it better than the one I selected? (Sorry about general ignorance. Still learning)

1.alright in that case go with the msi z97 gaming 5 

2. k 

3. clock speeds matter but the performance is more important look up some benchmarks the 70/80 cards will ALWAYS out do the 760. watch some benchmarks  

[ariecos]

1.alright in that case go with the msi z97 gaming 5 

2. k 

3. clock speeds matter but the performance is more important look up some benchmarks the 70/80 cards will ALWAYS out do the 760. watch some benchmarks  

I can't find any definitive benchmark comparisons between the two except on sites like gpuboss, which doesn't really give the benchmark results, but more of a rating. Could you perhaps provide some source material, or a good place to start?

[SAV1OUR]

I can't find any definitive benchmark comparisons between the two except on sites like gpuboss, which doesn't really give the benchmark results, but more of a rating. Could you perhaps provide some source material, or a good place to start?

just a start, also watch linus video 

) despite being a different brand its still almost the same 

[NotSoEpicMods]

Here's a link that compares the 780 vs the 760 if you want more comparisons.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/854?vs=827

 

Linus also has a video on it somewhere I believe.  And it looks like SAV1OUR found it for you.

[ariecos]

just a start, also watch linus video 

) despite being a different brand its still almost the same 

That's pretty definitive. I don't intend on running in 2k, but that's besides the point. Meant to ask, is there a better RAM choice that fits with the color scheme better than the Kingston ones in your list?

[SAV1OUR]

That's pretty definitive. I don't intend on running in 4k, but that's besides the point. Meant to ask, is there a better RAM choice that fits with the color scheme better than the Kingston ones in your list?

any 8gb that's good value, i just went with the fury because it looks nice as for the cooler the 212 evos the best value cooler out there if you want something a bit beefier grab a noctua dh15 or h100i

[NotSoEpicMods]

That's pretty definitive. I don't intend on running in 2k, but that's besides the point. Meant to ask, is there a better RAM choice that fits with the color scheme better than the Kingston ones in your list?

 

If you're looking for red/black ram how about some corsair stuff?

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmy16gx3m2a2133c9r

 

Edit here's an 8GB kit if you prefer that http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmy8gx3m2a2400c11r

[ariecos]

any 8gb that's good value, i just went with the fury because it looks nice as for the cooler the 212 evos the best value cooler out there if you want something a bit beefier grab a noctua dh15 or h100i

I'm gonna go with 1x8GB from G.Skill. It's a couple of dollars more for just the one stick, but it gives me the availability to expand in the future, should I want.

I don't want to do an all-in-one, or just a CPU cooler. I really want to do a custom loop, just for the experience and aesthetics. I don't even care about the improved temperatures. 

[SAV1OUR]

I'm gonna go with 1x8GB from G.Skill. It's a couple of dollars more for just the one stick, but it gives me the availability to expand in the future, should I want.

I don't want to do an all-in-one, or just a CPU cooler. I really want to do a custom loop, just for the experience and aesthetics. I don't even care about the improved temperatures. 

i highly advise you don't custom water cool your first rig, allot can go wrong from lack of experience 

[ariecos]

i highly advise you don't custom water cool your first rig, allot can go wrong from lack of experience 

It would actually be my second rig. My first rig is pretty meh, but it does alright. But I've got to start somewhere, and this is where I want it to be. A case large enough to house everything I need, something I want to keep for a long while and upgrade as time passes. It's just something I really want to do.

 

Edit: Updated my pcpartpicker list. Any updates/changes I need to make or anything I'm forgetting to add? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/krDNBm. Again, suggestions welcomed.