First build suggestion

[SinnyTK]

Hello there lads. I am a newbie to this forum but I have been following Linus's videos lately.

After collecting since a little boy in hopes of buying a supercomputer having no sign of a computer. I have successfully collected about $1,700 or a BIT more.

I am going to build a rig for these purposes(in-order of usage);

1. Gaming

2. Photoshop

3. Watching movies and listening to music.

 

But be aware, I am an not extreme but high-end gaming willing to go to the extreme status but gradually and slowly. So suggest me a complete list of components and hardware including everything. I have been planning to build this from a while now but as new components are releasing every month, I need expert advice.

 

Suggest the best and reliable. Another note, please do two lists, one with the peripherals and one without.

 

Update - 11/4/2014

Guys I forgot to add. I'd really love a NZXT H440 case.

 

Regards.

The PC Master Race Prospect

Sinny

[TheKDub]

Budget? Location?

[SinnyTK]

Budget? Location?

Budget should not exceed more than $1,750 or $1,800.

Location is Pakistan, although I can import it from Amazon.com.

[TheHolyCawCaw]

Do you want to overclock?

[SinnyTK]

Do you want to overclock?

Haven't set my mind about it. Although I would like to set this as optional.

[TheKDub]

Budget should not exceed more than $1,750 or $1,800.

Location is Pakistan, although I can import it from Amazon.com.

 

Alright, that's a pretty good budget, let me see what I can do. (I'll update with a parts list in a few minutes)

[SinnyTK]

Guys I forgot to add. I'd really love a NZXT H440 case.

 

Updated the main thread.

[Lotus]

I have no clue what things cost in Pakistan, so I built it according to US currency and prices since that's what you gave your budget in. I made sure to give you a 1440p IPS monitor since at this price, you'd be limited by a 1080p display, and with photoshop being a focus you're definitely going to want an IPS panel instead of a TN. I left out mouse/keyboard/headphones since those are largely personal preference, but I stayed well under your budget so you can fit in whatever you'd like. Here is what I would recommend, however how it translates to your local prices/availability I don't know

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($33.03 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G55 SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($117.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 Low Profile Red 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($143.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($109.97 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($82.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card  ($299.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Rosewill 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($54.00 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($90.26 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer K272HULbmiidp 60Hz 27.0" Monitor  ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1572.16
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-04 12:02 EST-0500

[SinnyTK]

I have no clue what things cost in Pakistan, so I built it according to US currency and prices since that's what you gave your budget in. I made sure to give you a 1440p IPS monitor since at this price, you'd be limited by a 1080p display, and with photoshop being a focus you're definitely going to want an IPS panel instead of a TN. I left out mouse/keyboard/headphones since those are largely personal preference, but I stayed well under your budget so you can fit in whatever you'd like. Here is what I would recommend, however how it translates to your local prices/availability I don't know

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.99 @ Micro Center)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($33.03 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: MSI Z97-G55 SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($117.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: Patriot Viper 3 Low Profile Red 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($143.98 @ Newegg)

Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($109.97 @ SuperBiiz)

Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($82.98 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card  ($299.99 @ SuperBiiz)

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

Power Supply: Rosewill 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($54.00 @ Newegg)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($90.26 @ OutletPC)

Monitor: Acer K272HULbmiidp 60Hz 27.0" Monitor  ($329.99 @ Amazon)

Total: $1572.16

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-04 12:02 EST-0500

Hit $1,650 if necessary and fix these things;

- everything must be from Amazon.com(only way to import for me.)

- I don't know why, but I'd only prefer Evga, Gigabyte or Asus cards(GPU)

- Powersupply, seems good but would prefer a fully modular one or atleast Gold Certified(PSU)

- Core i7 preferably?(CPU)

Edited November 4, 2014 by SinnyTK

[TheKDub]

Without Peripherals:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($329.99 @ Amazon) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($33.03 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard: Asus Z97-AR ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($154.95 @ Amazon) 

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

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($114.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($54.99 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($349.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: NZXT H440 (Blue/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($119.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ NCIX US) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($99.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $1409.90

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-04 12:07 EST-0500

 

With peripherals:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($329.99 @ Amazon) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($33.03 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard: Asus Z97-AR ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($154.95 @ Amazon) 

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

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($114.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($54.99 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($349.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: NZXT H440 (Blue/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($119.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ NCIX US) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($99.99 @ NCIX US) 

Monitor: Dell P2414H 60Hz 23.8" Monitor  ($227.58 @ Newegg) 

Keyboard: Corsair K70 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($149.99 @ Newegg) 

Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse  ($64.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $1852.46

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-04 12:10 EST-0500

[TheHolyCawCaw]

Without Peripherals:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($329.99 @ Amazon) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($33.03 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard: Asus Z97-AR ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($154.95 @ Amazon) 

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

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($114.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($54.99 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($349.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: NZXT H440 (Blue/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($119.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ NCIX US) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($99.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $1409.90

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-04 12:07 EST-0500

 

With peripherals:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($329.99 @ Amazon) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($33.03 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard: Asus Z97-AR ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($154.95 @ Amazon) 

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

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($114.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($54.99 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($349.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: NZXT H440 (Blue/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($119.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ NCIX US) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($99.99 @ NCIX US) 

Monitor: Dell P2414H 60Hz 23.8" Monitor  ($227.58 @ Newegg) 

Keyboard: Corsair K70 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($149.99 @ Newegg) 

Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse  ($64.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $1852.46

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-04 12:10 EST-0500

If he uses photoshop alot he would benefit from 16gb of RAM but it will cost more

[Lotus]

Hit $1,650 if necessary and fix these things;

- I don't know why, but I'd only prefer Evga, Gigabyte or Asus cards(GPU)

- Powersupply, seems good but would prefer a fully modular one or atleast Gold Certified(PSU)

- Core i7 preferably?(CPU)

 

 

-I can do that, but it's really just throwing money down the drain for no reason other than aesthetics or whatever. Zotac makes good cards, and in the US at least theirs is the best price. Really GPU selection is always about who is offering the best deal.

 

-With the H440, you don't need a fully modular PSU. You have more than enough room to hide all the excess cables in the back. Also, unless you're running a 24/7 server farm, the efficiency gain from getting a gold vs bronze PSU is insignificant. It's way more important to focus on ripple prevention and power on spike protection. Again, you'd be paying more for something that makes no difference. Modular PSUs are really only necessary in cramped cases like a Mini-ITX build.

 

-You won't ever be using the multi-threaded performance of a Core i7 for any of the tasks you mentioned. Photoshop is not as intensive a productivity task like rendering videos or the like. Yet again, you'd be paying more for stuff that doesn't make a difference to your tasks.

 

I can make the changes you want, but I strongly advise against them. They're just poor investments that gain benefits that are of no use to you.

[SinnyTK]

-I can do that, but it's really just throwing money down the drain for no reason other than aesthetics or whatever. Zotac makes good cards, and in the US at least theirs is the best price. Really GPU selection is always about who is offering the best deal.

 

-With the H440, you don't need a fully modular PSU. You have more than enough room to hide all the excess cables in the back. Also, unless you're running a 24/7 server farm, the efficiency gain from getting a gold vs bronze PSU is insignificant. It's way more important to focus on ripple prevention and power on spike protection. Again, you'd be paying more for something that makes no difference. Modular PSUs are really only necessary in cramped cases like a Mini-ITX build.

 

-You won't ever be using the multi-threaded performance of a Core i7 for any of the tasks you mentioned. Photoshop is not as intensive a productivity task like rendering videos or the like. Yet again, you'd be paying more for stuff that doesn't make a difference to your tasks.

 

I can make the changes you want, but I strongly advise against them. They're just poor investments that gain benefits that are of no use to you.

Can you please suggest a GPU & Motherboard that would go together with the red&black theme?

Edited November 4, 2014 by SinnyTK

[SinnyTK]

that small bump..

[Lotus]

Here, it's all red, red/black, or black, and I changed all the merchants to Amazon. Also note that there's no OS in this build. I know the MoBo is mATX, but that'll still fit in your ATX case, and it still supports everything you want including SLI, and is red. There's no real predominantly red colored GPU unless you go nuts with the price, so I just kept the black one.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($239.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($33.03 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($103.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 Low Profile Red 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($112.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($82.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card  ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Acer K272HULbmiidp 60Hz 27.0" Monitor  ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1582.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-04 15:02 EST-0500

[brob]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($239.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($204.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($92.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($68.50 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card  ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1300.42
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-04 16:12 EST-0500

[SinnyTK]

I am stuck between 

Kraken X41

 

&

Kraken X61

 

note. I do not really wish to overlock unless I actually learn my way around it and my CPU becomes outdated the least. Although the temperature here can get very hot sometimes. (Core i5 4690k)

 

@Lotus

@brob

@TheKDub

[Lotus]

Water cooling is only for people who must have the best of the best and going for OC speeds that are unreachable via air. That or people who just have to have all the shiny things. I'd stick to a good air cooler like the CM 212 Evo.

 

Overclocking K series CPUs is extremely easy. It can take time if you want the perfect overclock that has proper voltages, but if you're willing to overshoot and not care about the less power efficiency you can overclock fairly easily with little time invested and tune it later.

[brob]

I am stuck between 

Kraken X41

 

&

Kraken X61

 

note. I do not really wish to overlock unless I actually learn my way around it and my CPU becomes outdated the least. Although the temperature here can get very hot sometimes. (Core i5 4690k)

 

@Lotus

@brob

@TheKDub

 

Both are good cpu coolers. The X61 may help in lowering noise levels as the fans do not have to run as fast as the one on the smaller X41 to achieve the same level of cooling. The X61 will sit at the top of the case mostly out of sight. The X41 is more visible. The X41 is less expensive. Mostly minor differences. But in environments with relatively high ambient temps, the more efficient X61 is likely a better choice.