New Build Advice

[Roby]

Hey LTT,

 

By no means an expert with this but I put this build together and I'm hoping someone can suggest some improvements.

 

Some criteria for the build:

• The lower the price the better. Not looking for an extreme budget but I definitely don't want to get much higher than what the build is at now ($1,100 CAD max)
  
• Black and red theme is a must
  
• The case is a must. I love the look and ventilation features
  
• Going to be used mostly for lighter gaming (Diablo 3 for example) and basic use (browsing)
  

 

Lastly, I was wondering if this build has room to grow over the years. How likely will I be able to upgrade the parts inside down the road?

 

Thanks!

[79wjd]

Well, Diablo 3 isn't particularly demanding....so it would be overkill for that

 

As for room to grow, the board will support a second R9 280x should you need more gpu power -- all you'll have to do is get a larger psu (and you could actually get a 750w psu -- XFIRE capable -- for about $40~ more).

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($257.68 @ DirectCanada) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($30.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($119.99 @ Memory Express) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($79.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($81.13 @ DirectCanada) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($56.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280X 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card  ($274.95 @ Vuugo) 

Case: Corsair Air 540 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($132.03 @ DirectCanada) 

Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($39.99 @ NCIX) 

Total: $1073.71

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-14 12:26 EST-0500

 

An alternative budget 750w psu: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-110b20750vr

An alternative high end 750w psu: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220g20750xr

[OhhTee]

It's not worth going with older generation build when you can get current generation for the same price. I'll put something together.

Edit: ^ use that build.

[91wow]

Looks like a solid build. I would change the GPU if you can. Try to go for a 280x, 290, or 970. They are all pretty cheap right now. Newegg has a ASUS DCU2 290 on sale for $270 with free shipping, if that interests you. 

[79wjd]

Looks like a solid build. I would change the GPU if you can. Try to go for a 280x, 290, or 970. They are all pretty cheap right now. Newegg has a ASUS DCU2 290 on sale for $270 with free shipping, if that interests you. 

DCU2 290 is a pretty bad choice since the DCU2 cooler is pretty shitty on a 290. (also, canada) 

[91wow]

DCU2 290 is a pretty bad choice since the DCU2 cooler is pretty shitty on a 290. (also, canada) 

No cooler is really good on the 290... It's a 290. If a cooler gets it below 75C at load its the best air cooler on the market lol. Also I saw the CA after I read OP's post the second time.

[79wjd]

No cooler is really good on the 290... It's a 290. If a cooler gets it below 75C at load its the best air cooler on the market lol. Also I saw the CA after I read OP's post the second time.

No, the DCU2 is actually a pretty poor cooler on the 290 since the gpu block doesn't make full contact with the gpu as they pulled the cooler right off the 780. 

The DCU2 is barely a step above the reference blower -- It's basically a quieter reference cooler.