First Ever Build - Any Improvements?

[TehDragonGuy]

I am new to these forums, and this is the first time I have ever built a computer. I have a couple of questions. Firstly, could you possibly take a look at this build and give any recommendations? I will be using it almost exclusively for gaming, except for other easy tasks such as word processing and internet browsing.

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/TehDragonGuy/saved/cBVbt6

Secondly, I purchased the CPU preowned from my friend (I know it works properly as I know he looked after it well and I saw it working before I bought it off of him.) However, he has overclocked it to 4.3GHz. Will my cooler be good enough to run it at a decent temperature?

Finally, are all of my parts compatible together? I have seen the compatibility notes at the bottom, however I just want some reassurance that everything will be okay together.

Many thanks.

[jayctech]

Everything looks fine. PSU may be a bit overkill. Maybe get an ssd in there for the OS for even more snappiness?

[WoodenMarker]

The 212 Evo should be plenty to keep it cool.

It could be cheaper though: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/rY9XdC

[TehDragonGuy]

Will the 500W be enough then? I know it is always best to have a little extra but I guess 600W is too much. Also which SSD would you recommend, considering I will be running Windows 8.1?

And WoodenMaker, I am adamant to stick the with GTX 970.

[WoodenMarker]

Will the 500W be enough then? I know it is always best to have a little extra but I guess 600W is too much. Also which SSD would you recommend, considering I will be running Windows 8.1?

And WoodenMaker, I am adamant to stick the with GTX 970.

What 500w..?

Why stick with the 970? It performs better than the 290 but not £80 better.

Look at what I linked-- I included a Kingston Fury ssd.

 

You need to quote a post or tag a member or else they won't get a notification you replied to them.

[EMENCII]

Get an ssd or an sshd please ^^ The world will look better with one

[TehDragonGuy]

What 500w..?

Why stick with the 970? It performs better than the 290 but not £80 better.

Look at what I linked-- I included a Kingston Fury ssd.

You need to quote a post or tag a member or else they won't get a notification you replied to them.

I had a long reply written out but my kindle fire that I am typing this out on crashed so here a summary of what I said:

I prefer the reliability of Nvidia and apparently this card is supposed to be extremely good value for money. I may also use the software that you get with Nvidia, which is better than AMDs. However, if you really think that switching to AMD won't affect it too much I will do, as I am reasonably short on money.

When I said about 500W instead of 600W, I was responding to jayctech as he said the PSU was overkill, however with your build this isn't an issue as it is now 509W.

Also I will definitely be going with that SSD as it looks great value for money.

EDIT: Also is there any reason you went for 1*8GB for the RAM instead of 2*4GB, I have read in lots of places that 2*4GB is more effective.

[WoodenMarker]

I had a long reply written out but my kindle fire that I am typing this out on crashed so here a summary of what I said:

I prefer the reliability of Nvidia and apparently this card is supposed to be extremely good value for money. I may also use the software that you get with Nvidia, which is better than AMDs. However, if you really think that switching to AMD won't affect it too much I will do, as I am reasonably short on money.

When I said about 500W instead of 600W, I was responding to jayctech as he said the PSU was overkill, however with your build this isn't an issue as it is now 509W.

Also I will definitely be going with that SSD as it looks great value for money.

EDIT: Also is there any reason you went for 1*8GB for the RAM instead of 2*4GB, I have read in lots of places that 2*4GB is more effective.

I know that feel.

 

The 970 is a good value compared to the 980 but it doesn't come close to touching the value of the 290 with the price drops.

What software did you have in mind? AMD and Nvidia both have corresponding software for most things. 

 

Quote or tagging posts can help make clear which posts you're responding to.

 

2x4GB kits are better since they can be run in dual channel but the difference is unnoticeable in most cases.

I went with the 8GB stick because of pricing and the blue ram with a blue motherboard isn't a bad idea.

[TehDragonGuy]

I know that feel.

 

The 970 is a good value compared to the 980 but it doesn't come close to touching the value of the 290 with the price drops.

What software did you have in mind? AMD and Nvidia both have corresponding software for most things. 

 

Quote or tagging posts can help make clear which posts you're responding to.

 

2x4GB kits are better since they can be run in dual channel but the difference is unnoticeable in most cases.

I went with the 8GB stick because of pricing and the blue ram with a blue motherboard isn't a bad idea.

Rethinking it, I doubt I will use the software too much. I was possibly thinking of getting an Nvidia Shield at some point, but I guess I'm not too bothered.

I would rather get 2*4GB just because every little helps, and if I add more at some point I will NEVER need more than 16GB anyway.

Do you think I should use the 290? If it doesn't affect my performance too much I will do it as I do not have so much money that I can buy something that is too expensive.

[WoodenMarker]

Rethinking it, I doubt I will use the software too much. I was possibly thinking of getting an Nvidia Shield at some point, but I guess I'm not too bothered.

I would rather get 2*4GB just because every little helps, and if I add more at some point I will NEVER need more than 16GB anyway.

Do you think I should use the 290? If it doesn't affect my performance too much I will do it as I do not have so much money that I can buy something that is too expensive.

The difference in single and dual channel ram really doesn't make much of a difference outside of memory intensive scenarios. The difference is within margin of error for everyday usage.

 

I'd suggest looking at some 290 and 970 benchmarks. The 290 performs worse than the 970 but saves a good amount of money that I would put towards a sooner future graphics card upgrade or anything else that may be more important.

[TehDragonGuy]

The difference in single and dual channel ram really doesn't make much of a difference outside of memory intensive scenarios. The difference is within margin of error for everyday usage.

I'd suggest looking at some 290 and 970 benchmarks. The 290 performs worse than the 970 but saves a good amount of money that I would put towards a sooner future graphics card upgrade or anything else that may be more important.

I have looked at several different benchmarks and in general, the 970 is faster, cooler, quieter and uses less power. I am particularly worried about the temperature and speed, however I think it may be a decent compromise if the temperature is not too much of a problem. I would put the money towards a better monitor probably, as I have £720 in total to purchase everything (Not including what I have already bought.)

[WoodenMarker]

I have looked at several different benchmarks and in general, the 970 is faster, cooler, quieter and uses less power. I am particularly worried about the temperature and speed, however I think it may be a decent compromise if the temperature is not too much of a problem. I would put the money towards a better monitor probably, as I have £720 in total to purchase everything (Not including what I have already bought.)

Temps should be fine. You can always change out/add better fans if you find your temps unsatisfactory. 

[TehDragonGuy]

Temps should be fine. You can always change out/add better fans if you find your temps unsatisfactory.

Well thanks. I will choose my peripherals first an then choose the GPU in accordance to what I can afford afterwards. Do you have a recommended monitor by any chance that will fit my price range? I have heard lots of things about not using TN panels, but they always have the lowest response times.

[WoodenMarker]

Well thanks. I will choose my peripherals first an then choose the GPU in accordance to what I can afford afterwards. Do you have a recommended monitor by any chance that will fit my price range? I have heard lots of things about not using TN panels, but they always have the lowest response times.

Response times are lower on TN panels but they're generally low enough for most modern displays and it shouldn't need be worried about.

P2314h: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/dell-monitor-p2314h

[TehDragonGuy]

Response times are lower on TN panels but they're generally low enough for most modern displays and it shouldn't need be worried about.

P2314h: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/dell-monitor-p2314h

Sorry for the late reply but I have been doing a lot more research, because the 8ms response time worried me. Also, now I have read more, apparently TN panels are considerably better for gaming as they look better. Is this true, and is the response time anything to worry about.

Also, sorry for asking so many questions, I just want to make sure I am doing the best I can with money.

[Cheese4395]

Are you a competitive fps player?

Do you think that you are extremely good at these types of games?

Do you mainly play fps games?

If you answered yes to most of these questions then yes you should probably get a TN monitor.

Otherwise get an ips and you won't even really notice the slower response times.

[WoodenMarker]

Sorry for the late reply but I have been doing a lot more research, because the 8ms response time worried me. Also, now I have read more, apparently TN panels are considerably better for gaming as they look better. Is this true, and is the response time anything to worry about.

Also, sorry for asking so many questions, I just want to make sure I am doing the best I can with money.

TN panels don't look better. For the most part, IPS panels look much better due to better color reproduction and viewing angles. TN panels are faster but I wouldn't say they're much better for gaming if at all.

 

Are you a competitive fps player?

Do you think that you are extremely good at these types of games?

Do you mainly play fps games?

If you answered yes to most of these questions then yes you should probably get a TN monitor.

Otherwise get an ips and you won't even really notice the slower response times.

How good a player is shouldn't dictate what kind of display they get. 

A high frequency TN panel might be worth getting if a person is gaming at a competitive level or is striving to be. I recommend going with an IPS panel otherwise for the better viewing experience.