Help with my first build

[Piker117]

I finally have enough money to start my own computer build but I need help picking the components. I'm planning to buy in 1-2 weeks, around the 21 Jan

 

PC Builds

- Budget: $1,800 USD
- Zip Code or Location: Fairbanks, AK USA
- Specific Use: Gaming with light 3D animation
- Any preferred components?: SSD Boot drive
- Any spare parts you can re-use?: 2x 1TB Drives. Anything possible, see below
- Overclocking your processor?: Preferably
- Need an Operating System?: If possible I would like to transfer my current OS to the new drive
- Need a Monitor? / Mouse? / Keyboard?:If I need to upgrade to Windows 8.1 I will need a touch screen monitor. I would like a LED back lit mechanical keyboard

- Need a Wireless Card or Adapter?: No
- Need Another Component? (Specify): At least one HDMI port on the graphics card as I use a TV for one of my monitors. I would like to water cool the system, whether its just the CPU or whole system. 

Other Useful Info

- Preferred Case Features (Ex: Color, Side Window, Flashy): preferably, black or red but not very important because I plan to upgrade to a custom case in 6-9 months
- Number of Monitors: Normally one but occasionally 2
- Other Info?:
 

I would like to re-use as much as possible to save on costs but I am willing to dump it all if necessary.

 

On my current system I have

Motherboard: Asus sabertooth 990fx

RAM: 2x Corsair Vengeance 8gb 1600mhz

         2x g.skill Ares 8gb 1600khz ddr3

(Note: my current system only recognizes 12 GB of ram)

Graphics: GT430

CPU: AMD FX-6200

PSU: 600 watt

[Piker117]

Bump

[brob]

Reuse: motherboard, memory, psu, hdd.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor  ($168.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Swiftech H220-X 55.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($149.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth 990FX ATX AM3+ Motherboard  (Purchased For $0.00)
Storage: Crucial M550 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($90.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card  ($347.99 @ Directron)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $866.84
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-09 20:47 EST-0500

[Guest]

I would go the Intel route. Sell your AM3+ board.

 

What make/model psu do you have ?

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($218.98 @ OutletPC) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.75 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($116.75 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($104.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($329.00 @ NCIX US) 

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $898.46

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-09 21:17 EST-0500

[Piker117]

Lee32uk

 

I have a Corsair CX600. For the CPU cooler could i substitute a water cooling system? Thats going to be a big part of my custom case so I would like to get it now rather than swap means of cooling later.

 

Brob.

 

Thank you for the recommendations.

[Guest]

Lee32uk

 

I have a Corsair CX600. For the CPU cooler could i substitute a water cooling system? Thats going to be a big part of my custom case so I would like to get it now rather than swap means of cooling later.

 

Brob.

 

Thank you for the recommendations.

Yes you can go with a sealed water cooler such as the H100i, H110 etc. The one in Brob's spec is an expandable one, so you can add to it. It depends on what you want.

 

I would still say that Intel is a better choice. You will get stronger performance in gaming over the fx-8350. Even though the i5 4690K has fewer cores, they are stronger than the AMD.

[danixdlolz]

Because it's very hard to troubleshoot memory issues, I decided to go safe and just buy a new kit. Overall, this build is flexible, you can remove the second 970 if you don't feel like you need all that power and swap it for more RAM.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($318.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H105 73.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($138.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($130.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($104.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($78.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($329.00 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($329.00 @ NCIX US)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($93.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series SP120 High Performance Edition (2-Pack) 62.7 CFM 120mm  Fans  ($27.98 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Quick Fire TK Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($83.97 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1841.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-09 21:40 EST-0500

[Piker117]

Lee32uk

 

Thank you

 

you can remove the second 970 if you don't feel like you need all that power and swap it for more RAM.

 

I've never used more than one graphics card, how much more power would it give me? I normally do RTS games like Starcraft but would like to get into using my PC for games i would normally play on console. Would the second 970 be needed for that?

[danixdlolz]

Lee32uk

 

Thank you

 

 

I've never used more than one graphics card, how much more power would it give me? I normally do RTS games like Starcraft but would like to get into using my PC for games i would normally play on console. Would the second 970 be needed for that?

If you have a 144Hz monitor or a 1440p monitor, yes, if not, I don't think so

[Piker117]

Awesome, thank you.