First Build Critique

[dustySoda]

Hi LTT, I was hoping you guys can help out with this build I'm coming up with. This is mainly to transition from my Asus Vivobook with a i7 4500u and GTX 740m. I was able to run most games fine, but at low graphics settings. So this will be a gaming rig mainly. I'm hoping to keep this ~ or <$800 on base total alone. I hear a lot of hassle goes into applying the Mail-in rebates.

 

But if you can get this lower that'd be amazing. I'm also wanting to custom sleeve the cables as well (thanks to catbutts)

 

Type|Item|Price

:----|:----|:----

**CPU** | [intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i34150) | $99.98 @ OutletPC 

**Motherboard** | [Asus H81M-D PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-h81mdplus) | $44.49 @ Newegg 

**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f314900cl10s8gbxl) | $57.80 @ Newegg 

**Storage** | [sandisk Solid State Drive 64GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sandisk-internal-hard-drive-sdssdp064gg25) | $41.99 @ NCIX US 

**Storage** | [seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003) | $43.99 @ SuperBiiz 

**Video Card** | [sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB DUAL-X Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003732l) | $159.99 @ Newegg 

**Case** | [NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-s210002) | $28.99 @ SuperBiiz 

**Power Supply** | [Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx430m) | $35.98 @ Newegg 

**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-885370635690) | $89.98 @ OutletPC 

**Monitor** | [LG 22M35D 60Hz 22.0" Monitor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-monitor-22m35d) | $87.99 @ NCIX US 

 | | **Total**

 | Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $691.18

 | Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-05 21:28 EST-0500 |

[Glenwing]

Looks pretty good to me. Normally I'd leave the obligatory comment about switching the RAM to a 2x4GB kit for dual channel mode, but since the motherboard only has 2 RAM sockets it's not a bad idea to leave yourself room for another 8GB stick if you need it in the future. The performance difference between single channel and dual channel RAM isn't really tangible in games anyway, I don't know why everyone seems to think it's so important.

Overall, looks fine.

[dustySoda]

Looks pretty good to me. Normally I'd leave the obligatory comment about switching the RAM to a 2x4GB kit for dual channel mode, but since the motherboard only has 2 RAM sockets it's not a bad idea to leave yourself room for another 8GB stick if you need it in the future. The performance difference between single channel and dual channel RAM isn't really tangible in games anyway, I don't know why everyone seems to think it's so important.

Overall, looks fine.

 

My plan exactly. If I see another 8GB stick for sale, i'll just make the rig 16GB. 

[mosin40]

Looks great, but i would avoid getting a 64GB SSD, try a 120 or 128 GB SSD.

 

Include this SSD: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sandisk-internal-hard-drive-sdssdp128gg25, it's almost the same price and twice the storage

Edited February 6, 2015 by mosin40

[Imakuni]

 

Hi LTT, I was hoping you guys can help out with this build I'm coming up with. This is mainly to transition from my Asus Vivobook with a i7 4500u and GTX 740m. I was able to run most games fine, but at low graphics settings. So this will be a gaming rig mainly. I'm hoping to keep this ~ or <$800 on base total alone. I hear a lot of hassle goes into applying the Mail-in rebates.

 

But if you can get this lower that'd be amazing. I'm also wanting to custom sleeve the cables as well (thanks to catbutts)

 

Type|Item|Price

:----|:----|:----

**CPU** | [intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i34150) | $99.98 @ OutletPC 

**Motherboard** | [Asus H81M-D PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-h81mdplus) | $44.49 @ Newegg 

**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f314900cl10s8gbxl) | $57.80 @ Newegg 

**Storage** | [sandisk Solid State Drive 64GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sandisk-internal-hard-drive-sdssdp064gg25) | $41.99 @ NCIX US 

**Storage** | [seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003) | $43.99 @ SuperBiiz 

**Video Card** | [sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB DUAL-X Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003732l) | $159.99 @ Newegg 

**Case** | [NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-s210002) | $28.99 @ SuperBiiz 

**Power Supply** | [Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx430m) | $35.98 @ Newegg 

**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-885370635690) | $89.98 @ OutletPC 

**Monitor** | [LG 22M35D 60Hz 22.0" Monitor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-monitor-22m35d) | $87.99 @ NCIX US 

 | | **Total**

 | Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $691.18

 | Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-05 21:28 EST-0500 |

 

Your CPU is the 4150, a haswell refresh CPU. It might have incompatibility with an H81 mobo. Change it to a 4130. Or any CPU that's NOT on this list.

 

A 60gb SSD is garbage. You really want more space. 120Gb will be enough, but 60 surely won't.

 

 

Aside for that, the build is pretty good. You can obviously use more money on it, but else, you are fine.

[MrImnotMLG]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor  ($133.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! PURE ROCK 87.0 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($34.90 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Team Xtreem Dark Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($73.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card  ($204.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill HIVE 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer  ($12.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $765.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-05 22:01 EST-0500

[mosin40]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($57.80 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($50.99 @ NCIX US) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB DUAL-X Video Card  ($179.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($28.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($92.00 @ B&H) 

Monitor: LG 22M35D 60Hz 22.0" Monitor  ($87.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $758.72

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-05 22:04 EST-0500

[dustySoda]

Your CPU is the 4150, a haswell refresh CPU. It might have incompatibility with an H81 mobo. Change it to a 4130. Or any CPU that's NOT on this list.

A 60gb SSD is garbage. You really want more space. 120Gb will be enough, but 60 surely won't.

Aside for that, the build is pretty good. You can obviously use more money on it, but else, you are fine.

Would choosing a different motherB w/ different chipset avoid this problem?

Hmm yeah. +$10 for 2x the space isn't a bad deal.

[Imakuni]

Would choosing a different motherB w/ different chipset avoid this problem?

Hmm yeah. +$10 for 2x the space isn't a bad deal.

Yes, picking the H97 chipset will solve.

 

However, you'll see that it is more expensive, to the point where you are better off getting a stronger CPU (that's not Haswell R) than getting another mobo.

[brob]

This build has $65 in MIR. If the cash flow is available, consider squeezing in an Intel Core i5-4440 instead.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($100.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($58.97 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($50.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card  ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($28.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($74.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($92.00 @ B&H)
Monitor: Acer G227HQLbi 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $800.85
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 20:35 EST-0500

[dustySoda]

This build has $65 in MIR. If the cash flow is available, consider squeezing in an Intel Core i5-4440 instead.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($100.95 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($58.97 @ OutletPC)

Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($50.99 @ NCIX US)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card  ($179.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($28.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($74.99 @ Micro Center)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($92.00 @ B&H)

Monitor: Acer G227HQLbi 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($109.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $800.85

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 20:35 EST-0500

 

I think I'll go ahead and save up for the 4440 and a good mobo to support it. I can go without the HDD and use my externals for other storage. 

[Imakuni]

I think I'll go ahead and save up for the 4440 and a good mobo to support it. I can go without the HDD and use my externals for other storage. 

Just a heads up, the i5-4440 is fully supported by b85 and h81 chipsets. It's not haswell refresh, so you don't need a good mobo for it.

[dustySoda]

Apparently, to use a Refresh CPU with an H81 set. All it needs apparently is a BIOS update (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell_%28microarchitecture%29#Haswell_Refresh). Has anyone tried this? 

[Imakuni]

Apparently, to use a Refresh CPU with an H81 set. All it needs apparently is a BIOS update (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell_%28microarchitecture%29#Haswell_Refresh). Has anyone tried this? 

Yes, that's all. But let's suppose that you get a mobo that need Bios update, and a Haswell Refresh CPU. So.... how are you going to to it? To make a BIOS update, you need for the PC to function. But.... your mobo doesn't support the CPU... so.....

 

Yeah. Do you get it now?

[dustySoda]

Yes, that's all. But let's suppose that you get a mobo that need Bios update, and a Haswell Refresh CPU. So.... how are you going to to it? To make a BIOS update, you need for the PC to function. But.... your mobo doesn't support the CPU... so.....

 

Yeah. Do you get it now?

:oah ...  :lol: Ok I see now. In that case, I might as well save for the i5 4440 and a h97 mobo. 

[Imakuni]

:oah ...  :lol: Ok I see now. In that case, I might as well save for the i5 4440 and a h97 mobo. 

I think you are not getting it. The i5 4440 is NOT a haswell refresh CPU. It can be used with h81 mobos just fine. For a list of CPUs where you need a better mobo, check here:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7963/the-intel-haswell-refresh-review-core-i7-4790-i5-4690-and-i3-4360-tested/2

[dustySoda]

I think you are not getting it. The i5 4440 is NOT a haswell refresh CPU. It can be used with h81 mobos just fine. For a list of CPUs where you need a better mobo, check here:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7963/the-intel-haswell-refresh-review-core-i7-4790-i5-4690-and-i3-4360-tested/2

OH! *smacks head on table* Ok, now i'm starting to piece it together. I think I lost track while I was reading the list and reading chipset differences.  

[brob]

Apparently, to use a Refresh CPU with an H81 set. All it needs apparently is a BIOS update (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell_%28microarchitecture%29#Haswell_Refresh). Has anyone tried this? 

 

It works, but the BIOS has to be brought up-to-date before the cpu can be used. Most motherboards require a working cpu and memory to update the BIOS. (Asus motherboards with the USB BIOS Flashback feature are the rare exception.)

 

Since Haswell Refresh cpu were released last summer the changes of popular motherboards being shipped with updated BIOS is fairly high. So if you wanted to use a Haswell Refresh cpu you could check the manufacturer's web page to determine the required BIOS level. Then check with the merchant to see what BIOS level is on the motherboards they are shipping. That information is typically on a product model & serial number label stuck on the side of the box.