My 1st Build

[tgpomy]

Hi guys I'm looking to build my first Gaming PC this summer, and this is what I have come up with so far.  If you have any suggestions please let me know.  My budget can't really go much higher considering I need to buy a monitor, as well...

 

My goals are to play heavily modded Skyrim at 60fps and Battlefield 4/Hardline at Ultra 60fps.  Longevity for the next 4 years or so would be great, too.

 

Would I be better off getting the H440 case instead of the S340?

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($222.75 @ OutletPC) 
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.98 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($104.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($69.89 @ SuperBiiz) 
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($104.98 @ NCIX US) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card  ($329.00 @ NCIX US) 
Case: NZXT S340 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ NCIX US) 
Total: $1045.46

 

I'm a total PC noob, btw.

[Imakuni]

A very solid build. Good job!

 

Now all you need is a 1440p monitor, and you are golden.

[TheKDub]

Hi guys I'm looking to build my first Gaming PC this summer, and this is what I have come up with so far.  If you have any suggestions please let me know.  My budget can't really go much higher considering I need to buy a monitor, as well...

 

My goals are to play heavily modded Skyrim at 60fps and Battlefield 4/Hardline at Ultra 60fps.  Longevity for the next 4 years or so would be great, too.

 

Would I be better off getting the H440 case instead of the S340?

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($222.75 @ OutletPC) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.98 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($104.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($69.89 @ SuperBiiz) 

Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($104.98 @ NCIX US) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.89 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card  ($329.00 @ NCIX US) 

Case: NZXT S340 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $1045.46

 

I'm a total PC noob, btw.

 

Nice build, though I'd highly recommend the g1 gaming instead of the strix, it is a noticeable amount quieter under load, and also runs cooler/overclocks higher.

 

at 1080p, that thing will destroy heavily modded skyrim. (Haven't tested with ENB or a ton of HD textures, but I get steady 60FPS with 70+ mods)

[tgpomy]

Any recommended monitors and keyboard/mouse that are "bang for the buck?" 

 

Also, should I get a CD Drive to install virus programs, Windows 7, etc..?

 

Finally, how is the case I selected?

 

I'll look into the g1 gaming 970, as well.  Though I don't overclock because I don't know how (or the benefits of it).

[zlolslavez]

 

If you aren't building it now, I would FOR SURE look out for the new R9 300 series from AMD, aswell as look for a sale on the Samsung Evo 850 250 GB SSD, as it performs miles better than the Crucial one, and when on sale is usually 100$.

Case won't affect performance, so just find one that isn't extremely small, since you are a novice builder, and look for one that looks great.

If you are a factor person, I personally LOVE the 300R, I own a window-less version, and it includes many things that a novice builder would need, however it is on the more expensive side, and it tends to look worse as it is one with drive cages.

 

edit: stupid, 300R

[zlolslavez]

Any recommended monitors and keyboard/mouse that are "bang for the buck?" 

 

Also, should I get a CD Drive to install virus programs, Windows 7, etc..?

 

Finally, how is the case I selected?

 

I'll look into the g1 gaming 970, as well.  Though I don't overclock because I don't know how (or the benefits of it).

 

I personally own a CD drive as the computer I use is family oriented, but since stuff like that is slowly becoming completely digital, it is no longer necessary. If you get a case that supports a drive and an old computer just steal a drive from there, if you own an old hard drive but the case can't use it get a USB 3.0 SATA-> usb, and use that to install certain things. (Or if you need it just buy a USB disk drive/sata disk drive)

[Imakuni]

Nice build, though I'd highly recommend the g1 gaming instead of the strix, it is a noticeable amount quieter under load, and also runs cooler/overclocks higher.

 

at 1080p, that thing will destroy heavily modded skyrim. (Haven't tested with ENB or a ton of HD textures, but I get steady 60FPS with 70+ mods)

Yup, good joke. The G1 overclocks better and cools better, but it's already shown in numerous reviews that the Strix (and the MSI Gaming) are quieter than the g1.

[TheKDub]

Yup, good joke. The G1 overclocks better and cools better, but it's already shown in numerous reviews that the Strix (and the MSI Gaming) are quieter than the g1.

 

Its only quieter than the G1 when at idle, when gaming/under load the G1 is quite a bit quieter.

[brob]

Any recommended monitors and keyboard/mouse that are "bang for the buck?" 

 

Also, should I get a CD Drive to install virus programs, Windows 7, etc..?

 

Finally, how is the case I selected?

 

I'll look into the g1 gaming 970, as well.  Though I don't overclock because I don't know how (or the benefits of it).

 

A solid build regardless of the gpu you select. But the G1 is a touch better.

 

S340 case has no external drive bays, so the question is moot. But you don't need an optical drive these days. Most everything can be downloaded and Windows can be installed from a usb drive.

[tgpomy]

Is the performance that the G1 offers that much different from the Strix?  I was just choosing ASUS because they are usually dependable and reliable as a brand.

[brob]

Is the performance that the G1 offers that much different from the Strix?  I was just choosing ASUS because they are usually dependable and reliable as a brand.

 

A couple of fps at best.

[Imakuni]

Its only quieter than the G1 when at idle, when gaming/under load the G1 is quite a bit quieter.

Pretty much every review that has both the Asus Strix and the G1 Gaming have agreed with me that the Strix is quieter under load. Sources below.

 

#1

#2

#3

[tgpomy]

Alright I think I'll stick with the ASUS, despite the fps gain of the G1.  Any recommended monitors or keyboard/mouse?  I don't need anything too overpriced, I'd prefer bang for buck.

 

Also, is the H440 worth it over the S340?

[Imakuni]

Alright I think I'll stick with the ASUS, despite the fps gain of the G1.  Any recommended monitors or keyboard/mouse?  I don't need anything too overpriced, I'd prefer bang for buck.

 

Also, is the H440 worth it over the S340?

For monitors, buy a 1440p, if you can afford it.

 

For peripherals, don't invest on a gaming keyboard. It just isn't worth the stupid price. But you should, however, invest on a good mouse. Go to a local store and pick one up in real life. When buying mouse, you HAVE to test it with your own hands. Just trust me on this one, you'll thank me later....

[tgpomy]

For monitors, buy a 1440p, if you can afford it.

 

For peripherals, don't invest on a gaming keyboard. It just isn't worth the stupid price. But you should, however, invest on a good mouse. Go to a local store and pick one up in real life. When buying mouse, you HAVE to test it with your own hands. Just trust me on this one, you'll thank me later....

Well, to be honest, I game with a controller.  Keyboard + mouse will just be for standard web browsing, work, etc...

 

 I won't be gaming in 1440p because I'd prefer higher FPS, so wouldn't a 1440p monitor be pointless?

[Imakuni]

Well, to be honest, I game with a controller.  Keyboard + mouse will just be for standard web browsing, work, etc...

 

 I won't be gaming in 1440p because I'd prefer higher FPS, so wouldn't a 1440p monitor be pointless?

Not at all. The 970 can achieve 60fps on ultra in the vast majority of games.

[tgpomy]

I'm still torn on the case.  Not sure if I should get the S340, H440, Enthoo Pro, or Fractal Design R4.  

[Imakuni]

I'm still torn on the case.  Not sure if I should get the S340, H440, Enthoo Pro, or Fractal Design R4.  

Honestly, your build has colors all over the place, so don't get a windowed case. This means that your only option, out of this list, is the R4.

[tgpomy]

Yep I'm going to go with the R4, since it has space for CD Drives as well.  I'd like one of those.  How long do you guys think this build would last me? 3-4 years?