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FIRST Ever Build (Gaming PC); need thoughts

moity
By moity
in New Builds and Planning
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So this will be my first time ever building a PC (gaming). I've done my research and i'm pretty confident I know everything I need to. The only trouble I see myself having is with cable management, so if you have any advice for that that would be nice. I plan on having 2-3 intake fans, 1-2 on the front and 1 on the side with 2 outtake, one on the top and one on the back being the CPU cooler radiator fan. I'm not sure if my case will come with fans or not. If you have any advice or anything please give reasons behind it! Thanks in advance. ^_^


 
 

 

i'm not really looking for an SSD mostly because i'm already very tight on budget.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/TKKTRB

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($239.99 @ Amazon) 

CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($59.99 @ Amazon) 

Thermal Compound: Noctua NT-H1 3.5g Thermal Paste  ($6.96 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK2 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($164.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($69.79 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($50.92 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card 

Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case  ($83.99 @ Amazon) 

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.99 @ Amazon)

Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer  ($17.49 @ Amazon) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) 

Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($34.80 @ Amazon) 

Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Performance Edition 63.5 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($15.95 @ Amazon) 

Case Fan: Corsair Air Series SP120 High Performance Edition (2-Pack) 62.7 CFM 120mm  Fans  ($27.99 @ Amazon) 

Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($306.13 @ Amazon) 

Keyboard: Razer Deathstalker Expert Wired Gaming Keyboard 

Mouse: Zowie FK1 Wired Optical Mouse 

Other: Silverstone Tek 120mm Ultra Fine Fan Filter (one for every SP fan) ($9.99)

Total: $1178.97

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Great build, but get an SSD, it makes it a whole lot smoother and boot times are really quick. And with the amount of money you're spending on that keyboard, you can get a really nice mechanical keyboard. But in the end, the choice is yours. Good luck on this build!

That's not supposed to do that....

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I would really look at cutting some things in your budget to get an ssd. Its crazy to not put in a ssd on a $1500 build imo.

Can you give me a reason as to why? So far I understand some people boot off an SSD and use harddrives specifically for storage but other then that I don't see any reason to get one. I also have an external storage (1TB seagate).

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Great build, but get an SSD, it makes it a whole lot smoother and boot times are really quick. And with the amount of money you're spending on that keyboard, you can get a really nice mechanical keyboard. But in the end, the choice is yours. Good luck on this build!

I really don't mind boot times, but later on I could save up for an SSD as they can only drop in price (hopefully). I prefer this keyboard because I've been using that kind for over 3 years but i'm on the edge of getting a mechanical one.

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Well it would be easiest to install your os and apps on your ssd and put your large files like games on a hard drive. A cheap ssd is only like 60 bucks for 120 gb and will help tremendously in your everyday use of your pc(not just boot times). Its easier to put things like fans in later than an ssd as well. 

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I changed a couple things, and went with a "No Comprimises sort of" approach.
 
You don't need all those fans and dust filters, just buy a case that comes with them. I picked the windowed Fractal Define R5 because if you're going to go with the STRIX gpu, you might as well get a case meant for silence.
 
I also added an optical mouse, and a mechanical keyboard. If you're buying a keyboard go ahead and get a mechanical one.
 
Also at this point, we really shouldn't need to be advocating for SSD's, they're better in every aspect and you should only not get one if your budget is paper thin. There's def room in yours for an SSD. Also if you have a 1TB external, you don't really need a 1TB internal, unless you're just a data hog.
 
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($226.69 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($138.99 @ NCIX US) 
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card  ($549.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($35.99 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($263.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse  ($61.88 @ NCIX US) 
Total: $1788.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-02 23:28 EDT-0400

My Server - Update 1 - Update 2 - Update 3 - Update 4

Gaming Rig

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I really don't mind boot times, but later on I could save up for an SSD as they can only drop in price (hopefully). I prefer this keyboard because I've been using that kind for over 3 years but i'm on the edge of getting a mechanical one.

it isn't just boottime, it's program start time too. any program loaded on your SSD will load tons quicker.

i suggest a 250GB SSD

 

i had a mechanical KB once, it was amazing. really thinking about going abck.

We can't Benchmark like we used to, but we have our ways. One trick is to shove more GPUs in your computer. Like the time I needed to NV-Link, because I needed a higher HeavenBench score, so I did an SLI, which is what they called NV-Link back in the day. So, I decided to put two GPUs in my computer, which was the style at the time. Now, to add another GPU to your computer, costs a new PSU. Now in those days PSUs said OCZ on them, "Gimme 750W OCZs for an SLI" you'd say. Now where were we? Oh yeah, the important thing was that I had two GPUs in my rig, which was the style at the time! They didn't have RGB PSUs at the time, because of the war. The only thing you could get was those big green ones. 

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Can you give me a reason as to why? So far I understand some people boot off an SSD and use harddrives specifically for storage but other then that I don't see any reason to get one. I also have an external storage (1TB seagate).

SSD's are just so much faster than HDD's for boot. Also, storing games and other key applications will reduce their load time significantly.

That's not supposed to do that....

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Maybe switch out the 2x4GB RAM for 2x8GB kit, for one reason, better in the long term. If you opt to go with a 2x4GB kit, you will have 8GB total, and later you can get another 2x4GB kit and run 16GB with no more room for more RAM. Or you can get a 2x8GB kit for a bit more money, and start with 16GB RAM, and in the future buy another kit for 32GB RAM total. I am aware that right now 32GB of RAM is way overkill for gaming, even 16GB is a bit overkill, but if you want this system to run smooth for longer, get the 2x8GB kits. You may not need the extra RAM now, but trust me, in the future 32GB RAM will be the new normal.

RIG: CPU: i5 6600k @4.8GHz 1.34v  CPU Cooler: H100i  Motherboard: Asus Z170-AR  RAM: Corsair Vengence LPX 2400 (2x8GB)

 

HDD: Seagate Baracuda 2TB  SSD: Samsung 850 Evo 500GB/PNY 240GB  GPU: Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970  PSU: EVGA G2 650W

Please use PcPartPicker, and paste the "BB" code when posting your build!

 

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I changed a couple things, and went with a "No Comprimises sort of" approach.
 
You don't need all those fans and dust filters, just buy a case that comes with them. I picked the windowed Fractal Define R5 because if you're going to go with the STRIX gpu, you might as well get a case meant for silence.
 
I also added an optical mouse, and a mechanical keyboard. If you're buying a keyboard go ahead and get a mechanical one.
 
Also at this point, we really shouldn't need to be advocating for SSD's, they're better in every aspect and you should only not get one if your budget is paper thin. There's def room in yours for an SSD. Also if you have a 1TB external, you don't really need a 1TB internal, unless you're just a data hog.
 
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($226.69 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($138.99 @ NCIX US) 
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card  ($549.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($35.99 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($263.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse  ($61.88 @ NCIX US) 
Total: $1788.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-02 23:28 EDT-0400

 

This is very similar to what i was just going to post. Awesome build.

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I changed a couple things, and went with a "No Comprimises sort of" approach.
 
You don't need all those fans and dust filters, just buy a case that comes with them. I picked the windowed Fractal Define R5 because if you're going to go with the STRIX gpu, you might as well get a case meant for silence.
 
I also added an optical mouse, and a mechanical keyboard. If you're buying a keyboard go ahead and get a mechanical one.
 
Also at this point, we really shouldn't need to be advocating for SSD's, they're better in every aspect and you should only not get one if your budget is paper thin. There's def room in yours for an SSD. Also if you have a 1TB external, you don't really need a 1TB internal, unless you're just a data hog.
 
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($226.69 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($138.99 @ NCIX US) 
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card  ($549.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($35.99 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($263.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse  ($61.88 @ NCIX US) 
Total: $1788.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-02 23:28 EDT-0400

 

Can I ask why you would recommend the motherboard you changed it to over the one I found? I've decided to get an SSD alongside the HDD for booting etc. . Also on the amazon webpage for the ZOWIE FK1 mouse it sais it's optical so i'm going to stick with that because of that and for preference purposes. I'm really thinking about this keyboard http://www.amazon.com/Razer-BlackWidow-Stealth-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B00ELNG49I but i'm still on the edge about getting a mechanical since i'm so used to this kind: http://www.amazon.com/Razer-DeathStalker-Expert-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B009SJR28W . Thanks for your recommendations  :)

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SSD's are just so much faster than HDD's for boot. Also, storing games and other key applications will reduce their load time significantly.

If you don't want to use SSD then SSHD is an option, but personally I'd go with separated SSD and HDD.

Where I hang out: The Garage - Car Enthusiast Club

My cars: 2006 Mazda RX-8 (MT) | 2014 Mazda 6 (AT) | 2009 Honda Jazz (AT)

PC Specs

Indonesia

CPU: i5-4690 | Motherboard: MSI B85-G43 | Memory: Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB | Power Supply: Corsair CX500 | Video Card: MSI GTX 970

Storage: Kingston V300 120GB & WD Blue 1TB | Network Card: ASUS PCE-AC56 | Peripherals: Microsoft Wired 600 & Logitech G29 + Shifter

 

Australia 

CPU: Ryzen 3 2200G | Motherboard: MSI - B450 Tomahawk | Memory: Mushkin - 8GB (1 x 8GB) | Storage: Mushkin 250GB & Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB
Video Card: GIGABYTE - RX 580 8GB | Case: Corsair - 100R ATX Mid Tower | Power Supply: Avolv 550W 80+ Gold

 

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Can I ask why you would recommend the motherboard you changed it to over the one I found? I've decided to get an SSD alongside the HDD for booting etc. . Also on the amazon webpage for the ZOWIE FK1 mouse it sais it's optical so i'm going to stick with that because of that and for preference purposes. I'm really thinking about this keyboard http://www.amazon.com/Razer-BlackWidow-Stealth-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B00ELNG49I but i'm still on the edge about getting a mechanical since i'm so used to this kind: http://www.amazon.com/Razer-DeathStalker-Expert-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B009SJR28W . Thanks for your recommendations   :)

I have the 2014 version of that keyboard you linked, and I love it. Can't go wrong. The mouse is all preference, if you like the zowie get the zowie. 

 

I went with the Z-97A for cost to performance reasons. The Z-97A is one of the cheaper boards from the Asus Z97 line, but its right at that sweet spot for performance. You get pretty much all the nice essentials, and it doesn't come with any unneeded features increasing the cost. It's a great board, I just built a rig 6mo ago for a friend with that same exact board. I used the built in overclock feature to get his 4690k to 4.4GHz stable in about 10mins.

 

Anyways, buying a more expensive board won't get you any more noticeable performance, but it will get you some luxury features. Things like thermal armour, longer warranties, isolated sound chipset, etc.. etc..

 

EDIT: Here is the rig I built for my friend
 

 
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($226.69 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290 4GB Tri-X Video Card  ($278.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $1060.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-03 19:14 EDT-0400

My Server - Update 1 - Update 2 - Update 3 - Update 4

Gaming Rig

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I have the 2014 version of that keyboard you linked, and I love it. Can't go wrong. The mouse is all preference, if you like the zowie get the zowie. 

 

I went with the Z-97A for cost to performance reasons. The Z-97A is one of the cheaper boards from the Asus Z97 line, but its right at that sweet spot for performance. You get pretty much all the nice essentials, and it doesn't come with any unneeded features increasing the cost. It's a great board, I just built a rig 6mo ago for a friend with that same exact board. I used the built in overclock feature to get his 4690k to 4.4GHz stable in about 10mins.

 

Anyways, buying a more expensive board won't get you any more noticeable performance, but it will get you some luxury features. Things like thermal armour, longer warranties, isolated sound chipset, etc.. etc..

 

EDIT: Here is the rig I built for my friend

 

 
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($226.69 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290 4GB Tri-X Video Card  ($278.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $1060.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-03 19:14 EDT-0400

 

Thanks for the information. I'm going to stick with the motherboard I found since it's only $5 more on Amazon and i'll probably be buying from there. I'm still uncertain about changing to the CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler. Would you chose that CPU cooler over the H60 if you had any price range and you could only chose between those two (theoretically)? And thanks for taking the time to post the rig you built your friend. ^_^

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Thanks for the information. I'm going to stick with the motherboard I found since it's only $5 more on Amazon and i'll probably be buying from there. I'm still uncertain about changing to the CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler. Would you chose that CPU cooler over the H60 if you had any price range and you could only chose between those two (theoretically)? And thanks for taking the time to post the rig you built your friend. ^_^

the 212 EVO is hands down one of the best coolers on the market, for the least amount of money

 

BUT, if I had no budget, I'd get an H100i instead, or a NH-D15

My Server - Update 1 - Update 2 - Update 3 - Update 4

Gaming Rig

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Holy Balls! No money for an sad. Im calling bs. Plenty of room. get one and sacrifice something else

you're a little late to the party...

 

Holy Balls! No money for an sad. Im calling bs. Plenty of room. get one and sacrifice something else

double post :P

My Server - Update 1 - Update 2 - Update 3 - Update 4

Gaming Rig

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the 212 EVO is hands down one of the best coolers on the market, for the least amount of money

 

BUT, if I had no budget, I'd get an H100i instead, or a NH-D15

 

welp, I think i've been convinced to go with the 212 EVO. Thanks for all your recommendations and help!

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