Looking for help with a new build.

[Seraph318]

So I'm a first time builder and a bit inexperienced when it comes to the ins and outs of everything, but I've been doing quite a bit of research in to what I want/should get and this is what I have come up with.

--I'm making this to be able to support current and some newer games coming out with good settings, while still being able to use it as a normal pc workstation on a 1,500$ budget--

Motherboard-ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 1/USB 3.1 LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU- Intel Core i5-4690K Devil's Canyon Quad-Core 3.5GHz LGA 1150 BX80646I54690K Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4600 [went with the i5 since I don't do any video editing/rendering or anything of that magnitude, gaming is the most intense thing I do].

GPU- MSI GTX 970 GAMING 4G GeForce GTX 970 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support G-SYNC Support Video Card

Memory- G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory

Power Supply- Rosewill Photon-650, PHOTON Series 650W Full Modular Power Supply, 80 PLUS Gold Certified, Single +12V Rail, Intel 4th Gen CPU Ready, SLI & Crossfire Ready

SSD- SAMSUNG 850 EVO MZ-75E250B/AM 2.5" 250GB SATA III 3-D Vertical Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

HDD-Seagate Barracuda STBD2000101 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

OS-windows 8.1 Pro.

Case- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147242

Went with a SSD for OS and games, then the HDD for all of my regular media files. Link for the case is to help make sure it will accommodate everything.

Also, I was unsure wether or not I should get a new heatsink for the CPU instead of the stock one it comes with, I would appreciate some thoughts on that as well. Thanks so much, I appreciate the help!!

[pomaranc]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cQbGMp

[stconquest]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($95.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($97.24 @ Amazon)
Storage: Toshiba  3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($303.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1265.14
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-11 04:56 EDT-0400

 

 

 

If you know you won't overclock you can go with a Xeon.  It is like an i7 4770(non-K) without the iGPU:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($241.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($95.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($97.24 @ Amazon)
Storage: Toshiba  3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($303.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1197.14
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-11 04:57 EDT-0400

[stconquest]

So I'm a first time builder and a bit inexperienced when it comes to the ins and outs of everything, but I've been doing quite a bit of research in to what I want/should get and this is what I have come up with.

--I'm making this to be able to support current and some newer games coming out with good settings, while still being able to use it as a normal pc workstation on a 1,500$ budget--

Motherboard-ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 1/USB 3.1 LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU- Intel Core i5-4690K Devil's Canyon Quad-Core 3.5GHz LGA 1150 BX80646I54690K Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4600 [went with the i5 since I don't do any video editing/rendering or anything of that magnitude, gaming is the most intense thing I do].

GPU- MSI GTX 970 GAMING 4G GeForce GTX 970 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support G-SYNC Support Video Card

Memory- G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory

Power Supply- Rosewill Photon-650, PHOTON Series 650W Full Modular Power Supply, 80 PLUS Gold Certified, Single +12V Rail, Intel 4th Gen CPU Ready, SLI & Crossfire Ready

SSD- SAMSUNG 850 EVO MZ-75E250B/AM 2.5" 250GB SATA III 3-D Vertical Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

HDD-Seagate Barracuda STBD2000101 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

OS-windows 8.1 Pro.

Case- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147242

Went with a SSD for OS and games, then the HDD for all of my regular media files. Link for the case is to help make sure it will accommodate everything.

Also, I was unsure wether or not I should get a new heatsink for the CPU instead of the stock one it comes with, I would appreciate some thoughts on that as well. Thanks so much, I appreciate the help!!

 

You can run stock to get your build up... When it is time to overclock, or the noise gets to you, you can add a better CPU cooler.

[Seraph318]

So are these other recommendations due to the parts I've picked not being good enough? Or just cheaper variants of them from different retailers? I will say that I found them all on Newegg, (and I won't lie, they had a black/red theme which I just found quite nice haha).

[Guest Strangerbob]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LXFxmG

 

heres a build thats cheaper and better in every way (no overclocking tho, and its not worth the time and money anyway... its a waste of both actually)

 

and i managed to put a widescree, 75hz, IPS freesync monitor in this price too... thats how much i care about your gaming XP

(you`ll surely want to write me some love letters after you start gaming on a working freesync loop. just ask for the address then)

 

 

no, seriously? whats the point of your sick build if you are going to use it on a some small, shitty TN garbage screen?

[Seraph318]

Hmmm. I'm not so sure about the microATX mobo, I'm more sold on the standard ATX. Otherwise that is awesome. Oh, but I usually use my TV as my monitor lol. The way my apt is set up, there really isn't room for a whole computer desk area. So I use the living room and get the KB/Mouse out when I use them.

How would something like this work? : http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RVJqJx

Btw, thanks for showing me this site, it's amazing.

[stconquest]

So are these other recommendations due to the parts I've picked not being good enough? Or just cheaper variants of them from different retailers? I will say that I found them all on Newegg, (and I won't lie, they had a black/red theme which I just found quite nice haha).

 

The builds are just comparative.  Getting the same, or better performance, for cheaper is my objective.

 

I went blue simply because the fast RAM was cheap. 

 

I went Hyper-threading because you mentioned "workstation".

 

The Phanteks Enthoo Pro is the best $100 case around.  Full tower, great design/build with control of up to 6 fans already integrated into an adjustable fan hub.  Linus has a video on it.

 

So, black and red...

[stconquest]

You can add a second GTX 970 with the PSU here, it is powerful enough.

 

$1400 before rebates:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($135.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($117.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Toshiba  3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($303.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1349.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-11 09:51 EDT-0400

 

Remember, the Xeon E3-1231 V3 will run like an i7 4770 for $240...  It just won't overclock as easily.

[stconquest]

How about white/black? 

 

$1333:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($34.50 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($112.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Avexir Core Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($117.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($303.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT S340 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1272.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-11 10:06 EDT-0400

[Seraph318]

Honesty, I'm not sure what hyperthreading is exactly.. I even only somewhat understand overclocking. But I agree, less money and better performance is definitely a goal. I appreciate all the help with this

[Seraph318]

Though I will say, stconquest, I really like that black/red build you posted, I just may build it!

[stconquest]

[stconquest]

Though I will say, stconquest, I really like that black/red build you posted, I just may build it!

 

The builds are really just a baseline... to let you see the parts well organized... under a budget.

 

So I take it you are not comfortable with overclocking.  I have a question for you:  are you planning to edit video/audio? 

 

If you are just playing games, the i5 line is great.  You get four real cores, and that is all you need for modern games.  If you plan to do more than just gaming, you might benefit from what the i7 offers... that is 4 real cores AND four virtual cores.  This can greatly speed up many workstation oriented tasks... BUT if you are not an overclocking type of person and want to save a bit of money, the Xeon is the way to go.  It runs games just as good as the i5 or i7 (at the same clock) and has hyper-threading (virtual cores).  The Xeons are about $65 cheaper than the i7 4790K.  Look at the Xeon E3-1230 V3, or the Xeon E3-1231 V3... any lower that 1230 and there is no hyper-threading.

 

To add a little more perspective, an i5+GTX 970 gaming PC can be had for well under $1100.

[stconquest]

$950 before rebates, a good gaming experience:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($167.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($69.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin ECO2 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($87.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.45 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($303.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 100R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($91.69 @ NCIX US)
Total: $927.06
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-11 13:55 EDT-0400

[Seraph318]

Hmm. So essentially all I will be doing is running antivirus, possibly music, maybe a voice chat program while playing something (like WoW, Starcraft, guild wars, etc) on preferably high graphic settings. Also, doing the regular things we all do (stream videos, etc). I want to be able to handle the games coming out later in the year/next year as well. I don't really do video editing at all. As far as overclocking, I wouldn't say I'm comfortable, but if that will help game performance, I am all for learning it! I liked the i5 option since it has the capability for OC and I can upgrade my rig and still have it be solid.

[stconquest]

Hmm. So essentially all I will be doing is running antivirus, possibly music, maybe a voice chat program while playing something (like WoW, Starcraft, guild wars, etc) on preferably high graphic settings. Also, doing the regular things we all do (stream videos, etc). I want to be able to handle the games coming out later in the year/next year as well. I don't really do video editing at all. As far as overclocking, I wouldn't say I'm comfortable, but if that will help game performance, I am all for learning it! I liked the i5 option since it has the capability for OC and I can upgrade my rig and still have it be solid.

 

June 3rd is Computex I believe.  Nvidia and AMD will be releasing new graphics cards around that time.  I hate recommending that people wait, but it is so close.

 

AMDs 390X and Nvidia's GTX 980ti are right around the corner.

 

As far as CPU:  The i5 might limit you in the manner to which you live stream games.  An i7 would be a little more robust regarding your software options for streaming... 

 

A good motherboard will let you overclock just about any CPU.  The reason the K processors are considered "overclockers" is that they have unlocked multipliers.  This simplifies the overclocking process. 

 

Xeons can be overclocked as well, you just have to learn a bit more about BCLK overclocking before you do it, and... you are likely not to get as high of an overclock.  It is not uncommon to get a decent boost from a BCLK overclock.

 

Check out Linus' recent videos on YouTube.  He overclocks an 18-core Xeon to gain around 25%-30% more speed.

[Seraph318]

It sounds like an i7 cpu and waiting a little while for the next GPU's to come out would be a better bet then.. Which is ok,im still getting money worked out. When are the new cards set to release?

[stconquest]

It sounds like an i7 cpu and waiting a little while for the next GPU's to come out would be a better bet then.. Which is ok,im still getting money worked out. When are the new cards set to release?

 

Rumored to be at Computex... I think... that is June 3rd I believe.

 

That gives you time to casually research stuff.

[Seraph318]

Awesome. Thanks I appreciate it!