My First Build

[ApexVasii]

So since getting a laptop is evidently not the best for gaming, I've decided to build a spare Gaming PC, here's the link http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QqfbHx

 

Would this be able to run games like Far Cry 3, Crysis, Arkham Knight on Medium/High settings? And as the title says, this is my first build so please don't hate to much if I commit any PC building sins (if there are any)! Thanks in advance

 

[SkywardKkalox]

Get rid of those SSDs and buy an MX100 SSD. get rid of the extra thermal compound, also get a z97 mothrboard if you are going to overclock. If you don't plan on overclocking I suggest you downgrade to a Xeon e3 1231 V3, same performance as an i7 4770. Not a fan of razer but peripherals are personal. Also @ApexVasii follow your topics.

[SeanAngelo]

So since getting a laptop is evidently not the best for gaming, I've decided to build a spare Gaming PC, here's the link http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QqfbHx

 

Would this be able to run games like Far Cry 3, Crysis, Arkham Knight on Medium/High settings? And as the title says, this is my first build so please don't hate to much if I commit any PC building sins (if there are any)! Thanks in advance

What are you gonna be doing with this build? What's your budget?

 

This build will be more than capable, but change a couple of things.

 

H97 to Z97 motherboard

Get a Crucial MX100 120gb/250gb SSD.

Razer keyboard to something else cuz ew, unless you really want a Razer keyboard.

[Senzelian]

So since getting a laptop is evidently not the best for gaming, I've decided to build a spare Gaming PC, here's the link http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QqfbHx

 

Would this be able to run games like Far Cry 3, Crysis, Arkham Knight on Medium/High settings? And as the title says, this is my first build so please don't hate to much if I commit any PC building sins (if there are any)! Thanks in advance

OMG.. YOU F*** I**

No srsly, the build is overall fine and it would definitly be able to run those games in 1080 at max settings.

But there are a few things you should change:

• You should get a Z87 or Z97 chipset on your motherboard to actually be able to overclock. Right now you have an H97 motherboard.

  If you don't want to overclock, then stick with a non K CPU, such as the i7-4790 or i5-4690. Warning: On Z87 motherboards you might have to update your bios first. If you don't know how to do that, stick with a Z97 board.

• The two Kingston V300 aren't exactly great drives. I have one myself and it does fine, but I'd recommend either the Crucial BX100, Adata SP610, HyperX Fury or Samsung 850 Evo. The V300 is known for bad performance.
• You might want to stick with the i5-4690 / i5-4690k instead of the i7 if you only plan on gaming. The i7 is really not need to simply play games. I'm currently using an i5 myself, which isn't even overclocked for two GTX 980s.

Get a Crucial MX100 120gb/250gb SSD.

 

Get rid of those SSDs and buy an MX100 SSD

Not sure about the prices in your countrys, but the BX100 should have a much better performance/price ratio.

[o0Martin]

Seeing as the monitor in the link is 1080p and you're using a 970 it'll be able to run those games at high/ultra settings while still maintaining 60fps

 

Although if it's just for gaming, save yourself some money and get an i5-4690k! It'll run the same in games as the i7 and you'll save money, there is no need for that i7 for just gaming.

 

ALSO You picked a H97 chip set motherboard, this means you can't overclock your CPU, if you want to overclock your CPU get a z97 series motherboard, or pick a non 'K' sku CPU and stick with that motherboard.

 

Also look to see which is cheaper in your area, the r9 390 or the GTX 970, they perform the same, but in different places either can save you money.

 

Other than that seems okay, if you want to make life easier on yourself get a fully modular PSU, and why the 2 SSDs? Why not get 1 250GB SSD (Maybe pick a different type too)? 

[brob]

An i5 is sufficient for gaming, especially with a single GTX 970 at 1080.

 

One ssd is generally better than two. And the V300 model of ssd has a very poor reputation.

 

No need for the after market fans.

 

IPS monitors have much better color reproduction and better viewing angles.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($229.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($123.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($97.95 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card  ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro OEM (64-bit)  ($131.65 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VN248H-P 23.8" Monitor  ($172.98 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2014 Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Headset  ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1489.46
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-13 14:06 EDT-0400

[ApexVasii]

Get rid of those SSDs and buy an MX100 SSD. get rid of the extra thermal compound, also get a z97 mothrboard if you are going to overclock. If you don't plan on overclocking I suggest you downgrade to a Xeon e3 1231 V3, same performance as an i7 4770. Not a fan of razer but peripherals are personal. Also @ApexVasii follow your topics.

Alright thanks!

 

What are you gonna be doing with this build? What's your budget?

 

This build will be more than capable, but change a couple of things.

 

H97 to Z97 motherboard

Get a Crucial MX100 120gb/250gb SSD.

Razer keyboard to something else cuz ew, unless you really want a Razer keyboard.

I'll be gaming and using it for school (essays) My budget is 1550 USD cap.

 

OMG.. YOU F*** I**

No srsly, the build is overall fine and it would definitly be able to run those games in 1080 at max settings.

But there are a few things you should change:

• You should get a Z87 or Z97 chipset on your motherboard to actually be able to overclock. Right now you have an H97 motherboard.

  If you don't want to overclock, then stick with a non K CPU, such as the i7-4790 or i5-4690. Warning: On Z87 motherboards you might have to update your bios first. If you don't know how to do that, stick with a Z97 board.

   

• The two Kingston V300 aren't exactly great drives. I have one myself and it does fine, but I'd recommend either the Crucial BX100, Adata SP610, HyperX Fury or Samsung 850 Evo. The V300 is known for bad performance.

   

• You might want to stick with the i5-4690 / i5-4690k instead of the i7 if you only plan on gaming. The i7 is really not need to simply play games. I'm currently using an i5 myself, which isn't even overclocked for two GTX 980s.

 

Not sure about the prices in your countrys, but the BX100 should have a much better performance/price ratio.

 

Ok I removed both of the SSDs and added in a 500G BX100, is there any difference (read/write) between the 256 and 500 besides the space? I just noticed that my processor had overclocking on it, my bad. What is the difference between the i7 and i5 if there is any? Thanks!

 

Seeing as the monitor in the link is 1080p and you're using a 970 it'll be able to run those games at high/ultra settings while still maintaining 60fps

 

Although if it's just for gaming, save yourself some money and get an i5-4690k! It'll run the same in games as the i7 and you'll save money, there is no need for that i7 for just gaming.

 

ALSO You picked a H97 chip set motherboard, this means you can't overclock your CPU, if you want to overclock your CPU get a z97 series motherboard, or pick a non 'K' sku CPU and stick with that motherboard.

 

Also look to see which is cheaper in your area, the r9 390 or the GTX 970, they perform the same, but in different places either can save you money.

 

Other than that seems okay, if you want to make life easier on yourself get a fully modular PSU, and why the 2 SSDs? Why not get 1 250GB SSD (Maybe pick a different type too)? 

Thanks! I wasn't planning on overclocking my PC even though I accidentally added in the K version of the i7. I think I'll replace it with the i5.

 

An i5 is sufficient for gaming, especially with a single GTX 970 at 1080.

 

One ssd is generally better than two. And the V300 model of ssd has a very poor reputation.

 

No need for the after market fans.

 

IPS monitors have much better color reproduction and better viewing angles.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($229.98 @ NCIX US)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($26.98 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($123.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($42.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($97.95 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.99 @ Best Buy)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card  ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ NCIX US)

Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ NCIX US)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro OEM (64-bit)  ($131.65 @ OutletPC)

Monitor: Asus VN248H-P 23.8" Monitor  ($172.98 @ Newegg)

Keyboard: Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2014 Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($99.99 @ Amazon)

Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Headset  ($79.99 @ Amazon)

Total: $1489.46

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-13 14:06 EDT-0400

Thanks

[o0Martin]

Thanks! I wasn't planning on overclocking my PC even though I accidentally added in the K version of the i7. I think I'll replace it with the i5.

 

 

Okay cool Get the  i5-4690 and keep your H97 motherboard then (Note with the H97 you wont be able to SLI your GPU in the future too though!) 

 

But yeah the i5-4690 will perform the same as the i7 you picked in gaming, the difference is only the i7 has hyper threading, and k versions are for overclocking.

[Senzelian]

Ok I removed both of the SSDs and added in a 500G BX100, is there any difference (read/write) between the 256 and 500 besides the space? I just noticed that my processor had overclocking on it, my bad. What is the difference between the i7 and i5 if there is any? Thanks!

Usually there is a difference between 60, 120, 240, 500 and 1TB drives in speed. Everything at 1TB and above doesn't matter anymore.

Because you have more memory chips in your SSD the higher the capacity is, the better the write performance gets. Reads are usually maxed out anyway because of Sata3. (6Gb/s max)

But all of that also depends on the SSD. Some SSDs perform better, some worse on lower capacities.

I'd still recommend to stick with the highest capacity possible for your SSDs.

There is a large difference between the i5s and i7s. i7s use hyper-threading for much higher multithreaded performance. For gaming it isn't really important, because games mostly rely on single core performance where the i5 and i7 perform pretty much the same.

[ApexVasii]

Also, would I need an antistatic wristband while putting together my PC and would I need an Optical Drive? 

[o0Martin]

Also, would I need an antistatic wristband while putting together my PC and would I need an Optical Drive? 

 

You can get away without one, just plug your PSU into the wall but leave it turned off at the plug, then touch it wherever it's metal everytime before you go to touch something else. But tbh they are like £1, so may as well get one to be extra safe. 

 

And most people have no need for an optical drive now a days, you can install windows off a USB then everything else like drivers you can get online. 

[ApexVasii]

Oh yeah and another question, what if my system only requires maybe 300W and I get a 500W power source, would it kill my PC? And would I need a 500W to be safe or should I just buy a 300W? Thanks!

 

Edit: This is my revised PC after your recommendations, are there any other improvements that I can make with a 1550 USD budget? Open to anything!

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ApexVasii/saved/Rb3XsY

[o0Martin]

Oh yeah and another question, what if my system only requires maybe 300W and I get a 500W power source, would it kill my PC? And would I need a 500W to be safe or should I just buy a 300W? Thanks!

 

Nah it wont kill your PC, it'll be more than fine. 

 

You always want a little bit of headroom when getting a PSU, it only becomes bad if you were going to get like a 1500W PSU, because every PSU has an efficiency curve, and when you're only running like 20% of the max it isn't very efficient. 

 

But 500W for a system that requires 300W is good. 

 

What I normally do is fine out how much I need, then find out how much I would need if I wanted to SLI my GPU in the future, and then I get a PSU with enough Watts for that. (But that's just to be on the safe side, you really don't need to do that unless you think you will SLI later or have plans to SLI in the future)

[ApexVasii]

 

Edit: This is my revised PC after your recommendations, are there any other improvements that I can make with a 1550 USD budget? Open to anything!

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ApexVasii/saved/Rb3XsY

[o0Martin]

 

 

Edit: This is my revised PC after your recommendations, are there any other improvements that I can make with a 1550 USD budget? Open to anything!

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ApexVasii/saved/Rb3XsY

 

 

You changed the mobo to a z97 chipset, if you want that then you should get the i5-4690K again, also I changed the ram, saved you money and it'll be the same performance for you 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($229.98 @ NCIX US) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($26.98 @ OutletPC) 

Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste  ($6.79 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($146.98 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.99 @ Best Buy) 

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card  ($334.99 @ B&H) 

Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($109.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($94.99 @ NCIX US) 

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($18.89 @ OutletPC) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit)  ($89.95 @ OutletPC) 

Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor  ($129.99 @ Newegg) 

Keyboard: Logitech G105 Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($39.98 @ Amazon) 

Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Headset  ($79.99 @ Amazon) 

Total: $1557.47

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-13 21:04 EDT-0400

[ApexVasii]

 

You changed the mobo to a z97 chipset, if you want that then you should get the i5-4690K again, also I changed the ram, saved you money and it'll be the same performance for you 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($229.98 @ NCIX US) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($26.98 @ OutletPC) 

Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste  ($6.79 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($146.98 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.99 @ Best Buy) 

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card  ($334.99 @ B&H) 

Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($109.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($94.99 @ NCIX US) 

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($18.89 @ OutletPC) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit)  ($89.95 @ OutletPC) 

Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor  ($129.99 @ Newegg) 

Keyboard: Logitech G105 Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($39.98 @ Amazon) 

Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Headset  ($79.99 @ Amazon) 

Total: $1557.47

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-13 21:04 EDT-0400

 

Whoops mb on the motherboard but a question on the RAM, isn't the DDR3-2400 better than the DDR3-1866? Or is the difference just insignificant. Are case fans and network adapters needed for PCs?

[o0Martin]

Whoops mb on the motherboard but a question on the RAM, isn't the DDR3-2400 better than the DDR3-1866? Or is the difference just insignificant.

 

The issue is with ram, when you increase the frequency, you also increase the latency, and a higher latency is bad. So it pretty much evens it out and you just end up spending more money for the same performance, here's a video Linus did on it for a more detailed explanation lol:

 

[Starelementpoke]

Whoops mb on the motherboard but a question on the RAM, isn't the DDR3-2400 better than the DDR3-1866? Or is the difference just insignificant.

Common misconception, ram has near 0 play in game play. Just get a 1600mhz cas9 set and you'll be fine.

[brob]

Whoops mb on the motherboard but a question on the RAM, isn't the DDR3-2400 better than the DDR3-1866? Or is the difference just insignificant. Are case fans and network adapters needed for PCs?

 

The influence of memory speed on performance depends on the application. Gaming data suggest that there is no noticeable difference in most titles. There are differences in other applications, although rarely enough to justify any price premium.

 

Good air flow is necessary. Good cases typically include sufficient fans for decent air flow.

 

Most motherboards include at least one gigabit Ethernet port.