First Time PC Building

[Singularityz17]

Hey guys so this is my first time ever building a PC. I have been doing loads and loads of research and would consider myself a little bit more knowledgeable than I was a week ago. Still have got lots to learn, - but I'm not entirely lost anymore. Please have patience as this is literally the first time I am posting on this forum, as well as building a PC. I've been conversing with some of my friends and they have helped me out loads. 

 

Anyways, I plan on going all-out with my build. Hell, I'm even building my own desk for my room so I can game on it. This is money I've worked very hard for (like most people) and have recently decided to spend it on this. I'm more than open to suggestions, recommendations, anything! I digress. 

 

Wanted to get the technicalities out of the way first. As I said I'm going all out with this. I'm trying to go for a 4k gaming setup that can also handle some load-bearing programs. Rendering, multi-tasking, etc. But I'm pretty sure a gaming set-up should be able to handle anything other than gaming that I would do.

 

So I had one of my PC gaming friends who has been a huge help, big shout out to him, conjure up a parts list for me: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hnNCWZ

 

This was when I first went to him and told him what I wanted to do. I'm solely going for performance here. I don't favor any company over the other, especially because I'm a noob to this whole thing anyways. Since he sent me this, I've looked into lots of things more. I feel like I'm going to stick with the CPU. My friend said that it's not only great for gaming but can handle any programs I'd throw at it. (Again, to make things simpler, just think of this as a gaming computer and go from there). I've decided on the NZXT H440 case instead. It just looks really badass imo. Also as of right now I am currently deciding on the gpu. Again, something I quickly picked up on (and it's unfortunate imo that this even exists in the first place and everyone can't just be content with being a PC gamer but I digress) that people have this sort-of insane customer loyalty. I am simply looking for the best performance that I can get. So on to the gpus that I've looked at. The XFX R9 295x2 seems like one hell of a card. Thing is it seems to be old. I bet it was one hell of a card upon its release. Hell, it still is one hell of a card. I just feel like there are better options which I am more than open minded to hear about) than this. I'm also deciding on the 980 ti (will be specific in a second just giving my reasoning). The reason is because the 980 ti is a single gpu and is quite powerful on its own. Because it is a single gpu it leaves room for future upgrading with SLI, where as with the 295x2 it already is a dual gpu and can('t) be upgraded. Technically it can (I'm sure you all know this already but just making it clear that I know as well) be upgraded but it would cause a lot of frame jittering and other issues. So I was thinking the new Zotac 980 ti Amp Extreme, MSI GTX980Ti GAMING, and well obviously the 295x2. If you know of any online sales for any gpus like what I'm going for please be sure to let me know!

 

As I mentioned, I'm going for a 4k gaming setup that will allow me to play games, even Triple A titles at a decent FPS. I'm not looking for some insane 100 frames or something on Triple A titles (although I would love that). If you decide to make an entirely new parts list for me, please try and stick to the $1800-2000 price range. My wallet isn't infinite and I've been wanting this for a very long time. I guess that price range shouldn't include the monitor, speaking of which I have been having a lot of trouble with what monitor to get. Any help on this I would be more than grateful. I'm not sure if I should go for a 60hz (i know its low) or something higher. Again, my pockets aren't infinite. I wouldn't want to go spend like a thousand on a monitor, but I want a really good one. I have no idea as to how big I should get it, and all that good stuff. I do know that if I were to get a 60hz monitor the fps is capped at 60. I mean what if i wanted to drop the graphics on a game to try and get more fps out of it? Like CSGO for example. The game is easy to run, but if the monitor is capped at 60fps then I'm at a disadvantage. 

 

Any help with anything I would more than appreciate!

 

 

 

[SPG]

295x2=beast.  Might be old, but beats a 980ti.  

you have to keep in mind though, thats a dual gpu card, and some games dont deal with corssfire well (or dont support it what so ever) a 980ti would be better and upgrade with another later on would be a better investment 

[Bob Jim]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i GTX 70.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($111.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($125.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury White 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($95.99 @ Amazon)

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 ($52.49 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card ($679.95 @ Amazon)

Case: NZXT H440 (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.99 @ Micro Center)

Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($136.39 @ OutletPC)

Total: $1734.73

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-22 01:54 EDT-0400

This is good. Avoid the R9 295X2, there are loads of problems with it, like heat, power (500W), stuttering issues, etc. If you could afford it in the future, this build allows for a second 980Ti in SLI.

[XCruzzerX89]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i GTX 70.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($111.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($125.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury White 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($95.99 @ Amazon)

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 ($52.49 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card ($679.95 @ Amazon)

Case: NZXT H440 (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.99 @ Micro Center)

Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($136.39 @ OutletPC)

Total: $1734.73

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-22 01:54 EDT-0400

This is good. Avoid the R9 295X2, there are loads of problems with it, like heat, power (500W), stuttering issues, etc. If you could afford it in the future, this build allows for a second 980Ti in SLI.

That's bs, I've had the card, and besides the heat it was amazing much better than my 980 TI

[XCruzzerX89]

Yes, the 295x2 is so hot that it has it's own waterblock.   On top of that the stuttering is prolly a bios bug since it is programmed to be read as a single card.

It's not a problem.

[Bob Jim]

Yes, the 295x2 is so hot that it has it's own waterblock.   On top of that the stuttering is prolly a bios bug since it is programmed to be read as a single card.

I've also heard that driver support to for the R9 295X2 is literally non existent (not being updated for new games, etc.

[XCruzzerX89]

I've also heard that driver support to for the R9 295X2 is literally non existent (not being updated for new games, etc.

No it's there

[Bob Jim]

It's not a problem.

Stuttering has been mentioned in just about every review. 500 watts is a stupid amount of power for a GPU to draw. You need to find space for a radiator. The exhausted heat will be a problem if your room is not ventilated enough. Anyways, why get something like the 295X2, when the FuryX2 or whatever will soon be out, making the 295X2 obsolete, hence limited driver support.

[XCruzzerX89]

I've also heard that driver support to for the R9 295X2 is literally non existent (not being updated for new games, etc.

It's supported as much as every amd card, I want to know where you heard this

[XCruzzerX89]

Stuttering has been mentioned in just about every review. 500 watts is a stupid amount of power for a GPU to draw. You need to find space for a radiator. The exhausted heat will be a problem if your room is not ventilated enough. Anyways, why get something like the 295X2, when the FuryX2 or whatever will soon be out, making the 295X2 obsolete, hence limited driver support.

As a owner for a few months the only problem I had was the heat since I have a small room. And no they will no stop driver support why would they. and it can get 60 fps in most 4k games easily. It rekts the 980 TI

[Bob Jim]

Also @XCruzzerX89 the OP said he would be doing rendering. CUDA comes in handy for that, with the vast majority of programs supporting it. Here the 980Ti would beat the R9 295X2.

[Bob Jim]

As a owner for a few months the only problem I had was the heat since I have a small room. And no they will no stop driver support why would they. and it can get 60 fps in most 4k games easily. It rekts the 980 TI

Just look at Nvidia's 700 series. Weren't given the Witcher 3 patch until weeks after the 900 series. Not a guarantee, but it makes sense for companies to focus on their latest cards.

[XCruzzerX89]

Also @XCruzzerX89 the OP said he would be doing rendering. CUDA comes in handy for that, with the vast majority of programs supporting it. Here the 980Ti would beat the R9 295X2.

The R9 295x2 can still pull its weight doing that

[XCruzzerX89]

Just look at Nvidia's 700 series. Weren't given the Witcher 3 patch until weeks after the 900 series. Not a guarantee, but it makes sense for companies to focus on their latest cards.

My friend has both the R9 295x2 and witcher 3 and with hairworks off in 1440p he gets well over 60 fps

[Bob Jim]

The R9 295x2 can still pull it's weight doing that

I agree. Thing is, CUDA is A. More widely supported, but more importantly B. Much better than AMD's offering.

[Bob Jim]

My friend has both the R9 295x2 and witcher 3 and with hairworks off in 1440p he gets well over 60 fps

Yes, AMD released a patch for that for all their cards. The point is, if something like that were to happen again, the R9 295X2 would not be their focus, because it is older hardware.

[Bob Jim]

Isn't that why you'd buy a firepro or quadro though?

Ideally yes, but let's not forget the Ops budget. No WAY you're getting a FirePro or Quadro into that.

[XCruzzerX89]

Yes, AMD released a patch for that for all their cards. The point is, if something like that were to happen again, the R9 295X2 would not be their focus, because it is older hardware.

Yes it would, because I know for a fact that most people who are on AMD right now have "old" 200 series cards, why would AMD focus on Fury when most of their custumers are on the 'old" hardware

[XCruzzerX89]

Yes, AMD released a patch for that for all their cards. The point is, if something like that were to happen again, the R9 295X2 would not be their focus, because it is older hardware.

Also getting a 980 TI would be less performance and $120 more expensive

[XCruzzerX89]

I really don't know where he is getting his info.  Honestly, AMD adds support for older HW all the time.  On 7/8 they released a new full driver for various games like witcher 3 and GTA V adding crossfire support for the 2xx cards even the 295x2.  

ikr

[XCruzzerX89]

 

Honestly, that build is perfect for a 4k gaming/ rendering build

[XCruzzerX89]

I know personally cuz I had to dl it to support my 280x crossfire.  

As do I, since I have had the card and my friend also has the card

[Singularityz17]

Honestly, that build is perfect for a 4k gaming/ rendering build

Which build? The one I had posted originally with the parts list my friend made? Because someone else had made a parts list as well. Also, I really appreciate the help. From everyone. I shouldn't have mentioned rendering. But I did say that any rendering that I do end up doing the pc should be able to handle. Which is why I decided to just say it's a 4k gaming PC. 

[Singularityz17]

Also getting a 980 TI would be less performance and $120 more expensive

The reason why I was thinking of getting the 980 ti (specifically the Zotac 980 ti Amp Extreme) was because of it being one gpu. I heard from a friend that Newegg has these megasales and they had that on there for like $550 last month. 

[XCruzzerX89]

The reason why I was thinking of getting the 980 ti (specifically the Zotac 980 ti Amp Extreme) was because of it being one gpu. I heard from a friend that Newegg has these megasales and they had that on there for like $550 last month. 

No, the 980 Ti has always been $650+. you should keep the rig your friend recommended I've had the card it's amazing