Help with first build.

[MorsVitae]

Hello. I have always wanted to build my own gaming rig for years now and I have finally found the money to do so. I've put hours upon hours of research and thought into the parts but I still have a few questions. I want to stay below 1700 for the full build including peripherals, but plan to wait till black friday to push the price down. So here's what I got so far.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/h8QVvK

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($327.99 @ SuperBiiz)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.89 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: MSI Z97A GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($177.78 @ OutletPC)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB)

DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.89 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Best Buy)

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card ($329.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Case: NZXT Noctis 450 ATX Mid Tower Case ($136.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($86.75 @ OutletPC)

Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-AC56 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 39.9 CFM 120mm Fans ($24.15 @ NCIX US)

Monitor: BenQ RL2455HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($183.99 @ Amazon)

Total: $1676.37

So my questions, and concerns.

First I worry about the airflow orientation in the case. I'm not sure the best setup for that.

Secondly the psu cover raises some problems due to the fact that I have carpet and the case will be on the ground. The psu will have to face down, but I heard carpets interfere with the overall cooling of the psu.

The only other major one is should I upgrade to Windows 10?

Thanks for your help.

[Castdeath97]

Get a i5 sense you will be using this for gaming, better spend more on your GPU to get a r9 390x.

 

Get a EVGA GS power supply.

[BigDay]

snip

 

don't put the pc directly on the carpet. put a piece of cardboard down if you have to. get windows 10, it's fine. here's my review of your build:

1. if you're gaming, just get an i5-4690k or a 6600k
2. you need a better cpu cooling solution if you're going to overclock to a high level, which you should. i'd recommend the u12s by noctua or the h60 by corsair for an i5. read my cpu overclocking guide; link in my forum signature
3. your motherboard is too expensive. you can get away with another one and put that money into a better gpu
4. you have too much ram. 8gb is fine for gaming
5. your hdd is too expensive. just get a blue caviar
6. great gpu. overclocks well and is not voltage locked
7. case is a little pricey. again, i'd save some money and put that into a better gpu like the 980
8. you can get away with a less expensive psu like the evga b2 750w
9. i would get a gaming monitor at 1ms and 144 hertz

this is what you should consider for your build:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($239.99 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($64.99 @ NCIX US)

Motherboard: MSI Z170 Krait Gaming ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($144.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($54.99 @ Adorama)

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($66.89 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($46.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($499.99 @ Amazon)

Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($74.99 @ NCIX US)

Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($65.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit)  ($97.89 @ OutletPC)

Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($238.99 @ Amazon)

Keyboard: Logitech Corded Keyboard K280e Wired Standard Keyboard  ($39.99 @ NCIX US)

Mouse: Gigabyte GM-M6800 Wired Optical Mouse  ($14.77 @ Newegg)

Total: $1651.45

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-15 11:47 EDT-0400

[MorsVitae]

don't put the pc directly on the carpet. put a piece of cardboard down if you have to. get windows 10, it's fine. here's my review of your build:

• if you're gaming, just get an i5-4690k or a 6600k
• you need a better cpu cooling solution if you're going to overclock to a high level, which you should. i'd recommend the u12s by noctua or the h60 by corsair for an i5. read my cpu overclocking guide; link in my forum signature
• your motherboard is too expensive. you can get away with another one and put that money into a better gpu
• you have too much ram. 8gb is fine for gaming
• your hdd is too expensive. just get a blue caviar
• great gpu. overclocks well and is not voltage locked
• case is a little pricey. again, i'd save some money and put that into a better gpu like the 980
• you can get away with a less expensive psu like the evga b2 750w
• i would get a gaming monitor at 1ms and 144 hertz

this is what you should consider for your build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.99 @ NCIX US)

Motherboard: MSI Z170 Krait Gaming ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($54.99 @ Adorama)

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($66.89 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card ($499.99 @ Amazon)

Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX US)

Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($65.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($97.89 @ OutletPC)

Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($238.99 @ Amazon)

Keyboard: Logitech Corded Keyboard K280e Wired Standard Keyboard ($39.99 @ NCIX US)

Mouse: Gigabyte GM-M6800 Wired Optical Mouse ($14.77 @ Newegg)

Total: $1651.45

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-15 11:47 EDT-0400

Thanks for the response. A few things about your suggestions. I would be losing .5ghz with that CPU, 8gb of ram, 4gb of gpu ram, and overall color matching (this one is important to me). An oc on that CPU would just get me to where the one I have now is right? As for use it will be gaming, and programming. The 16gB of ram were to not limit my max ram on that board to 16gB instead of 32gb in future upgrades. I want it to last as long as tech can last.

[Caloon]

What about this build?

- I've changed the case, because the one you had is pretty pricey.

- I went with Z170 platform and a i5 6600K (If you'll be only gaming)

- Went with GTX 980 Strix, It's an amazing card and you'll be able to game with it what ever you'll want

 Here it is. Hope you like this. In case you'll be doing some content creating tell us and we'll try to make a different config.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($239.99 @ Amazon) 

CPU Cooler: be quiet! Shadow Rock Slim 67.8 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler  ($38.99 @ NCIX US) 

Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($159.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($72.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($89.89 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($50.89 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card  ($479.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case: NZXT S340 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($84.98 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit)  ($86.89 @ OutletPC) 

Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-AC56 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 39.9 CFM 120mm  Fans  ($24.15 @ NCIX US) 

Monitor: BenQ RL2455HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($183.99 @ Amazon) 

Total: $1656.72

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-15 12:13 EDT-0400

[MorsVitae]

I am a programmer on the side

[Caloon]

I am a programmer on the side

I don't think that you need an i7 for programming. My friend is a programmer and he has  i5 4460

[MorsVitae]

I don't think that you need an i7 for programming. My friend is a programmer and he has i5 4460

Ok thanks

[BigDay]

Thanks for the response. A few things about your suggestions. I would be losing .5ghz with that CPU, 8gb of ram, 4gb of gpu ram, and overall color matching (this one is important to me). An oc on that CPU would just get me to where the one I have now is right? As for use it will be gaming, and programming. The 16gB of ram were to not limit my max ram on that board to 16gB instead of 32gb in future upgrades. I want it to last as long as tech can last.

 

no problem. if you overclock the 6600k, you should be fine. obviously the 6700k would perform better, but it's up to you and how much money you want to spend. the i5 will perform VERY WELL in games. you can always upgrade ram in the future... i don't think it's necessary to get 16gb unless your programs really make use of all that

 

edit:

 

even the 6600k stock is very powerful

[Caloon]

Thanks for the response. A few things about your suggestions. I would be losing .5ghz with that CPU, 8gb of ram, 4gb of gpu ram, and overall color matching (this one is important to me). An oc on that CPU would just get me to where the one I have now is right? As for use it will be gaming, and programming. The 16gB of ram were to not limit my max ram on that board to 16gB instead of 32gb in future upgrades. I want it to last as long as tech can last.

You'll lose 4gb of GPU ram... Here it is the video in which you can see that 980 outperform 390X. It's not all about the more VRAM... I own 980Ti and when playing GTA V at 1080p, I didn't use more that 3.5 gb of VRAM. So don't worry, you won't need 8gb of vram. 

Color matching can be done also with z170 platform don't worry And also, I doubt that we'll be needing 32gb of ram for gaming and programming any time soon. I'm concidering buying 32gb ram when I'll be doing 4K stuff, and not sooner.

 

EDIT:

-If you want color matching (Black&Red), concider this two mobos: 

1. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz170xgaming5

2. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z170progaming

-Also If you want RED RAM sticks go with:

1. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f42400c15d8grr

[MorsVitae]

You'll lose 4gb of GPU ram... Here it is the video in which you can see that 980 outperform 390X. It's not all about the more VRAM... I own 980Ti and when playing GTA V at 1080p, I didn't use more that 3.5 gb of VRAM. So don't worry, you won't need 8gb of vram.

Color matching can be done also with z170 platform don't worry And also, I doubt that we'll be needing 32gb of ram for gaming and programming any time soon. I'm concidering buying 32gb ram when I'll be doing 4K stuff, and not sooner.

EDIT:

-If you want color matching (Black&Red), concider this two mobos:

1. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz170xgaming5

2. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z170progaming

-Also If you want RED RAM sticks go with:

1. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f42400c15d8grr

Would you consider the build you suggested to be enough to warrant a 144hz monitor.

[Caloon]

Would you consider the build you suggested to be enough to warrant a 144hz monitor.

Of course. 144hz monitor should work with this kind of setup. 

[BigDay]

Would you consider the build you suggested to be enough to warrant a 144hz monitor.

 

as long as you have a gtx 980, you should be able to achieve well over 60 fps consistently at 1080p resolution on max settings or near max settings in most games

[MorsVitae]

Is an upgrade to skylake even worth it? Losing hyperthreading and he .5 ghz makes me worry

[MorsVitae]

You'll lose 4gb of GPU ram... Here it is the video in which you can see that 980 outperform 390X. It's not all about the more VRAM... I own 980Ti and when playing GTA V at 1080p, I didn't use more that 3.5 gb of VRAM. So don't worry, you won't need 8gb of vram.

Color matching can be done also with z170 platform don't worry And also, I doubt that we'll be needing 32gb of ram for gaming and programming any time soon. I'm concidering buying 32gb ram when I'll be doing 4K stuff, and not sooner.

EDIT:

-If you want color matching (Black&Red), concider this two mobos:

1. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz170xgaming5

2. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z170progaming

-Also If you want RED RAM sticks go with:

1. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f42400c15d8grr

I was looking at the msi m5. Thoughts?

[Caloon]

I was looking at the msi m5. Thoughts?

Solid board. I'd said go for it

[MorsVitae]

Solid board. I'd said go for it

Ok updated skylake build

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

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/csxHmG/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.89 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: MSI Z170A GAMING M5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($179.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($60.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.49 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.89 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($499.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Case: NZXT Noctis 450 ATX Mid Tower Case ($136.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($86.75 @ OutletPC)

Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-AC56 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 39.9 CFM 120mm Fans ($24.15 @ NCIX US)

Monitor: BenQ RL2455HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($179.00 @ Amazon)

Other: Redragon S101 VAJRA USB Gaming Keyboard, CENTROPHORUS USB Gaming Mouse, Keyboard Set ($29.99)

Total: $1747.09

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-16 11:24 EDT-0400

[Caloon]

Ok updated skylake build

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

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/csxHmG/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.89 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: MSI Z170A GAMING M5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($179.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($60.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.49 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.89 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($499.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Case: NZXT Noctis 450 ATX Mid Tower Case ($136.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($86.75 @ OutletPC)

Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-AC56 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 39.9 CFM 120mm Fans ($24.15 @ NCIX US)

Monitor: BenQ RL2455HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($179.00 @ Amazon)

Other: Redragon S101 VAJRA USB Gaming Keyboard, CENTROPHORUS USB Gaming Mouse, Keyboard Set ($29.99)

Total: $1747.09

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-16 11:24 EDT-0400

Looks great, maybe that 212evo is a bit of an eyesore, but you can always upgreade it

[MorsVitae]

Looks great, maybe that 212evo is a bit of an eyesore, but you can always upgreade it

Well I'd love a water cooling loop but right now it's a bit out of range. Since I'm shooting for black Friday it may come into range.

[Caloon]

Well I'd love a water cooling loop but right now it's a bit out of range. Since I'm shooting for black Friday it may come into range.

AIO would be great decidion. What about sth like be quiet dark rock series?

[MorsVitae]

AIO would be great decidion. What about sth like be quiet dark rock series?

Sorry still new. AIO? sth?

[Caloon]

AIO would be great decidion. What about sth like be quiet dark rock series?

would dark rock 3 be in the budget? It's nice and all black And it cools great too