Modded Skyrim build

[brookfang]

 1. Budget & Location
Alberta, Canada. Around 1k but as cheap as I can make it while still being better than my asus. preferably by a landslide.
2. Aim
I will be using the computer for fully (255 mods) modded skyrim, WoW, media, and a ton of storage/file repository work.
3. Monitors
I don't have any monitors and don't know what I need or anything. My current computer is a laptop so I don't really need it for that.
4. Peripherals
Nope, already have it all.
5. Why are you upgrading?
I am upgrading mostly because I like the idea of a PC that I can upgrade constantly without having to buy a new one ever five or so years.

My current "laptop" is the massive RoG Asus G74SX. I've had it for a century and want a larger, more powerful computer. I have heard that desktop computers are faster than laptops in general, so I decided to make a prototype build.
 

I posted My first build to a different forum, which they recommended I change to this build, which I based my final build off of, as well as other recommendations. The first two builds don't matter too much, I just wanted to include them here in case some of the changes I made were bad. Hopefully I have included enough information in here, if not then let me know please. I have a few questions, I'll try to keep them neat and tidy for you.
1. Is this computer faster than my laptop? I am asking this because the current build I am looking at has an i5, but my asus laptop has an i7. I have heard that desktops are generally faster regardless of the CPU, but I wanted confirmation before I upgrade.

2. MSI Radeon 390 8gb or MSI GTX 970? I have heard the 390 is better for modded skyrim, but have also heard it heats up much more than the 970. I don't plan on overclocking anything. WIll I need a cooling system for the 390?
3. Is my CPU overkill? The first forum I asked said that the cheaper i5 will do, I just want to double check that. I don't want to spend $430 on a video card only to find out that my cheap processor is holding everything else back.

4. Does your choice of motherboard affect your speed or does it not really matter as long as it fits all of the parts?

5. Are any of my parts overkill or too low for what I am planning on?

Thank you for reading. The computer I have right now is really good, but it struggles to even run an ENB with around 5 graphic mods .

[Geralt]

Since you said that you run ENB with 5 graphic mods, I think that the 390 would be better because of the larger VRAM. Texture mods in Skyrim will chew through your VRAM like no tomorrow. I currently run ENB with about 2 or 3 graphic mods and I'm capping out my VRAM. As for the CPU, I think it should be enough for a modded skyrim. Motherboards all work the same, it's the bios and overclocking abilities that matter. Since you're not overclocking (I would recommend it tho), that motherboard would be okay.

[Amazingasian]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($293.01 @ Vuugo) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($34.97 @ DirectCanada) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($109.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Memory: Team Dark 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($49.99 @ Newegg Canada) 

Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($64.50 @ Vuugo) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($57.24 @ Vuugo) 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card  ($424.37 @ Amazon Canada) 

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.88 @ Canada Computers) 

Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($84.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Total: $1168.92

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-05 00:56 EST-0500

 

This is really good and will outperform your laptop.  Definitely overclock your parts.  The i5 won't hold anything back.

[Guest]

1: Yes way faster. 

 

2:  390 can work on its own.

 

3: CPU is good

 

4: no.

 

5: Get an SSD. 

[brookfang]

Great, thank you. I assume that motherboard will be able to overclock? I have't really looked into overclocking much, it seemed scary. Also I read that 2x4 ram cards is fater than 1x8 ram card, is this a myth? Also there are two compatibility notes about the case, should I get a different case with that build or are they not important?

[Guest]

Z motherboards  means OC pretty much. 

[Guest]

Great, thank you. I assume that motherboard will be able to overclock? I have't really looked into overclocking much, it seemed scary. Also I read that 2x4 ram cards is fater than 1x8 ram card, is this a myth? Also there are two compatibility notes about the case, should I get a different case with that build or are they not important?

Also you don't have to overclock now. You can wait til you actually need too. That is true I think, but getting one 8gb stick means you can get 32GB (4x8gb) instead of 16GB (4x4GB). But if you can get two 8gb sticks if it's in the budget then it could be nice to have that ram even though you wouldn't really need it.

 

Get a case that you like. One that looks good to you. That's why I don't really like people asking for recommendations. The nzxt case should be fine though.

[Guest]

Also that 520w PSU I don't think is enough. There is a 620w version I tihnk tho. 

[brookfang]

Thanks, why would a 620 watt be needed though? it's estimated use is only 480 watts.

[Geralt]

Thanks, why would a 620 watt be needed though? it's estimated use is only 480 watts.

Gives you headroom to grow your rig in the future if you need it.

[brookfang]

Alright so I got every part of the build now. Obviously I had to get a few things that I hadn't planned on, and the final build I have can be seen here. the guy at the memory express I went to said I need an 800W power supply because on the side of the r9 390 it said  that it requires a minimum 750W power supply. Why does pcpartpicker say I need 520 yet the 390 says I need 750? The power supply is the only thing I haven't bought yet. What wattage do I get?