$1200 PC Build Overview

FrostedBlaze

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I have been working on a PC build, any recommendations on what I should change? Maybe a good looking air cooler that is black and/or Silver for about 430? My budget cant go over $1210. (P.S. I want the Corsair things since my build will have mostly Corsair branded items.)

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9WCbYJ
 
Solution
1. Krait has terrible Gaming Performance ... the MSI Gaming 5 tops the charts here:
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/msi_z97_sli_krait_motherboard_review/12

2. If this is a gaming build, drop to the 4690k.... will save ya $100

3. I understand you preference but it has to be said, that's pretty poor performing and overpriced set of slow $78 RAM
saves $30, better modules, faster speeds, no toothy heat sinks that have no function

4. SSD wont do anything for games stored on HD.... the SSHD will be 50% faster

5. The PSU is very poor ... again I understand you liek Corsair but like the RAM it's a poor performer ... I replaced in with one that can handle adding a 2nd GFX card down the road.

Corsair RM ... Build...
1. Krait has terrible Gaming Performance ... the MSI Gaming 5 tops the charts here:
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/msi_z97_sli_krait_motherboard_review/12

2. If this is a gaming build, drop to the 4690k.... will save ya $100

3. I understand you preference but it has to be said, that's pretty poor performing and overpriced set of slow $78 RAM
saves $30, better modules, faster speeds, no toothy heat sinks that have no function

4. SSD wont do anything for games stored on HD.... the SSHD will be 50% faster

5. The PSU is very poor ... again I understand you liek Corsair but like the RAM it's a poor performer ... I replaced in with one that can handle adding a 2nd GFX card down the road.

Corsair RM ... Build Quality = 7
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=363
EVGA B2 ... Build Quaity = 9.5
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=393

6. MSI overclocks better and better aesthetic match .... also having MoBo and card same saves tech support headaches as they can't blame the other guy.

EVGA 126.6 http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_980_Ti_SC_Plus/33.html
MSI 130.5 http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_980_Ti_Gaming/33.html

7. Well since the two Corsair items again were pretty poor performers, we might as well think about upgrading everything to better quality components. There's only 1 Corsair item left ... might as well use abetter CAse, w/ built in fan control and LED system

Corsair 450D = 8.9 rating
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Corsair/Obsidian_450D/6.html
Enthoo Luxe = 9.6 rating
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Phanteks/Enthoo_Luxe/7.html

8. Added CPU Cooler

9. Made budget by $8

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($145.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Redline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($71.49 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($89.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($339.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe ATX Full Tower Case ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1202.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-20 00:08 EDT-0400

 
Solution

FrostedBlaze

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http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WMK4TW

Got the 4790K back, aswell as got a new closed loop cooler. I do want the 450D and the PSU is a 9.6 on JonnyGuru. Thx for the advice on Mobo, stayed with the MSI Mobo and GPU. Anything else? I really want the h75 because it looks nice and its Corsair. :O
 



1. Corsair's name on the cooler doesn't make it any better, actually it just tells you that it is actually made by Asetek and that is not a good thing in my eyes. It suffers the same deficiencies as all CLCs.

-Weak 0.11 gpm pump
-cheap aluminum radiators
-Mixed metals (copper block / aluminum rad) promotes galvanic corrosion
-They are extremely loud. At 55% CPU load, you want to leave the room. Listen:

https://youtu.be/cTf0Vq1j4Ec

-The better air coolers will kick the H80's tail and do it quietly (See tems and sound levels in chart below for NH-D15 and R1). If you want water I would advise you get the Swiftech H240-X. It has none of the above weaknesses, has a reservoir and can be expanded to cool your GFX cards in the future.
http://www.swiftech.com/
b2.jpg


http://www.hitechlegion.com/reviews/cooling/liquid/40870-swiftech-h220-x-open-loop-240mm-cpu-cooler-review?showall=&start=3

In terms of performance, well….we could simply leave it at the fact that the H220X is simply the best performing out-of-the-box cooler you can buy today. Period. It slightly betters its predecessor, the H220, as well as the Glacer 240L that is equipped with far more powerful and louder fans. The NZXT X60/61 comes close in terms of performance, but at the expense of far more noise and far less compatibility. 240mm CLCs can’t touch the H220X in all out performance, and at tolerable noise levels the H220X flat out embarrasses them. The Cryorig R1 and Noctua NH-D15 come closest in matching the H220X in terms of performance and noise, but fall short. What more can you say? We put the best out of the box solutions up against the H220X, and the H220X walked away a clear winner and did so with absolutely astonishing performance to noise. With all of this performance the H220X never topped 40 dB at full speed.

The result of this redesign makes the H220X the best performing cooler that is install ready right out of the box. There is not a 240mm CLC or air cooler that can beat it, and it does it at 20+ dB quieter than the competing CLCs. To sum it up; the H220X offers better performance, lower noise, better aesthetics, flawless design and build, better components and the option of expandability when compared to a CLC. Putting it gently, choosing any CLC over the H220X would be doing yourself a huge disservice. If you are looking to step into liquid cooling, or looking to start a small loop, the H220X is the obvious choice

2. The new RAM you picked isn't bad, but I would still stick with the 2133 CAS 9. The Mushkins have Hynix modules which makes them very robust and overclockable And 2133 CAS 9 is slightly faster at 4.22 ns as compared to the 4.39 ns of the 1600 CAS 7

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/mushkin-memory-997121f

3. The EVGA (made by Seasonic) is certainly a step up over the Corsair however Jonnygury didn't review the GS 550. The did review the GS 650 and gave that a 9.5 Build Quality Rating but only a 8.5 performance rating. This was due to voltage instabilities which will significantly impact the overclocking ability of the system. If anything, PSUs from the same line, usually improve with higher wattage. If I had to bet, I would expect your smaller model to be just a bit below the 650. The EVGA B2 750 gives you the following:

a. A step up to 9.0 Performance Rating and same 9.5 Build Quality Rating, so a win there.
b. It's cheaper
c. It's 200 watts larger meaning that it will run quieter at it's actual load.
d. It's 200 watts larger so that if you want to get a 2nd 970 in the future, you won't have to chnage the PSU.


4. If you like the case, then you like the case. The 450 D competes with the Enthoo Pro and having built with both, I'd have to go with the Pro .... he 750 D competes with the Enthoo Luxe and having built with both, I'd have to go with the Pro. The Luxe and 450D are really not in the same category so any comparisons would be unfair. But a case is often more of a "ya like it thing" than a features and performance thing. I was involved in two recent builds where color over rode all other considerations so there is no wrong choice. My goal was to point oit the numerous feature and performance differences and if you still like the 450D better, than that's the case for you.
 
Have you looked at the Phanteks ? It beats the Noctua NH-D14 and usually runs about $55 ... but tihs week it's at $65. It also comes in many colors to match your case / other components.

As for the $30 range the Hyper 212 is a consensus favorite but it runs 10C hotter than the Phanteks.
 
It will do for a moderate overclock.... waste getting the 4790k and bottlenecking it with a $25 cooler

1. The RAM upgrade above would save you a $6

2. A 4690k w/a Phanteks PH-TC14PE would beat the 4790k w/ the Hyper 212.

3. Those 2400 rpm fans are L O U D and don't cool as well as the Phanteks. Get the quieter Phanteks 140s which will give you better cooling and save you another $4

$12 each
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709023

Phanteks F140SP - 1st place
Corsair SP120 - 16th place

Heck w/ the $100 saved on the 4690k, fans, cooler and RAM, you could get a Swiftech H240-X
http://www.swiftech.com/H240-X.aspx
 
The 4790k (4.0 Ghz / 4.4 GHz Turbo) is better than the 4690k k (3.5 Ghz / 3.0 GHz Turbo) for gaming on the Intel Stock Cooler. The 4790k has hyperthreading which provided no benefit to gaming

On budget (Hyper 212) cooler, the 4690k is better for gaming because with just 4 threads it will run cooler and you can get a higher overclock.

On high end (custom water loop) cooler, the 4790k is better for gaming because with just you will be able to overcome the additional heat and I'd say about 1 outta 3 times you will get a slightly higher overclock.

On a moderate cooler like the Phanteks, it's a relative toss up.

A 4690k with a H240-X will bury a 4790k w/ a Hyper 212.

Your computer will remain viable for gaming for 3 years or so .... 5 if you add a 2nd 970 at some point down he road.
 

FrostedBlaze

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So should I stay in the Stock Cooler? I think that will be loud. I also do LOTS of Cinema 4D and Photoshop. I also would like to start using Adobe After Effects yet my computer wont let me do that at all. I have a Core i3 with 2 cores. 8 Cores will be plenty to render out for my projects. My current PC lets me play some decent games at 50-60 FPS. Ive had my current PC for about 5 years? This new PC that I want I would like it to last longer.
 

FrostedBlaze

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Hey, I realized I am going way over my budget. I redid the PC and its looking good. Still not sure about the stock cooler because of the Very expensive Mobo. Can you give me another choice for the Mobo that is still good at gaming? Maybe then I might be able to squeeze in an air cooler. The price cant go over $1099.
 

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