Advice on new PC build (£1000 budget)

[Spudcake]

Hello

I'm looking to treat myself to a new PC and was hoping I could get some help deciding which parts to get.

I'm only looking for a tower. I'm keeping some of my current items.

Approximate Purchase Date: Soon, no rush to buy

Budget Range: £1000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Games, Films, Photoshop and other graphics programs

Parts Not Required: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Scan.co.uk

Country: England

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, AMD GPU

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080, 60 Hz

Additional Comments: I'd very much prefer a window on the case. Proper cooling is something I want to take into consideration, though I'm not interested in water cooling. I need a mid-tower, as I don't have room for a full sized tower. I'll also be using Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit.

I'm looking to play game at a resolution of 1920x1080, with a constant 60 Hz and graphics settings at maximum or somewhere close. I don't need everything active, like rendering individual strands of hair, but I would like some level of anti-aliasing and lots of shiny stuff. I have no interest in 2K or 4K gaming at the moment.

Examples of the games I'd be playing are the Crysis series, The Witcher series, Far Cry 3, GTA V and the X3 games. Eventually I'd want to play Skyrim with an ENB of some kind. I'm mostly interested in playing games that have already been released. That being said, I'd like to build a system that will still be decent in 3 to 5 years. I'm not one to upgrade individual components, preferring instead to buy a whole new system every few years.

I use my PC for alot of different things, but I thought that if I build it to play games, the rest of the activities will also be taken care of.

I do have a list of parts that I've put together from various sources, including alot of perusing on this site.

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K Socket 1150 'Devils Canyon' (22nm) Quad Core Processor Retail with Heat Sink Fan
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/inte...rbo-5-gt-s-dmi-12ghz-gpu-34x-ratio-84w-retail

GPU: XFX R9-290 980M Black Edition Double Dissipation LED AMD Graphics Card - 4GB
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/4gb-...28nm-5000mhz-gddr5-boost-1050mhz-2560-streams

MoBo: Asus Z97-P ATX Motherboard for Intel 1150 Socket Processors
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus...3-pcie-30-(x16)-m2-d-sub-(vga)-dvi-d-hdmi-atx

RAM: Corsair Memory Vengeance Pro Series Red 8GB DDR3 2133 MHz Dual Channel Desktop
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/8gb-...7066-(2133)-non-ecc-unbuffered-cas-9-11-11-31

SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB Basic SSD SATA 3 7mm Ultra Slim 2.5" With Software Suite PC/MAC
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/250g...-3-core-mex-controller-read-540mb-s-write-520

HDD: Toshiba MQ01ABD100 1TB Hard Drive 2.5" SATA II
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1tb-...dd-95-mm-sata-ii-3gb-s-5400rpm-8mb-cache-12ms

PSU: Corsair CP-9020048-UK Builder Series CX 600W Power Supply
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/600w...on-modular-80-plus-bronze-1x120mm-fan-atx-psu

Case: Corsair Carbide 300R Compact Gaming Case with Window and USB 3.0 No PSU
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/cors...ming-case-with-side-window-and-usb-30-w-o-psu

I've chosen these parts mainly due to popularity and good reviews, but I'm very concerned about creating a huge bottleneck in the system. I don't want to buy an expensive GPU only to find it restricted by the CPU, and vice versa.

I'm not sure what to do about the CPU. I initially looked at an i7 4790, but changed to the i5 4690 after reading about the recommended CPUs on this site.

I think I'd like to stick with that XFX R9 290, so I could possibly build the system around it if any of these parts need changing. Something I have been thinking about is waiting for the next series of GPUs to be released by AMD and nVidia, so current GPUs come down in price.

The mother board was recommended to me. I didn't have any idea what to look for apart from the socket type.

Similar deal with the RAM. Didn't know what to look for, or how much I need, but I'd like atleast 8GB and I read that a pair of dual-channel sticks are more efficient than a single stick. Another type was recommended to me, at a similar price: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/8gb-...0-(1333)-non-ecc-unbuffered-cas-9-9-9-24-150v

I chose the SSD because it seems popular and 120GB wouldn't be enough.

I chose the HDD for it's popularity and price, and because I've seen quite a few comments saying that HDDs with over 1TB of storage have high fail rates.

I chose a Corsair PSU because most of the images of custom PCs that I've seen have them. I don't know if 600W will be enough though.

I chose the case mainly because of it's dimensions. I only have one area to put my PC (an alcove under a desk), so I'm limited to the size I can get. Overheating has been a bit of an issue with my current PC, which is only an entry-level gaming PC with a single 80mm exhaust fan, so I was also looking for a case with additional cooling options.

Speaking of cooling, I wasn't sure whether I should get a standalone cooler for whatever CPU I get. I've read that stock ones are generally not very good.

I think that's everything I wanted to say.

I'd very much appreciate any help I could get. I'd like to buy a PC soon, but I'm not in any rush.

Thanks.

 

[Fireger]

This is just a personal opinion, but I don't really see the use in spending so much money on an SSD at this point, they barely have enough storage space to hold much more than your OS and a few games.

With the CPU you have picked, it shouldn't bottleneck your GPU, as I've read only good things about the two, so both should be sufficient to last a few years.

The MoBo will hold everything, and supports everything as well

8Gb ram will be sufficient for now. 8Gb is gaming standards these days, and will be increase in the future, but that can be upgraded fairly easily.

I recommend this PSU: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/750w-corsair-builder-series-cx-cp-9020015-uk-non-modular-80-plus-bronze-single-rail-1x120mm-fan-atx-
Its the next step up, with 750W instead of 600W, as your GPU suggests a 750W PSU.

Your case should do fine, just buy a few fans (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/120mm-arctic-f12-temperature-controlled-pwm-case-fan) - that should be fine. Maybe buy 3, put two in the top and one on the side, as it already comes with one on the back and front

The cpu stock cooler will be sufficient until you overclock. And if you aren't planning on overclocking, than you won't be needing anything more than the stock cooler

Please feel free to correct me in anyway

 

[CTurbo]

Even with the i7 4790k, you come no where near £1000

PCPartPicker part list: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/PmL9XL
Price breakdown by merchant: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/PmL9XL/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor (£244.94 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£24.95 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G43 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£69.95 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (£57.53 @ Ebuyer)
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£64.98 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£35.94 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB DirectCU II Video Card (£215.00 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case (£84.98 @ Novatech)
Power Supply: Antec TruePower Classic 650W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply (£66.70 @ More Computers)
Total: £864.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-21 13:43 GMT+0000

 

[Spudcake]

Thanks for the replies.

So having thought about the recommendations, then doing more research, I've decided not to get an SSD. Instead, I'll use that money to get a CPU cooler and 4 case fans (2 side intakes and 2 top exhausts)

Here's what I have now, all from SCAN:

CPU: Intel Core i7 4790 Quad Core Processor Socket 1150 Retail with Heat Sink Fan
Motherboard: Asus Z97-P ATX Motherboard for Intel 1150 Socket Processors
GPU: XFX R9-290 980M Black Edition Double Dissipation LED AMD Graphics Card - 4GB
RAM: Corsair Memory XMS3 8GB DDR3 1333 Mhz CAS 9 Dual Channel Desktop
HDD: Seagate ST1000DM003 1TB SATA 3 Hard Drive 7200rpm 64MB Cache OEM
PSU: Seasonic SS-650AM Modular PSU 12cm Silent Fan 80+ Bronze ATX12V / EPS12V SLi/Xfire Ready DC-DC
Case: Corsair Carbide 300R Compact Gaming Case with Window and USB 3.0 No PSU
Case Fans: Arctic F12 120mm Temperature Controlled PWM Case Fan x4
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler

That comes to £831.89.

Are all of these parts compatible in terms of socket types and socket quantities? I don't know what to look for.

I think I'm settled on everything apart from the PSU. I keep reading that Corsair PSUs aren't for the higher-end parts like the GPU I plan to get, and that XFX or Seasonic are better. I then read that XFX seem to have an issue with faulty fans on their PSUs, so I'm now looking at Seasonic. I've chosen a 650W PSU. I used a Power Supply Calculator (http://powersupplycalculator.net/) that provided a minimum recommended PSU wattage of around 500W. Would 650W be enough, or do I really need to go for 700 or 750W?

I'm also so far below my £1000 budget that I'm wondering if this will meet my requirements (1080p, 60Hz, 4-5 year usefulness). I thought I'd have to start getting lower-performance parts once I'd put something together, but I don't think I could pay over £300 for a GPU or CPU. Would it be worth getting the i7 4760K, even though I won't be overclocking? I've been looking at comparisons between the locked and unlocked versions, and the unlocked version appears to give ~13% better performance. The locked version is also ~86% the price of the unlocked version at SCAN. Would I need to change any of my other components if I got one? Would the extra 400MHz clock speed make that much difference?

Even though I don't to replace parts over the years, I'm not against buying additional things, such as more RAM or case lighting. I'm trying go as future-proof as I can without buying things that are far beyond what I need.

 

[CTurbo]

That specific i7 is not the unlocked model used for overclocking, but that is an overclocking motherboard. Either get the 4790k or get a cheaper motherboard like a H97 chipset.

Seasonic makes XFX.

 

[Fireger]

All the parts are compatible, i don't see any errors with it all. I don't know much about overclocking with intel cpus or their compatible motherboards, so go along with what CTurbo said.

That specific i7 is not the unlocked model used for overclocking, but that is an overclocking motherboard. Either get the 4790k or get a cheaper motherboard like a H97 chipset.

About the PSU, i recommend something from Cougar, they make PSUs that would be sufficient. Though i couldn't find anything on them from your website. Thermaltake is another good maker of PSUs (but again, nothing much on your site).

The only other brand i know of that is on your site, is cooler master (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/700w-cooler-master-b700-85-eff-psu-120mm-quiet-pwm-fan-atx-12v-v23) this is a 700W PSU, and it would be better for your GPU.

 

[CTurbo]

Keep the Seasonic psu. Seasonic makes most of the best psus. 650w is plenty.

 

[Fireger]

The GPU site recommends a minimum of 750W (not sure why?) http://xfxforce.com/en-us/products/amd-radeon-r9-series/amd-radeon-r9-290-black-edition-r9-290a-enbc
As CTurbo says, 650W is plenty, but again, the gpu wants a minimum of 750W.

 

[Spudcake]

Hello again.

I've been doing extensive research and pondering since the last reply, and I've made a few changes to my build. I'd really appreciate it if I could get some opinions and/or recommendations. I'm only using Scan as the retailer though. I live nearby and have used them for over 10 years. I'm very happy with the service.

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K Socket 1150 'Devils Canyon' (22nm) Quad Core Processor Retail with Heat Sink Fan
Motherboard: Asus Z97-P ATX Motherboard for Intel 1150 Socket Processors
GPU: MSI GTX 970 Gaming Edition 4G Twin Frozr V 4GB (Maxwell) Nvidia PCI Express Graphics Card
RAM: Corsair Memory XMS3 8GB DDR3 1333 Mhz CAS 9 Dual Channel Desktop
HDD: Seagate ST1000DM003 1TB SATA 3 Hard Drive 7200rpm 64MB Cache OEM
PSU: Cooler Master RS700-ACAB-D3 B Series 700W Power Supply (I can get this for £50)
Case: Corsair Carbide 300R Compact Gaming Case with Window and USB 3.0 No PSU
Case Fans: Cooler Master BC Series 140mm Blue LED Quiet Fan Fully Transparent High Air Flow
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-12F, or U12P SE2, + 2 120mm fans for £25 total. (Not sure which cooler it is)

That comes to just under £900.

I've swapped the i7 4790 for the 4790k, the XFX R9 290 for an MSI GTX 970 and Seasonic PSU for a Coolermaster version with an extra 50W. I've also got more cosmetic stuff, and a new fan arrangement; Push-Pull on a Noctua CPU cooler and an additional 140mm fan in the front. I'll only have 3 case fans; two 140mm intakes at the front and a 120mm exhaust at the back. I'll get dust filters for the unused vents.

I'll consider moderate overclocking some point in the future.

My only concern with the new GPU is coil whine. I've seen alot of comments and videos about this, but I've seen it mentioned that limiting the framerate to the refresh-rate of the monitor reduces/eliminates coil whine. I intended to do that anyway, so hopefully it won't be an issue.

Also, which way should I position the PSU in the case? Up (intake from the case) or down (intake from under case)? I'm being recommended to have intake from the case, mainly for dust reasons.

 

[Spudcake]

I decided to go with that build in the end. I'm very happy with it. The idle temperatures are much lower than I'm used to (low 20s to low 30s celsius), and performance is magnificent.

Thanks for the help.