Are these components compatible and can you help with RAM?

[101darkknight]

Hey guys, I'm trying to build my first computer and I'd like it to be a good one. So could you tell me if my hardware will all be compatible and what RAM I should go with?

Here is what I've got so far:

Processor:
Intel Core i5-4570

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H

Case:
Cooler Master HAF X Full Tower Case

RAM ?

Video Card:
Radeon R9 280X (270X)

Hard Drive:
Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme

Optical Drive:
Asus 24x DVD-RW Serial-ATA Internal OEM

PSU:
AX760 ATX Power Supply

Monitor(s):
ASUS PA248Q

Any tips, adivice as well as help with the RAM would be great. I just don't know if all this stuff will be compatible together. Thanks!

 

[Sakkura]

The CPU and motherboard are incompatible. You need an 8 series motherboard for a Haswell CPU (so Z87, H87 etc). Also, an overclocking-oriented motherboard and a non-K CPU (with very limited overclocking) seems odd. Finally, the PSU seems like overkill.

 

[101darkknight]

The CPU and motherboard are incompatible. You need an 8 series motherboard for a Haswell CPU (so Z87, H87 etc). Also, an overclocking-oriented motherboard and a non-K CPU (with very limited overclocking) seems odd. Finally, the PSU seems like overkill.

Dang! Thanks for the reply! I really don't know much about the inside of computers so I put all this together by looking up good reviews for each piece of hardware. What would you suggest I do to build a better than average computer that can easily perform regular functions and play games at a higher-than-average level?

 

[Sakkura]

Depends whether you want to overclock, how much you can spend and so on. Here's a good starting point if you want the option of overclocking.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Enermax ETS-T40-TB 86.7 CFM CPU Cooler ($36.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($63.75 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1010.65
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-03 21:35 EST-0500)

 

[101darkknight]

Depends whether you want to overclock, how much you can spend and so on. Here's a good starting point if you want the option of overclocking.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Enermax ETS-T40-TB 86.7 CFM CPU Cooler ($36.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($63.75 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1010.65
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-03 21:35 EST-0500)

Wow, you're super helpful. Thank you! This build looks just like what I'm looking for. I only have a few other questions for you if you don't mind.
The whole point of this computer is to perform everything for general school work (papers, presentations, etc.) and web-browsing with ease. I'd also really like the computer to play games like StarCraft2 or WoW with ease but I don't need the best graphics or all the settings on high.
Would the build you provided accomplish the above criteria? I don't really need to overclock for gaming do I? Thanks a ton!

 

[Sakkura]

Well, if you don't need the best graphics you could perhaps get a cheaper graphics card (like a HD 7950 or GTX 760). And overclocking isn't strictly necessary, but it can help - especially since you seem to like games that are demanding on the CPU.
Your non-gaming needs are going to be a piece of cake for any gaming-oriented system, so you don't even have to worry about that side of things.

 

[101darkknight]

Well, if you don't need the best graphics you could perhaps get a cheaper graphics card (like a HD 7950 or GTX 760). And overclocking isn't strictly necessary, but it can help - especially since you seem to like games that are demanding on the CPU.
Your non-gaming needs are going to be a piece of cake for any gaming-oriented system, so you don't even have to worry about that side of things.

Thank you, thank you and thaaaaaank you!

 

[Sakkura]

You're welcome. One final thing - I only put an SSD in the system. You can always add a hard drive if you need more storage space.

 

[101darkknight]

You're welcome. One final thing - I only put an SSD in the system. You can always add a hard drive if you need more storage space.

I will definitely keep that in mind. Seriously, I can't thank you enough! This has saved me hours and hours of digging through stuff I don't understand. I will learn more and more about all of this stuff and I continue through this process of making the computer but you've really done a great deed. Kudos to you and I hope you have an excellent night!

 

[Ismail347]

WAIT! Don't buy the RAM yet because 2133mhz while you could get 2400mhz for the same price, same company. You can get this same one for $65.70 from Newegg and the promotion code ends today! http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f32400c11d8gab But the same RAM that looks better is on sale for $67.50 and the promo ends Wednesday so I would go for this one http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f32400c11d8gab Also, These RAM are actually around $75 but Newegg has a $10 promotion so it's a better deal. Hope I helped! Just trying to get you the most out of your money!

 

[101darkknight]

You're welcome. One final thing - I only put an SSD in the system. You can always add a hard drive if you need more storage space.

WAIT! Don't buy the RAM yet because 2133mhz while you could get 2400mhz for the same price, same company. You can get this same one for $65.70 from Newegg and the promotion code ends today! http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f32400c11d8gab But the same RAM that looks better is on sale for $67.50 and the promo ends Wednesday so I would go for this one http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f32400c11d8gab Also, These RAM are actually around $75 but Newegg has a $10 promotion so it's a better deal. Hope I helped! Just trying to get you the most out of your money!

Thanks a ton my friend! You both are epic human beings for being so dang helpful. Thank you!

 

[101darkknight]

So, I was just notified that the Antec
HCG-620M power supply is back ordered.
There's a local store around me that sells the Thermaltake SMART M650W. Is this a good switch out?

 

[Sakkura]

Thermaltake is not good. I'd recommend an XFX Core Edition 550W instead.

 

[101darkknight]

Thermaltake is not good. I'd recommend an XFX Core Edition 550W instead.

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[101darkknight]

Thermaltake is not good. I'd recommend an XFX Core Edition 550W instead.

I got all of the hardware that you gave on the list and now I've got another question. I'm going to be running Windows but I keep reading everywhere that Windows 8 is for touchscreen stuff. Does that mean I should run Windows 7 or something? Any insight would be excellent. Thanks!

 

[Sakkura]

Well, the Windows 8 UI is designed more for touch. But you can definitely still use it without touch, and it's otherwise just Windows 7 with some improvements.