Building Custom PC

[chozenalan]

I am building my first Custom PC and have done quite of bit of research and have tried to figure out everything I can. I didn't grow up working with PC's or much PC gaming, so any questions I may have that seem stupid, I apologize in advance. Also, sometimes it's hard to find an answer, not knowing what the question is, again sorry!! I read a lot on the forums about running a GTX 980 or 2x GTX 970. I have decided to run 980 for two reasons, main one being I'm probably too new at this to mess with SLI, and secondly once I learn more I could always do 2x 980 later on.
Here's what I have so far after combining quite a bit of information from multiple late 2014 and 2015 gaming builds I have seen on the forums. I just recently got into PC gaming with the Total War series, and looking forward to playing Total War Attila in high settings. If anyone has any experience on a good build for an RTS type game like that(idk if the game type matters), please let me know what works best!


https://pcpartpicker.com/user/chozenalan/saved/#savedbuild_2070680

Here's my questions.
1) First of all, obviously, just trying to make sure it's a balanced build (will be 100% for gaming), trying to make sure I'm not wasting my money on something useless that could be spent somewhere else.
2) I don't really understand which is better NVIDIA or AMD, and haven't been able to do much reading on AMD.
3) Is there ANYTHING else that I would need? I know the CPU cooler comes with thermal paste, but is there any other things I am missing that is common knowledge to pc builders?
4) Do cases come with the lighting, or do I need to buy that separately?
5) If cables do come with the stuff, how do I pick a color? Or do I have to buy them separately?

I can already tell I am going to be spending a lot of time on this forums!
Also, if you're gonna get upset cause I missed a post that has my answer, please just send me the link to it and I will read it, no need to express your anger about me not reading every post on here. Like I said, i'm not PC savy, but it's kinda starting to grow on me!

Thanks so much in advance!!!

 

[the kewl kat]

1. First of your build looks solid but it is a little overkill. The cpu cooler is not needed as the stock one is plenty good for anything you can push at it without overclocking and without experience I would say you won't be doing much of that. The motherboard is fine once again overkill but if you want a high end computer then you can go for it but to be honest it won't affect your gaming at all. Fan controller flashy but adds more work to install. So the build is solid but could be cheaper and get close to same performance.

2. Nvidia and AMD is all preference they each are good in their own ways but I always prefer Nvidia.

3. You may want a grounding bracelet as its recommended but you can just touch the case or any metal before working and be careful of what parts of the hardware you touch.

4. You will have to buy lighting on your own, they come in led strips generally pretty cheap.

5. All the Cables you will need come with the respective parts.

No one should ever get mad at you on here. After all it is a forum.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

 

[chozenalan]

Well, I figured if I spend a little extra on the motherboard then it will be easier to upgrade on later on.

Thanks about the bracelet, almost forgot it!

So for colored cables, how do I get them? If I buy them separately, how do I know which to buy? Or are the cables universal for their parts or are they specd differently too?

 

[the kewl kat]

If you mean a cpu upgrade for motherboard it may work but it may not depending on the socket that the new one has.

As for colored cables the only thing I know of is heat shrink wrap you can buy and use but that is not my strong suit. For beginners I would just let the cables be as they are and try that colored stuff later as it only complicates the process.