Can You Confirm These Are Quality Components?

[silvershadow113]

Hi,

I was considering purchasing the Vanquish 2 Level 4 configuration until they upped the price from $1259 to $1399 (not including shipping)! I do really like the components inside that machine but, I think that's too much of an asking price. I was wondering if you all could confirm that these are good parts? Or if you had any changes you would want to make? I'm just not knowledgeable enough to compile a list of parts myself that I know for sure wont have problems with each other confidently. I plan on using this PC for gaming, Photoshop/ Illustrator, game development, and school (listed in order of preference).

I do have some preferences:
-Must have GTX 970 (No AMD equivalent. I want to use my Nvidia Shield with this rig.)
-Must use Intel Processor
-At least 8GB of RAM (16GB Preferred)
-SSD is preferred but not required


[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hwdNBm)

**CPU** | [Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646e31231v3) | $248.98 @ SuperBiiz
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Fatal1ty Z97X Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-fatal1tyz97xkiller) | $122.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f32133c9d8gxl) | $86.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct256mx100ssd1) | $109.97 @ SuperBiiz
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003) | $53.98 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-gtx970gaming4g) | $349.99 @ NCIX US
**Case** | [NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-cah440wm1) | $109.99 @ Micro Center
**Power Supply** | [Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-power-supply-capstone750m) | $64.99 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $89.98 @ OutletPC
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1237.86

Thanks in advance,
Colin

 

[mdocod]

Consider switching the motherboard to an ASRock C226 WS+ and using some ECC UDIMMs from samsung or kingston instead for improved overall quality. Beyond that, the build looks pretty nice.

 

[g-unit1111]

I would personally not get a Xeon for a gaming / general usage rig (even hardcore Photoshop / Illustrator doesn't take much to run), I would stick to the i5-4690K and I would get a different SSD - the Samsungs are usually the best you can buy on the market.

I would do something like this for your budget:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BL 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($120.83 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($348.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT H440 (Blue/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1318.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-31 16:13 EDT-0400

Not that much more but much better components and the whole color black / blue scheme matches.