First Build Help

[inveniam1]

I've pretty much been researching forever and would like some last second feedback before I put down the money. Are there any flaws or better parts I can use to make this stronger in the same price range?
I really intend to use this mostly for gaming. Also, will this most likely be able to play most games on high settings?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/R6YjNG

Thanks in advance.

 

[jaraldo]

In $1000 intel builds, it's hard to go very wrong 😛

I assume you plan to overclock and I think you just got the 750w power supply because you didn't know how much? or do you plan to do 2 graphics cards later?

 

[inveniam1]

I was planning to overclock and honestly had no clue where my power supply should come in at. Is 750 too much?

 

[jaraldo]

Yup, quite a bit. Put in say 200w for overclocking, GTX770 is 218 and say 100w for "safety" and you have 518w. A 550w would be pushing it though.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($73.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.91 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Vapor-X Video Card ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1000.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

 

[jaraldo]

I got you a 620w PSU because it's onsale right now and a high quality one.

I thought the 280x Vapor might be a better choice after reading this.
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1886820/gtx-770-radeon-7970-280x.html
Up to you though; they are both comparable.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

Since there some extra savings, I got a better motherboard. It's a z97 so you can upgrade to a Haswell Refresh CPU later if you wanted to. (so far it needs to be a z97 from what I've heard, not sure if that'll change)
Aside from that, it's a very good overclocking board. (there are many good ones in the $100-125 range)

 

[inveniam1]

What is the downside to a stronger power supply than necessary? Wasted electricity?

And this is probably a really stupid question, but the one thing I have never found is how do I connect the pc to the internet? Is an ethernet cable best (and are there any drivers needed) or should I have a wireless usb network adaptor?

 

[jaraldo]

Well, no downside really. But consider it like if you got i5-4670k but never planned to overclock, it's kind of a waste to get when you can get the i5-4670. You know? 😛 Simply, it saved you $30 for something more appropriate for the build.

I'm glad you asked that question! It certainly isn't stupid. I take my gaming quite seriously and when I started out 5 years ago on wifi playing online...it was so laggy or you'd get spikes or drops. Since I changed to a direct connection with ethernet, I never have had any problems.
I guess it's similar to how wireless mice can be buggy and wired ones are more reliable. Just my take on it.

If you have to wifi though, nothing wrong with it, I just had enough bad experiences to keep me away from it

Edit: There will be drivers needed both ways, but your motherboard CD will have the ethernet ones, while for wifi your adapter should come with a CD of it's own.

 

[inveniam1]

I gotcha. Thanks so much. I've been debating over the last month and I think I'm finally going to put down the money. 😀

 

[inveniam1]

Oh, lastly, did you get a sound card? Or was the built-in sound from your motherboard good enough?

 

[jaraldo]

If you have been fine with the sound you've gotten from computers before, then you will be fine without one.

Sound cards are more for the picky crowd 😛

If you like the build and have done enough research on it, then all I can say is enjoy it

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask here.

 

[inveniam1]

Last question. Do you think I would need any fans with this? I was thinking I wouldn't, but I'm never quite sure.

 

[jaraldo]

Well those can wait awhile if you are stretched for $ right now. One or two $10 case fans would help a bit when you are overclocking.