First Computer Build Compatibility

[Ethzshadow]

As this is my first computer build I've done quite a bit of research but I'm still not sure if everything here will work together.

My build is:

- Intel Core i5-4690K Processor 3.5 GHz LGA 1150 BX80646I54690K

- EVGA GeForce GTX 960 SuperSC ACX 2.0+ 2GB GDDR5 128bit, PCI-E 3.0 Dual-Link DVI-I, 3 x DP, HDMI, SLI, HDCP, G-SYNC Ready Graphics Cards 02G-P4-2966-KR

- ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

- Seagate 1TB Desktop HDD SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive (ST1000DM003)

- 2x Kingston HyperX FURY 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 CL10 DIMM - White (HX316C10FW/4)

- Seasonic M12II 620 BRONZE ; SS-620GM2 80Plus Power Supply

- NZXT H440 Mid Tower Case (White) (Has 3 120mm fans and 1 140mm fan built in)

- ASUS VS239H-P 23-Inch Full-HD LED IPS Monitor

If you guys have any recommendations for changes or fixes I would like it to keep my budget about the same. But as I stated before, this is my first build and I'm kinda a computer noob at the moment.

I also plan on overclocking my cpu and I've heard that its better to get a better thermal paste and an aftermarket cpu fan.

 

[Ethzshadow]

I will not be getting a 1440p screen as my budget once adding the R9 390 is going to be VERY close. And can I use my 620w power supply instead of the 650w one and still overclock the cpu and gpu? The 650w is more expensive unless you get a deal with a mail in rebate... something I don't want to deal with.

 

[DaronMal]

I will not be getting a 1440p screen as my budget once adding the R9 360 is going to be VERY close. And can I use my 620w power supply instead of the 650w one and still overclock the cpu and gpu? The 650w is more expensive unless you get a deal with a mail in rebate... something I don't want to deal with.

The PSU you had would be fine. Just be warned that overclocking can burn your components to death, especially the R9 series of cards, I have an R9 290 that sits idle at the same temp as most other cards under a medium load.

 

[Rhezner]

I will not be getting a 1440p screen as my budget once adding the R9 390 is going to be VERY close. And can I use my 620w power supply instead of the 650w one and still overclock the cpu and gpu? The 650w is more expensive unless you get a deal with a mail in rebate... something I don't want to deal with.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/4G7kZL

but this build is under 1000 and includes the monitor and the GPU.

Remember that the monitor is almost as important as the GPU as far as graphics go so it is worth investing in.

 

[Ethzshadow]

So even with the heating issue of the R9 390, do you still think its worth the extra $120 for the better RAM? And if so, do I need to figure out some better cooling to overclock it?

 

[DaronMal]

So even with the heating issue of the R9 390, do you still think its worth the extra $120 for the better RAM? And if so, do I need to figure out some better cooling to overclock it?

100%, the 390 is far better if you can afford it. You could add more fans later, but just put it together, let the parts mingle for a while, save up and buy a couple fans, then crank that GPU up until it cries.

 

[Rhezner]

there is no heating issue with the r9 390. It is designed to run at 95C and doesn't get close with an aftermarket cooler.

You can overclock it safely. And better RAM is not the only advantage. Watch all of these comparison benchmarks vs the 970 which is a tier above the 960.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZqkid-z40s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9cKZiJw6Pk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udXCusTnRsY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZWqxclHV_Y

 

[DaronMal]

I will not be getting a 1440p screen as my budget once adding the R9 390 is going to be VERY close. And can I use my 620w power supply instead of the 650w one and still overclock the cpu and gpu? The 650w is more expensive unless you get a deal with a mail in rebate... something I don't want to deal with.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/4G7kZL

but this build is under 1000 and includes the monitor and the GPU.

Remember that the monitor is almost as important as the GPU as far as graphics go so it is worth investing in.

He wants to be able to overclock the CPU. The H97M motherboard also can't really handle overclocking, high rate of failure.

 

[DaronMal]

there is no heating issue with the r9 390. It is designed to run at 95C and doesn't get close with an aftermarket cooler.

You can overclock it safely. And better RAM is not the only advantage. Watch all of these comparison benchmarks vs the 970 which is a tier above the 960.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZqkid-z40s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9cKZiJw6Pk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udXCusTnRsY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZWqxclHV_Y

Yes there is, the R9 series is designed to run hot to pull out more performance.

 

[Rhezner]

well he doesn't need to overclock the CPU and he is not an expert and does not know what will give him the most performance. An i5 4460 will give him almost identical gaming performance as a 4690k.

the fact is a 4460 and a better GPU will perform better in gaming than a 4690k with a cooler and an overclocking motherboard with a worse GPU.

and there is no heating "issue" with the 390. It does get hotter than equivalent nvidia cards but that is not an issue. It is actually pretty cold for an amd card so there is absolutely no issue.

 

[Ethzshadow]

The only problem with this is that I'm on a budget 🙁 $1100 at the VERY MOST, yet I would still rather have the h440, which is going to be more expensive than the case you have selected and will boost the price considerably. Plus there is the fact that I have a ps4 for several of the graphically crazy games I feel like getting. (Please no ranting on how PC is the best, I'm building a PC for hecks sake.) I can also get the same SSC GTX 960 with 4gbs of RAM to help with the RAM problem if I go and get the 960.

 

[DaronMal]

The only problem with this is that I'm on a budget 🙁 $1100 at the VERY MOST, yet I would still rather have the h440, which is going to be more expensive than the case you have selected and will boost the price considerably. Plus there is the fact that I have a ps4 for several of the graphically crazy games I feel like getting. (Please no ranting on how PC is the best, I'm building a PC for hecks sake.) I can also get the same SSC GTX 960 with 4gbs of RAM to help with the RAM problem if I go and get the 960.

I might be biased to my own build, but I recommend this one, it's almost exactly $1,100, ability to overclock the CPU and GPU, 8GB of RAM you wanted with 2x4GB, A top tier motherboard, 1TB drive, one of the best GPU's for the money, a great case, a great PSU (which you can lower to 600 or 550 or so if you wanted to possibly cut under the $1,100 mark), and the monitor.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury White 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($48.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card ($329.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1100.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-05 00:29 EDT-0400

 

[Rhezner]

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($166.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial BX100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($63.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB PCS+ Video Card ($309.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer G257HU smidpx 60Hz 25.0" Monitor ($259.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1102.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-05 00:34 EDT-0400

this includes a fantastic 1440p ips monitor, an ssd, and the case you want and will have almost exactly the same performance as the build above but you get an ssd(optional) and a MUCH better monitor out of it.

 

[Ethzshadow]

I don't particularly like the case, and honestly, the more money left over the better, for mouse, keyboard, cheap speakers (for when my friend comes over and my nice headphones just aren't an option.) and a desk. (it'll be a cheap one used one that'll work.)

 

[Rhezner]

i could fit good audio and peripherals and a monitor and a great computer within budget

 

[DaronMal]

I don't particularly like the case, and honestly, the more money left over the better, for mouse, keyboard, cheap speakers (for when my friend comes over and my nice headphones just aren't an option.) and a desk. (it'll be a cheap one used one that'll work.)

Well with $1,100 you asked for a computer build, there's a lot to lose to put in $100-400 in peripherals.

 

[Ethzshadow]

Sorry, the i5 4690k is non-negotiable, period. Its really good for Overclocking and it'll allow me to keep the same CPU for a very long time. The cheap power supply only worries me to be honest, as cheap PSUs can cause major problems as well as not provide the amount of watts they say they do. I'm honestly 100% okay with my display and 1080p. Also I need to go check out the H440 in white at micro if its that cheap. I feel as if your build is sacrificing the CPU, PSU and dropping the motherboard to hit 1440p and a better graphics card. Which isn't everything especially with games like Planetside 2, one of the games I play thats more CPU intensive. Plus with the i5 4690k I can still overclock it and use it with much better graphics card down the road. (Hopefully)

 

[Rhezner]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VVc3Jx
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VVc3Jx/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($166.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.49 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: AOC i2267Fw 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition Wired Gaming Keyboard ($67.99 @ B&H)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma Wired Optical Mouse ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Sennheiser HD 518 Headphones ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Other: FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier (Black) ($75.99)
Other: steelseries qck ($7.85)
Total: $1095.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-05 00:47 EDT-0400

here is an entire parts list with peripherals that are very good

 

[Ethzshadow]

My original budget was going to be $1050-1075, cause I was going to spend the last 75 or so for the peripherals. And thats why the $1100 is a stretch, leaving me with less for the peripherals.

 

[DaronMal]

My original budget was going to be $1050-1075, cause I was going to spend the last 75 or so for the peripherals. And thats why the $1100 is a stretch, leaving me with less for the peripherals.

Do you have any peripherals? What ones do you need included in the price? Mouse, keyboard, headphones? Do they need lighting? RGB lighting? Macro keys? Extra buttons on the mouse? Headphones need a microphone?

 

[Ethzshadow]

I think I'm just going to keep my first build at the top, except with a 4gb SSC GTX 960 and a different Motherboard that I'll be able to keep through a Graphics Card upgrade in a few years, more screens, and that'll still work with my DDR3 1833 RAM

 

[DaronMal]

I think I'm just going to keep my first build at the top, except with a 4gb SSC GTX 960 and a different Motherboard that I'll be able to keep through a Graphics Card upgrade in a few years, more screens, and that'll still work with my DDR3 1833 RAM

It's up to you.

 

[Ethzshadow]

I'm just going to use a simple wireless logitech mouse, maybe one with an extra two buttons for my right pointer finger on the left of the mouse click. And for a keyboard I would like a little bit more of a gaming keyboard vs my mouse. I might need a mousepad based on the desk I get, a cheap one though with a lot of space, as I move my mouse a lot while playing, maybe a 12''by 10'' one. And I have a HyperX Cloud Gaming headset, (best thing I've ever got, use it hours everyday for gaming, music, and videos.) so no headset. But I do want a cheap but good pair of speakers preferably in white and black to match the rest of my setup for when I'm playing or watching videos with someone else.

 

[Ethzshadow]

And do you have any ideas for the motherboard? Or is that Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard still what you recommend?

 

[DaronMal]

I'm just going to use a simple wireless logitech mouse, maybe one with an extra two buttons for my right pointer finger on the left of the mouse click. And for a keyboard I would like a little bit more of a gaming keyboard vs my mouse. I might need a mousepad based on the desk I get, a cheap one though with a lot of space, as I move my mouse a lot while playing, maybe a 12''by 10'' one. And I have a HyperX Cloud Gaming headset, (best thing I've ever got, use it hours everyday for gaming, music, and videos.) so no headset. But I do want a cheap but good pair of speakers preferably in white and black to match the rest of my setup for when I'm playing or watching videos with someone else.

Look at SteelSeries' mosuepads, I love their mousepads personally. I have the same headset, i love them to death, lightweight, I even use them for drumming since they dont slip around at all. I dont use speakers other than stock Dell ones my parents got with their old PC years ago so I wouldn't know that sort of stuff.

http://steelseries.com/gaming-mousepads

 

[DaronMal]

And do you have any ideas for the motherboard? Or is that Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard still what you recommend?

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2383150/motherboard-tier-list.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

Those are the 2 reference lists I use, one for PSU's and one for motherboards, they explain everything, you can make a mostly informed decision