First Gaming Build Ever - Feedback on any issues

Lucas Haynes

Honorable
Dec 8, 2013
23
0
10,510
Hi Guys,
After feedback from friends and various other online sources, I have come to the following build from PcPartpicker. Please note that I live in Australia so all items must be available in Australia, through Australian online retailers.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($267.00 @ CPL Online)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212X 82.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($45.00 @ CPL Online)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($208.00 @ CPL Online)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($99.00 @ CPL Online)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($98.00 @ CPL Online)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290 4GB Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN3200 802.11a/b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($25.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($139.00 @ CPL Online)
Case Fan: NZXT FN-140RB 62.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($15.00 @ CPL Online)
Case Fan: NZXT FN-200RB 166.2 CFM 200mm Fan ($20.00 @ CPL Online)
Case Fan: NZXT FN-200RB 166.2 CFM 200mm Fan ($20.00 @ CPL Online)
Power Supply: OCZ ZX 1250W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($225.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Optical Drive: LG BH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($79.00 @ CPL Online)
Other: PSU Shipping ($12.95)
Other: CPL Online Shipping ($40.35)
Total: $1402.30
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-20 17:38 EST+1100)

Main points to consider:
- Video card at $0 as this is being purchased as a gift for me
- In future I may consider crossfiring another R9 290. PSU should be sufficient but is it overkill?
- Friend purchasing video card for me was planning on fitting an Accelero Xtreme III to it. Go ahead with this or wait for the aftermarket versions, such as the Sapphire R9 290 Tri-X to arrive shortly and "get gifted" one of those for the build?
- And of course, any parts where I have overspent/could spend less and get more value, bang for buck etc.

I have never had a gaming rig before and would love to get into PC gaming (not sure about what games yet but I latest ones pretty much I guess). Budget is around the $1.5k mark which this machine is just sitting under now. No requirements for monitor/OS etc

I have chosen CPL as main choice for parts to combine shipping costs, except for the OCZ ZX which I can only get from Mwave. Shipping costs are listed as custom parts in this build

Thank you in advance :)
 
Solution
Nice build, but the PSU seems overkill even for 2x R9 290. And wasn't OCZ bankrupt? Would be carefull to buy them coz of the guarantee. Toshiba bought only SSD unit of OCZ?
Nice build, but the PSU seems overkill even for 2x R9 290. And wasn't OCZ bankrupt? Would be carefull to buy them coz of the guarantee. Toshiba bought only SSD unit of OCZ?
 
Solution


Might take a look at even going to a 850w then. Thank you very much

 


That seems like the right area to not waste money and not worry about performance
 
Good quality 850w PSU for overclocking on both CPU and video cards (both if in crossfire) would suit do you believe? Only thing I'm running into is that the OCZ ZX 1250w has really good reviews and seems as though warranty is still being covered @ only $225 which would keep me safe into the future for any upgrades aswell.

Also anyone with any thoughts on either going reference R9 290 and chucking on an Accelero Xtreme III, as per the early Tomshardware review, or waiting and getting one of the new aftermarket cards such as Sapphire Tri-X R9 290. I imagine overclocking would be pretty much the same on both due to the much better cooling of the Accelero so would come down to whichever costs less (and any issues with voiding warranty by making modifications to reference card etc)
 
I would say 850w is enough. And i wouldn't go for OCZ coz of bad reputation and also the bankruptcy. But its your choice - if you want then go for it but seems a bit overkill.

If you want experimenting then go for the reference card, if not then wait.
 


Hmm definitely in need of more research into PSU's on my behalf then so back to google

Thanks for the feedback