First gaming build help?

[wesclemm3700]

Building a $1300 CAD gaming build in a few weeks and this is what I've come up with so far. I'm planning on oc the cpu to 4.5+ GHz. Looking for tips on better parts or anything in general.

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/X6JWTW
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/X6JWTW/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($169.99 @ NCIX)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.05 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: MSI 970 GAMING ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($116.98 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($63.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.95 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($429.99 @ NCIX)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Memory Express)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($109.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1231.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-22 13:44 EDT-0400

 

[MasterDell]

I'm from Canada too so I always order parts from Canadian distributors too. I can tell you right now that you should not order from Vuugo, Shop RBC, or Canada computers. If one of these retailers has an attractive price that no one else has, contact NCIX for a price match.

Now, parts time. Is there any reason at all you have chosen an AMD build over an Intel one? I would much rather have a weak i5 than an 8320/8350.

Then for SSD choice, although the price of the V300 is attractive, the quality is not. Not at all. Crucial BX100 is a great SSD and if you need something even cheaper, the Corsair LS Series is a good choice too. Not too strong in terms of write speeds but its read speeds are pretty good. I would highly suggest the BX100 though..

Lastly, for OS you are going to want this instead: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700578

You chose an OEM license which will not allow you to change motherboards. The license I just linked is a non-OEM license.

Other than that, everything looks good

If it were my money: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/sJxv7P

 

[bsod1]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($240.75 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($113.98 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($83.98 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($60.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($408.00 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Memory Express)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Memory Express)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($109.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1291.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-22 20:48 EDT-0400