First Pc build for gaming

[Oatesee]

I am looking into building my first gaming pc I want it to be mid to high end and wondering if anyone has any different opinions to the parts I have chosen.
Cpu: intel i5 4670k
Gpu: radeon r9 280x
Motherboard: asus z87-a usb 3.0
Psu: corsair gs600
Ram: corsair vengeance 8gb DDR3
HDD: western digital 1tb caviar black
Case: Corsair Graphite Series™ 230T Compact Mid Tower LED Windowed Gaming Case Orange on Black with ORANGE LED

It will cost around £800 I can go a bit higher but don't really want to go for all top end parts.

 

[Onus]

You will likely want an aftermarket cooler, especially if you overclock. I use and recommend the Xigmatek Gaia over the more often parroted but slightly inferior Hyper212 EVO:
http://www.techreaction.net/2011/07/07/review-xigmatek-gaia-sd1283/7/
http://www.techreaction.net/2011/11/27/review-cooler-master-hyper-212-plus/4/

Unlike the Hyper212 EVO (ignore the URL; it IS the EVO they tested), the Gaia never throttled, although it wasn't always the coolest depending on the fan used. In its stock configuration, Frostytech found it to be up to 6db quieter as well. Both got awards, but the Gaia is usually cheaper, making it the better choice.

 

[maddogfargo]

You will likely want an aftermarket cooler, especially if you overclock. I use and recommend the Xigmatek Gaia over the more often parroted but slightly inferior Hyper212 EVO:
http://www.techreaction.net/2011/07/07/review-xigmatek-gaia-sd1283/7/
http://www.techreaction.net/2011/11/27/review-cooler-master-hyper-212-plus/4/

Unlike the Hyper212 EVO (ignore the URL; it IS the EVO they tested), the Gaia never throttled, although it wasn't always the coolest depending on the fan used. In its stock configuration, Frostytech found it to be up to 6db quieter as well. Both got awards, but the Gaia is usually cheaper, making it the better choice.

The Gaia is OK, but the EVO is much better, especially on higher TDP CPUs.

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2655&page=5

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-EVO-CPU-Cooler-Review/1407/6

 

[Onus]

No, read the links. The EVO is NOT better, sometimes leading to throttling, which the Gaia never experienced.

 

[maddogfargo]

I added 2 sources above that say otherwise. Plus my personal experience with both has been that the EVO is 2-3c cooler especially in high TDP loads.

It's possible the tests you referenced had a faulty unit or an air bubble in the TIM. Also, mounting direction is critical since you want the CPU core crossing all of the heat pipes. It is possible they didn't orient it optimally.

 

[Onus]

Your HardwareSecrets link didn't have the Gaia, but did have the similar Aegir. Those tests are stock vs. stock, whereas the one I listed used a variety of fans to isolate the performance of the heat sink itself.
The Frostytech one is a good one; I've cited it before. There's <1C temperature difference (favoring the EVO) but a 3db noise difference (favoring the Gaia). The former could be within the error margin, but the latter seems more likely to be noticed; someone going for the highest possible overclocks is going to choose a better cooler than either of these. My own overclocks are mild, so I may favor less noise over a 1C temperature difference. It's not that the EVO is bad, but all around I'm satisfied that the Gaia is better, especially for the price. Due to a recent price jack, it is no longer $10-$15 cheaper, but it is still $3 less. On a tight budget, it looks like NZXT now has a similar model that's another $6 cheaper, so I'd probably give that one a try.

 

[maddogfargo]

I think this has both:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Xigmatek-Gaia-CPU-Cooler-Review/1410/6

I believe they cite the 212 in the 36c range and the Gaia in the 44c range.

Agree 100% about the Aegir. It is better than both the Gaia and Evo, but also larger and usually around $15-$20 more. It is also slightly louder. But what impresses me most is the Aegir performs like a $80 cooler for $50. Another great buy and a good recommendation if you have a few dollars more to spend.

 

[Onus]

That's bizarre, and is sufficiently different from other sources we have both found that I'm inclined to dismiss them. Frostytech probably has the best stock vs. stock review, and techreaction (imho) does the best tweaking with fans.
Unfortunately, the biggest argument for the Gaia, bang/buck, was recently undermined by a big price jack. If I needed another cooler today, I'd probably give the $26 120mm NZXT a shot: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835146025