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First time builder - Does this loadout seem ok ?

Mirage1990

Reputable
Jun 27, 2014
31
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4,530
Hey guys, I'm planning to do my own build soon and I have a budget of £550. I want to know if all my selections are firstly compatible, and secondly if they're any good or is there anything I could replace to make it better whilst still coming in under budget. I'm a noob so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Here is what I have so far - http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/6mpTzy

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 45.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: MSI H97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: Kingston Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage1: Intel 320 Series 40GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Storage2: ]Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card
Case: Cooler Master K380 ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer
 
are you using the ssd as an OS drive? I would get something a little bigger. Maybe like 60 gb. That ssd can install windows 7 but as you use your pc, it's going to fill up with random programs that automatically installs onto your C drive. Also you need space for system restore and such. Right now I am using 52 GB and I try to not install programs on my C drive.

Also get a different psu. This one is cheaper and provides more power while still being reliable.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-Builder-Series-Bronze-Supply/dp/B009RMP44O/ref=sr_1_8?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1404018334&sr=1-8&keywords=corsair+psu
 
The 40 gig drive can be used as a cache drive using intels smart response technology . Almost all the benefits of an SSD . Your manual will tell you how to set this up . Follow the instructions

I dont think I would bother with the freezer pro . Its not that good and the stock cooler does work .

The RAM should be rated for 1.5 volts or less . You have 1.65 volt RAM in your list
 
Ok thanks guys. I was going to go for a slightly bigger SSD but I kinda hard trying to stick under budget and after reading about the 40gb I heard that it would be ok for my OS, as long as I disabled pagefile and hibernation amongst other stuff, but that's just stuff I've been reading so who knows.
I'll stick with the 40gb one for now though, and maybe stretch to a Sandisk Solid State Drive 64GB 2.5" if my budget allows it. Switched out the Kingston RAM for lower voltage Corsair and got rid of the cooler. Replaced the PSU like suggested for a CX600M which is around the same price as the one suggested but is semi-modular, will that be ok ?

Here's how it's looking now then - http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/x98GnQ

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: MSI H97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage1: Intel 320 Series 40GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Storage2: ]Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card
Case: Cooler Master K380 ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer