Help with my first build

[Mrkb1124]

Hi,

I'm building my first PC and was hoping I could get help and advice from someone more knowledgeable than me. My budget is around $1000 for a gaming-oriented PC, and this is for the entire setup from GPU to mouse. Thanks in advance.


Specs:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/F7Lrbv
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/F7Lrbv/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($176.88 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($92.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($97.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($26.98 @ Newegg)
Headphones: Logitech G430 7.1 Channel Headset ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1040.33 +tax and shipping, after $115.0 rebate

Sorry for the long list.

My main concerns are:
1) Are they compatible?
2) Am I overpaying for something that I could get an alternative for a cheaper price?
3) Can I get a much better equipment for only a small increase in pay?
4) What kind of performance can I expect?
5) I've never overclocked before, I might overclock my GPU, but not the CPU since it is locked. Do I still need the CPU cooler, or can I remove it?

Any further tips, critiques, or additions are appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[ComputerSecurityGuy]

Do not get a nice CPU cooler if you are not overclocking as your locked CPU suggests. Get a small SSD for a boot drive, and get an R9 280 over GTX 960.

 

[WetysCZ]

Hi, your build is nice, fully compatible, if you aren't going to oc your cpu, then you should look for h97 or b85 motherboard with intel xeon 1231v3, in my country, xeon + b85 is priced same as i5 + z97 mobo.(With xeon you don't need any good cooler, go with the box one). It's about you. For gpu I would take R9 380, it's performance is better than gtx 960.
In most new games you will get ultra 60 fps, for the most intensive like Witcher 3, you will get on ultra with hw-off 33-45 fps.

 

[Mrkb1124]

Do not get a nice CPU cooler if you are not overclocking as your locked CPU suggests. Get a small SSD for a boot drive, and get an R9 280 over GTX 960.

Thank you for your reply. I'm going to take your advice and go for the R9 280, do you recommend a specific brand? Is the motherboard an overkill since I'm not overclocking nor SLI or crossfire? If so, what do you recommend? and Is my power supply sufficient since I heard R9 280 consumes more power than than the gtx 960?

 

[Mrkb1124]

Hi, your build is nice, fully compatible, if you aren't going to oc your cpu, then you should look for h97 or b85 motherboard with intel xeon 1231v3, in my country, xeon + b85 is priced same as i5 + z97 mobo.(With xeon you don't need any good cooler, go with the box one). It's about you. For gpu I would take R9 380, it's performance is better than gtx 960.
In most new games you will get ultra 60 fps, for the most intensive like Witcher 3, you will get on ultra with hw-off 33-45 fps.

Hi and thanks for your response. I checked the h97 and b85 and they seem to be in the same price range as the z97, are they better than the z97? and I also checked the xeon 1231v3 and it appears to be $70 more than the i5. I'm only using this computer for gaming, will the xeon be that useful for the price difference or should i stick with what I got?

 

[WetysCZ]

Hi, your build is nice, fully compatible, if you aren't going to oc your cpu, then you should look for h97 or b85 motherboard with intel xeon 1231v3, in my country, xeon + b85 is priced same as i5 + z97 mobo.(With xeon you don't need any good cooler, go with the box one). It's about you. For gpu I would take R9 380, it's performance is better than gtx 960.
In most new games you will get ultra 60 fps, for the most intensive like Witcher 3, you will get on ultra with hw-off 33-45 fps.

Hi and thanks for your response. I checked the h97 and b85 and they seem to be in the same price range as the z97, are they better than the z97? and I also checked the xeon 1231v3 and it appears to be $70 more than the i5. I'm only using this computer for gaming, will the xeon be that useful for the price difference or should i stick with what I got?

Hi, if you need pc for pure gaming then I5 is enough, with xeon you will have benefit if you are running multiple games at same time, or when you are browsing the web and gaming in same time. About mobo, they are near the same, for OC it's better to go with Z97, cuz not every H97 and B85 chipsets support overclocking. And the Z97 & H97 support the new CPU's like is broadwell, which B85 doesn't support.

BTW I've made Intel Xeon build for you so you can look for it:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NBmqZL
- you don't need 750w psu for this build, but it's one of my favorite PSU's, and you can later add another gpu, so you will be safe with power.
- Also I can suggest you to look after NZXT Source 340 Case, it looks really nice and it has nice air flow.