Is this a solid system?

[Jordan Skinner]

I'm looking at building a PC (my first custom build) hopefully fairly soon, though as a fulltime student time and money are large constraints so who knows. I'm just wondering if the parts I have in mind are decent enough so I can begin to save, etc. for them.

Case: Fractal Design Define R4
Motherboard: MSI H87-G43 or ASRock Fatal1ty H87 (mobos are my area of least expertise so I need as much help as I can get here ahah)
CPU: Intel i7 4790
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i (I'm not completely sure if the R4 can support the H100i on the roof though. If not then what is another good option? Im potentially looking at the windowed version of the R4, so I'd like to keep away from the unsightly and large air coolers if at all possible.)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 16GB
GPU: Asus Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 DirectCU II 3GB
HDD/SSD: WD Blue 1TB & Samsung 840 Series Pro 128GB
PSU: Corsair RM650 80 Plus Gold 650W
OS: Windows

I dont think I have forgotten anything, if I have just let me know.

Oh and just a quick note about my intentions with this system: I plan on moderate gaming, with modded Skyrim being the most demanding game I ever play. Thats about it really, aside from the obvious usual internet browsing, document creation, etc.

Thanks

 

[Swordkd]

Well, what are you planning on doing with your Pc? If it's Cad work or somesuch, then you've got a good Cpu. If you just want to play games on it, you are overspending on a Cpu that won't offer you much benefit over an i5.

You've also chosen a non-"k" cpu, so cooling isn't going to be much of a concern. You could just get the Corsair h50 or h60 and it'll work out fine. Absolutely no need for a dual 120mm radiator model.

 

[Abstractfear]

Stick with the ASrock, I've never been a big fan of MSI, and ASrock is a well known name. Everything looks compatible. Maybe a bit of overkill for modded Skyrim, but if you've got the cash, then go for it! also, for the cooler I would go with the H100

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B4OCW7K/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1YUJA2EHN73WG&coliid=I9HT7MLO56GL6

I've got the R4 with the window, and can verify that it fits!

ALSO since you're already dropping the cash, go for the Black edition of the hard drive, the blues are not the best for gaming.

 

[Guest]

.

 

[Jordan Skinner]

whoa I wasn't expecting 3 replies so quickly aha thanks!

The reason I decided to go for an i7 over an i5 is because it allows me to futureproof (not possible, I know, but you get my drift) the system more, and gives me some extra headroom without overclocking, something I've never had the need to do before and, to be perfectly honest, is something I don't feel entirely comfortable doing anyway, which also answers why I opted to go for a 'non-k' CPU, as well as an i7 only costing £50 or so more and an i5, which is about the same price gap between a non-k or a k CPU. Because of this, I dont really need a 'z' mobo either, though if I see one for a decent price I'll go for it instead of a H one.

Good call on the SSD though robijn, the Evo is only £5 more for more than double the space of a Pro, with very similar specs! Also, thanks for pointing out the PSU - though I would prefer a fully modular PSU so any recommendations there?

Thanks

EDIT: also, thanks for pointing out that the H100 is overkill, Swordkd, as it turns out with my RAM choice it wont fit anyway, so I'll take a look at the H50 or 60 instead

 

[Swordkd]

I would still avoid the i7 Cpu though. There isn't any reason to spend the extra money on it over the i5. Then, at that point you will probably drop down a couple of steps on the Cpu because the difference in clock speeds is so minimal, that it isn't worth spending even £20 more for a 100mhz jump up. The i5 4460 is £127 @ 3.2ghz, while the i5 4590 is £140 @ 3.3ghz, then you have the 4690 at £153 @ 3.5ghz. I think out of those 3, the 4590 might be worth it, but honestly, the performance differences between them all is so minimal, that you'd never notice it. You could benchmark it, and show a difference, but in real world use you'd never see it.

Then there is deciding between an nVidia 780 at £370 for a model that I'd buy, or Radeon 290 at 298. Between those two, the 780 would perform slightly better, but it's not worth the extra £82 over the r290.

So basically, you could shave quite a few £ off the build, and get the same performance. Up to you.

 

[Guest]

,

 

[Jordan Skinner]

Oh right yeah sorry, nevermind then I must have just searched it wrong

As concerning the CPU, I guess you're right. Plus, I always have the option to upgrade should I ever need to in the future.

So as of now, the system is looking more like this:

Case: Fractal Design Define R4
Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z97X-Gaming 7 (was only £30 more than the h87 I had originally and as far as I know Gigabyte is a reputable manufacturer for mobos)
CPU: i5 4590
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 16GB 1600Mhz
GPU: Asus Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 DirectCU II 3GB
HDD/SSD: WD Black 1TB & Samsung 840 Evo 250GB
PSU: Cooler Master V700W
OS: Windows

Better? Overall price comes in at just above £1200. Thats all from Amazon though, so no doubt I can find parts cheaper elsewhere.

Thanks for the help everyone

 

[Guest]

.

 

[Jordan Skinner]

Yeah I'm aware of partpicker, I just used an Amazon wishlist to keep track while I decided on all the parts. Though somewhat suprsingly, using partpicker only saves me about £5