Need new build advice v2

[Copernicuss]

I'm a novice putting together a PC for general home/work use, moderate gaming, media watching. 1920x1200 monitors, no overclocking.

After getting a bit of advice, here's round two. I changed Ripjaws X to Ares for the low profile so I don't have to worry about the CPU cooler clearance if I ever want another 2x4GB. Decided to replace the two stock fans with better, quieter ones and took the window out of the case. Downgraded the CPU and upgraded the GPU (but I haven't decided on the Asus R9 280x or GTX 770 just yet, even though this build currently lists a 770). It's not listed here, but I'm also probably going to get a Demcifilter to cover up the unused top vent unless I can find something else that doesn't have a glossy border.

Anything look stupid or wasteful or just plain broken?

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/Gz3Tzy
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/Gz3Tzy/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($257.58 @ NCIX)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($36.07 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus H97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($131.51 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($108.77 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($167.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (from current PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (from current PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($404.38 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair 350D MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($100.78 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($128.78 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: LG BH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($99.96 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($112.31 @ DirectCanada)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-S12A PWM 120mm Fan ($22.38 @ Memory Express)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($27.98 @ Memory Express)
Total: $1598.48

 

[Copernicuss]

Now I'm wondering if the fact that this fell off the page with no replies means it's totally fine or there's so much wrong with it no one knows where to start.

 

[volcanoscout]

I think your build falls into the "totally fine" category and all the pros are out rescuing the totally helpless cases.

I'm no expert, and I haven't done any price comparisons, but it looks like a pretty solid build. A couple of suggestions though:

- You may want to consider Sniper 1866/9 over the Ares. They're pretty low-profile too (I've got them sitting under a Noctua NH-D14 with no issues, and you can adjust the fan position on the Evo to clear them if they are too tall). They'll play better with the Z97 chipset and scale better with the 4690.

- Considering this is not an SLI or overclocking setup, you can get away with a smaller PSU in the 550W range. It'll be a lot cheaper, even for a good quality 80+ Gold model like SeaSonic or Rosewill. Nvidia says 600W/42A is the recommended minimum for the 770, but the general consensus on the boards is that 550 is fine as long as the amp requirement is met and there are two 6+2 pin PCI-E connectors available for the GPU.

- All of the fans in my current builds are Noctuas, so obviously I think they're awesome, but I've heard some good things about the stock fans in the 350D. May want to try them first, then order replacement Noctuas if you don't like them. If the stock ones work, that'll save you $50.

 

[Copernicuss]

Cool, thanks for the tips! I'll look around at some more 550W PSUs for sure.

I found the Sniper dimensions online. Weirdly, they don't seem to indicate they're any smaller than the Ripjaws X, which doesn't seem to follow from looking at images of the two. You'd think they would be. The one downside to getting 1866 is that the H97 board I'm getting won't make use of anything above 1600, but if they're cheaper, I guess it can't hurt, can it?

 

[volcanoscout]

Cool, thanks for the tips! I'll look around at some more 550W PSUs for sure.

I found the Sniper dimensions online. Weirdly, they don't seem to indicate they're any smaller than the Ripjaws X, which doesn't seem to follow from looking at images of the two. You'd think they would be. The one downside to getting 1866 is that the H97 board I'm getting won't make use of anything above 1600, but if they're cheaper, I guess it can't hurt, can it?

Sorry - I missed the speed limit on that board. According to the specs, the Snipers are actually 2mm taller than the RJX, which surprised me, but both of them should still fit. Honestly, I think the difference in performance between the three are probably irrelevant unless you're really anal (like me...). I've run a couple of sets of Snipers for gaming and for CS6 and have been very happy with them, but for general use I'd probably just go with the cheapest of the three.