New Build Advice

[rshafer]

So I plan on building a gaming PC (finally!), and I have a few components that I really want, but I want some general advice. On my wishlist:
GTX 970
I7-4790K (water cooled)
8 gb ram
Z97 gigabyte mobo
700W PSU (for possible SLI in future)
disc drive
120 GB SSD (for OS)
1-2 TB HDD (main storage)
SuperMicro gaming S5 ATX case

I chose intel cpu and 970 gpu because i would like to have as small a case as possible, and I know those components contribute little heat compared to others. However, the possibility for SLI would be great. The reason for the i7 is that i would like to be able to do some graphics design (not much). Any advice is welcome!

 

[utgotye]

If you do not plan on overclocking, the locked 4790 and an H97 motherboard could save you as much as a $100. If you are serious about the graphic design, stick with the i7 but if it's something that with truly be once in a blue moon, save yourself some more money and get the 4690.

With your want/need for a small case, a larger cooler would seem to be out. There are plenty of good 120mm water coolers. I'd personally go Corsair.

 

[tiny voices]

What make/model PSU?

I would avoid liquid coolers. They are very loud compared to air coolers and have awful price/performance ratio.

The case he selected is a normal ATX case. Nothing small about it. Supermicro is a brand, not a size designation.

OP, if you REALLY want a small case that can still sLI, you will have to get an mATX case and an mATX Z97 motherboard with 2 PCI slots at x16.

 

[geofelt]

Keep the 4790K, ditch the water cooling.
The 4790K runs at 4.0/4.4 stock.
A $30 tower cooler with a 120mm fan is sufficient.

For a small case, I suggest the Silverstone TJ-08E or PS-07. They are M-ATX.
I use a asus maximus vii gene which does have sli capability.
But, I suspect that a GTX980ti as a replacement for a sli GTX970 would be a better option.
Regardless, I suggest a graphics card with a stock blower cooler.
They do a better job of getting heat out of your case.
And, if you ever add a second card, there is not much room on a M-ATX motherboard.

I think 120gb is a bit small, it gets filled up quickly. Look for 240gb. Samsung evo or intel 730 would be my pick.

 

[logainofhades]

I would do something like this, unless you really want an internal DVD drive, and do not intend to overclock.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($241.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Directron)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($51.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($70.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($330.99 @ B&H)
Case: Thermaltake Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($62.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1068.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-09 11:47 EDT-0400

If you want small as possible, you need to skip the SLI option, and go mini-itx.

 

[rshafer]

What do you all think about this?
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tmPyrH

 

[tiny voices]

Poor quality PSU. Change it for an antec, XFX, Seasonic, EVGA (GS,G2,B2)

 

[rshafer]

Poor quality PSU. Change it for an antec, XFX, Seasonic, EVGA (GS,G2,B2)

Did everything else look okay in your opinion?

 

[logainofhades]

SSD should also be changed to a Samsung 850 evo. I thought you wanted a smaller M-ATX build, why choose a mid tower ATX case? Here are the changes, that I would make.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($325.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Directron)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($324.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone PS07B MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($70.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($98.75 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1249.40
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-10 10:02 EDT-0400

 

[rshafer]

SSD should also be changed to a Samsung 850 evo. I thought you wanted a smaller M-ATX build, why choose a mid tower ATX case? Here are the changes, that I would make.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($325.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Directron)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($324.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone PS07B MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($70.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($98.75 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1249.40
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-10 10:02 EDT-0400

Do you know for sure if that case is SLI capable?
Thanks

 

[logainofhades]

I see no reason why it wouldn't be. It has 4 slots, and the graphics card area length is the same for all 4 slots.

 

[geofelt]

I have used that particular PS-09 case before. I really liked it.
Yes, dual cards will be ok, so long as your M-ATX motherboard has sli support in two X8 slots.

If there is an issue, it is with that particular version of the psu. It is 180mm long.
The case has a limit on the psu length of 180mm, I think.
That is exactly the length of the psu you picked.
Look at some review builds, and you will see what I mean.
I did a bit of research, and there seems to be a newer equivalent version that is 165mm long.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438025
It is not gold rated.
I suggest this antec 750w unit which is gold rated, and only 140mm long.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371073
That will fit with no issue.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371073
Actually, non modular is better in a restricted space. The permanently attached leads fit better than the longish attachments of a modular unit.
If you will use sli, you are going to use most of the leads anyway.

 

[rshafer]

I have used that particular PS-09 case before. I really liked it.
Yes, dual cards will be ok, so long as your M-ATX motherboard has sli support in two X8 slots.

If there is an issue, it is with that particular version of the psu. It is 180mm long.
The case has a limit on the psu length of 180mm, I think.
That is exactly the length of the psu you picked.
Look at some review builds, and you will see what I mean.
I did a bit of research, and there seems to be a newer equivalent version that is 165mm long.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438025
It is not gold rated.
I suggest this antec 750w unit which is gold rated, and only 140mm long.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371073
That will fit with no issue.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371073
Actually, non modular is better in a restricted space. The permanently attached leads fit better than the longish attachments of a modular unit.
If you will use sli, you are going to use most of the leads anyway.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[geofelt]

I have used that particular PS-09 case before. I really liked it.
Yes, dual cards will be ok, so long as your M-ATX motherboard has sli support in two X8 slots.

If there is an issue, it is with that particular version of the psu. It is 180mm long.
The case has a limit on the psu length of 180mm, I think.
That is exactly the length of the psu you picked.
Look at some review builds, and you will see what I mean.
I did a bit of research, and there seems to be a newer equivalent version that is 165mm long.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438025
It is not gold rated.
I suggest this antec 750w unit which is gold rated, and only 140mm long.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371073
That will fit with no issue.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371073
Actually, non modular is better in a restricted space. The permanently attached leads fit better than the longish attachments of a modular unit.
If you will use sli, you are going to use most of the leads anyway.

Thanks for the advice!

TYPO... I meant PS-07, not PS09.