New gaming/photoshop build

[DeathByKuvasz]

Hello, this is my first time on the forum and I'm needing advice. This is my second build I am working on. I didn't do my research on the first one two years ago and it didn't run very well so I am trying to learn from my mistake.

This will be used for 1080p gaming, trying for ultra/high settings, for games like Battlefield, Far Cry 4, Witcher 3, etc, plus a lot of isometric RPGs like Divinity and Pillars. I also do some art in photoshop working with layers and doing painting, hence the 16gb of ram and 2nd hdd for a scratch disc.

Here is the build.

(http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jPnwnQ)

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74790) | $289.99 @ SuperBiiz
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BK 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-cpu-cooler-phtc12dxbk) $49.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard: Asus H97I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-h97iplus) $100.99 @ Newegg
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2k8g3d1609es2lx0) $109.80 @ Adorama
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive(http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10eavs) |-
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd20ezrx) $78.97 @ OutletPC
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 970 4GB AMP! Extreme Core Edition Video Card (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/zotac-video-card-zt9010710p) $369.99 @ SuperBiiz
Case: Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ITX Mini ITX Tower Case (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phes215pbk) $69.99 @ Newegg
Power Supply: Thermaltake 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/thermaltake-power-supply-pstpd0750mpcgus1) $59.99 @ Newegg

Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
Total (before mail-in rebates) $1149.71
Mail-in rebates -$20.00
Total $1129.71

I'm aware of the issues with the gtx 970 ram, but I can't afford a 980, so I'll have to deal with it for now.

I am not getting into over clocking so I thought air cooling on cpu would be fine and believe that the i7 would be useful for photoshop.

I already have my monitors and everything else, I just need help with the core system.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Phil923]

There are a few things that could be changed in your build.

First of all, the 4790 is not a good value if you are looking for a CPU with 4 cores + hyperthreading, a Xeon can do the same job for about $50 less at only the cost of integrated graphics which you will not be using because you have a dedicated card.

Second, unless sound is a big issue, there is no point in getting an aftermarket CPU cooler, especially one of this price. The stock cooler with intel fans is good enough for stock speeds and keeps it at a very reasonable temperature.

The memory you chose is okay, but there is a better deal right now on a pair of Kingston ram so I switched it out.

The WD Green drives aren't very fast and for less you can get faster drives. The Seagate Barracuda or WD Blue drvies are good.

The Zotac extreme core edition is overpriced compared to other 970s, you can get the ASUS Strix or the Gigabyte Windforce edition that both cool just as well for much less.

Lastly, I switched out the PSU to a slightly better quality unit.

The build I put together is approximately $100 less expensive than your original without sacrificing performance. Hope I helped.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($241.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H97I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($100.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($319.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ITX Mini ITX Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1013.53 ($1039.54 before rebates)
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-13 13:49 EDT-0400