New PC Build

albia · Jul 9, 2015

Hello,

After frying the motherboard of my Acer laptop (i7 and GTX 750M) because of extensive rendering, I decided to create my own PC which hopefully will last for a while.

Here are all the parts that I decided to buy:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K
GPU: GTX 960/970
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A
RAM: 16 GB DDR3 Kingston
SSD: 240GB Kingston
HDD: 2 TB
Case: Fractal Design R4/R5
PSU: 750 Watt Corsair CX Series

So far this is the build I have come up with. My primary reason for the build is rendering/video editing with gaming here and there just for fun.

Do you think that GTX 970 is worth over GTX 960? I am open to all recommendations for other parts for the build if you think are better. The build will cost around $1300, not mentioning shipping and other stuff like that.

Thank you

de5_Roy · Jul 9, 2015

no intel cpu can match the i7's 4.0 GHz base clockrate.
if you're cash-limited, you might wanna look at the lga1150 xeon e3 12xx v3 cpus. e3 1241 v3 seems to be cheaper than the i7.

if you can get to a microcenter, you can get both the i7 and the xeons at much cheaper prices.

970 is quite a bit faster and more suitable for 1080p gaming.

try getting a better psu, like evga supernova g2 or seasonic s12G series.

lastly, make sure your memory kit is on asus' QVL.

if the SSD is from v300 series, try getting a better quality one. use this article as reference:
best ssds for money
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-recommendation-benchmark,3269.html

zared619 · Jul 9, 2015

albia :

Overall, you've put together a really good build.

For gaming, the 970 would be worth it, but if you are mainly rendering, a 960 would be fine. A 960 will still be WAY better than your previous graphics on your laptop.

I do not recommend getting a CX ceries PSU from Corsair. There are many better options in a similar price range. However, I recommend this.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m

I'd also take a 250GB Samsung EVO or Pro if you have the cash to do so. They are great.

bharat2284 · Jul 9, 2015

You didn't specified your gaming resolution and settings ultra or high?
yes gtx 970 worth over 960 only if you're gaming at higher than 1080p.
960 can hold at least 1080p with ultra-high mix and 970 can blow any game at 1080p ultra.
Gtx 970 is also good at 1440p gaming and for rendering and video editing both will be superb.

logainofhades · Jul 9, 2015

Definitely go with the 970. Change the PSU to an Evga B2 series 750w. It is a far better PSU. SSD I would change to a Crucial or Samsung 850 evo.

zared619 · Jul 9, 2015

logainofhades :

If the OP just occasionally games and was previously using 750m graphics, wouldn't it just be more prudent to go with a 960? A 970 is around $320 and you can pick up a 960 for about $180. If the OP doesn't have a monitor, $140 can buy a pretty nice 1080p screen.

geofelt · Jul 9, 2015

I7-4790K is arguably the best cpu available today for rendering and gaming.

If your apps can use CUDA cores, then a Nvidia graphics card of some sort is what you need. I might pick a GTX750ti.
If your gaming trends to fast action, then GTX970 is appropriate.
This assumes 1080P monitor.
1440P, and a GTX970 is better.
A 4k monitor will want a GTX980 or even GTX980ti.

The psu you need is largely determined by the graphics card. A GTX750ti will need only 300w, a GTX970 would need 500w.
To allow for the possibility that you get into serious gaming and will upgrade your graphics card, I suggest something in the 600-750w area. That will support a card as good as a GTX980ti.
Corsair CX is considered a mediocre quality unit.
Look for a tier 1 or 2 600-700w unit from this list:
https://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx?Redirected=true
My go to brand is Seasonic, you can hardly go wrong with them. Antec and XFX are good too.

The stock Intel cooler will do the job. But the 92mm fan gets noisy under load.
I would pick a simple tower type cooler with a 120mm fan.

logainofhades · Jul 9, 2015

zared619 :

Even if their gaming is mild in nature, the 970 should then last even longer, keeping them from needing to spend more money, later.

albia · Jul 9, 2015

Thank you all for your responses guys!

So, I based on your feedback, I should go with EVGA B2 PSU and Samsung EVO SSD.

I have two 1080p monitors and most of the gaming will be done on one of the monitors, no plan for 1440p or 4K any time soon.

Also, the GTX 970 seems to be better overall. Which variant should I choose? Asus, EVGA, MSI or Gigabyte? I don't want to overoclock it. Gigabyte seems the best for overclocking but the fans don't last for a long time, so MSI is the best among all, I think.

Is the case good enough for future upgrades, or do you recommend other types?

Thanks for the huge support.

zared619 · Jul 9, 2015

Either an R4 or R5 would be great for the future, hence why no one commented on it.

As far as a GPU manufacturer goes, EVGA is the best supplier for Nvidia cards IMO.

logainofhades · Jul 9, 2015

MSI twin frozr would be my pick, as its cooling is quite good.

albia · Jul 9, 2015

Yeah, I was going with EVGA GTX 970 initially but looks like there is a manufacturing defect with cooling thermal paste.

albia · Jul 10, 2015

Hello all,

Because of some problems with shipping, I replaced a few components with other brands. Here are the ones:

RAM: 16 GB HyperX 1866 MHz
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2 TB
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro

Is Phanteks Enhtoo Pro a good case? Many reviews praise the features it has.

zared619 · Jul 10, 2015

You'll be fine with all three of those.

As far as the case goes, I don't have any personal experience, but I've only heard good things. It will be significantly larger than an R4 because it's a full tower though.

albia · Jul 10, 2015

What is your favorite case (Full Tower) for around $100-150, which also has a good design with curvers, ie. NZXT Phantom

zared619 · Jul 10, 2015

albia :

I'm probably not the best person to ask because I'm unfortunately biased towards Zalman. My first case just by chance was a Zalman and I've always loved them. I think the Zalman H1 is a great case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811235047&cm_re=zalman_h1-_-11-235-047-_-Product

If that has too many bells and whistles for you, I would say the Corsair 750D is one of the best cases on the market. Cases are really a personal preference, just buy one that has quality reviews from trusted sites (Like Tom's)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139024&cm_re=750d-_-11-139-024-_-Product

albia · Jul 11, 2015

Sorry again. What is a good alternative to EVGA B2 750W or 850W series?

zared619 · Jul 13, 2015

albia :

You shouldn't need that big of a PSU, so the 620 watt HCG from Antec should suffice
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m

albia · Jul 15, 2015

zared619 :

I don't really want a small PSU because I plan on adding more GPUs in the future. Is this PSU good?

Corsair CX Series 750Watt Modular 80 PLUS Bronze ATX / EPS power supply (CX750M)

zared619 · Jul 15, 2015

Not really. Refer to this list for ideas as to what is good. I only recommend tier 1 or 2 PSU's.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

I'd go with this PSU.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ss750am2

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