Some feedback appreciated before I buy

[Embrust]

Hello everyone. I am currently putting together a new build and would really appreciate some feedback on how it is looking so far. I feel like I have everything I need right now, as far as the main parts go, and now I was wondering if there was anything extra I could add to it. For example, extra fans or what not. I am considering getting a fan controller; I have found one so far:

NZXT Sentry-2 5.25" Touch Screen Fan Controller
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811992005

Is there anything else I could get that I am not thinking of right now?
Thanks for the help.

Here is my build as it sits right now:

Spoiler

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.24 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($104.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($303.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($147.46 @ TigerDirect)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1134.63
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-21 21:52 EDT-0400)

My only questions for this build right now is about the graphics card, the R9 280X. I am not exactly sure on which version to get; I was going to get the Sapphire Toxic, but it has been out of stock lately and I have not been able to catch one while they are in stock. So, I am willing to grab a different version of the R9 280X, but I am just not sure on which one. Any help deciding on which version I should get would be awesome.

And here is the template from the sticky:

Spoiler

Approximate Purchase Date: I would like to order everything this week, but I am not in a huge rush.

Budget Range: I do not really have a budget, but I would like to keep it around the price it is right now.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, School work (Graphic Design Digital Media, Photoshop, etc.), Internet, Movies

Are you buying a monitor: No.

Parts to Upgrade: Everything! This is an entirely new build.

Do you need to buy OS: No.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No real preference, but I would like to keep the store number down to avoid buying from all over the place, no more than three different stores please.

Location: Johnson City, TN, United States

Parts Preferences: No preference.

Overclocking: Maybe, I might dabble in overclocking a little, but I have no big plans currently.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe in the future, but for right now, no.

Your Monitor Resolution: It is currently 1920x1080.

Additional Comments: The quieter (and cooler) the rig runs, the better. I am not a hardcore gamer; I am just looking for something that is reliable, durable, and will last me a long time.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I am wanting to upgrade because I want a stronger PC!

 

[Tradesman1]

On the 280X I'd go with the Asus CU TOP, that's the one I decided on and got, also would change the mobo to the Asus Z87-Plus or up a step to the Gryphon, won't touch MSI mobos due to their poor QC, too many problems

 

[ChillKyle]

I never really heard of XFX having much of good reviews as a whole. I would personally go with the Corsair RM Series PSU for a little more. I own it and its pretty awesome. Plus your getting a PSU from a well known company.

 

[Tradesman1]

Most XFX PSUs are made by SeaSonic, the best manufacturer out there 😉

 

[ChillKyle]

Toche tradesman.

 

[Embrust]

Okay, so I'll go with the Asus verson of the gpu, change out the mobo, and stick with the psu. Thanks for the suggestions! Everything else looks good then? I was thinking about changing the ram to the 16GB version of the Ripjaws so I could have a little extra for school-related work and projects. Also, I might add a 1TB HDD to the list, or maybe add it in the future.

Is there anything that I can improve on?
I was wondering if the the stock fans for the case would be enough to keep everything cool; should I look into getting some more fans? I want this build to be as temperature safe as possible.

 

[Tradesman1]

If it's in the budget and can go 16GB might want to, can come in real handy when running multiple apps or any memory centric apps

 

[Embrust]

Alright, that settles the RAM then.
Would there happen to be anything else in my last response you could give some advice or tips on?

 

[Tradesman1]

On both drives and fans, if it fits in the budget, generally you can never have enough (sort of), I always like extra disk space and often pick one up when there's a super deal - if nothing else I can put it on a workstation or my server as an extra source for backups....fans, I like my rigs cool, so generally use more than just the stock fans that come with a case, as an example, I like the HAF cases the 912 comes with a pair of 120mm fans, I generall end up with 2 120's in the front, a 120 in the back, a 120 on the side and either a pair of 120's on top or just go with a 200mm on top

 

[Embrust]

Okay, I will have to do a little more rsearch into the fan thing before I buy them. I have been reading an article on here about properly air-cooling a PC, and I have found there are a few things I need to look out for when shopping fans; especially since I am looking to get a fan controller. I need to make sure everything is compatible and all that good stuff.

 

[Tradesman1]

Sounds like a plan, keep us updated

 

[Embrust]

I have managed to come up with a few more questions after looking up the parts I will be replacing in my build.

Okay, so I have a question about the GPU now; I am on PCPartPicker and I have managed to find three different Asus Radeon R9 280X's. Which one do I want?

http://pcpartpicker.com/search/?cc=us&q=Asus+R9+280x

After looking at you two motherboards you mentioned Tradesman1, the Asus Z87 Plus and the Asus Gryphon Z87, the Plus is looking better than the Gryphon to me. I do not know much about the finer details of parts though, could you possible enlighten me on these motherboards? I would greatly appreciate it!

ASUS Z87-PLUS LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131980&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

ASUS GRYPHON Z87 LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 uATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131977&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

As for memory, I am uncertain as to whether I want the 1866 or the 1600 version of the Ripjaws; the 1866 version costs $20 more, so how much better would it be compared to the 1600 version?

G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f314900cl10d16gbxl

G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f31600c9d16gxm

And for the fans, would these Cooler Master SickFlow fans work well with my build? I will already have two fans from the Define R4 I am ordering, but they are 140mm with a speed of 1000RPM, and it looks like these SickleFlows spin at twice that rate.

Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 - Sleeve Bearing 120mm Blue LED Silent Fan for Computer Cases, CPU Coolers, and Radiators
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=35-103-060

 

[Tradesman1]

On the mobos, the Gryphon has a couple extra features, I like it more for OC and DRAM handling abilities along with better heat management (BIOS controls are finer), of those sets of DRAM, performance wise they are near equal - with the 1866 getting the nod for more bandwidth, a 1866/9 set would better yet as performance itself is better and you get the extra bandwidth

 

[Embrust]

On the mobos, the Gryphon has a couple extra features, I like it more for OC and DRAM handling abilities along with better heat management (BIOS controls are finer), of those sets of DRAM, performance wise they are near equal - with the 1866 getting the nod for more bandwidth, a 1866/9 set would better yet as performance itself is better and you get the extra bandwidth

Okay, interesting. I think I might go with the Plus and the 1600 version of the Ripjaws though; I just spotted a bundle pack for them on Newegg and that will save me some cash. Thanks!

Do you happen to know anything about the GPU situation I mentioned, or the case fans?

 

[Embrust]

Alright, it seems like I have everything in order aside from the Asus R9 280X and the case fans I have picked out. Once that is sorted out, I should be ready to order!

 

[Tradesman1]

I'd go with the 2 slot 280X CU TOP clocked at 1070, it OC's very well and (only takes the two slots so it you look to XFire in the future, have a bit of room to play with) - the case fans you mention are good ones - good airflow and quiet