Thoughts on first build

Larsen · Nov 11, 2014

Thoughts? This will be used for gaming and TV show watching. Trying to keep it under $1000.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.96 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.78 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 4GB Dual FTW ACX Video Card ($259.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 Snow White ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.36 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VX238H-W 23.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech Wireless Touch k400 Wireless Slim Keyboard w/Touchpad ($30.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $976.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-11 16:50 EST-0500

lightcloud · Nov 11, 2014

Recommendations:

-Remove CPU cooler. Stock will do.

-Get a H97 chipset motherboard because you cannot overclocked the locked CPU.

-I would really aim for a Tier 1-2 PSU. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

Larsen · Nov 11, 2014

I will tweak it! Thanks!

logainofhades · Nov 11, 2014

This would be better, as it has a much faster GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.96 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.78 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($327.85 @ B&H)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.00 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech Wireless Touch k400 Wireless Slim Keyboard w/Touchpad ($30.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $979.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-11 16:56 EST-0500

Larsen · Nov 11, 2014

How does this look? Also, is there any reason you would go with the Acer monitor over the Asus? I chose the one I did because it's 1ms. I already have the OS, but what else do I need to put this all together?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.96 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.78 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($327.85 @ B&H)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VX238H-W 23.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech Wireless Touch k400 Wireless Slim Keyboard w/Touchpad ($30.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $940.52
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-11 17:10 EST-0500

lightcloud · Nov 11, 2014

Excellent.

Get an SSD.

Replace the graphics card with Asus, EVGA, MSI. They have better cooling, warranty, customer support IMO.

Larsen · Nov 11, 2014

I'm planning on getting an SSD soon, as well. Is there a price comparable EVGA to that Zotac for the same performance?

lightcloud · Nov 11, 2014

Mainly better cooling. FPS wise, hardly any difference.

logainofhades · Nov 11, 2014

I chose the monitor because IPS panels are better.

Larsen · Nov 11, 2014

Here it is with an Asus:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.96 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.78 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VX238H-W 23.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech Wireless Touch k400 Wireless Slim Keyboard w/Touchpad ($30.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $962.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-11 17:17 EST-0500

lightcloud · Nov 11, 2014

As menitoned in my first post, the PSU isn't a good choice.

Try Antec HCG 620M.