PC Build Thread

[DonutVikingChap]

To be honest, I wouldn't get either X79 nor X99 since X79 is too outdated and X99 is just too expensive right now (especially including the DDR4 memory). I'd say just get an i7-4790K on Z97 since It won't be too expensive, and it will still be miles better than your old Phenom II X6.

 

[Fruity Snacks]

To be honest, I wouldn't get either X79 nor X99 since X79 is too outdated and X99 is just too expensive right now (especially including the DDR4 memory). I'd say just get an i7-4790K on Z97 since It won't be too expensive, and it will still be miles better than your old Phenom II X6.

Have a link to those?

And I'm keeping the r9 270x because I've only had it for a year, and besides some silly crashes beyond my control, it's be an awesome card. I don't want to waste money on a new card when I have a perfectly good one. That being said, if I get another dud, then I'd consider getting a better one.

 

[DonutVikingChap]

Have a link to those?

And I'm keeping the r9 270x because I've only had it for a year, and besides some silly crashes beyond my control, it's be an awesome card. I don't want to waste money on a new card when I have a perfectly good one. That being said, if I get another dud, then I'd consider getting a better one.

4790K: https://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74790k
A Z97 chipset motherboard: https://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97a

And yeah, the 270X is still a decent card, so you don't have to upgrade it unless you're getting bad performance in some game/application.

 

[Fruity Snacks]

Also, coolers. Whats with those? When should I look into getting water coolers vs. something else? If water or a liquid cooler, should I get someone to install it for me?

 

[Crash]

Liquid coolers these days are about the same to install as any other cooler, just an extra step or two for the radiator/ fans, depending on what you get.

 

[Fruity Snacks]

Okay, this is probably what I'll end up getting. Stuff I already own (or close to it, like the ram) is already marked as 'purchased.'

Suggestions on changes? Do I need to buy fans?

 

[YM]

Case looks like it has a solid front, that's not great for airflow over your hard drives, other than that, I've never had non-case, non-mobo fans in any pc I've ever owned, never needed any additional ones.

 

[seth]

Liquid coolers are really only valid for CPU's that overclock very hot. Air coolers are going to be less expensive and just as good in most situations, like with your i7.You can get a good Noctua cooler for $45-$70 that will be great for any stable OC.

 

[DonutVikingChap]

Case looks like it has a solid front, that's not great for airflow over your hard drives, other than that, I've never had non-case, non-mobo fans in any pc I've ever owned, never needed any additional ones.

The H440 has 3 120mm fans in the front and 1 140mm in the back, so that shouldn't be an issue

Anyway, the only other thing I want to point out is that your 8GB 1333Mhz RAM is pretty poor compared to the rest of the system. If I were you, I'd get a 16GB kit of 1866MHz CL9 RAM, since you might need more than 8GB for multitasking with the programs you're using. But if you already have the RAM and you don't want to replace it, it's not a huge deal. (Unless, of course, you find yourself having trouble with it when you're actually using the system.)

EDIT: Btw, where's the CPU cooler?

 

[Fruity Snacks]

... I didn't think I needed one. Though, I realize now thats REALLY SILLY because even my current rig has a fan on it. ... and I'm a derp.


... suggestions on goodens?

 

[seth]

Pretty much any compatible single fan Noctua will be great and pretty low price, especially compared to liquid cooling solutions.

 

[DonutVikingChap]

... I didn't think I needed one. Though, I realize now thats REALLY SILLY because even my current rig has a fan on it. ... and I'm a derp.


... suggestions on goodens?

Boom

(or Boom)

 

[Fruity Snacks]

Alright, that looks good.

In terms of Ram, the one I have there isn't what I actually, have. I do have "8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 669MHz (9-9-9-24)" which is probably worse. I'll look into something nicer.

 

[Crash]

So I pulled the trigger on part of this, just gotta wait for some more funds to settle in before doing the rest. Here's the finalized full build with all the added parts that I already have and am going to be putting into it, plus the extra odds and ends added in:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($335.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (Purchased For $124.99)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $102.99)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card ($555.00 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT H440 (Orange/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $109.99)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $59.99)
Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($169.63 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse (Purchased For $68.99)
Other: NZXT HUE RGB Controller (Purchased For $33.99)
Other: Vivo Triple LCD Monitor Stand (Purchased For $64.89)
Other: Cobox Display Port to DVI Adapter (Purchased For $7.99)
Other: ASUS VW224U 22" Widescreen Monitor (Purchased For $159.99)
Other: ASUS VW224U 22" Widescreen Monitor (Purchased For $159.99)
Total: $2344.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 00:20 EST-0500

 

[DonutVikingChap]

Alright, that looks good.

In terms of Ram, the one I have there isn't what I actually, have. I do have "8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 669MHz (9-9-9-24)" which is probably worse. I'll look into something nicer.

669MHz? I think you mean 1333Mhz since it's double data rate. If it's actually running at 669MHz it's from the stone age

 

[Fruity Snacks]

I'm just copying what speccy told me. It's been too long since I bought the cards and am too lazy to crack open my case and look.

 

[Fruity Snacks]

The build.

I've basically been going on what you guys have suggested because research has lead me to believe that it's good.

Except for Ram, because I have no idea what makes RAM good. So I did some research, and threw in a single 8GB 1600 stick by Kingston. No idea how great it is, but I've been told/saw on the web that Kingston is a very good brand.

Beyond thermal paste, what else am I missing? Is there any more power I could pull out of this thing without adding too much more to the cost?

When I install the new Mobo, I'll be using an existing HDD/SSD with the OS already installed, is there anything I need to do (beyond backup important work?) in terms of messing with BiOS or what? The internet has been surprisingly unhelpful in regards to this which leads me to believe it's a non issue.

I'm basically going to be freelancing with this computer, so anything to help would be appreciated (in terms of hardware choices)

 

[seth]

I would go 2x4GB sticks of RAM, dual channel is usually better, especially with your board. Mushkin makes some good stuff.

Oh, and your cooler should come with thermal paste. That's a good choice btw

 

[YM]

do multiple sticks rather than a single. your mobo might be better at triple or quad channel, but 2 is usually the better one to go for. I've got 4 4gb sticks in mine, before I upgraded a while back I had 3 1gb sticks. You should be able to look up which your mobo is better at, if not, assume dual

 

[Crash]

Just ordered the last of my rig!

Here's the final full build with everything I have going into it from before (headphones, mic, etc) and everything little I had to pick up, even down to the zip ties:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor (Purchased For $335.99)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (Purchased For $335.99)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (Purchased For $144.99)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (Purchased For $124.99)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Purchased For $104.99)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $102.99)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card (Purchased For $555.00)
Case: NZXT H440 (Orange/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $109.99)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $59.99)
Monitor: Dell P2314H 60Hz 23.0" Monitor (Purchased For $161.98)
Case Accessory: NZXT Hue LED Controller (Purchased For $33.99)
Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse (Purchased For $68.99)
Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Headphones (Purchased For $124.90)
Other: Vivo Triple LCD Monitor Stand (Purchased For $64.89)
Other: Cobox Display Port to DVI Adapter (Purchased For $7.99)
Other: ASUS VW224U 22" Widescreen Monitor (Purchased For $159.99)
Other: ASUS VW224U 22" Widescreen Monitor (Purchased For $159.99)
Other: Blue Yeti Blackout Microphone (Purchased For $129.99)
Other: Monoprice 6ft HDMI Cable (Purchased For $3.15)
Other: Monoprice 4" Black Cable Ties 100pk (Purchased For $3.11)
Total: $2793.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-07 13:19 EST-0500

I got the NZXT HUE controller despite it being "not compatible" with the case (no external drives at all, or even a 5 1/4" mount inside), but I'm going to either set it in the bottom or try some other solutions for mounting I've seen online.