Final build part list (gaming/edit build)

[El_Mayo]

I've posted about this for a while and I decided I'd wait til the GTX 970 came out, which it is tomorrow. Even though I don't know a price yet I'll pay up to the same amount a 780 currently costs. Posting the list for a final check, make sure I haven't put anything terrible on my list.

CPU - i7-4790K
Motherboard - MSI Z97 Gaming 5 ASUS Z97-A
Memory - GeIL Evo Potenza DDR3 2400 (used)
Storage - Crucial MX100 256GB
Case - Phanteks Enthoo Pro
GPU - MSI GTX 970
CPU cooler - Thermalright TRUE Spirit 140 Power

Notes:

• The RAM is used only once but I'll have 14 days to return, and I'll stress-test within that time to make sure it's all good
• I will buy the RAM first and make sure there are no clearance issues before buying the Scythe Mugen 4/Thermalright True Spirit Power 140.
• I have a valid code to download Windows 8, but I have no idea how to legitimately download a Windows 8 image
• I've already got a 2TB HDD and a Corsair TX650W
• I'll be applying for £35 cashback through toptechcashback for buying the CPU and motherboard from the same seller

 

[Kursah]

Download a Windows 8 image from Microsoft. IIRC you can enter your key on their site (after creating an account) and they will provide the ISO that you need.

That's fast RAM, what's the quanitity? I hope at least 8GB, I would rather have 16GB of 1600/1866 than 8GB of 2400 though, especially if this will be a 3-5 year build and you're a power user.

Also look at the Noctua U14S, I love mine...it's a big tower but not uber massive...makes it easier than some others to install memory. May still have issues with tall DIMMS.

The TX650 should do just fine. I've had great luck with that PSU...and the newer NV's are claiming to have substantially lower power consumption. Do keep in mind that these CPU's sip energy usually...but OC-ing increases their max load consumption by multitudes. 650W should still be MORE than enough.

Looks like a very solid build that will last you quite a while! I'm looking forward to hearing more about it once you build it!

 

[Naito]

I'm almost certain that MS provide a download manager/installer for Windows 8. I think it may be just the Windows 8.1 upgrade installer as that downloaded an entire ISO when I used it. Maybe try on an existing machine.

 

[El_Mayo]

Download a Windows 8 image from Microsoft. IIRC you can enter your key on their site (after creating an account) and they will provide the ISO that you need.

That's fast RAM, what's the quanitity? I hope at least 8GB, I would rather have 16GB of 1600/1866 than 8GB of 2400 though, especially if this will be a 3-5 year build and you're a power user.

Also look at the Noctua U14S, I love mine...it's a big tower but not uber massive...makes it easier than some others to install memory. May still have issues with tall DIMMS.

The TX650 should do just fine. I've had great luck with that PSU...and the newer NV's are claiming to have substantially lower power consumption. Do keep in mind that these CPU's sip energy usually...but OC-ing increases their max load consumption by multitudes. 650W should still be MORE than enough.

Looks like a very solid build that will last you quite a while! I'm looking forward to hearing more about it once you build it!

Yeah it's 16gb.dont mind doing away with the heatspreaders though, even tho they are quite appealing. Yeah I'm looking to get the new 900 series, hopefully 650W will handle another 970 in a year or 3

update: just bought the RAM as it was being watched by 12 other eBayers

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

Z97-A

 

[El_Mayo]

Z97-A

What's that?

edit: looked it up. Getting this instead

also oh my god the 970 starts at £260! Which brand should I buy, EVGA or MSI or Zotac? they're the 3 cheapest brands I can find

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

Emm, the Strix looks pretty nice, has a better VRM, so I'd expect it to do better water cooled, otherwise the EVGA ACX is also good.

Wait? Z97-A or Gaming 5?

I personally would go for the Asus board, it has better software and BIOS.

 

[El_Mayo]

Emm, the Strix looks pretty nice, has a better VRM, so I'd expect it to do better water cooled, otherwise the EVGA ACX is also good.

Wait? Z97-A or Gaming 5?

I personally would go for the Asus board, it has better software and BIOS.

Yeah they're both close in price (£6) and they both qualify for £35 cashback so I'm going for the ASUS. the EVGA ACX I'm looking at isn't the suoerclocked version and uses the ACX 1.0 version cooler not the new 2.0, and it's only a few quid cheaper than MSI, which is supposed to be a good overclocker and have really good temps

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

Link for the 970? On the US pcpartpicker the 970 ACX Superclocked is only $6 more than the non SC. On uk its 20 quid :< I'd go with the EVGA.

 

[El_Mayo]

Link for the 970? On the US pcpartpicker the 970 ACX Superclocked is only $6 more than the non SC. On uk its 20 quid :< I'd go with the EVGA.

on here mate. £21 more than the standard EVGA version

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

Yup, I'd go with the standard ACX one at those prices. But this price to performance... AAAAAAAAAAA

 

[El_Mayo]

Yup, I'd go with the standard ACX one at those prices. But this price to performance... AAAAAAAAAAA

went with the MSI Twin Frozr GTX 970, main clinchers being the quiet operation when idle and the quiet cooler. Presumably they all overclock the same

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

Yeah there is basically no difference. Personally, considering that you are going with the Z97-a, I'd go with the Evga card, I think they match better aesthetically.

 

[El_Mayo]

Bought a Thermalright True Spirit as I was able to get free delivery from Scan. The Enthoo Pro came with free delivery and I called Scan and asked them to tack on an extra part to the package for free, after all extra £5 to add a cooler to the already massive case delivery box doesn't make sense to me

 

[El_Mayo]

The motherboard has come and I can only read the manual for now (waiting on the RAM). There is an automatic overclock option, anyone know if this is a good idea? sounds good cos I know nothing about it.

Had a look in the TPU review and I don't understand why

• Makes you wonder why you would need to spend any more

comes under a negative for the board in the review, and how it didn't get editor's choice based on what was said in the review

 

[GreiverBlade]

The motherboard has come and I can only read the manual for now (waiting on the RAM). There is an automatic overclock option, anyone know if this is a good idea? sounds good cos I know nothing about it.

Had a look in the TPU review and I don't understand why

• Makes you wonder why you would need to spend any more

comes under a negative for the board in the review, and how it didn't get editor's choice based on what was said in the review

that board is golden, the only board who get better is the Maximus VII Ranger in his category (only for the look as it loose the SATA-Express, not that it's a real loss), editor choice? is that a important criteria? nope.

indeed that negative comment isn't a negative comment: it means "you have a lot for what you spend on it".

i took the Maximus VII Ranger only because my retailler had a difference of 20chf between them (159.90 the Z97-A and 179.90 the MVIIR )

and for the auto OC well the MVIIR did not bad for a 25% CPU up (3.5 to 4.490~)

 

[El_Mayo]

that board is golden, the only board who get better is the Maximus VII Ranger in his category (only for the look as it loose the SATA-Express, not that it's a real loss), editor choice? is that a important criteria? nope.

indeed that negative comment isn't a negative comment: it means "you have a lot for what you spend on it".

i took the Maximus VII Ranger only because my retailler had a difference of 20chf between them (159.90 the Z97-A and 179.90 the MVIIR )

and for the auto OC well the MVIIR did not bad for a 25% CPU up (3.5 to 4.490~)

haha not important to me, just wondering whether they wanna avoid giving editor's choice to a cheaper board

Does the auto OC well with voltages? it doesn't use an obscene voltage does it?

 

[GreiverBlade]

Does the auto OC well with voltages? it doesn't use an obscene voltage does it?

CPU-Z read 1.249V (i don't use turbo) and Open hardware monitor read .... nothing ... and show a CPU speed of 5547mhz ... wtf?

 

[El_Mayo]

I'm trying to put the chip in the motherboard and I've closed the lid but the little handle on the side feels like it's gonna snap if apply anymore pressure to bring it down. Is this normal or am I doing it wrong?

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

It requires quite a bit of pressure, a few kg at least to close the latch, just make sure the CPU is well seated.

The motherboard has come and I can only read the manual for now (waiting on the RAM). There is an automatic overclock option, anyone know if this is a good idea? sounds good cos I know nothing about it.

Had a look in the TPU review and I don't understand why

• Makes you wonder why you would need to spend any more

comes under a negative for the board in the review, and how it didn't get editor's choice based on what was said in the review

I've said this for ages. There is no reason to buy one of the mainstream boards that's over ~$200. If you go more expensive, you might as well go with X99. The amount you pay for the small things you get on the more expensive board is quite pathetic.

 

[eidairaman1]

Did you make sure its layed in there properly or should i say keyed up. Because if it isnt you can damage the motherboard

 

[El_Mayo]

Did you make sure its layed in there properly or should i say keyed up. Because if it isnt you can damage the motherboard

The gold triangle is in the bottom left corner
This is my first non AMD chip and k was happy to see it doesn't have tiny, bendable chips. I don't know if that's cos my last CPU was in 2010 and both AMD and Intel have moved on from that kinda thing, or Intel chips have always been like this

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

Looks seated properly, you probably aren't pushing it hard enough. It takes more force than AMD sockets, by quite a lot.

 

[eidairaman1]

I think thats correct. The 2 notches in the cpu should be at the top towards the hinge. Did you drop the cpu in vertically.

 

[Countryside]

Nice build, not bad at all