New Build - Sanity Check

[Steff345]

Hi guys,

looking to build myself a decent gaming rig for Christmas - just wanted to run them through you guys to get your opinion of it as well (and if its the best bang-for-the-buck).

My budget for this build is A$ 1800 (+ around 50-100 if required).

Here goes -

• CPU: i5 4670K - $269 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=187_1490&products_id=23495)
• Mobo: Asus Gryphon Z87 - $185 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_1491&products_id=23589)
• Graphics: MSI R9 290 - $499 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1575&products_id=25640) thinking of whether to hold off until 290s with custom coolers come out which hopefully should be in a couple of days
• RAM: Gskill Sniper 2x4GB DDR3 1866 - $99 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_538_913&products_id=19475)
• HDD: Seagate 1TB - $99 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_344&products_id=25497)
• SSD: Samsung 840 Evo - $109 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_902_1370&products_id=24741)
• CPU cooler: Arctic Cooling i30 - $39 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23&products_id=20164)
• PSU: Silverstone Strider 750 - $149 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_535&products_id=15350)
• Case: Corsair 350D - $149 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_547&products_id=23206)
• Monitor: LG EA53V 23" IPS - $189 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1368&products_id=23245)
• A regular keyboard/mouse and the cheapest optical drive (around $30 for all)

The total comes to $1820 for the above. This rig is mainly for gaming (COD, BF 4 etc) - Any suggestions of swapping parts for better band-for-buck?

Thanks in advance

 

[RCoon]

Everything looks nice, though I'd opt for a ~600W silver or better rated PSU instead, as that 750w is a little OTT in terms of power, not quite enough for SLI/XFire but too much for a fully OC'd single cpu-gpu system. Then maybe any money saved can go on a better CPU cooler.

 

[Steff345]

Never thought about that - thanks for pointing it out mate. Which of these do you think would be better?

FPS Aurum 650W -$135 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_535&products_id=18460) or
Silverstone Srtider 550W - $129 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_535&products_id=21571)

not sure if 550 would cut it though.

as for the cooler, im not really looking for the maximum overclock - I'll just probably go with an automated overclock (like the one built-in to the motherboard). Is there any particular cooler you'd recommend? Maybe the 212X ($46 at http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23&products_id=22829)

 

[RCoon]

Silverstone one is OK, but look at SeaSonic, XFX, Corsair, Enermax, they are all pretty reputable. Never had a Silverstone PSU until now, and it seems fine to me, so it's totally up to you. 550w will easily run your system.
Both my CPU and GPU are running quite high overclocks and my 600w PSU is still doing just fine (Only a Bronze rated Silverstone).
For cooling, I'm a fan of the CM Hyper 212+, it's pretty nice, and I ran one on a server for a few years.

 

[m1ch]

even with 500W you'll be fine since setup above will draw 400W max., but you won't be able to CFX/SLI in the future. Check Cooler Master VS 550W, it's really good value for the money.

 

[BiggieShady]

If going for 290 or 290 X, by all means wait for one with custom cooling solution, like this one from asus (DirectCu II cooling) :
https://twitter.com/ASUS_ROG/status/409877428383653889/photo/1

 

[Steff345]

thats awesome news BiggieShady looks like the custom cooler releases are just around the corner then - will definitely hold on till they arrive - much thanks for the heads-up.

regarding the PSU, isnt FSP a reputable brand? (im not too sure about this which is why I'm asking). In the alternative I believe it could be something like Corsair TX-650 for$135 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_535&products_id=17211).

The only gripe here is that the FSP one is gold rated as against the Corsair's bronze (provided FSP is a reliable brand)

 

[RCoon]

Just looked up FSP on Johnny Guru and they score pretty well, so yeah, FSP seems like a very viable choice of PSU!

 

[Steff345]

Thanks for that Rcoon - I've done a bit of research on this as well and summing up from several reviews and recommendations, FSP just doesnt seem to be in the same league as Corsair and XFX (like you said earlier).

I'll go through the list of available PSUs and try to get a better alternative when I get home after work today

 

[BraveSoul]

build looks good, i was running out of space on 120gb SSD but that depends how much stuff u will install on it

 

[Steff345]

build looks good, i was running out of space on 120gb SSD but that depends how much stuff u will install on it

I was planning on having only the OS and other application s/w (like office and stuff) on it and the games/movies on the 1TB mechanical.


regarding the PSU, maybe I could go for the Corsair RM-550 ($138 at http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_354&products_id=25465) OR spring for Corsair RM-750 for $189 for future CF purposes. In this case, would the CPU/RAM bottleneck the CF setup (eventually if at all)?

 

[RCoon]

I was planning on having only the OS and other application s/w (like office and stuff) on it and the games/movies on the 1TB mechanical.


regarding the PSU, maybe I could go for the Corsair RM-550 ($138 at http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_354&products_id=25465) OR spring for Corsair RM-750 for $189 for future CF purposes. In this case, would the CPU/RAM bottleneck the CF setup (eventually if at all)?

I used to run a 60Gb SSD, now used for file server, now I literally only install OS, Software, and some large important games, everything else is run from the HDD. The RM series are very good, but I dare say a touch on the pricey side. If you can afford one, all the power to you my friend. 4670K should do fine with dual GPU setups, 750w PSU would be viable for crossfire I think, but there wouldn't be a great deal of room for overclocking to crazy heights.

 

[Steff345]

I used to run a 60Gb SSD, now used for file server, now I literally only install OS, Software, and some large important games, everything else is run from the HDD.

did you really notice much of a difference as I'm in 2 minds of this exact thing at the moment. Im confused as to whether its really worth it just to install the OS and applications (with NO games whatsoever) when I could use that amount for a better Graphics card or something.



Im set of the RM550 at the moment but depending on how the pricing for the custom cooler R290 is, I might extend the budget for the RM750 (for future CF purposes) - how does this sound?

 

[RCoon]

did you really notice much of a difference as I'm in 2 minds of this exact thing at the moment. Im confused as to whether its really worth it just to install the OS and applications (with NO games whatsoever) when I could use that amount for a better Graphics card or something.



Im set of the RM550 at the moment but depending on how the pricing for the custom cooler R290 is, I might extend the budget for the RM750 (for future CF purposes) - how does this sound?

Totally worth it. Windows is hugely snappier, and I tend to install one or two commonly used games. Plus it will last longer than a GPU in terms of future upgrading. RM550 will do just fine, but if you genuinely intend to xfire, then go for the 750.

 

[Steff345]

Thanks for that mate - I'll stick to getting the SSD then if it makes that much of a difference.

I think I'll do just that with the PSU - I'll stick to the RM550 for now, but if the custom cooled R290 is not much more than that of the reference one ($499), I'll go for the RM750, else it's gonna go way over budget which I'm not in a position to do right now.

 

[M0rt]

I remember reading some less than stellar things about the RM line when it was released. One reviewer had the unit fail on them and others commented about the fan being loud when it switched on. I think that's what I remember anyway.

You'll be fine with a 550w unit running a single card, but I might wait to see the non-reference power numbers before opting for a 750w unit with CF in mind. You'd probably be OK running stock or simple OC, but upping voltages could get dicey.

 

[Steff345]

ok i gotta look the RM series up now.

When you say "You'd probably be OK running stock or simple OC, but upping voltages could get dicey." do you mean a single card on the 550 or CF'd cards on a 750?

 

[RCoon]

ok i gotta look the RM series up now.

When you say "You'd probably be OK running stock or simple OC, but upping voltages could get dicey." do you mean a single card on the 550 or CF'd cards on a 750?

crossfire on the 750. go on the internet and search for a pc wattage calculator, fill it in as best you can, and see what wattage you would pull with single gpu and dual gpu

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

EDIT: I just checked for you. Running 100% TDP (No overclock), minimum PSU for single CPU/GPU is 495w, so a 550w is perfect.
However minimum PSU for dual GPU running at 100% TDP (No overclock) is 750w, with 800w recommended.

If you're only going single GPU then the 550w is perfect.
If you're thinking about dual GPU, I would consider a 800w PSU, perhaps not from the RM series. Corsair may offer better value.

 

[M0rt]

The 750w. If you juice the 2 cards up into the 300w range, you wouldn't have much maneuverability. One card and a 550w you'll be fine.

I don't know if you intend to run benches and go nuts, so I'm just being cautious. It would depend how wild the AIBs go with their iterations and which one(s) you'd choose too.

 

[M0rt]

RCoon, those calculator numbers seem very inflated.

From what I've read about the 290, he should hit 400w at max sans OC with one card.

With 2, he should hit around 650 max with no OC.

I'm just worried that he'll choose the 2 non-reference cards with the highest factory clocks and power draw, then throw some additional voltage at them on a 750w PSU.

Could get dicey.

 

[RCoon]

RCoon, those calculator numbers seem very inflated.

From what I've read about the 290, he should hit 400w at max sans OC with one card.

With 2, he should hit around 650 max with no OC.

I'm just worried that he'll choose the 2 non-reference cards with the highest factory clocks and power draw, then throw some additional voltage at them on a 750w PSU.

Could get dicey.

I prefer to have inflated results as opposed to underestimated results. It's a lot safer that way.
PSU wattage is like condoms. Better to have and never need, than to need and not have

 

[M0rt]

I'm certainly not gonna argue with that.

I just feel bad that our Australian brethren are paying through the nose for PSUs.

 

[Steff345]

thanks for all your replies - really got some critical questions answered..

I think I'll to the single custom cooler R290 with the RM550. I'm not really into benching like crazy or pushing the highest clocks just a minor overclock (if at all) via software.

Just for clarification, I've put in the numbers to the PSU calculator and got (similarly) a power requirement of 495W. Would this suffice if I happen to get a factory overclocked card as there's only about 50W or so to play around with, or should I keep an eye out for a 600W PSU (just to be safe)?

 

[M0rt]

If your max system load ever pulls 495w without touching the voltage on the GPU, I will fly to Australia for the express purpose of having you punch me in the face.

You'd barely touch 450w max running an OC'd X79 platform and you will barely touch 400w on your Z87.

Even if the non-reference boards pull and extra 30w above reference, you're still south of 450w.

Here's the RM 650 review from TPU. Link

Personally, I'd inquire when the SeaSonic G 550 is expected to be back in stock and would grab that depending on the answer. It's a better unit and it's cheaper.

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_972&products_id=21502

Enjoy your new toy!

 

[Steff345]

I rang PCCG today and they confirmed to me that they have no ETA at the moment. None of the other stores like Centrecom or CPL seem to stock them either. Any comparable recommendation you guys can think up of?