Advice on a new build

[Zarks]

Hi everyone, new member here.

I'm building a new system for myself. This is my first attempt at a build and I have a budget of $1600 (taxes included). Check out what I have so far and tell me if there are any issues or potential issues. Is the motherboard adequate? I don't plan on running dual gpu's in the future but I do plan on doing some overclocking (nothing extreme though).

CPU: Intel Haswell i5-4670K

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H LGA1150 DDR3 ATX

Memory: Kingston HyperX Blue 8GB 1600MHz CL10 DDR3

Primary Hard Disk: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200RPM SATA 6.0

Video Card: EVGA GTX 770 2GB DDR5

Audio Card: Asus XONAR_DG 3D

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST 24x SATA

Cooling: Cooler Master Seidon 120M Intel/AMD Water Cooler

PSU: Corsair CX600M 600W 80PLUS Bronze Modular

Case: Antec GX700 Rugged Enclosure Gaming Mid Tower Case


Yeah, it's a cheap case but from what I understand it has decent cooling. I plan on overclocking the video card myself so I decided against getting an oc or superclocked version.

 

[Fourstaff]

Looks like you have done your homework. I would swap out is the ram for some faster ones: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-scaling-gaming-haswell-richland,3593.html

You wouldn't be able to do dual GPU with the CX600, it only has 2 PCIe 8 pin connectors.

Finally, get either an SSHD or a SSD, its massively improves loading time.

 

[EarthDog]

With that budget, there is no doubt you should get an SSD for your OS, applications, and your most frequently used games. A 256GB: OCZ Vertex 4, Samsung 840 Evo to name two that would be great.

I think if you are overclocking You would want the Seidon 240M as the 120M is barely as good as mediocre air cooling IIRC.

Ram is fine to me. Little to no improvements over 1600MHz for gaming..

 

[Sasqui]

Don't know if this is available in CA, but some fine memory (and reviewed here on TPU, see the description on newegg): G.SKILL Trident X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR...

 

[rhino]

I found these things this week which I would consider were I to be in your shoes with your budget:
ASUS ROG RAIDR EXPRESS PCIe SSD - Performance Prev...
or
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/5748/seagate-desktop-2tb-sshd-st2000dx001-review/index.html
If you can wait, three birds with one stone (case, psu, water-cooling):
http://www.evga.com/articles/00777/#Hydro

 

[EarthDog]

I found these things this week which I would consider were I to be in your shoes with your budget:
ASUS ROG RAIDR EXPRESS PCIe SSD - Performance Prev...

How do you propose that device will fit in a $1600 budget? Those are pretty expensive and would take up a significant chunk of that budget.

 

[jgunning]

Looks like you have done your homework. I would swap out is the ram for some faster ones: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-scaling-gaming-haswell-richland,3593.html

You wouldn't be able to do dual GPU with the CX600, it only has 2 PCIe 8 pin connectors.

Finally, get either an SSHD or a SSD, its massively improves loading time.

WORD FOR WORD what I was going to say!!! LOL

 

[Zarks]

I already bought a 180GB SSD off a guy I work with for $80 so that's been taken care of.

I've read a lot of good reviews about the Cooler Master Seidon 120M on Newegg and other sites. I know it's not the best out there but it fits the budget and it sounds like it does an adequate job atleast. Plus, it fits in the case. Unless it's completely inadequate then I think I'll take my chances with it.

 

[rhino]

How do you propose that device will fit in a $1600 budget? Those are pretty expensive and would take up a significant chunk of that budget.

Seems not to matter now but I'm sure he could have squeezed it in.

 

[ne6togadno]

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/beQuiet/DarkRockPro2/6.html

 

[caleb]

I know PSU is in spec line but I'd go for a HX750.

 

[da20valve]

I always pay extra and get a Modular supply, it makes it easy later if you have to change or upgrade it.

 

[Fourstaff]

I always pay extra and get a Modular supply, it makes it easy later if you have to change or upgrade it.

On the other hand I don't see the advantage of having a modular power supply other than cable neatness, which is wholly unnecessary in larger cases.

 

[EarthDog]

How does having a modular PSU make changing it easier? The cables that are not used do not get in the way of removal...so, just not sure why you would pay a premium for THAT reason... for a ONE TIME change you are paying like $20 more.

Seems not to matter now but I'm sure he could have squeezed it in.

Yeah but WHY? Why would this person need to spend almost double the cost? Does he transfer large files frequently? I just can't fathom a reason to spend almost double...

 

[EpicShweetness]

First off whats your monitor you use, because if it's 1080p or below that video card is complete overkill, save your self some money and get a cache drive it will improve load times drastically. Get something like a 7870 , or a GTX 760, just keep in mind Crysis isn't the fundamentals of performance. Just because a card isn't getting 60 in that game doesn't mean it's slow. Crysis is the 10% that pushes machines hard.

Optical drive, if your using it to load Windows in the machine and that's it, save yourself some money and get a 4GB flash stick and purchase the ISO. from Microsoft directly. If your using it for optical purposes then yes keep it.

This is just personal preference but I like the MSI gaming boards/cards, but whatever that doesn't change much.

 

[Zarks]

I plan on hooking the system directly to my 50 inch LED tv (1920x1080).

 

[Fourstaff]

I plan on hooking the system directly to my 50 inch LED tv (1920x1080).

No problem for 770 then.

 

[EpicShweetness]

No problem for 770 then.

If not a little overkill, however understandable. I mean why settle for 45 when you can 60, but very instances will this card save you from unplayable frame rates, especially 1080p.

 

[Zarks]

I'm still undecided on the cooling system. I'm seeing more and more mixed reviews on Seidon 120m. Does anyone have any experience with the Thermaltake WATER2.0 Pro ?

 

[Zarks]

Well, I've decided to go with an HD 7970 instead of the 770 (it's looks like better value for money) and I'm going to stick with the CM Seidon 120m.

That said, what kind of UPS would I need for this rig? Power cuts are common where I live.

 

[Technomage]

I've spent a lot of time, working with a professional RAM seller at computer shows, and I've heard him, many times, telling customers about the very poor quality of Kingston ram.
They use about 85% refurbished chips.

Go right to Crucial.com, for the top quality Micron RAM. Buy it from their website and they will mail it right to your house, with a Lifetime warranty.

As a professional computer tech, it's all I will order for myself and my customers.

Good Luck with that new build.

TechnoMage

 

[Arjai]

I've spent a lot of time, working with a professional RAM seller at computer shows, and I've heard him, many times, telling customers about the very poor quality of Kingston ram.
They use about 85% refurbished chips.

Go right to Crucial.com, for the top quality Micron RAM. Buy it from their website and they will mail it right to your house, with a Lifetime warranty.

As a professional computer tech, it's all I will order for myself and my customers.

Good Luck with that new build.

TechnoMage

Bah Humbug! Proof? Sounds like a Sales pitch made up to push a Mark into buying!

 

[Zarks]

Well here is what I decided on. Bought it yesterday.

i5-4670K
Cooler Master Seidon 120M
Gigabyte Z87X-D3H ATX
Mushkin Redline 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1866MHz
ASUS Radeon HD 7970 DirectCU II (voltage locked but $60 cheaper than any 770)
Coolermaster N600 Case
Antec HCG-620M 620W PSU
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB Hard Drive

and I have money leftover in case it looks like garbage on my LCD tv and I have to buy a decent monitor.

Thanks for the help everyone.