How's This Build?

speedx77x

speedx77x

Member
I may build a new PC at the end of the school year and my budget is from $1500-1650. I already have a Define R4 and I wasn't sure what to pick so I picked it again, suggestions would be helpful. For the motherboard I wasn't entirely sure, so I just went with this one because of its good reviews. The CPU will probably change to a i5-4960k once that comes out.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($228.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($159.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($82.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($724.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($140.98 @ Best Buy)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1599.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-03 22:32 EDT-0400)
 
It looks like a very nice build indeed, though I don't think you need an 850W PSU for one 780 Ti unless you plan to SLI in the future? I would also look at a 250GB or even a 500GB SSD because they are becoming so much more affordable now.

Case is really a personal preference - what kind of style do you like? If you like the style of the Define R4 then it's probably the best case you can get that has that kind of style.
 
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CPU - will u get i5 4690K?
for a expensive machine like this, don't have aftermarket heatsink seems strange

RAM - G.skill sniper/ ares DDR3 2133 at same price. Ripjaws DDR3 2400 $3 more

Is it really worth to get GTX 780Ti? Would it be better just getting R9 290 for $400 and change GPU when you feel insufficient?

Do you need 850W PSU? May be 650W will do?
SeaSonic SSR-650RM $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151118
 
Thanks for your suggestions they were very helpful, so here are the things I changed:
-SSD: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te250bw
-RAM: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f32400c11d8gxm
-Case: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcadefr4whw
-PSU: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-rm650

Still debating the GPU, the CPU will most likely change to a i5 4690K if it isn't too expensive, and does anyone know of any good blue z97 boards?
 
Your first selections were better. You will want to run SLI one day, and a 650W PSU will not be enough. Faster DDR3 makes almost no difference when using a dedicated GPU and the 780Ti performs better and has better driver support.
 
Okedokey does have a point with the PSU, so I'll stick with the RM850 only because it still fits with in my budget. For anyone wondering I don't plan on overclocking my CPU right away when I get it probably sometime in the future, and Intel stock coolers are actually very quiet. Still debating the Asrock Z97 Extreme 6 and the MSI Z97 Gaming 5, so that's pretty much my last question.
 
I've just had a quick look at both of those boards. The MSI is a little cheaper but you asked for a blue board so you'd want the ASRock wouldn't you?
 
I wouldn't bother painting anything (you'd probably void the warranty for a start). How often are you going to be looking inside your PC? Does the colour of the heatsinks on the board really matter?

For the record I have a blue & black board with red RAM sticks and a red & black graphics card - doesn't bother me. I never look inside the case. ;)
 
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You will be able to find alternative heatsinks in the colour of your choice, or remove them and get them powder coated your colour.
 
I wonder if this would be better RAM for you. As a rule of thumb on picking RAM: Low voltage, high speed, low CAS.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231689

This is 1.65v though.

On the MOBO I'm not too sure what the difference between the Gaming 5 and Gaming 3 is, but this is cheaper for the gaming 3. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=GA-Z97X-GAMING_3-_-13-128-711-_-Product

Painting the heat sink could be a bad idea. I actually thought of painting mine when I get it a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO to black, but I think it would reduce heat dispassion.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Watch the video.
 
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