New mid-range gaming build.

I

Ispira

New Member
So I came here to get opinions/suggestions for my new build, and I had a couple of questions.

The complete parts list goes as follows:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.43 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($265.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VS228H-P 21.5" Monitor ($132.60 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire TK Wired Gaming Keyboard ($88.98 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Razer ABYSSUS Wired Optical Mouse ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Razer Goliathus 2014 Control Edition SMALL ($14.99)
Other: NZXT Sleeved LED Kit (White 2m) ($14.79)
Other: NZXF FN120-RB ($5.29)
Other: NZXF FN120-RB ($5.29)
Total: $1413.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-19 15:10 EDT-0400)

My questions:
1) The Thermaltake FRIO is enough to run the FX-8350 no problem right? I haven't been able to find any specific temps on the 8350 with it, If it isn't enough what would you recommend? And if it is enough can it run a mild OC? (4.2-4.4Ghz depending)

2) Is the monitor alright? I'll be gaming and dabbling in a bit of (non-professional) photo editing, so as long as the color reproduction and quality are >okay< then I'm fine, I don't need IPS-Panel level colors. If not what would you recommend ($150 USD or under, please)?

Thanks for any help.
 
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[EDIT] RAM Link works now. [/EDIT] And there's no reason to me for going Intel when gaming seeing as to there's such a small difference in performance it doesn't warrant the extra money.
 
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So I shouldn't worry about the 1.35v on the RAM? I was told I shouldn't go with 1.35v RAM but if it shouldn't pose any performance issue I'll definitely go with it.
 
Ispira said:
So I shouldn't worry about the 1.35v on the RAM? I was told I shouldn't go with 1.35v RAM but if it shouldn't pose any performance issue I'll definitely go with it.
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Well im not a pro or anything, but if some else like a pro told you to not go with 1.35v Ram then dont.
 
Ispira said:
[EDIT] RAM Link works now. [/EDIT] And there's no reason to me for going Intel when gaming seeing as to there's such a small difference in performance it doesn't warrant the extra money.
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Incorrect, the difference can be huge.
 
Okedokey said:
Incorrect, the difference can be huge.
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the only real difference in benchmarks I've seen was 50fps on skyrim with an almost exact same setup i have
but it was running at ~230fps anyway, so well over a hundred without it.

I'm an AMD guy and im perfectly content with my setup.
 
speedx77x said:
Well im not a pro or anything, but if some else like a pro told you to not go with 1.35v Ram then dont.
Click to expand...

I'm going to bite the bullet on it, I really want white RAM.
Worse case scenario I'll buy another kit that's not 1.35 if something goes wrong.
 
Ispira said:
the only real difference in benchmarks I've seen was 50fps on skyrim with an almost exact same setup i have
but it was running at ~230fps anyway, so well over a hundred without it.

I'm an AMD guy and im perfectly content with my setup.
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Meanwhile, the Core i5-3470 delivers markedly superior gaming performance for less money than the FX-8350. The FX-8350 isn't exactly bad for video games—its performance was generally acceptable in our tests. But it is relatively weak compared to the competition.
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http://techreport.com/review/23750/amd-fx-8350-processor-reviewed/14

If you're willing to tolerate more heat and noise from your system, if you're not particularly concerned about the occasional hitch or slowdown while gaming, if what you really want is maximum multithreaded performance for your dollar... well, then the FX-8350 may just be your next CPU. I can't say I would go there, personally.
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And about a million other benchmarks and reviews repeat the same message. There is no reason whatsoever to go with this chip unless...

Ispira said:
I'm an AMD guy
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And that's fine.

And finally, really, spending money on faster DDR3 will give you almost no real world improvements, and you're not going to get epic overclocks from that chip anyway. Save some money on the PSU (you don't need anything close to 650W) plus you can get an as good PSU for less, don't waste your money on expensive RAM, and put that extra money on a intel i5. You will definitely thank yourself later.
 
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The fact that your case only has 1 3.5 HDD tray stinks especially if you plan on adding more Hard drives, but i found a case thats 5 dollars cheaper and is a full tower. Also, its white just because i know you like white. Before you get it always check to see if your components fit. Hopefully it can fit in your house.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WE9WQO/?tag=pcpapi-20
 
speedx77x said:
The fact that your case only has 1 3.5 HDD tray stinks especially if you plan on adding more Hard drives, but i found a case thats 5 dollars cheaper and is a full tower. Also, its white just because i know you like white. Before you get it always check to see if your components fit. Hopefully it can fit in your house.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WE9WQO/?tag=pcpapi-20
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echnical specifications

ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX motherboard compatibility
7 + 1 expansion slots
2 - 5.25" bays
8 - 3.5" HDD trays - all compatible with SSDs, 2 - 2.5" extra SSD positions
-Fractal Design website + my friend just built a PC in it and it indeed has more than 1 3.5i

And even if it only had one I'd buy it.
 
Ispira said:
echnical specifications

ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX motherboard compatibility
7 + 1 expansion slots
2 - 5.25" bays
8 - 3.5" HDD trays - all compatible with SSDs, 2 - 2.5" extra SSD positions
-Fractal Design website + my friend just built a PC in it and it indeed has more than 1 3.5i

And even if it only had one I'd buy it.
Click to expand...

So are you getting it the NZXT or not?
 
speedx77x said:
So are you getting it the NZXT or not?
Click to expand...

I'm getting the Fractal Design, as I pasted above the fractal design has 8 drive bays.

Also not only would the full-tower dwarf my build and make it look tiny, the phantom doesn't even have a side window. Thanks for the suggestion though, I did do a double-take at the hard drive bay thing.
Probably ordering the Define R4 White/Window today.
 
Ispira said:
I'm getting the Fractal Design, as I pasted above the fractal design has 8 drive bays.

Also not only would the full-tower dwarf my build and make it look tiny, the phantom doesn't even have a side window. Thanks for the suggestion though, I did do a double-take at the hard drive bay thing.
Probably ordering the Define R4 White/Window today.
Click to expand...

Hold on one second so your going to your going to spend 25 extra dollars on parts that already come with the NZXT case? Might aswell just get the NZXT is bigger and much more beautiful.
 
The NZXT doesn't come with a side window which he mentioned and to get a side window for it you have to buy it from their site for $25. The case he picked isn't bad and looks pretty nice. The case you choose is all about personal opinion of what you want. I switched from the NZXT Phantom as I went to LAN parties and it was to much of a hassle to move around. the front loved to pop off while carrying it as well.

Anyways, the parts you picked will work together. I can't really give an opinion on the monitor though as I don't own it
 
Sounds good, Also I decided I'm ordering the keyboard/mouse/mousepad since I can use them while I wait for the rest.
 
I would recommend the low-end Intel CPUs if it was purely for gaming. But you talk about editing, then the 8 threads on the FX-8350 might be better.
 
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