My first new computer build in years

[Kuzbad]

Hi all,

As a brief introduction, back in the day (mid-90s) after building my first computer, I made a webpage dedicated to my motherboard--the Shuttle Hot-557--and its Cyrix processor. As I am posting this message at anandtech.com and not kuzbad.com, I think we can all guess how that turned out!

In any case, I haven't built a new computer in years, and ( want to replace my aging desktop (Q6600). My usage is some light gaming (though I'm a stickler for performance--I want to finally get around to playing SC2!), standard desktop use, and occasional bouts of heavy compiling. Quiet is also important for me (and I have a NAS already, so I'm going with just an SSD).

I selected an i7 over an i5 for the small performance gain and the fact that I doubt I will build another desktop for 5 or so years!

I've spent literally hours today trying to get well acquainted with the chipsets, builds, graphics card, etc. I set a budget limit of $1500 for myself, and I ended up hitting (a/k/a exceeding) that almost exactly.

Any opinions?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($336.74 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($67.87 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($126.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($214.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($196.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($98.58 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series Fanless 460W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1522.12
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 02:05 EDT-0400

Thanks all--I've lost track of how many threads I've read today!

-K

 

[Essence_of_War]

If you're overbudget, there are a few good places to save some cash:
1) CPU Cooler - you can save 20-30 for only marginal performance loss
2) RAM - I think you can find cheaper, but still good quality, RAM
3) PSU - that is a very nice, but VERY expensive PSU.
4) SSD - Unless you're running a write intensive database server, or you're a photo/video editor using it for high performance scratch, the 850 pro is a lot of money for not much return on investment:

For your use case (light gaming, lots of compiling, basic desktop application usage) I think the i7 is a bit of a money sink too, but I'll let it stay for now to see if we can get you under budget

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling ACFZI30 74.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Dark Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $923.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 07:35 EDT-0400

And I'd add this EVGA Supernova, semi-modular, Gold Rated 10-yr warranty, for $72 AR

So that comes to $995.89 + your $350 GPU = ~1350. So you're well under budget, and you've got double the SSD capacity to boot.

You can always save a bit more money by stepping down to the i5-4690k, you won't really be giving up much, if any, performance in any of the things you've listed (this rig should CRUSH SC2) especially if you're planning to OC it, and you'll pocket another $100.

 

[mfenn]

Nice build Essence! You hit the points where the OP was spending a lot for little benefit (that I noticed at least).

 

[Charlie98]

The one change to Essence's build is... I would keep the Define Mini. The Define has sound damping whereas the Arc does not. I have both of those cases, the Define stomps the Arc in build quality (...welllll, maybe not 'stomp', but it sure is a nice case vs the Arc.)

 

[mistersprinkles]

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($336.74 @ SuperBiiz)

Yes

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($67.87 @ Amazon)

Yes

Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($126.99 @ Amazon)

A little <redacted> but it'll get the job done.


Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($214.99 @ Amazon)

LOL. $214. That's good. You can get 2x8GB 1866 for $150 dude. It'll be just as good.

Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($196.97 @ OutletPC)

More ridiculousness. 840 EVO will be more than enough for you and much cheaper.

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)

Agreed

Case: Fractal Design Define Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($98.58 @ Amazon)

You can get a nice case for $50. Corsair 200R for example.

Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series Fanless 460W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)

ROFL. $129.99 for a 460W PSU. Get something like a Seasonic SSR 650 (Gold) for about $65-70.

Don't curse or edge around cursing in the technical forums. Also, try to have a constructive tone and provide links to the deals you point out; people will take your recommendations more seriously if you do.

mfenn
General Hardware Moderator

 

[Essence_of_War]

The one change to Essence's build is... I would keep the Define Mini. The Define has sound damping whereas the Arc does not. I have both of those cases, the Define stomps the Arc in build quality (...welllll, maybe not 'stomp', but it sure is a nice case vs the Arc.)

I missed this detail, and I'm glad you caught it! OP, I would recommend going with the Define Mini also!

Nice build Essence! You hit the points where the OP was spending a lot for little benefit (that I noticed at least).

Thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Depending on how soon you want to build the gtx970 is not going to be available. Some alternatives would be a gtx 780 for around $320.- or an R9 290 for around $290.- Both will perform within a few fps of the gtx 970. If you are set on the gtx 970 (for good reason its an outstanding card) avoid some of the cheaper alternatives and stick with that asus card you picked.

 

[Kuzbad]

Thank you all for the very helpful replies. Essence, your comments were particularly appreciated and on point.

Here is my revised build. I ditched the stupid ram and swapped to a cheaper CPU cooler.

I'm keeping the Samsung 850 Pro over an 840 (significantly better benchmark results, much better warranty, and only ~$30 more expensive) and the fan-less power supply (silent and very good warranty). Looks like I'll be waiting for awhile to do the actual build though, as the gtx 970 does seem to be virtually nonexistent right now.

Thanks again for the advice!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($335.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($126.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($158.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($194.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series Fanless 460W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Other: Scythe SCKTT-1000 ($32.23)
Total: $1429.14
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-10 15:00 EDT-0400

 

[riversend]

You could do the entire build except for the GPU. Use the onboard graphics until you can get the video card you want, and install later. Video card installs, as you know, are about as easy as it gets.

Of course, it is likely that in a few weeks you will be able to build at a similar price, you will just have to hunt for deals over again.

 

[mfenn]

I'm keeping the Samsung 850 Pro over an 840 (significantly better benchmark results, much better warranty, and only ~$30 more expensive)

It's easy to look good next to the 840 EVO when the 840 EVO is also overpriced for a ~250GB SSD. Notice that the MX100 that Essence recommended is the 512GB version, which does very well on performance due to simply having twice the flash channels available for parallelizing read/write operations. Having twice the capacity doesn't hurt either.

and the fan-less power supply (silent and very good warranty).

The thing to understand about the SS-460FL2 is that it's a standard Seasonic X series that's had the fan removed and has been derated to 460W. Most high-end power supplies, including the regular X series, don't spin their fans at all at low loads. So the SS-460FL2 doesn't help you at all in your typical <100W power draw when not gaming. When you're gaming, the GPU will drown out the PSU fan anyways.

The Corsair HX650 for $90 AR is a good example of such a supply.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Looks like I'll be waiting for awhile to do the actual build though, as the gtx 970 does seem to be virtually nonexistent right now.

Pick up parts one at a time when the go on sale or special and you can save a fair amount. Black Friday is coming too.

 

[Essence_of_War]

I'll second what mfenn was saying on basically all counts.

The reason I didn't recommend an Evo over the Pro was precisely because I think they're both overpriced in the 250 GB range. For the same price range, you pick get a double capacity MX100 from Crucial, that is at least comparable in quality.

The PSU I recommended is fine, the one mfenn recommended is also excellent for the reasons mfenn listed. Don't underestimate how loud GPU fans will be under heavy gaming load. To maintain maximum boost performance under heavy load, even the "quiet" ones will get quite a bit louder than a PSU fan.

 

[Essence_of_War]

I would strongly recommend this PSU:

SeaSonic 660W unit w/ Hybrid Fan mode, and Platinum rating for $70 shipped,AP,AR

over the 460W fanless one that you picked out.

 

[mfenn]

I would strongly recommend this PSU:

SeaSonic 660W unit w/ Hybrid Fan mode, and Platinum rating for $70 shipped,AP,AR

over the 460W fanless one that you picked out.

Stellar deal, so stellar that it's sold out! This is in fact almost the same PSU as the SS-460FL2, just with a fan and without the de-rating.

 

[Sleepingforest]

In addition to mfenn's comments on PSU choice, I wanted to chip in with a couple of facts on the matter: the average Platinum unit is absolutely not worthwhile, particularly if you are comparing products made by reputable manufacturers. For example, the Seasonc S12II at 520W is far less money while being nearly as efficient at low loads--the difference is two percent! You can see this in JonnyGuru's reviews of the two units (I actually went to the Seasonic 660XP review, but because the fanless, as mfenn said, is essentially the same PSU with a missing fan and a lower wattage rating). The savings are negligible, and the warranty for the S12II is a good 5 years anyway.

If you'd like to calculate the actual monetary impact of buying the more efficient unit, I have a python script to demonstrate how foolish it usual is to buy a more efficient PSU hoping for savings through your electricity bill. In general, it will take an electricity cost of over 30 cents/kWh in 5 years with continuous usage (yes, that means a computer being used for basic tasks like web browsing, for a full five years) to make up for the cost difference.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you'd like to calculate the actual monetary impact of buying the more efficient unit, I have a python script to demonstrate how foolish it usual is to buy a more efficient PSU hoping for savings through your electricity bill. In general, it will take an electricity cost of over 30 cents/kWh in 5 years with continuous usage (yes, that means a computer being used for basic tasks like web browsing, for a full five years) to make up for the cost difference.

While 80Plus Platinum may not be worth it, unless you pay a lot for electricity, 80Plus or Bronze is often worth it.

My G3258 draws 79-83W under full CPU load, including 25-40W for a 24" LED LCD monitor, with an Antec EarthWatts 500W PSU. For the brief time I had a Rosewill Stallion 400W PSU in the same rig, my power draw was around 119W. That's a LOT more, almost double.

 

[johncarter]

Nice configuration