New build advice and recommendations

[BIGNEWY]

Hi all,

 

I am looking to go ahead with my next pc build in the near future, and I need advice and recommendations.

 

I have always built my own systems, but must admit I am not up to date with the latest technologies as my last build was some time ago, and this new build will have to see me through another 5 years. Trying to keep the budget around the £1200 mark, and do not need any hard drives as I will be transferring the ones I already have to the new build.

 

Main requirements is to base the system on a Intel i7 4790k and a GTX 980 and have come up with this list so far using a Asus Z97-AR Intel Z97 Chipset motherboard, however it is the motherboards I can never make my mind up on.

 

I would welcome some advice.

 

EDIT: Parts ordered, thanks for all of the advice

 

Intel Core i7 4790K 4GHz Socket 1150 8MB L3 Cache Retail Boxed Processor

Corsair CSM 750W Semi Modular 80+ Gold Power Supply

Corsair 16GB (2x 8GB) DDR3 1866MHz Dimm Vengeance Memory Kit

Asus Z97-AR Socket 1150 HDMI DisplayPort 8 Channel HD Audio ATX Motherboard

Corsair Special Edition White 600T Graphite Series Case

Samsung 850 EVO 250GB 2.5inch SSD

Corsair Hydro Series H100i Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler

Zotac ZT-90204-10P - GeForce GTX 980 AMP OC 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card

 

I will be using some accessories from my current machine like my 1tb SSHD and usb 2.0 cards

Edited March 27, 2015 by BIGNEWY

[Roadrunner]

http://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z97_MARK_S/gallery/

 

how about that board? :D

 

your system seems to be fair enough at this time. i only try to see when the next CPU series comes and what socket they will have, as they tend to change them faster then i like...

[BIGNEWY]

That is a nice looking motherboard, reverse blow on the fans as well to blow out dust! but £192.45 might stretch the budget to far.

 

I feel like I am being a cheapskate on the motherboard now, and really I should not be.

[BitMaster]

Nice board, but unless you live in Cal with a broken AC or in Dubhai or a dusty workplace with sawdust you wont need such boards.

 

I would still go with Asus and the same chipset, but pick one that is a bit cheaper but offers all goodies as well, there are plenty to choose from.

 

I have built the Z-97K a few times, with the 4GHz devils Canyon CPU, 16GB RAM, SSD and a decent GPU....it will just FLY :)

 

The boards my pals choose were the Asus Z97K for around 99 €. Maybe not my pick, I would go for 150-200 € range as like dual lan and some other gimmicks but if you "just" play, there is no need for a higher priced board.

 

If you intend to OC all that goes, that board will also do it !

 

 

my 2 cents

 

Bit

 

* I dont know what caused the letters to tilt, LOL... disregard kursiv letters...*

[BIGNEWY]

Thanks Bit good advice, and I try to not overclock, I always worry about the longevity of the components and have often had more trouble when I have OC'd.

 

Just noticed amazon do a sabretooth board for £129 which is still on budget. Choices hmmm

[Demon_]

You don't need the Corsair Hydro if you don't overclock.

the Antec P280 is not a gaming case. A case with only 120mm fans is outdate.

[Wolf Rider]

Have a look at some of the EVGA boards and graphics cards... they are nice units; designed for the enthusiasts

[Demon_]

Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 3, MSI Z97 Gaming 5, Asrock Z97 Extreme 3.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/motherboard-selection-guide,3900-2.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-intel-amd-motherboard,3902.html

Edited March 26, 2015 by Demon_

[BIGNEWY]

You don't need the Corsair Hydro if you don't overclock.

the Antec P280 is not a gaming case. A case with only 120mm fans is outdate.

 

I have the H40 on my current system, and even though I do not overclock the lower temps are significant compared to my old heatsink and fan setup, which I like to be honest, the H100 seemed like the logical step to take.

I am considering the Antec P280 as I wanted to stay away from cases with fans on the sides or on the acrylic panels, as they just seem to pull way to much dust in, saying that it has the option to fit 4 extra fans for a total of 7

 

• 2 x 120 mm top TwoCool™ exhaust fans

• 1 x 120 mm rear TwoCool™ exhaust fan

• 2 x 120 mm internal intake fans (not included)

• 2 x 120 mm front intake fans (not included)

 

The case which ever one I decide on in the end will be hidden from view behind my pit so looks is not everything, but we all like a nice looking case anyway :)

 

Have a look at some of the EVGA boards and graphics cards... they are nice units; designed for the enthusiasts

Thanks I will, although I always associated EVGA as being high in price, I will revist them and take a look.

 

Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 3, MSI Z97-G45 Gaming.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/motherboard-selection-guide,3900-2.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-intel-amd-motherboard,3902.html

 

Thanks for the links I will have a read :thumbup:

Edited March 26, 2015 by BIGNEWY

[Demon_]

More fans always mean more noise and more dust (more airflow). Sadly, the only way to get no dust is... No airflow.

The second 120mm top fan (P280) is useless. Internal fans are useless. Internal intake fans? What's that mean!

The case is beautiful.

 

The best for gaming is a 200mm (quiet) top fan.

 

If you don't overclock, the H100i can be too expensive and noisy (2700rpm) for your purpose.

The AMD FX-8350 is 125w, the Intel i7 4790k is 88w. :smilewink:

Edited March 26, 2015 by Demon_

[outlawal2]

Actually a well designed case will have enough fans properly placed so that it will intake air from outside and will have positive pressure (Meaning that the case is slightly pressurized) When done properly, the positive pressure inside helps keep dust out by pushing air outward thru all holes and cracks so that dust is not pulled in thru those openings. So the INTAKE fan (s) should pull slightly more air than the exhaust fans can exhaust and this causes the slight pressurization...

 

So be sure to keep those side panels in place as well...

[BIGNEWY]

Thanks guys all good advice. It is a minefield out there so much to choose from.

[Demon_]

Maybe the Cooler Master HAF XM (no side fan).

[BIGNEWY]

Maybe the Cooler Master HAF XM (no side fan).

 

It is a nice looking case, but has the mesh for side fan ( unless this is the wrong one )

 

http://www.coolermaster.com/case/mid-tower/haf-xm/

[Wrecking Crew]

I like EVGA products. I will call them on their pre-sales support line and talk to one of their knowledgeable folks about what I want to use the system for and how much I'm prepared to spend.

 

http://www.evga.com/support/

 

Watch out for the video card length vs the case size. Some vid cards are 11", and mid-tower cases may only take up to a 10.5" card.

 

WC

[Demon_]

Don't put a side fan. It's optional.

[BIGNEWY]

I like EVGA products. I will call them on their pre-sales support line and talk to one of their knowledgeable folks about what I want to use the system for and how much I'm prepared to spend.

 

http://www.evga.com/support/

 

Watch out for the video card length vs the case size. Some vid cards are 11", and mid-tower cases may only take up to a 10.5" card.

 

WC

 

The EVGA cards look nice and have some great looking liquid cooling options as well, I wish I had the budget for them. The standard EVGA ref card is about £50 - 60 more than the zotac card I am now considering which comes with a 5 year warranty, the the EVGA has a 3 year warranty.

 

So that extra expense is essentially for a card that performs the same on paper as each other

 

The budget has to be kept down otherwise the wife will dislike me even more than she does already ;)

 

 

Don't put a side fan. It's optional.

 

Is that not then just extra areas for dust to get in?

Edited March 26, 2015 by BIGNEWY

[BIGNEWY]

http://www.corsair.com/en-gb/graphite-series-600t is a nice case with 200mm fans

[Demon_]

I had the 900 (very good, but cheap frame, bad cable management), P180 (it's not a gaming case). I have the HAF X, they all have good air filter. And no fan means no airflow for sucking the dust.

 

But the case is a personal choice. It's a jungle.

[Demon_]

Nice.

[BIGNEWY]

Certainly is a jungle, I want to stay with water cooling but I think the H80i would do the job as I have no intention of overclocking, also saving myself a few coins.

 

Edit that cable management looks fine :)

 

BeQuiet Silent Base 800 Black Gaming Case is another case I am considering

Edited March 26, 2015 by BIGNEWY

[Demon_]

The BeQuiet still need those stupid (2+2) screws for the side panels.

[PureEvil]

http://caselabs-store.com

 

heard only good about those cases.

[Bodo]

Be Quiet system 800 here. Just replaced a COrsair 550D which I also really liked. System 800 is that bit quieter. Little bit iffy on the SSD slots but it's fine really. Really nicely built and well worth it.

[BIGNEWY]

Ive just been looking at the Corsair Obsidian Series 750D Full Tower ATX Case and the Corsair Graphite Series 600T Special Edition White

 

I will take a look now at the 550D thanks, and caselabs never heard of them so will also take a look. thanks for the comments

Edited March 26, 2015 by BIGNEWY