New build advice and recommendations

[Bodo]

750D does look good, not read too much into it. The Be Quiet is a great case for a first from Be Quiet and I have started to come to know them as very well built bits of kit. What might put you off the 550D is the front USB if you keep the door closed and need access to ODD or fan control etc...I didn't much, but now n then if something is plugged in with a cable, it got in the way. Be Quiet has them nicely sat on the top, with a nice big power button there too! And I meant to say quite a bit quiter than the 550D, but both are very good in that respect , considering what fans you utilise inside etc..

[doveman]

I got the HAF XB Evo and can highly recommended it. It's much easier to work in than a tower as once you take the lid off you're looking straight down at the motherboard, with the PSU and drives tucked out of the way in the lower chamber. http://www.coolermaster.com/case/lan-box/haf-xb-evo/

[Addewang]

General wisdom:

More expensive means a smaller gain in strength.

Buy the cheapest and weakest motherboard which supports what you'll use. Every dollar spent on more than the bare minimum here is a waste. Go with known brands for safety.

 

CPUs evolve slowly. Different current models don’t make much difference and there’s no actual secret way to get ahead. Overclocking costs way more in special equipment than its worth.

Avoid i7’s. They don’t do anything i5’s don’t in video gaming and anyone that tells you i7’s are soon going to break through have been saying so since in the 90’s.

 

If you want to burn money definitely do it on the graphics card. Still remember that double the cost only means 20% stronger generally.

Consider the 3 middle-class cards of each generation but dismiss the weakest and the strongest because you’ll be better off saving your money for a brand new card on 2-3 years.

8GB memory more than enough, with video gaming in mind. If you want to consider buying 16GB you may as well shove the money up your noun…

500GB storage highly sufficient, in case you need a guideline. The only two things that matter here is your adult directory and your games. A brand new game generally needs 20GB, a 10 year old game 2GB, a 15 year old game 0.2GB etcetera...

SSD worth it! Go 100% SSD unless you’re a cheapskate and you won’t have to worry about buzzing any HDDs.

Watercooling doesn't do shit aircooling doesn't do.

Gaming systems only need 300W or so and you ought to nearly double that so about 420-600W is quite OK. Anything more unless you’re going with dual graphics card is snake oil.

A quiet case makes a big difference 99% of your time in front of the computer you're not playing games.

 

Spending money on a good monitor, either 60 Hz non-TN or 120 Hz TN, as well as good audio (headphones if needed), a good mouse (SteelSeries Sensei), mousepad (SteelSeries again), keyboard (Corsair K70) and so on are worth it. Maybe an external back-up disk?

Spending money on this will be much more worth it than more memory.

 

Good brands are Corsair, MSI, Asus, Intel, Samsung (SSDs), Western Digital and Seasonic.

[BIGNEWY]

Interesting points.

 

I wouldn't agree 8gb is more than enough, 6gb is minimum for dcs and 8 is recommended but more will help, Ive seen my memory used max out before at the 12 I have now with various activities.

 

I use SSD and SSHD at the moment and yes it makes a huge difference, regarding storage size 1tb would have to be minimum for me, as I play games like anyone else and have to have multiple installs of DCS on my machine for testing.

 

Power supply, 500w is minimum for the gtx 980, if I go SLI in the future I would have to increase from the 750w.

 

Watercooling, I have personally seen performance gains in my current system when I switch to the entry level watercooler, but I understand there are some good fans out there, but honestly I do not like the look of a large heatsink.

 

Monitor I am using a 27" AOC monitor at the moment, but may consider an upgrade in the future, I am waiting to see if VR is for me or not.

 

I like the steelseries stuff, I currently have a merc stealth keyboard and love it.

[BitMaster]

BigNewy,

 

I have recently bought the H110 for my sons rig and I am biased about the outcome as I have my own DIY WC system to compare, and both sit in the same Corsair 500r Carbide Tower.

 

The Corsair AIO are all LOUD, very loud, this is not to be mistaken. They are not made to replace a fan for noise reduction but for cooler CPUs and higher oc capability...and that takes its toll.

 

The H110 is SO FREAKIN LOUD that I went downtown with my son and got him 2 x 140mm really silent wings thingys.

 

 

For the tower, I have used the Corsair Carbide 500r in my recent builds for myself, son and clients and I have to say, not bad but the steel is not the same quality as a chieftec, miles apart to be honest. The steel is very thin and thus light to carry around but twists and works as you handle it.

I prefer stiffer towers, even if they are a bit heavier, but for now I am happy with the 500r as it has some REAL GOOD BENEFITS:

 

Dust Covers ! you wont pull in dust, and even better, you can clean the screens easily

CableManagement, plenty space behind the board, neat and clean build possible

1 x 200m fan door

3 x 120mm fan 1 x up 2 x front

options for 2 x 120/140 top + others

USB 3.0 FP

Fan Control ( that really works )

external Cable guides and outlets ( for my WC hoses, very nice )

full pack of screws and what not else included.

 

Corsair Towers have their weaks and strengths, you decide.

 

 

If you plan to buy a AIO WC, than go for the BIGGEST radiator you can get and accept that you may have to replace the fans to stay below Tornado like sound pressure waves like from H110.

 

The H110 does not really fit the 500r, you have to work on the tower to get it on, if you opt for this 140mm AIO yoi better get a Tower that EASILY accepts 140mm fans PLUS the protruding hoses and barbs, the actual size is bigger than 2 x 140mm side by side fans, like 15-20mm longer.

 

That you cant read anywhere on Corsair, you have to dig google to find those reviews, most say it somehow fits in but dont tell the real truth that it fits in, the wrong way ! and if u want it the proper way you have to take everything out, take the steel cutter and get to work !!! LoL.

 

The cooling itself is OK for the money.

Edited March 27, 2015 by BitMaster

[NineLine]

I have the Corsair Carbide 500R case and I love it, lots of room, lots of fans (you can add). Buttons are high up on the case, so on my desk my little one couldnt reset my puter all the time... pretty happy with it.

[BIGNEWY]

Thanks for all of the input guys, it is always good to get advice.

 

I have taken the plunge and ordered.

 

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

That is my budget spent for the next 5 years lol

[NineLine]

Thanks for all of the input guys, it is always good to get advice.

 

I have taken the plunge and ordered.

 

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

That is my budget spent for the next 5 years lol

 

 

:thumbup:

[outlawal2]

Thanks for all of the input guys, it is always good to get advice.

 

I have taken the plunge and ordered.

 

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

That is my budget spent for the next 5 years lol

 

That rig looks good and should suit you well!

:thumbup:

[MegOhm_SD]

I got the HAF XB Evo and can highly recommended it. It's much easier to work in than a tower as once you take the lid off you're looking straight down at the motherboard, with the PSU and drives tucked out of the way in the lower chamber. http://www.coolermaster.com/case/lan-box/haf-xb-evo/

 

I have this case and I would not consider anything else. Access to everything makes it too easy. The MOBO tray comes out so you can do all the work on it then drop it back in. Drive bays galore with two hot swaps... so many fan options. No worries about overheating with this case. I like it because it has an upstairs & downstairs.

Recommend the Noctua Air Cool CPU fan. With all the fans you can put on this case, AC is fine. However, I do have water cooling on my card...its a beast and came with it.

 

Case is at newegg for $84 Bucks with rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119265

 

I just built this rig in my sig 6 months ago

 

Edit: LOL! Just read up and saw you have already taken the plunge! Oh well ignore me...

Edited March 27, 2015 by MegOhm_SD

[agrasyuk]

Watercooling, I have personally seen performance gains in my current system when I switch to the entry level watercooler, but I understand there are some good fans out there, but honestly I do not like the look of a large heatsink.

.

I though you said you are not going to over clock. In that case I don't see why bother with aftermarket cooling at all , let alone liquid when all voltages are stock. Even stock cooler will keep the CPU below the thermal throttling point. You will see exactly same CPU preformance whether it's at 60degrees , or 50, or 49.7C. I can see getting better cooler just for the sake of getting it, or for looks, I also can get suckered happily into buying useless gizmos. There will be no difference however.

 

 

RAM however I agree on. It was demonstrated before that DCS can feel better at 16Gb.

[cichlidfan]

There will be no difference however

 

Sure there will be a difference. That H100i is going to be louder than most air options. ;)

[BIGNEWY]

Sure there will be a difference. That H100i is going to be louder than most air options. ;)

 

I like the jet sound, makes me feel like I am really flying lol.

 

I went with the H100i to give me options, as a rule I do not overclock, but the motherboard has some nice OC features and you never know. Just wanted to cover my bases. I have been told you can reduce the noise by upgrading the fans, and also using the fan controller.

 

MegOhm_SD, nice looking rig, I was not brave enough to consider a LAN box

Edited March 27, 2015 by BIGNEWY

[Wrecking Crew]

Nice list, BIGNEWY

 

WC

[BIGNEWY]

Nice list, BIGNEWY

 

WC

 

Thanks Wrecking Crew

[cichlidfan]

I like the jet sound, makes me feel like I am really flying lol.

 

Both sound effects and options are good things! :D

[BIGNEWY]

Well it has started to arrive, still waiting for the memory, and the GTX 980 to arrive.

 

The case looks amazing and is a damn sight better looking than my old coolmaster case ;)

[BitMaster]

The H100i fits exactly into your case, just make sure to mount it so it sucks air out and through the roof, I would go for a pull config, radiotor facing inside, fans on very top.

 

The Corsair Link-SW is not as reliable as they want you to believe ! Have limited expectations there. My AXi-1200 is not recognized at all, known bug !

Read their forum before you go nuts with it.

 

You can install the Asus Suite in Auto-OC. Plain simple, max 3 clicks and you are good to go.

 

Well, if you want a Jet like feeling when switching on your PC, you've got it !

Those fans, you either love'em or hate'em. I put 50 € on the table to get rid off them, that loud they were on the H110.

 

 

Otherwise, looks like you will have some serious fun soon :)

[BitMaster]

well, if you already have old DDR3 modules you can start putting it together and install Windows. You can swop modules anytime but mind the activation restrictions, MS and ED :)

[BIGNEWY]

I am super excited to get started but will wait for the last components, should be here by Tuesday.

 

In the meantime I am RTFM and checking for damage from transit. :)

[Demon_]

:smilewink:

 

http://www.corsair.com/en/blog/2011/august/installing-the-hydro-series-h100-in-the-graphite-600t

Edited March 28, 2015 by Demon_

[Demon_]

Do you see the mistake? :doh:

[BIGNEWY]

No you have me Demon, looks like a pull setup to me.

[Demon_]

They say "The key is to have a good balance of intake versus exhaust. In most configurations with the H100 we would recommend using the fans as exhaust, which we will be doing with the 600T."

 

But in the picture the fans are used as intake. The front side of a fan is his input.

Edited March 28, 2015 by Demon_

[BIGNEWY]

LOL yes you are right, they even have arrows on to show them :doh: