Feedback on my first build - mfenn would be proud :)

[ashegam]

The main reason for this post is to get feedbak on my build that I have created in pcpartpicker. This is my first build ever. My first computer was the 386sx running at 33hz with a floppy drive. use google if you have never heard of those parts

I have done alot of reading over the years, but never put anything together. I need some feedback as to what are some things I might have overlooked. Are there any major incompatibility issues that I might not know about? Do I need any cables I have not added to my build? etc..

I have done a fair amount of research and so there are good reasons why I have picked what I have, I didn't just blindly add them. I also answered the questions below in case it gives you any more insight and to keep people like mfenn and Ken happy



Link to pcpartpicker build http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VshgjX


1. What YOUR PC will be used for. Gaming & Browsing. I typically stick to 1 or 2 games for many years. For example right now I'm playing World of Tanks (online) and maybe some (Defiance). I never play current games and have zero desire to play games on high settings.

2. What YOUR budget is. $1500

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. US

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, N/A

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. Not a FANBoy

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. A 500GB HD (I do not have a need more more storage), mouse and keyboard.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. Not anytime soon but I have the K CUP and Z97 mobo just in case I want to have fun later.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using? I'm undecided. I really like the 2560 x 1080 resolution (runs @75hz when using DisplayPort) or a 144hz monitor. I think the GTX 970 is more than cable of handeling both. I probably have to meditate on this, unless you guys can give me some feedback to sway me one way or the other

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? Within the next month, 2 max.

10. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software? Other than my stated windows 8.1, no. And no I'm not going with windows 7, already have closure on that.

 

[Ken g6]

to keep people like mfenn and Ken happy

Wow, Mfenn and me are getting mentioned in the same breath now? :$ I'm honored.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? Within the next month, 2 max.

Hm. Skylake should be available within 2 months. Do you want to aim for it?

A lot of the parts here seem just a little more expensive than they need to be.

The PSU is an exception. If I was going to pay ~$75AR for a PSU, I'd go for 80+ Gold and full modularity. (That's an EVGA for $65AR.)

Also, Arctic Silver 5 is old - for minimal fuss I'd get NT-H1.

And Win7 vs. Win8 doesn't really matter now - both can upgrade to Win10 at the end of this month.

 

[sm625]

I wouldnt wait for skylake. They will probably announce a november release date at IDF. And besides, skylake is DDR4 so let the early adopters drive down the cost of DDR4. It doesnt do anything for performance anyway...

 

[ashegam]

Hm. Skylake should be available within 2 months. Do you want to aim for it?

A lot of the parts here seem just a little more expensive than they need to be.

I took your recommendation on the thermal paste, last time I used thermal paste was 10 years go.

As for skylake, I typically like to wait until the product has matured and the manufactures give the consumer plenty of option. That takes time, atleast 6 month, so if I wait it won't be just 2 month rather much longer.

I was leaning on the 650 Gold power supplies but went with the 750 since it was cheaper. However, as you pointed, there is a good rebate going on there and the PSU looks really solid and efficient which I think makes up for the 100w less power. After all I don't plan to run SLI so this should suffice.

Could you expand on your parts seem expensive comment? as an fyi, I will be using cash back portals, rewrads credit cards and shop for lowest prices of whatever item I'm buying. In other words my final price won't be what you see in pcpartpicker. With that said are you perhaps saying some of my "choices" are too much considering I'm going for an "average" build?

For example I know I could go with a different SSD and not the samsung PRO and save atleast $40. I just love the write speeds of the samsung.

The memory I can go with a slower latency and save another $10.

The MOBO is listed for $190 but comes with a $40 rebate which $150 was my max I wanted to spend on a mobo.

The graphic card is was really gets under my skin. I can't believe there aren't better options for the $250 range which historically has always been a sweet spot for budget gamers/builders. Both nvidia and radeon seems have skipped from $200 right to low $300's. I was willing to go with the new radeon 380 4MB for about $220 or even an older version like 280x or 285 etc.. but they just won't have the power to fully take advantage of a 144hz monitor or if I try to run something in 2k. In order to do that I would have to jump the $200 mark and go into the low to mid $300's, sadly.

so what are thinking when you say the parts seem expensive? btw I really appreciate the perspective and feedback and take nothing personal

 

[Ken g6]

I wouldnt wait for skylake. They will probably announce a november release date at IDF.

I would find that surprising and disappointing. I've heard some of the Skylake mobos will be coming out in August, so I'd be surprised if the chips weren't available with them. But the OP explained he doesn't want Skylake.

so what are thinking when you say the parts seem expensive?

I think you pretty much covered it. You know the parts are expensive and have your reasons for getting them.

The graphic card is was really gets under my skin. I can't believe there aren't better options for the $250 range which historically has always been a sweet spot for budget gamers/builders.

I don't know if I'd call it a "better option", but here's an R9 290 for $250. It's a blower, and not a 290x. :| Here's a 290X for $270AR.

The R9 200 series is a good value. Once they're gone, compared to the R9 300 series, I'd call the OCed GTX 970s the bargain option.

 

[ashegam]

I don't know if I'd call it a "better option", but here's an R9 290 for $250. It's a blower, and not a 290x. :| Here's a 290X for $270AR.

The R9 200 series is a good value. Once they're gone, compared to the R9 300 series, I'd call the OCed GTX 970s the bargain option.

Another thing that really disappointed me about radeon was the lack of driver support. No matter how much you sugar coat the cards, the huge gap between driver updates makes baby Jesus cry! Not to mention an architecture that has been recycled 3 times now, slapped with an X and resold for a higher price. I would bite on the 290X if it could "comfortably" handle anything over 1080P. I feel even though it won't be walk in the park for the 970, atleast it can handle higher then 1080 resolutions for a bit longer than 290X can.

great recommendation though, I like edumicated conversations

 

[jae]

Mfenn died?

 

[mfenn]

Mfenn died?

Not yet.

 

[mfenn]

Another thing that really disappointed me about radeon was the lack of driver support. No matter how much you sugar coat the cards, the huge gap between driver updates makes baby Jesus cry! Not to mention an architecture that has been recycled 3 times now, slapped with an X and resold for a higher price. I would bite on the 290X if it could "comfortably" handle anything over 1080P. I feel even though it won't be walk in the park for the 970, atleast it can handle higher then 1080 resolutions for a bit longer than 290X can.

great recommendation though, I like edumicated conversations

The R9 290X is a generally faster card than the GTX 970. It will also handle high-VRAM situation like higher resolutions and lots of AA better because it has 4 GB of RAM running at the same speed versus the 3.5 GB + 0.5 GB split that the GTX 970 has. However, the R9 290X is hotter and louder.

I agree with Ken on those parts seeming expensive. You mentioned that you wouldn't be paying the prices that were listed on PCPartPicker. Everything is relative to value, so not knowing the actual prices stops us from making super cogent recommendations.

 

[ashegam]

I agree with Ken on those parts seeming expensive. You mentioned that you wouldn't be paying the prices that were listed on PCPartPicker. Everything is relative to value, so not knowing the actual prices stops us from making super cogent recommendations.

This makes me wonder...

My build is currently hovering around $1230. Can I buy the same components from an aftermarket pc builder for less? And when I say same, I don't mean similar, I mean exactly the same. I don't want no junk Dell computer with the same spec for $499 that will break down after 366 days, been there done that too many times.

I am aware of companies that specialize in building pc's and with components you choose, but can they beat my $1230 price? If so which ones are known for the least premium over true cost?

 

[mfenn]

This makes me wonder...

My build is currently hovering around $1230. Can I buy the same components from an aftermarket pc builder for less? And when I say same, I don't mean similar, I mean exactly the same. I don't want no junk Dell computer with the same spec for $499 that will break down after 366 days, been there done that too many times.

I am aware of companies that specialize in building pc's and with components you choose, but can they beat my $1230 price? If so which ones are known for the least premium over true cost?

Can a system integrator give you those exact parts for under $1230? Probably not.

But that's not really the question here. The question is whether you can list all the parts out and give a price that you're actually paying for each line item. Then we can give you good advice as to which ones are good value and which ones could be replaced by another part which is a better value.

 

[ashegam]

The question is whether you can list all the parts out and give a price that you're actually paying for each line item. Then we can give you good advice as to which ones are good value and which ones could be replaced by another part which is a better value.

ahhh I see what you mean!

On another note I checked out a few pc builders like Falcoln NW, ecollegepc, Puget Systems, Digital Storm, Origin PC etc. and the closest one was $1400 and still did not provide the same value in components, meaning a few of my parts were superior at a lower price.

But back to your original comment, I will see if I can post a theoretical final price for each component and see if you guys think there is better value to be had.