First Build - SFF

[firies2006]

Merry Christmas All.

The following is the hardware I have selected for my first build:

Case: Silverstone RVZ01
Power Supply: Silverstone 450W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Corsair H55 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: MSI Z97I Gaming ACK (To be released in January)
Graphics Card: Gigabyte GV-N970G1 GAMING-4GD
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133
Primary Drive: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" SSD
Secondary Storage: Seagate 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive
Optical Drive: Silverstone SST-SOB02 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)

Builder Status: Newbie
To Be Used For: 3D movies, games (3D & 2D), AutoCAD and some video encoding.

I have always been a notebook user but I can no longer justify the price premium for having a portable powerhouse. I feel the Silverstone RVZ01 case is a nice compromise and I really like the style.

I sourced all the parts on pcpartpicker.com and it didn’t show any compatibility issues. I am happy with the above spec but seeing as I am a new to this I have the following questions:

1. The price difference between the 4690 and 4690K is negligible to me so I went with the 4690K. However, is it possible to overclock the K processor in the Silverstone RVZ01 or will heat be an issue?
2. Can I use a bigger liquid cooler than the Corsair H55? The Corsair H60 perhaps? I chose the H55 solely because it is all XoticPC has as an option for their versions of the Silverstone RVZ01.
3. The motherboard, overkill?
4. I read a lot about the graphics card and from my findings most people suggested that the "Gigabit GTX 970 G1 Gaming" is the best overclocked 970 card out there. I have no interest in the 980 as an overclocked 970 provides almost the same performance but for much cheaper. What do you think of the G1 Gaming card? I read something about noise and coil vibrations being an issue with this card, is this true? Is there a better overclocked 970 card out there?
5. Is the 2133 RAM unnecessary? Will 1600 be just as good? I won't be using multiple displays and I will be sticking with 1080p for the foreseeable future. I will be using 3D a lot but I am not sure if the RAM has any impact on that.

Other than the above questions, any input from you experienced builders would be greatly appreciated. Can you perhaps see any possible compatibility issues with the above spec and/or have any suggestions how I might save a few bucks?

I want the computer to last me 4+ years so future-proofing is key. I don’t care about how easy it will play games now; I care about how it will play them in 4 years time. I don't mind paying big now (within reason) if it means the computer has longevity but I don't want to be paying for excesses that I will never use either. This is where my inexperience is an issue and I look to yourselves for help.

Thoughts?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

1. When water-cooling, heat capacity will be dependent on your radiator more than case size. Make sure it's venting outside and be happy.

2. No idea.

3. Not overkill if you want to over clock.

4. No particular opinion on this card, but many graphics cards have noise issues, and coil whine isn't super-uncommon either. Depending on how heavy-duty your AutoCAD use, you might benefit more from a Quadro or FirePro.

5. No, the faster RAM is pointless.

The fundamental problem you have is the same a lot of people you have. There is no such thing as future-proofing. You buy an i5, and next week AutoDesk could release a new version of AutoCAD that absolutely requires an i7. Or your living situation could change and you'd need a laptop again. Or your computer could get hit by lightning. Or your needs could change a lot and require a rebuild/redesign. Life happens.

Ultimately, it's usually cheaper to buy the best price/performance deal now and upgrade later if you need to (you probably won't) than to intentionally overbuy now trying to future-proof. If nothing else, a $200 ___ in three years is going to be far superior to a $200 ___ today.

 

[firies2006]

Hey dave_the_nerd,

Thanks a million for your response. Long posts don't usually get many responses so i thank you for taking the time to read mine and replying.

Regarding the noise of the graphics card, i don't mind if the graphics card makes noise just so long as it isn't overly intrusive. If there is coil whine, i am just worried that it might get frustrating over time, like how a rattle/unknown vibration in a car gets annoying over time.

That is a very good point about the "future-proofing". I might have been looking at this all wrong. It just annoys me when people respond with "why do you need 16GB RAM, no games at the minute require more than 8GB". This might be true but i want to get some life out of my purchase and not be back here in a yr looking to upgrade. Thats just one example obviously.

So would you have any recommendations on how i could save a bit of money on the system after what you said about price/performance? It is a very good point as i shouldnt be wasting my money planning for a future i have no control over.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Hey dave_the_nerd,

Thanks a million for your response. Long posts don't usually get many responses so i thank you for taking the time to read mine and replying.

Regarding the noise of the graphics card, i don't mind if the graphics card makes noise just so long as it isn't overly intrusive. If there is coil whine, i am just worried that it might get frustrating over time, like how a rattle/unknown vibration in a car gets annoying over time.

That is a very good point about the "future-proofing". I might have been looking at this all wrong. It just annoys me when people respond with "why do you need 16GB RAM, no games at the minute require more than 8GB". This might be true but i want to get some life out of my purchase and not be back here in a yr looking to upgrade. Thats just one example obviously.

So would you have any recommendations on how i could save a bit of money on the system after what you said about price/performance? It is a very good point as i shouldnt be wasting my money planning for a future i have no control over.

It depends on the component. DDR3 is soon to be replaced by DDR4, and is probably as cheap as it will ever be, so there's no particular reason to not buy 16GB. But storage space will tend to get cheaper over time, so buying a 6TB hard drive now when you only need 1TB doesn't make any sense - if you do need more storage later, you can buy it then and your total out of pocket is lower, probably.

Likewise, a factory overclocked 970 is going to be outdated just as fast as a stock one, so it's generally better to save the money, and put it toward a faster card later.

It's usually cheaper overall to upgrade a midrange system every couple years than try to build a 4-5 year rig all at once. The downside is actually having to pay attention and know where your bottlenecks are.