First PC Build - Did I get it right?

Austin126936

Member
Jun 27, 2015
29
0
0
Not long ago, I decided to build my first PC. I feel like I've gotten all of the parts picked out thanks to the internet and some very friendly strangers on these forums but before I order anything, I'd like to hear some opinions on my parts list:

CPU (Intel Core i5-4690K): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117372&cm_re=i5-4690k-_-19-117-372-_-Product

Motherboard (MSI Z97 PC Mate): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130779

RAM (Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GBx2): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544&cm_re=crucial_ballistix_sport_8gb-_-20-148-544-_-Product

GPU (SAPPHIRE Radeon R9 290 4GB): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202143

HDD (WD Blue 1TB): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236339&cm_re=wd_blue-_-22-236-339-_-Product

Optical Drive (ASUS 24x DVD Burner): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&cm_re=asus_24x_dvd_burner-_-27-135-204-_-Product

PSU (Corsair CX600): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

Case (Corsair Carbide Series 300R): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139011

Monitor (Acer S240HL 24"): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009739

I'm intending on using the PC for Skype, screen recording, several internet tabs, and HD YouTube videos while playing games such as Minecraft, DayZ Standalone from Steam, and the upcoming Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain on max (or close to it) settings at 60+ fps. I know this rig wouldn't allow MGS5 to hit 60+ frames at max settings but it should get close.

I'm right around my budget but any and all feedback, suggestions, etc are welcomed with great appreciation. Thanks in advance and have a great day. :)
 

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
Moderator
Dec 11, 1999
16,638
4,568
75
Mostly looks pretty decent. The main thing I see missing is an SSD.

But could you please answer [thread=80121]these questions[/thread] for us? I'd say there's a good chance we can do better somewhere in there.
 

Austin126936

Member
Jun 27, 2015
29
0
0
Mostly looks pretty decent. The main thing I see missing is an SSD.

But could you please answer [thread=80121]these questions[/thread] for us? I'd say there's a good chance we can do better somewhere in there.

Sure!

1. (use) Skype, screen recording, several internet tabs, and HD YouTube videos while playing games such as Minecraft, DayZ Standalone from Steam, and the upcoming Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain on max (or close to it) settings at 60+ fps

2. (budget) $1,000. I can go up to $1,100 if necessary but $1,000 is ideal.

3. (where am I getting the parts) Directly from amazon.com and newegg.com. No preference over one.

4. -irrelevant-

5. (brand) Intel CPU other than that, no preference just performance

6. (current parts?) None - building completely from scratch.

7. (overclocking?) Nope. Default speeds

8. (resolution) 1920x1080

9. (when are you building?) Sometime soon. Before Windows 10 is released (7-29-2015)

10. (+any software) No.
 

utahraptor

Golden Member
Apr 26, 2004
1,074
258
136
If you can wait until August 5th you can get a CPU 2 generations newer for almost the same price.
 

utahraptor

Golden Member
Apr 26, 2004
1,074
258
136
http://wccftech.com/intel-launches-...th-august-skylakes-platform-roadmap-detailed/

Basically Intel gave up on the the 5000 series generation for desktops and is skipping straight to the 6000 series. By waiting you will gain 2 generations of improvements to the motherboard technology, faster onboard graphics and more CPU performance as well. Not to mention DDR 4.

You would probably getting a motherboard using the z170 column below if you waited:

Intel-100-Series-Chipsets-SKUs-635x441.png


vs

Z97

Intel_Z97_H97.jpg
 

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,559
248
106
You can get a 250 GB Crucial SSD for $90 right now. I would not build a new computer without one. Waiting a short while for the next Intel CPU isn't a terrible idea, except that it may require DDR 4, which will cost a good bit more.
 

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
Moderator
Dec 11, 1999
16,638
4,568
75
[post=37537226]Here's a link[/post]. Thing is you're not overclocking, so you don't need a "K" processor. And they're not releasing the non-K processors and non-Z mobos until September. Tough call.
 

Austin126936

Member
Jun 27, 2015
29
0
0
You can get a 250 GB Crucial SSD for $90 right now. I would not build a new computer without one. Waiting a short while for the next Intel CPU isn't a terrible idea, except that it may require DDR 4, which will cost a good bit more.

Is there any benefits from getting a 256GB SSD as apposed to a 64GB or 128GB aside from more storage?
 

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
Moderator
Dec 11, 1999
16,638
4,568
75
Here's what I came up with if you buy now:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: *Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: *A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: *Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($40.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: *Sapphire Radeon R9 290 4GB Tri-X OC Video Card ($263.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($97.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: *Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: *LG GH24NSC0 DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: *Acer S240HL bd 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $995.38
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-07 18:04 EDT-0400

If you decide to wait for Skylake, we'll discuss that later.

Is there any benefits from getting a 256GB SSD as apposed to a 64GB or 128GB aside from more storage?
The larger SSDs are a little faster.
 

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,559
248
106
Most SSDs get slower as they go smaller.

Installing all aps on the SSD will give you good, consistent performance.

Having all your apps and frequent files on the SSD will make the computer a more efficient machine to work with.
 

Yuriman

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2004
5,530
141
106
If you're going with Skylake (the new generation of CPUs) you'll need DDR4. If you decide to stick with Haswell, I'd recommend going with the low voltage Crucial Ballistix. It's the same price and performance, but has significantly lower voltage and thus will use a little less power and dump less heat in your case. It's not a huge difference, but I can't see any reason not to.

If you want to spend a little more, I would also recommend an IPS-panel monitor, as opposed to a TN. The colors and viewing angles are better. A lot of people still like TNs just fine though.

Overall, pretty solid though.
 
Last edited:

Yuriman

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2004
5,530
141
106
Would anything aside from the CPU and Motherboard change out of that list if I were to wait?

RAM, too. Skylake does not use DDR3. The rest should be the same.

EDIT: Haswell is already more than enough for most people, but it seems a shame to me not to wait if building from scratch, since Skylake is so close.
 

Yuriman

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2004
5,530
141
106
Intel has historically released new CPUs at the same pricepoints as the old ones. They're faster, use less power, and cost the same. The old CPUs won't drop in price, but rather will be phased out.
 

Austin126936

Member
Jun 27, 2015
29
0
0
Sounds good. Does the same go for the new motherboards or do you think the price for those will be upped a bit?
 

Yuriman

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2004
5,530
141
106
They might be a little more, but not significantly. I haven't watched motherboard prices too closely. The bigger issue is DDR4 - it's a new(ish) tech and has a premium over DDR3, because not much uses it yet. I'd still go Skylake, personally, but it's more of a question for those who already have a few sticks of DDR3 laying around.
 

Yuriman

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2004
5,530
141
106
Maybe in the very short term, but price-per-stick goes down when the quantity produced goes up.
 

Austin126936

Member
Jun 27, 2015
29
0
0
If you want to spend a little more, I would also recommend an IPS-panel monitor, as opposed to a TN. The colors and viewing angles are better. A lot of people still like TNs just fine though.

So would you recommend http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009483&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= over http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009739 for a gaming monitor?
 

Yuriman

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2004
5,530
141
106
Based on the listed specs alone, I'd pick the IPS, yeah. "5ms" is almost always nonsense, and it's likely the TN panel has slightly lower input lag and response time, but everything else an IPS screen brings is easily worth it to my eyes.