Need Advice - Building Computer

[amad9000]

Hello Community! I am planning to build a gaming computer, and I need some advice on the parts that I have chosen for now on whether they are okay or not. This is the first time that I am building a gaming computer so, I would like to have a decent amount of support from the community. Thanks.
My budget is up to $1500 for the computer itself. The software and anything that is needed for education won't have an actual "budget." I am willing to pay up to $5000 for the software. I will be using programs like Blender, Unreal Engine, Adobe CS6 and some simulation games like Microsoft Flight Simulator X. In other words, I will be using it for game creation, video and picture editing (heavy editing), the usual word processing and presentation creations, and playing some games at max or near max settings.

Parts:

Motherboard: MSI Z97 GAMING 5 LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard Price: $149.99


CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K Devil’s Canyon Quad-Core 4.0GHz LGA 1150 BX80646I74790K Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4600 Price: $339.99


RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 Desktop Memory Model CMY16GX3M2A1866C9R (Red) Price: $119.99


I AM GOING TO SKIP THE GRAPHICS CARD AND POWER SUPPLY FOR NOW. SOME CONFUSION ON THAT...


Hard Drive: Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive Price: $54.99


Solid State Drive: SAMSUNG 850 EVO MZ-75E120B/AM 2.5" 120GB SATA III 3-D Vertical Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Price: $69.99

Reason why I am getting the SDD is to store the Operating System(s) on their


Liquid Cooling: CORSAIR Hydro Series H50 120mm Quiet Edition Liquid CPU Cooler – Intel Only
Price: $59.99

HERE IS WHERE THE CONFUSION IS AT:

Graphics/Video Card: MSI GTX 960 GAMING 2G GeForce GTX 960 2GB 128-Bit GDDR5 HDCP Ready SLI Support ATX Video Card Price: $214.99

OR

MSI GTX 960 GAMING 4G GeForce GTX 960 4GB 128-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ATX Video Card Price: $239.99



AND HERE IS THE POWER SUPPLY - CONFUSION ON THAT TOO

Power Supply: CORSAIR CX series CX600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply Price: $64.99

OR

CORSAIR CX series CX750M 750W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply New 4th Gen CPU Certified Price: $79.99

So basically either 600W or 750W


The case is a Corsair Graphite Series 230T CC-9011042-WW Black on Black with RED LED fans ATX Mid Tower Side Panel Window l Computer Case Price: $79.99

Will be getting the Windows 7 Professional with Price at $139.99; the Microsoft Office 2013 Pro from School (FREE) and the Adobe CS6 for about $1000

I will also get an Optical Drive, the SAMSUNG DVD Writer24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA Model SH-224FB/BSBE - OEM to be specific at price of $19.99


I am still deciding on the monitor. Need a decent one from ASUS or Samsung. Less than $300

I plan on making the computer over the summer and will order most if not all the parts from Newegg

 

[mfenn]

Everything depends on context, in this case that means price. The parts that you've picked out (either GPU or PSU) are all reasonable, but may not be the most bang for your buck.

If you could, would you update your post to include the answers to these questions? Also useful would be the price that you're seeing for each component on your list.

 

[amad9000]

I plan on over clocking the CPU, which is the main reason i am getting the liquid cooling system

 

[Charlie98]

I agree with mfenn... an i7 is mismatched with a GTX960 for a gaming PC... it doesn't make sense.

Copy, paste, and answer those questions so we can get a better idea of what you are going to be using it for...

 

[MonKENy]

Yeah you went way high on the CPU and pretty mid range on the GPU. If anything flip that. Especially if you are OC the CPU anyway. You can OC an i5 to match almost i7 specs iirc.

Also Im not a fan of bronze cert PSU's. Why are you deadlocked into buying all your parts from newegg? And why does the Monitor "have" to be acer or samsung. Thats a pretty wide range as far as manufactures go and there are plenty of other good monitors not built by them.

 

[MonKENy]

Your build w/out the WC was 1054.93

Here is your build by shopping around.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($109.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($67.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.45 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($219.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $930.37
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-04 23:28 EDT-0400

and thats just using your parts. Dont lock yourself into just new egg

 

[fortworthtechs]

I think It it is not a bad deal go for it.

 

[amad9000]

Then which gpu would be best for the cpu I have chosen?

 

[amad9000]

Newegg seems to have good deals on most parts...I may get the cpu from micro center though

 

[amad9000]

Anyhow, would the best gpu for the computer be a GeForce 970 from msi and the psu would be OK if I get 600w or less?

 

[piasabird]

I wonder if the Skylake chipsets and motherboards will be a lot faster than anything you can currently overclock?

 

[MonKENy]

Isnt Nvidea releasing a new card next month? That should drive down prices. You never did what mfenn sked, go hit that link and copypasta the answers.

We need to know some stuff to help push you in the right direction.

I only posted the prices to show you that youre not getting a good deal going your way. A "good deal" doesnt mean a great deal or the best deal.

Also you said making it over the summer? When exactly because a month can make a huge difference, If you dont plan to build with in the next couple weeks dont bother with a thread. Wait until the week you plan on building it.

 

[amad9000]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
--> I will be using for heavy video editing and picture editing, and website creation (using Adobe CS6. In addition to making video games by using Blender and Unreal Engine, also, I will play simulation games (flight sims) at the max settings. I will of course use the Microsoft Office to do the usual word processing and presentation creation.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

--> Budget @ $1500

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

--> USA

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
We can't be expected to scour the internet on your behalf, chasing down deals in your specific country... Again, help us, help YOU.

--> I am buying from the USA, I will use Newegg for GPU and some other parts in addition to MicroCenter

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Intel CPU, MSI/NVIDIA Motherboard and GPU, CORSAIR liquid cooling, and that is pretty much it...and yes...a CORSAIR mid-tower case would be good.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

--> N/A

7. IF YOU plan on over clocking or run the system at default speeds.

--> Overclocking

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

--> I plan to use at 1080P, but if needed, I may upgrade to 2K or 4K


9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

--> This is going to be a summer thing, very likely in the next few weeks

10. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

--> Microsoft Windows 7 Pro (Might get it free from school), Office 2013 Pro (FREE from school), Adobe CS6 ($1000). Some other software, I have on other old computers like Flight Sim X


Hope this helps a bit

 

[amad9000]

And guys it is fine if the price goes around $1400...i have a MacBook Pro computer (low end) that costed $1200. It has 128GB Storage and only 4GB RAM that i can't upgrade

 

[amad9000]

And btw, hate to be mean, but like 60 -70% of decision would be mine in the end

 

[MonKENy]

Dont take this the wrong way but how old are you OP? The stuff you are picking sounds like something my teenage son would get

wouldnt 100% of decisions be yours? Anyway for what you want you cant get away with a 960. You are doing heavy game building and 3d modeling. 1080p IS 2k.

Just using the vendors I listed would save you over $100 that you could use for a better GPU, EVGA makes some of the best GPU, Corsair makes ok PSU but there are better, The machine in my sig cost almost 2k and it probably could barely pull off what you want to do and that was honestly as cheap as I could get parts. I shopped around for 2 days to get the best prices and went back and forth here on the boards for recommendations.

That case is all flash no real substance. If you want to watercool that case seems underwhelming. Look up best cases for watercooling. You wont find it on any lists. You need one that can take a radiator, has room to run tubing, and look for some that have rubber grommets in the cutouts.

Fractal R series are great cases but if youre dead set on corsair the Corsair Graphite 760T might work but its expensive. The fractal r4 is $99 and will fit everything you need. Has plenty of vent spaces, and sound dampening, comes with all the rubber you need to minimize noise, can fit 2 200mm rads, and removable drive trays to make room.

here

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth Z87 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($116.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($95.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($67.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.45 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($219.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($76.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $990.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-05 20:10 EDT-0400

and if you want JUST newegg

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($341.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth Z87 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($116.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($95.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($243.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($121.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($80.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1126.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-05 20:10 EDT-0400

 

[amad9000]

I am a high schooler (16)

 

[amad9000]

Ok...just curious, do u prefer msi or evga?

 

[amad9000]

On Newegg they have a nice deal for the msi gpu. U get a free game, so that is nice

 

[amad9000]

Well...just curious MonKENy, what things did your build have?

 

[amad9000]

Just curious, where can u get the thunderbolt things. I am sure u guys know that Mac has thunderbolt to connect to other displays...

 

[amad9000]

And btw, I don't want to get a full size case, a mid tower should be fine. As long as I can fit the liquid cooler and the main components. I also want the case to be nice with some lights, but not over stylish

 

[Charlie98]

Now I see... Flight Sims (X Plane, for example, not FSX) can use an i7, if you are sticking with FSX, an i5 will suffice. Just saying.

If you have a MicroCenter near you, I would trot on in there and lay hands on the cases they have on display. Cases that look good on the screen can be a completely different animal once you see it in person... and that is another reason besides the CPU/mobo deals to be thankful you have a MC nearby. Personally, I would look at the Fractal Design cases, the Arc series has very good support for liquid cooling and the Define series is just a better built case, but any decent case, including Corsair and CoolerMaster, should have LC support.

Looking at my sig, you can see I'm an EVGA guy... they have always treated me right. TBH, I don't look at freebies when I buy something... I look at the product and the total cost. That's not to say MSI (Gigabyte, et al) aren't bad cards, either... I just like EVGA.

 

[mfenn]

Your build w/out the WC was 1054.93

Here is your build by shopping around.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($109.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($67.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.45 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($219.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $930.37
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-04 23:28 EDT-0400

and thats just using your parts. Dont lock yourself into just new egg

That MicroCenter price is in-store only, so add $45 unless the OP is near one.

 

[MonKENy]

I am a high schooler (16)

That cool, good for you for working on this stuff and trying to learn. Keep in mind we are coming at it from a different perspective. I think most of us have gone through the flashy phase and are now onto something more subtle that would work well in a home environment. A little more class I guess.

Ok...just curious, do u prefer msi or evga?

Both are really solid manufactures. So go with whoever has the best deal on their cards. At the moment have an evga PSU and GPU. I didnt think of it at the time or I prob would have went the same on the MB just to keep it uniform. But I went for the best deals at the time.

On Newegg they have a nice deal for the msi gpu. U get a free game, so that is nice

If all else is equal then great go for the free game but dont try to save a few dollars just to do it. Especially when its probably going to be on steam sale for a fraction of the price.

Well...just curious MonKENy, what things did your build have?

What do you mean? Everything is in my signature at the bottom of the post if thats what you mean. I will say I spent a little more on a fully modular PSU. Meaning the cable all plug into the PSU separately so you only have to use the ones you need. Great for keeping cases un cluttered.

Just curious, where can u get the thunderbolt things. I am sure u guys know that Mac has thunderbolt to connect to other displays...

I dont think its widely used enough to make it viable on the mainstream market yet.

And btw, I don't want to get a full size case, a mid tower should be fine. As long as I can fit the liquid cooler and the main components. I also want the case to be nice with some lights, but not over stylish

Arc midi R2. Get some after market fans with LEDs in them and you get the flair you need. I know that I would swap the fans off the water cooler for better ones anyway so that would be the lights you want.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujH42NYOgbI

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352031

Also listen to Mfenn He can help save you some $. Im surprised he hasnt suggested better options.