New gaming build, need some advice.

[TheLink]

Hi guys,

So here I am again for a new build, aimed 90% at gaming - mainly modern FPSs (BF3/4,COD,ARMA and others) with some websufring with often 30+ tabs open.

Here is the build I am considering after some thorough research, and my questions to you guys:

Display DELL U2412M or HPZR24W
Good IPS displays I had overseas and will most likely buy one of these two again. Used if I can.
Definitely want a 1920*1200 resolution.

CPU 3.4GHz Intel Core i5-4670K

Motherboard MSI Z87-G45 Gaming
1) This mobo looks good, and while I am looking for good quality with OCing capability, all I really need is :
4 RAM slots,
1 PCI-E 3 (do not care for SLI),
1GB LAN,
stereo audio,
2x6Gbps SATA for future SSD use.

Is there a cheaper yet decent option someone can recommend ?

Memory 8GB DDR3
2) Looking at a recent article from anandtech.com, I can see them highlight that DDR3-1866 or even DDR3-2133 memory do provide some improved performance. And after looking into the pricing, over here in France:
- G.Skill Extreme3 2 x 4 Go PC17000 2133 Mhz Ripjaws X CAS9 1,5V only costs 4 euros more than
- G.Skill Extreme3 2 x 4 Go PC12800 1600 Mhz ARES CAS9 1,5V
The only thing I am worried about is some comments I read about stability issues with the higher clocked memory. Is this really the case ? Or will I be OK as long as my chosen mobo supports the selected frequency ?


Graphics Card MSI GeForce GTX 770 OC - 2 Go (N770 TF 2GD5/OC) 1098 MHz, PCI-Express 16x, 2048 Mo, 7010 MHz
340 euros on offer.

PSU ThermalTake SP-530PCWEU
3) Will this PSU suffice ? I can go without a modular option to save some cash, but would prefer a quiet option. What's your input ?

CPU Cooler (UK) SilverStone Argon AR01
4) Cannot get this cooler in France for some reason ! Any quiet yet decent recommendation for my Hasweel i5 with minor OCing ?

Case Fractal Design Define R4
5) Love these cases, well built and quiet. Will the supplied fans suffice with my setup though ?

Optical drive SATA DVD-RW

Storage (HDD) 1TB SATA 3Gbps

Appreciate your input.

 

[lehtv]

Display Good
CPU Good
Motherboard Any LGA 1150 ATX motherboard covers all the options you listed, and most microATX boards that aren't that budget oriented do as well; except for overclockability. So what you really need is a Z87 board. However, in the "CPU Cooler" section you say you're interested in minor OC'ing. This means you don't need a capable overclocker board, just a basic Z87 board. Any Z87 board can do minor overclocking fine. Maybe an MSI Z87-G41? What GHz are you aiming at?
RAM 1600Mhz is really all you need... I'd just go for the cheapest standard height kit.
GPU Amazing price, go for it.
PSU Thermaltake is not the best option. That particular unit seems to be manufactured by HEC which is not a reputable PSU OEM.
Cooler Arctic i30, Scythe Mugen 4, any cooler from Thermalright
Case Good choice. The supplied fans will be fine but it wouldn't hurt to add another 140mm @ 1000RPM fan so you can take advantage of the fan controller's support for three fan connectors.
Storage Why 3gb/s? Do you already own the drive? If not, get Seagate ST1000DM003 or WD Blue WD10EZEX. I'd also consider getting a 120GB SSD like Kingston V300, Sandisk Ultra Plus, Plextor M5S.

Please answer these so we can help you better: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

 

[mfenn]

RAM 1600Mhz is really all you need... I'd just go for the cheapest standard height kit.

Expanding upon this. OP, the page that you linked is related to increased IGP performance with faster RAM. Those results have no bearing on your situation because you're using a discrete GPU with it's own dedicated memory. The memory on the GTX 770 would be roughly equivalent to DDR3 7000 (if such a thing existed).

 

[TheLink]

Ok so I have ordered the GTX 770 OC as it was on an offer finishing today !

I am still having issues deciding on my PSU though...

I want to be able to use two GTXs 770 eventually if I want to in the future, be able to add a soundcard a SSD and a second HDD.

I do not mind a non modular option but would like something that is not TOO noisy and relatively reliable.

From what I have read I need to be looking at a 750W PSU.
But from what I have looked at:
- the Seasonic X-750 costs 170 euros
- the XFX ProSeries costs 145 euros
- the Corsair CX750M 80PLUS Bronze costs 92 euros

The top two picks are gold rated but are rather pricey.
XFX seems to have a pretty bad customer support feedback.
The corsair is only bronze, and the modular model of this range is only 4 euros more than the non modular. But is this a decent PSU ?
Any other appropriate suggestions ?

 

[lehtv]

What prompted you to change your mind? In the OP you said you don't care for SLI. Are you planning to upgrade your monitor? Because if you game on 1080p@60hz, you will not need SLI until you upgrade the monitor, and even then you may not need it. 1080p@120hz can benefit but it's by no means necessary, it would actually very bad value to buy a second 770 because the benefits of 120hz are apparent at lower framerates as well. 1440p@60hz will definitely like a second card, but with only 2GB VRAM you will encounter games where you wish you had more VRAM.

My recommendation: unless you have a monitor upgrade coming up soon and you're really picky about image quality and framerates, don't spend something like 60-80 eur extra on a what if. That money could be better used to upgrade the single GPU to something better in 1-2 years.

Would you answer that questionnaire I linked... it's good for avoiding misunderstandings

 

[TheLink]

I have looked at the questionnaire but believe I have already answered all the questions have I not ?
I have not talked about budget as I want a good performance/value build but do not mind spending extra for worthwhile parts fitting my needs as described.

With regards to resolution, as I originally said, I will be buying a 1920*1200 screen and do not plan to buy a second screen or anything bigger.

My recommendation: unless you have a monitor upgrade coming up soon and you're really picky about image quality and framerates, don't spend something like 60-80 eur extra on a what if. That money could be better used to upgrade the single GPU to something better in 1-2 years.

You make a good point. However if I keep focused on a long term single GPU build - which i prefer to avoid driver dependency anyway - then I could get a cheaper Z87 board (to still allow minor OCing), without SLI support, and probably just a 550W PSU ?

 

[lehtv]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
Gaming

2. What YOUR budget is.
???

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

5. IF YOU have a brand preference.
-

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I guess nothing? Keyboard, mouse?

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
OC

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
1920x1200

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
???

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

----

If you don't want to talk about budget that's fine, it's just a common assumption here that people have a budget. If people don't state their budget, it's easy to end up wasting a lot of time and effort recommending components that they can't afford.

However if I keep focused on a long term single GPU build - which i prefer to avoid driver dependency anyway - then I could get a cheaper Z87 board (to still allow minor OCing), without SLI support, and probably just a 550W PSU ?

Yes. I'd get

Super Flower Golden Green Pro 550W 90€
MSI Z87-G45 Gaming 133€ (it's a SLI board but it's worth it for the other specs - it has excellent LAN and audio chips and overclocking features)

 

[mfenn]

With regards to resolution, as I originally said, I will be buying a 1920*1200 screen and do not plan to buy a second screen or anything bigger.

In terms of performance, 1920x1200 is effectively the same as 1080p, there's only an 11% difference in pixel count. So lehtv's advice about sticking with a single GPU applies here.