Quick Build Check

[InfiniteLurker]

I'm looking at running to Micro Center to pick up the following parts for a build, and I was hoping if I could get a quick critique as to what people think. I have a 7970 already that will be put in here, and the build will be used mainly for development and gaming on a 30" LCD.

Development being done is primarily on the Microsoft stack - Visual Studio 2012/2013, SQL Server 2012, multiple VM's running concurrently.

Motherboard: ASUS Z87-A Socket LGA 1150 ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i7 4770K 3.5GHz Socket LGA 1150
GPU: 7970 - already own
Case: Corsair Vengeance Series C70 ATX Mid Tower Gaming
Cooler: Corsair Hydro Series H100i Extreme Performance
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tactical LP 16GB DDR3-1600
PSU: Corsair HX Series HX750
HDD : Samsung 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD128BW 128GB SATA 6.0G

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[lehtv]

Sticky: NOTICE - PC builders, when asking for input on YOUR projects Please Tell us...

What does 'development' involve? Anything heavily hyperthreaded CPU intensive?

 

[Termie]

Looks very good. Do you have a hard drive you'll be using in addition to the 128GB SSD? If not, pick up at least a 1TB drive, such as the WD Blue model MC has for $70.

Also, unless you're doing serious overclocking, the H100i isn't necessary, and even if you are, it's not the best water cooler in its price range. The Cooler Master Seidon 240 is probably a better buy: http://microcenter.com/product/412153/Seidon_240M_CPU_Water_Cooling_Kit

 

[InfiniteLurker]

Thanks Termie - that is exactly the feedback I'm looking for.

I do have other drives on hand for data as well as a NAS. However, the only reason I was going with the Samsung 840 Pro 128GB is that they do not have the 250GB in stock (and I'm anxious to get this up and running). What are the thoughts on the OCZ Vector 256GB VTR1-25SAT3-256G?

I'm more interested in stability vs. overclocking. Although, if I can get stability while OC'd, then I'd do it.

 

[Cerb]

If not overclocking much, skip water entirely. The Intel stock fan might not handle too much of an overclock, but it will be sufficient at stock speeds. Noise under load and overclocking are basically the only good reasons to not use the stock cooler (for anywhere in the world near a Microcenter, at least ).

You should be able to get past 4GHz w/ a CM Hyper212+ Evo or Xigmatek Dark Knight II, if you're looking for good easy to find aftermarket coolers. Water has its place, but stable stock speeds or light overclocking really isn't it.

 

[Termie]

Thanks Termie - that is exactly the feedback I'm looking for.

I do have other drives on hand for data as well as a NAS. However, the only reason I was going with the Samsung 840 Pro 128GB is that they do not have the 250GB in stock (and I'm anxious to get this up and running). What are the thoughts on the OCZ Vector 256GB VTR1-25SAT3-256G?

I'm more interested in stability vs. overclocking. Although, if I can get stability while OC'd, then I'd do it.

On the SSD front, be careful - it seems you're mixing model lines. The 128GB 840 Pro model is not the smaller version of the 840 250GB model, it's the smaller version of the 840 Pro 256GB. Is that what you were referring to? If you can't get the 840 Pro 256GB, which is very fast, then you can either get the 840 250GB, which is still quite fast, but has a much lower write speed, or the Vector 256GB, which is great all around, right up there with the Samsung 840 256GB. Another strong model that I know MicroCenter has is the new Western Digital 600 240GB SSD. It trades a bit of top-end speed for excellent consistency.

If not overclocking much, skip water entirely. The Intel stock fan might not handle too much of an overclock, but it will be sufficient at stock speeds. Noise under load and overclocking are basically the only good reasons to not use the stock cooler (for anywhere in the world near a Microcenter, at least ).

You should be able to get past 4GHz w/ a CM Hyper212+ Evo or Xigmatek Dark Knight II, if you're looking for good easy to find aftermarket coolers. Water has its place, but stable stock speeds or light overclocking really isn't it.

I agree completely.

 

[InfiniteLurker]

Thanks for the help everyone. I just made the trip and picked up the following parts. I changed up the case and the cooler (per your recommendations) and I got lucky and they ended up having 1 of the Samsung 840 Pro 256GB drives in stock (it showed up as out of stock online).

Motherboard: ASUS Z87-A Socket LGA 1150 ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i7 4770K 3.5GHz Socket LGA 1150
GPU: 7970 - already own
Case: FRACTAL DEFINER4 ATX CASE (they didn't have my original pick in stock)
Cooler: CM Hyper212+ Evo
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tactical LP 16GB DDR3-1600
PSU: Corsair HX Series HX750
HDD : SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO

 

[Termie]

Thanks for the help everyone. I just made the trip and picked up the following parts. I changed up the case and the cooler (per your recommendations) and I got lucky and they ended up having 1 of the Samsung 840 Pro 256GB drives in stock (it showed up as out of stock online).

Motherboard: ASUS Z87-A Socket LGA 1150 ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i7 4770K 3.5GHz Socket LGA 1150
GPU: 7970 - already own
Case: FRACTAL DEFINER4 ATX CASE (they didn't have my original pick in stock)
Cooler: CM Hyper212+ Evo
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tactical LP 16GB DDR3-1600
PSU: Corsair HX Series HX750
HDD : SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO

Awesome setup! That R4 is going to be quieter than the C70, but potentially won't run quite as cool.

 

[InfiniteLurker]

Awesome setup! That R4 is going to be quieter than the C70, but potentially won't run quite as cool.

Thanks!

Up and running on it right now - Windows 8.1 Preview installed in a flash, and man this thing is quick.

The only issue I ran into with the case was with the SSD mounts on the back of the motherboard tray. You have to install the SSD before the motherboard, which I did. However, when I got to the point of plugging everything in, the SATA power connectors from the PSU wouldn't line up due to how flush the SSD was with the motherboard tray. That meant disassembling everything to move the SSD to one of the drive trays.

 

[Termie]

Thanks!

Up and running on it right now - Windows 8.1 Preview installed in a flash, and man this thing is quick.

The only issue I ran into with the case was with the SSD mounts on the back of the motherboard tray. You have to install the SSD before the motherboard, which I did. However, when I got to the point of plugging everything in, the SATA power connectors from the PSU wouldn't line up due to how flush the SSD was with the motherboard tray. That meant disassembling everything to move the SSD to one of the drive trays.

Bummer about the SSD mount, but that is one of the disadvantages ofusing the tight space behind the motherboard for SSDs - a strategy a lot of vendors are using now.

By the way, time to update your sig!