Need PC Building Help

[svjfm]

I am thinking of building a gaming computer to run games such as Euro Truck Simulator 2 flawlessly on "Ultra" video settings. I need to see if they're are any improvements to be made to this part list. The following part list excludes peripherals (keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitors) and the operating system (undecided on Win 7 Home Pre/Win 8 Pro). My budget for parts is set at $1,000.

Part list:
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($84.99)
Storage; (SSD for OS): OCZ Vertex 460 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99)
(HDD for Misc.): Hitachi Travelstar Z7K500 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99)
GPU: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($199.99)
Case: Inwin GT1 Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99)
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99)

I also have the part list link here: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/svjfm/saved/WTPQzy

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I looked everything over and so far so good. If there was an area of concern it would be the PSU only from a future expansion if desired to adding another GPU. Also the Inwin case is nice but not great, personally I would look to encreasing the case value with a good NZXT, Corsair or Coolermaster design. Also please factor in a great air or sealed water cooler as you have a great mobo and CPU which can handle a little push if you want later.

 

[svjfm]

I looked everything over and so far so good. If there was an area of concern it would be the PSU only from a future expansion if desired to adding another GPU. Also the Inwin case is nice but not great, personally I would look to encreasing the case value with a good NZXT, Corsair or Coolermaster design. Also please factor in a great air or sealed water cooler as you have a great mobo and CPU which can handle a little push if you want later.

Thank you for the feedback. I intend to just keep a single GPU as I'm really unaware of Crossfire and its advantages. I'll research a different case from the brands you have recommended as well. Would the cooler be just for the CPU or the whole system? I was going to use the bundled cooler for the processor.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I built a wicked system in this NZXT 410 and I would recommend this sealed NZXT Kraken water cooler for it.

Phantom 410 - NZXT

Kraken? X60 - NZXT

 

[svjfm]

The build is wicked indeed! I stumbled upon a hardware incompatibility, however, where I was told that the Phantom 410 case is incompatible with the Kraken X60 water cooler. Also, I'd have to remove some drive bays to squeeze in a 260 mm GPU.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Not according to me and NZXT and they should know as they build both.

http://www.nzxt.com/uploads/downloads/manuals/Kraken_Compatibility_Guide_09.4.2013.pdf

 

[svjfm]

...but I should trust you as well as the manufacturer.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

If you're concerned then you can contact NZXT and ask them or play it safe and get a 240mm rad like a H100i or the like and that will work real good. Ironically I put my X60 Kraken in my CoolerMaster case and then went with a 240mm sealed in the NZXT 410 case but the compatibility chart says it can take both the 240 or 280 mm rads.

Thermaltake - U.S.A. - Water 2.0 Extreme - CLW0217

Hydro Series? H100i Extreme Performance CPU Cooler

 

[Layback Bear]

I would recommend upgrading to a full size case. It gives better cooling options and much, much easier to work with. It also gives better cable/harness routing.

Because of the problems I have had with G.Skill RMA ram I would suggest taking a look at Corsair and Kingston ram.

G.Skell ram works well when it works.
If you have a problem, well lot of luck will be needed.

 

[svjfm]

If you're concerned then you can contact NZXT and ask them or play it safe and get a 240mm rad like a H100i or the like and that will work real good. Ironically I put my X60 Kraken in my CoolerMaster case and then went with a 240mm sealed in the NZXT 410 case but the compatibility chart says it can take both the 240 or 280 mm rads.

Thermaltake - U.S.A. - Water 2.0 Extreme - CLW0217

Hydro Series? H100i Extreme Performance CPU Cooler

I think I'll just use the Corsair Cooler. Thanks!

 

[svjfm]

If you're concerned then you can contact NZXT and ask them or play it safe and get a 240mm rad like a H100i or the like and that will work real good. Ironically I put my X60 Kraken in my CoolerMaster case and then went with a 240mm sealed in the NZXT 410 case but the compatibility chart says it can take both the 240 or 280 mm rads.

Thermaltake - U.S.A. - Water 2.0 Extreme - CLW0217

Hydro Series? H100i Extreme Performance CPU Cooler

I would recommend upgrading to a full size case. It gives better cooling options and much, much easier to work with. It also gives better cable/harness routing.

Because of the problems I have had with G.Skill RMA ram I would suggest taking a look at Corsair and Kingston ram.

G.Skell ram works well when it works.
If you have a problem, well lot of luck will be needed.

I found these Corsair Vengeance Pro memory modules that are compatible with the processor in terms of voltage. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Layback Bear]

Something else with good pricing.

Phanteks Enthoo Pro | Phanteks

I use Phanteks Enthoo Primo and it's a great case.

 

[svjfm]

Oh man, I really wanted a case with a window, but this particular model's window variant is sold out! It still looks truly elegant and offers what I need and more. Thank you.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I'm using all of those coolers:
1) Corsair H50
2) Corsair H100
3) Thermaltake 2.0 Extreme
4) NZXT x60 Kraken
5) Corsair H80i
The x60 is far an away the best followed by the 2.0 Extreme and H100 and H80i, last is the H50 as we would expect all are driven by 1,2 or four Noctua premium fans. I would let the budget dictate the best value on the 240mm radiator models and don't for a minute think one has much if any advantage over the other. If by saving money on the sealed unit I could afford premium fans......I would do this in a heartbeat !

How's this for a case?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139014

 

[svjfm]

I'm using all of those coolers:
1) Corsair H50
2) Corsair H100
3) Thermaltake 2.0 Extreme
4) NZXT x60 Kraken
5) Corsair H80i
The x60 is far an away the best followed by the 2.0 Extreme and H100 and H80i, last is the H50 as we would expect all are driven by 1,2 or four Noctua premium fans. I would let the budget dictate the best value on the 240mm radiator models and don't for a minute think one has much if any advantage over the other. If by saving money on the sealed unit I could afford premium fans......I would do this in a heartbeat !

How's this for a case?

Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Arctic White Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com

I am FINALLY decided on the Thermaltake 2.0 Extreme Water Cooled system! The Vengeance C70 is quite the case. I am now truly having a hard time deciding which case would work better for me (Enthoo Pro vs Vengeance C70), despite having a somewhat basic part list.

 

[Layback Bear]

Slow down a little their are many case.

The one in the video had some shipping damage. By this time that problem is probably solved.

I would suggest what ever case you choose a big thing to look for is options.
1. Cooling options.
2. Harness routing options.
3. Fan options and all fans have filters.
4. Moving things around in the case like drive bays ect.
It will give you methods to a degree of directing air flow.
Computer cases are not just for looks and a place to stick hardware.
The ability to control cooling is most important.

If you are able to spend more money on a case their are lots more quality choices.

 

[kbrady1979]

The new line of Nivida and AMD graphics cards will be out within a couple of months, so you may be better off waiting until then before building.

For the case, it's hard to beat the Phanteks Enthoo Pro, but the Phanteks Enthoo Luxe(which will be out shortly) is an amazing case.

I would get a Z97 motherboard instead of the Z87 chipset, either Asus, Gigabyte or MSI(many of us on here prefer Asus but that's personal preference).

For the power supply, I ALWAYS recommend SeaSonic or Corsair.......phenomenal PSU's. I don't have any experience with EVGA PSU's, but if they are built like their GPU's they should be awesome.

With the exception of the Z97 motherboard over the Z87, those are just personal choices.

 

[svjfm]

The new line of Nivida and AMD graphics cards will be out within a couple of months, so you may be better off waiting until then before building.

For the case, it's hard to beat the Phanteks Enthoo Pro, but the Phanteks Enthoo Luxe(which will be out shortly) is an amazing case.

I would get a Z97 motherboard instead of the Z87 chipset, either Asus, Gigabyte or MSI(many of us on here prefer Asus but that's personal preference).

For the power supply, I ALWAYS recommend SeaSonic or Corsair.......phenomenal PSU's. I don't have any experience with EVGA PSU's, but if they are built like their GPU's they should be awesome.

With the exception of the Z97 motherboard over the Z87, those are just personal choices.

I did some research online and heard that there were some new Haswell-E processors coming out later this month, as well as the Z99 Chipset motherboard with DDR4 RAM as its platform. I'm for sure anticipating the release of the GeForce 800 series GPUs. I'm just not sure if I should stick to the i5 processor or wait for the six-core Core i7-5820K, Z99 motherboard and DDR4 RAM? I'd only use the computer for PC virtualization (VirtualBox), GTA IV (GTA V when it comes out), City Car Driving, other games with similar requirements as GTA IV, screen recording, etc.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I would wait but it could be a bit of a budget buster. If the new mobo and chip combo performs better then do what you have to purchase smart and maybe plan for a phase two upgrade to stay on budget. For me chasing the latest is costly and often just not worth the wait. Your mileage may vary !

 

[kbrady1979]

While the entry level 6 core CPU would be phenomenal, and the Z99 motherboards are no doubt chocked full of features.......if you aren't going to do video/picture editing/rendering, you will more than likely never tap into it's potential. If you are just using a graphics card or two(no other expansion cards) then socket 1150 will have enough PCI-Express lanes to accommodate. Also, DDR4 memory doesn't look to be that much better than DDR3 at the same speed, and it's going to be WILDLY expensive. It will still pay off to wait for the Nvidia 800 series because of their new Maxwell architecture....I just wouldn't use a Haswell-E CPU for this particular build. Save the money and put it in a nice SSD, good storage, and a graphics card.