Gaming PC build spec recs

By Squuiid
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Squuiid

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Here's what I've put together so far. If you'd do anything differently I'd love to hear it. Thanks in advance.

Trying to keep costs down so went for cheapo mouse/keyboard/monitor for the time being.

Also, not interested in overclocking, but do want the possibility of SLI in the future.

 

 

Asus Z97-A/USB 3.1 Motherboard (Socket 1150, Z97, DDR3, S-ATA 600, ATX, USB 3.0, PCI Express 3.0, M.2 Socket)

 
Intel i5 4690 Quad Core CPU (3.50GHz, 6MB Cache, 84W, Graphics, Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Socket 1150)
 
Fractal Design Define R4 PC Case - Black/Pearl
 
EVGA Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 Superclocked 4GB Graphics Card
 
HyperX 16GB 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 DIMM Plug-and-Play Memory Module (Kit of 2)
 
Samsung 500 GB Solid State Drive 850 EVO M.2
 
Corsair CP-9020056-UK RM Series RM850 80 Plus Gold 850W ATX/EPS Fully Modular Power Supply Unit
 
Pioneer BDC-207DBK 8X Combo Bulk Blu-Ray Internal Drive
 
Samsung S27D390H PLS 27 inch LED HDMI Monitor
 
AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable 9.8 Feet/ 3 meters Supports Ethernet, 3D, Audio Return
 
Microsoft Wired Desktop 600 Keyboard and Mouse Set - UK Layout
 
Logitech C920 HD Webcam
 
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tsupersonic

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As an owner of the R4, I recommend the R5 for the following reasons:

  • Flexible door hinge means you can make the front case door open either way. R4 opens only to the left.
  • Truly modular storage
  • Much better SSD mounts on the back of the motherboard tray! This is a PITA on the R4 since you have to remove the motherboard to access the screws.
  • Front accessible fan filter, for bottom mounted fans (this slides out of the back on the R4)
  • Latch side panels. It's a PITA to put side panels back on the R4. 
  • Cable management loops

If the R4 is drastically cheaper, and you can forego the positives, go with the R4. 

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+Anarkii Subscriber²

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You can get a cheap BluRay writer for like 80 bucks AU. Much MUCH better than a DVD writer. And if you use that for installing games and the publishers put their games on BluRays - much better there too. 
Would probably look into swapping the monitor you have a 4K if you can find one for about the same price, if not, stick with the one you have listed.

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Jim K Global Moderator

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Swap the Define R4 with the R5 and drop the BluRay player or swap with a DVD Writer (unless you really need the thing).

 

Why, the Blu-Ray drive he listed is a combo (writes DVD also)

 

OP...your system looks good.

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Luc2k

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Thanks Luc2k.

Can you elaborate on the reasons for choosing the R5 over the R4? Would like to hear your thoughts on it.

tsupersonic covered the reasons pretty well. While the R5 isn't a revolutionary upgrade from the R4, for 7

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Squuiid

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As an owner of the R4, I recommend the R5 for the following reasons:

  • Flexible door hinge means you can make the front case door open either way. R4 opens only to the left.
  • Truly modular storage
  • Much better SSD mounts on the back of the motherboard tray! This is a PITA on the R4 since you have to remove the motherboard to access the screws.
  • Front accessible fan filter, for bottom mounted fans (this slides out of the back on the R4)
  • Latch side panels. It's a PITA to put side panels back on the R4. 
  • Cable management loops

If the R4 is drastically cheaper, and you can forego the positives, go with the R4. 

This all sounds sensible, thank you.

My one concern is that the R5 is considerably larger and I wanted to keep case as small as possible without going micro-ATX.

 

R4

46.4 x 23.2 x 52.3 cm
 
R5
61.5 x 32.7 x 54 cm
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Luc2k

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This all sounds sensible, thank you.

My one concern is that the R5 is considerably larger and I wanted to keep case as small as possible without going micro-ATX.

 

R4

46.4 x 23.2 x 52.3 cm
 
R5
61.5 x 32.7 x 54 cm

That size you have for the R5 is for the box it comes in. They're almost identical as far as size is concerned.

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BinaryData

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Looks good, though I'm not fond of the M.2 you posted, but that's OK.

The monitor is garbage. Also, the brand HyperX, I've never heard of. I roll Crucial or G.Skill.

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Odom Member

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The monitor is garbage. Also, the brand HyperX, I've never heard of. I roll Crucial or G.Skill.

 

I had Kingston HyperX many times and they are good. Their SSD HyperX line is one of the best, in my opinion. Of all the different SSDs I had, those were the fastest ones I owned.

 

I agree with the monitor. IMO a Full HD resolution should not be bigger than 24'', bigger than that and it looks like crap. 27'' with 1080p is good for people with poor eye sight, otherwise everything just looks pixellated and bloated. If you go for a 27'', I'd recommend to go to the next resolution step and go 1440p.

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Squuiid

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Looks good, though I'm not fond of the M.2 you posted, but that's OK.

The monitor is garbage. Also, the brand HyperX, I've never heard of. I roll Crucial or G.Skill.

BinaryData, thanks for your thoughts.

Agree with you 100% on the monitor. I was trying to keep costs low but went a bit too much so on the monitor, with 27" being a requirement.

Have picked this one instead:

BenQ GW2765HT LED IPS 27 -inch W Monitor 16:9 2560 x 1440, 1000:1, 20M:1, 4 ms GTG, DVI/DP1.2/HDMI1.4/speakers

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00M913DVG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

 

Can you elaborate on why you have an issue with the 850 EVO M.2? It's very well reviewed.

HyperX is Kingston which are on a par with Crucial. No concerns there.

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Squuiid

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That size you have for the R5 is for the box it comes in. They're almost identical as far as size is concerned.

Thanks, very helpful indeed! Definitely going R5 then.

where is the software ? or are you running linux ?

 

Thanks T3X4S. Win 8.1 Pro for now.

Full HD resolution should not be bigger than 24'', bigger than that and it looks like crap. 27'' with 1080p is good for people with poor eye sight, otherwise everything just looks pixellated and bloated. If you go for a 27'', I'd recommend to go to the next resolution step and go 1440p.

 Odom, agree 100%. Thanks.

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Jason S. Global Moderator

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setup looks good. my only gripe would be the HyperX, but that's a personal thing. if you like Kingston then go for it. Im a Corsair guy myself.

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Aergan

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<..>

 

Have a look at this for RAM:

Kingston Hyper-X Beast 2400 DDR3 kit

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HyperX-Beast-16-2400-Non-ECC/dp/B00M7S8IAM

 

Great modules in my system in XMP mode.

 

As for the Logitech C920, I really wasn't impressed when we demoed them for video conferencing a year or two ago. Now they've come down to a more sensible price (~

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Aergan

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Thanks Aergan.

 

I've got to say that I'm not keen on large heatsinks on RAM. Also, the HyperX 'Genesis' I spec'ed runs at CL9 rather than CL11 which means the higher 2400 frequency benefit of the 'Beast' modules is virtually eliminated. Beast also runs hotter and at a higher voltage. I stand by my initial choice. ;)

 

As for the Logitech C920, I've not found anything better, at any price really. If you have any suggestions I'd be interested in hearing them.

The C920 is not very good for video conferencing, you're better off with the C930 for that, with wider view angle. The C920 is better suited to single user rather than a boardroom.

 

As for the freebies from nvidia, I had also read that, thanks! It may be a few weeks before Amazon's site catch up and list them on their product pages I think.

Thanks.

 

They will do CL9 at 1.5v @ 1600Mhz ;)

Heck, they seem to just about do 2400Mhz @ 1.5v / CL11 also do long as you don't enable any other memory timing tweaks. I highly suspect they are exactly the same base module.

 

Point taken, C930 didn't exist back when we were looking at them. We had a Cisco branded C920 prototype in black also (which I think actually looks better and I rarely give Cisco any aesthetic praise). Would have been for person to person conferencing.

 

Ebuyer are showing the promotion at the moment (both codes) on the majority of GTX 970 & higher (original listings / ex-display not eligible).

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