Thoughts on Computer Build

[Rebel Jeb]

NZXT Phantom 530 White ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Seagate Hybrid Drive ST2000DX001 2TB MLC/8GB 64MB
EVGA ACX Cooler 03G-P4-2784-KR GeForce GTX 780
SeaSonic M12II 850 SS-850AM 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3
Intel Core i7-4820K Ivy Bridge-E Quad-Core 3.7GHz
CORSAIR Hydro Series H100i Extreme Performance Water/Liquid CPU Cooler. 240mm
SAMSUNG 840 EVO MZ-7TE120BW 2.5" 120GB SATA III TLC

I did a little bit of a research with a friend, and we came up with this build as a start. I'm not super knowledgeable, and this will be my first build. Any thoughts regarding possible upgrades (willing to spend around $200-300 more if the cost/performance is worth it) or downgrades (if any of these items are overpriced)?

My goal with this build is, of course, gaming/streaming. I'd like it to run quiet (which is why I think I should change the case?).

On a slightly unrelated note, I'm also considering buying two monitors. I want a dual monitor set-up, so any tips regarding that? I won't have much space in my dorm, so perhaps monitors without the bulky, plastic border?

Also, how hard is liquid cooling to install? Should I buy any fans and whatnot in addition to that?

Thanks!

[Gallus]

You don't need a 850W PSU. If you want a Seasonic PSU I suggest http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151094

[Crazyeyesreaper]

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG R1 Universal 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($128.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston Fury Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($218.46 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.23 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 780 3GB AMP! Edition Video Card ($459.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Nanoxia Deep Silence 1 ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($106.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $1596.13

If price is to high let me know.

[Gallus]

again 750W is way too much for a single GPU. Also, 1TB can be filled very quickly. If money is not a problem I suggest a 2TB hard drive. I've never heard of the cooler Crazyeyesreaper recommended but this is a top quality cooler and 20$ cheaper: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhd14

[Rebel Jeb]

I spoke to some of my friends about parts while we were out yesterday, so I think I gained a decent amount of understanding regarding what to look for.

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG R1 Universal 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($128.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston Fury Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($218.46 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.23 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 780 3GB AMP! Edition Video Card ($459.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Nanoxia Deep Silence 1 ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($106.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $1596.1

This is fine, price-wise. Incoming questions!

The CPU is exactly what I was looking at.

As for the cooler, why would I go for something like that (it has no reviews, too, which makes me cautious), over liquid cooling?

The motherboard is part of the series I was beginning to look at. Is it worth it to upgrade to one in the ~180 price range in the same series?

As for storage, I don't think I need such a large SSD. I was planning on just using a standard 2TB hard drive with a 120GB SSD for my OS. Would this not be better?

I know nothing about video cards besides the basic label (780, 780 ti, etc). What is the difference between the one I originally linked and that one? I don't have the guts to superclock my own, so should I go with the one I linked originally?

As for the case, I'm so torn between something like you linked and one of these:
Phantom
Throne

Can some people give me their thoughts on that?

750W seems good. I want something powerful enough to not have any problems, but I also want it to be good enough to handle potential upgrades a few years down the road as well.

Thanks!

[Gallus]

I spoke to some of my friends about parts while we were out yesterday, so I think I gained a decent amount of understanding regarding what to look for.

This is fine, price-wise. Incoming questions!

The CPU is exactly what I was looking at.

As for the cooler, why would I go for something like that (it has no reviews, too, which makes me cautious), over liquid cooling?

The motherboard is part of the series I was beginning to look at. Is it worth it to upgrade to one in the ~180 price range in the same series?

As for storage, I don't think I need such a large SSD. I was planning on just using a standard 2TB hard drive with a 120GB SSD for my OS. Would this not be better?

I know nothing about video cards besides the basic label (780, 780 ti, etc). What is the difference between the one I originally linked and that one? I don't have the guts to superclock my own, so should I go with the one I linked originally?

As for the case, I'm so torn between something like you linked and one of these:
Phantom
Throne

Can some people give me their thoughts on that?

750W seems good. I want something powerful enough to not have any problems, but I also want it to be good enough to handle potential upgrades a few years down the road as well.

Thanks!

I'll just quote myself:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhd14

It's a top class cooler. I'm generally against watercooling because it makes a mess, and Noctua air cooler will get the job done.

750W makes sense if you want to run SLI in the future, otherwise it's literary a waste of money. Buy it only if you are considering running two GPUs.

As for the mobo, buy the one that has all the features you need. There's no point in paying for features you won't use.

As for storage, if you can afford it (big if, most consider this a waste of money) I am a big fan of 2 SSDs and 1 2TB hard drive. 1 64GB SSD for system only and 1 256GB SSD for programs and games.

Can't comment on the cases, they are way too flashy for my taste.

[Crazyeyesreaper]

@ Rebel Jeb
AH the cooler does have reviews its probably the best air cooler on the market period in fact I myself reviewed it so you didnt look very hard
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/C.../R1_Universal/

It performs as good as Liquid coolers without the chance of failure,
It offers perfect memory compatibility which means any taller memory sticks can be used so stuff like Corsair Dominator platinums are usable if you wish.
With a third fan it manages to be 15 dBA quieter while being on par with the Corsair H105 while costing LESS. AIO-liquid coolers are great but they tend to be loud for maximum performance where as the CRYORIG R1 offers Noctua level build quality, Liquid cooling memory clearance costs less and can rival it performance wise. While it DOES block the top most expansion slot on some motherboards this wont impact you or your system build. Also upping the motherboard serves no purpose if you don't plan to overclock why pay for that feature set? If you dont overclock use a 4790 non K and can switch an H97 motherboard to save cash because if you can't overclock your pissing away money on features you won't use.

As for the GPU its one of the fastest GTX 780's available without tweaking cooler is solid if you want the EVGA buy that instead. But again I go performance / price when I did the part list the Zotac 780 AMP was cheaper and faster than the EVGA ACX you picked.

@ Gallus
The 750w PSU was picked because options for a true top quality product on Newegg etc were slim, and dropping to a solid gold rated PSU that uses all japan caps with a 5-7 year warranty at the 500w range saves MAYBE $20 on a $1500 build $20 is worthless to quibble over. Also keep in mind that at full load the 4790K if overclocked can hit around 120w + GPU overclocked is around 220w thats 350 not counting fans HDD SSD optical etc which while they use very little power puts the PSU load at around 50% when the system is heavily loaded this puts the 700-750w PSU at the Maximum efficiency range as well. There is also the fact that most systems with a 780 will hover around 380-400w usage most 500w PSUs tend to be 420-450 with a the 5v and 3.3v rails being used to reach the 500w point while this is fine for a high quality PSU mediocre units will encounter issues quicker and could result as time goes on due to capacitor aging bad power via old house brown outs etc putting to much strain. for $20 he has overhead better quality and some peace of mind.

As for cases you said you wanted quiet.

All PC components contribute noise the Nanoxia DS1 uses sound dampening material to keep noise levels down. On top of that it has easy slide out Fan filters on all the intakes making it easy to keep the system clean. Its probably one of the better cases I have had having tried out.
Cheiftech
Antec 300
Antec 900
NZXT Source 210
NZXT Phantom 530
Corsair 300R
Corsair 500R
Corsair 350D
Coolermaster HAF 912
Coolermaster HAF 932
Coolermaster Elite 530 I think it was???? can't remember
Xigmatek Asgard 2
Lian Li test bench
among others.

Looking at looks over features usually gets you a PC case so keep that in mind.

[PSYCHO V]

Is the Intel Core i7-4820K Ivy Bridge-E Quad-Core 3.7GHz better than the i7 4770K?

[Rebel Jeb]

You've convinced me on a lot. I'll speak to a friend about everything and get back to you with some final questions. Thanks and +rep so far!

[Rebel Jeb]

I purchased all of my parts, and most of it has come in. I did run into a problem, though. The cryorig CPU cooler is way, way too big for my case. Any other suggestions? I'm going to have to buy something else.

[Crazyeyesreaper]

What case did you end up getting?

Because the case I recommended would easily fit the Cryorig without issue.

[Rebel Jeb]

NZXT Phantom full-tower

[Crazyeyesreaper]

it SHOULD fit the NZXT Phantom states 170 mm heatsink clearance and the Noctua NH-D14 fits and its 165 mm tall the CRYORIG R1 is 168.3

[Rebel Jeb]

I think that is without the side fan though

[Crazyeyesreaper]

Then remove the side fan?

whats more important the 2c temp drop or the cost of a new heatsink

most fans are 25mm thick if the side fan is in the way then almost NO high end air cooler will fit. 170 - 25 = 145 mm of space.

[Rebel Jeb]

Then remove the side fan?

whats more important the 2c temp drop or the cost of a new heatsink

most fans are 25mm thick if the side fan is in the way then almost NO high end air cooler will fit. 170 - 25 = 145 mm of space.

Im idling at 35 is that expected?

[Crazyeyesreaper]

depending on ambient yes.'

I test with ambient temps at 21 C or 70F give or take a few degrees and most coolers idle at 31'C

so if your 22 or 23C ambient expect 33-34C.

All that matters is load temps to test load temps

grab AIDA64 beta http://www.aida64.com/downloads

choose the newest beta version

install it run it then at the top go to tool > system stability test > select CPU / FPU / System Memory and Cache are all selected let it run for 15-20 minutes

As long as your temps are below 90C your fine and will never encounter an issue.