My Second Build

[Zeven]

Hello! It would be most kind if you could look at my second build and provide advice. Thank you very much.

CPU - Intel Core i5-4670K

CPU Cooler - Alpenföhn Gotthard

Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-Z87-D3HP

GPU - Sapphire Radeon R9 290X Tri-X OC, 4GB GDDR5

RAM - 2 x Crucial Ballistix Sports XT DIMM kit 8GB, DDR3-1866

PSU - Fractal Design Newton R3 800W

Case - Nanoxia Deep Silence 6 Dark Black Window

I intend to use the 2 HDDs, 1 SSD, and the operating system from my first build, and I have already bought the RAM as well. The items I feel iffy about are the motherboard and the PSU. Is there a better motherboard I could buy for a similar price? I don't think I will ever go for Nvidia SLI or AMD CrossFire but it doesn't hurt to have the option. Is the PSU wattage adequate? I was thinking that if I ever get another one of those GPUs, that will only leave 300 watts for the remainder of the system. That doesn't sound like enough!

So, what do you guys say?

[Domestic_Ginger]

A 2500k overclocked should start hitting 5ghz if I'm not mistaken. Overclocking a 4670 will reach what; about 4.5 tops. Performance wise; I'm not sure its worth it unless you need a specific instruction set or improvement.

8gb ram, 650w psu, nice case; I think you're set.

I would just get the 290x and think about watercooling maybe if needed to burn some cash.

[Zeven]

A 2500k overclocked should start hitting 5ghz if I'm not mistaken. Overclocking a 4670 will reach what; about 4.5 tops. Performance wise; I'm not sure its worth it unless you need a specific instruction set or improvement.

8gb ram, 650w psu, nice case; I think you're set.

I would just get the 290x and think about watercooling maybe if needed to burn some cash.

To be honest, I want to sell my current system and go for something entirely new. No inhibitions.

[herulach]

To be honest, I want to sell my current system and go for something entirely new. No inhibitions.

Which is fine, provided that you realise you're spending money for no real benefit. You'd get a lot more value out of a decent CPU cooler and two R9 290s.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

There won't be a massive benefit IMHO moving to a Haswell CPU especially with an overclocked Core i5 2500K.

If I were you I would wait for 14NM Skylake next year and we will probably see DDR4 RAM starting to enter mainstream too.

[Dizzee]

Your selecting a top blow cooler with a case that doesn't have a side vent. Any reason for it? I'd have thought a top-blow cooler would be more effective on a htpc setup

[Willzzz]

A 2500k overclocked should start hitting 5ghz if I'm not mistaken. Overclocking a 4670 will reach what; about 4.5 tops. Performance wise; I'm not sure its worth it unless you need a specific instruction set or improvement.

Since he owns it already, why not just ask him what he gets.
Assuming that every 2500k will hit 5ghz is not correct.

There is no doubt that a 4670K will offer more performance, the question is more whether he needs extra CPU performance. Probably not.

[Zeven]

Which is fine, provided that you realise you're spending money for no real benefit. You'd get a lot more value out of a decent CPU cooler and two R9 290s.

I suppose I am aware of that. It's just that right now I have the money and the time i.e. the planets have aligned!

There won't be a massive benefit IMHO moving to a Haswell CPU especially with an overclocked Core i5 2500K.

If I were you I would wait for 14NM Skylake next year and we will probably see DDR4 RAM starting to enter mainstream too.

2015? I can't wait that long, and right now there's a window of opportunity for me.

Your selecting a top blow cooler with a case that doesn't have a side vent. Any reason for it? I'd have thought a top-blow cooler would be more effective on a htpc setup

It's quite a good CPU cooler. I am doing it mostly for spacial reasons as my RAM isn't exactly low profile (although it isn't high profile either). I looked at several reviews and some other CPU coolers I was considering (like the Phanteks PH-TC14PE) might block a RAM slot. I just wanted to be 100% sure since I will be using all 4 RAM slots.

In addition, aren't side vents meant to suck cool air in while the kind of CPU cooler I selected is meant to suck hot air out? That, plus the CPU cooler would be positioned much higher than the side vent for the case I chose if I were to go for the windowless version.

Since he owns it already, why not just ask him what he gets.
Assuming that every 2500k will hit 5ghz is not correct.

There is no doubt that a 4670K will offer more performance, the question is more whether he needs extra CPU performance. Probably not.

I probably don't, agreed. I just want to build an entirely new PC while I can currently so I am just asking you guys to double check if I made any mistakes pertaining to compatability.

[Zeven]

I have been advsied to look into water cooling and am now considering the Corsair H110. I'd fasten the radiator to the mounting bracket on the HDD cage but I'll have to do more research on the matter. I assume I could fit any 140mm fans to the rad. Going down the water cooling route looks like a massive space saver so I would be able to get all my RAM in, plus my case has plenty of space and support for water cooling.