New Gaming/Living room PC Build

[AitchP]

My last PC purchase was a laptop about 4 years ago and last new build was probably 6 years ago; so I'm a little rusty, but looking to build a good gaming machine with a view to using it as a living room PC. I'd like to be able to move it around my house with little effort if need be, so I've chosen a slightly smaller form factor.

I just wanted to make sure I'm not making any glaringly obvious mistakes and to see if there are any tweaks or hints that could help me get more out of the system.

Originally I was wrestling with the idea of getting a 4670K build with 8 GB of Ram and a mid-range motherboard, but I've settled on:

CPU - Intel Core i7-4770K.
CPU COOLER - Corsair H55 Hydro Series.
RAM - 16GB (2x8GB) Corsair DDR3 Vengeance Pro Series Red.
MOBO - Asus MAXIMUS VI GENE, Intel Z87 (mATX).
GFX - 2GB EVGA GTX 770 ACX.
PSU - 750W Corsair CXM Builder series.
SSD - 120GB Samsung 840 EVO.
HDD - 1TB WD WD10EZRX Caviar Green.
CASE - Bitfenix Prodigy M.

I realise I don't really need the 750W power supply, but I put it in with the view of going SLI when games later require a bit more bang!

How does everyone think this will hold up?

[Marcvs]

I saw a 4GB GTX770 for like £235 yesterday, which maybe a good option

[GeorgeStorm]

My last PC purchase was a laptop about 4 years ago and last new build was probably 6 years ago; so I'm a little rusty, but looking to build a good gaming machine with a view to using it as a living room PC. I'd like to be able to move it around my house with little effort if need be, so I've chosen a slightly smaller form factor.

I just wanted to make sure I'm not making any glaringly obvious mistakes and to see if there are any tweaks or hints that could help me get more out of the system.

Originally I was wrestling with the idea of getting a 4670K build with 8 GB of Ram and a mid-range motherboard, but I've settled on:

CPU - Intel Core i7-4770K.
CPU COOLER - Corsair H55 Hydro Series.
RAM - 16GB (2x8GB) Corsair DDR3 Vengeance Pro Series Red.
MOBO - Asus MAXIMUS VI GENE, Intel Z87 (mATX).
GFX - 2GB EVGA GTX 770 ACX.
PSU - 750W Corsair CXM Builder series.
SSD - 120GB Samsung 840 EVO.
HDD - 1TB WD WD10EZRX Caviar Green.
CASE - Bitfenix Prodigy M.

I realise I don't really need the 750W power supply, but I put it in with the view of going SLI when games later require a bit more bang!

How does everyone think this will hold up?

Since I'm guessing you have quite a decent budget I would get a far bigger SSD, at least 240gb.
The 4670k would be fine, and if you're not overclocking you can get rid of the k (and the higher end motherboard)

[AitchP]

Thanks for the replies. I think the 4GB GTX770 and a larger SSD are both good shouts.

I am thinking of overclocking and have read reams of articles, reviews and benchmarks, but what I really want to know is - do people think the hyper-threading, clock rate and L3 cache provided by the i7-4770K is worth shelling out extra for, or am I better off sticking with a 4670K and using the money for a build later down the line, some Broadwell derivative?

[jimbob9713]

Not sure if the Corsair CX series are that great (although the modulars may be different). I used to have one in and I got the occasional black screen in the game and it looked as if it was about to crash, before going back to normal (or rarely the PC would shut off). This stopped when I replaced it.

There is a tiered list of Power Supplies and brands somewhere (TomsHardware or Eggxpert, but not sure how current they are). From memory, the CX series is in Tier 3.

The Antec, Seasonic and XFX ones are mostly all meant to be good.

[AitchP]

After poking around the PSU sub forum I think I'll go with the Seasonic G series 550W, as I think I will end up replacing my GPU rather than taking the SLI route.

[shaithis]

Thanks for the replies. I think the 4GB GTX770 and a larger SSD are both good shouts.

I am thinking of overclocking and have read reams of articles, reviews and benchmarks, but what I really want to know is - do people think the hyper-threading, clock rate and L3 cache provided by the i7-4770K is worth shelling out extra for, or am I better off sticking with a 4670K and using the money for a build later down the line, some Broadwell derivative?

Stick with the i5 unless you are going to run BF4 with a second 770.....and hell, by the time you get to the point of wanting to add a second card (if ever) dx12 will probably be common place and the need for the i7 disappears again.
BF4 is by far the most CPU-taxing game I've seen and my Ivybridge i5 still only maxes at 85% @ 4GHz while running a GTX780.

[MrJim]

My only thought was that with the Haswell refresh processors due in Q2, if it were my money I'd probably wait. But as ever with the PC market, there'll always be something better 'just around the corner'

[herulach]

My only thought was that with the Haswell refresh processors due in Q2, if it were my money I'd probably wait. But as ever with the PC market, there'll always be something better 'just around the corner'

This,
but also a H55 (unless its changed a lot from the H50/80) is definitely not living room quiet with stock fans.

[AitchP]

My problem is that because I haven't built a machine for quite a few years, I haven't been able to play the games I've wanted to play for a while now. So I'm willing to take the hit on Broadwell and Haswell refreshes, in favour of getting to play games now!

What I'm chewing over is, for the extra ~£250 is the i7 4770K, 16GB Ram & GTX 780 worth it over the i5 4670K, 8 GB Ram & GTX 770?

I know that in all likelihood, I won't use the i7 to 16GB the max, but would it offer any future proofing?

With D12 and DDR4 on the horizon, I guess I'm a little unlucky with the time at which I'm choosing to upgrade!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Are you definitely going to overclock the CPU and do you really need SLI support??

TBH,a Xeon E3 1230 and a R9 280X would do the job at 1920X1080.

[AitchP]

Definitely will overclock CPU and because I'm a lame Nvidia fan boy and also a GFX programmer by trade (might do some programming projects on this machine in my spare time, not that this would throw up major issues), I'd like to stick with Nvidia.

[herulach]

My problem is that because I haven't built a machine for quite a few years, I haven't been able to play the games I've wanted to play for a while now. So I'm willing to take the hit on Broadwell and Haswell refreshes, in favour of getting to play games now!

What I'm chewing over is, for the extra ~£250 is the i7 4770K, 16GB Ram & GTX 780 worth it over the i5 4670K, 8 GB Ram & GTX 770?

I know that in all likelihood, I won't use the i7 to 16GB the max, but would it offer any future proofing?

With D12 and DDR4 on the horizon, I guess I'm a little unlucky with the time at which I'm choosing to upgrade!

Probably not. 4670K, especially overclocked should be able to easily keep up with anything even a 780 can. Assuming you're staying at 1080 (or even 1440) then 4670 + 290 (non standard cooler) should split the difference quite nicely. 280X/770 will be fine provided you're happy backing off some of the ultra settings on some games.

[GeorgeStorm]

I'd recommend saving the money and going for the 4670k. You could probably go cheaper and still have no problems.

[AitchP]

Thanks for all of your help everyone, it's much appreciated. I think I will be going with:

CPU - Intel Core i7-4670K.
CPU COOLER - Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO.
RAM - 8GB (2x4GB) Corsair DDR3 Vengeance Pro Series Red.
MOBO - Asus MAXIMUS VI GENE, Intel Z87 (mATX).
GFX - 2GB EVGA GTX 770 ACX.
PSU - 550W Seasonic G-550.
SSD - 250GB Samsung 840 EVO Basic.
HDD - 1TB WD WD10EZRX Caviar Green.
CASE - Bitfenix Prodigy M.

Which comes out at ~£1100 with OS, can't wait to put in the order on scan!

[LenMargaux]

Hi AitchP
Can you wait for a few months? Like third or fourth quarter of the year?
The Intel Z97 motherboards are on there way already. And the 5th generation Intel processors are expected to be released at Q4 of the year.
If you are not in a hurry, I suggest wait for the Z97 motherboards. According to Intel the next generation processors are not compatible with the current Z87 motherboards.