PC Build for environment art and engine work.

SaboR1996

I need help building a PC, as its my first build I need all the help I can get as well as get the most bang for my buck whilst having great performance whilst working in engines.

This is what I have so far, It's probably a bit overkill so I need advice.

Case: BitFenix Prodigy M MATX Cube Case - Arctic White £65

GPU: GeForce GTX 970 "NVIDIA 970 Cooler Edition" 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £335
or
GeForce GTX 970 OC Silent "Infinity Black Edition" 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £300

CPU: Intel Core i7 4790 Quad Core Professional Processor (3.60GHz) £240

PSU: Corsair CS450M 450W £50

Motherboard: Asus H81I-PLUS £55

Ram: Kingston HyperX Savage Red 16GB £150

CPU Cooler: Corsair H55 CPU Cooler £50

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium x64

HDD & SDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB (HDD) £64 & Kingston HyperX 3K SSD 120GB £60

Total cost:£1140

Joost

You might want to consider a 250gb SSD and I'd personally go with WD for your hdd. I've heard Seagate is quite unreliable.

Any reason you're going for mini itx? That motherboard doesn't seem great.

beefaroni

I'd probably go M-ATX at the minimum in-case you want to add pci-ports, something else in the future. I don't have too much time but make sure that the mobo supports up to 32GB of ram. Some are capped at 16GB.

Also I agree with the 256GB SSD. While programs may not eat up all of the 120GB, the temp files for photoshop, quicksave for zbrush, etc can eat up a lot of room. It's a bit easier to deal with if you have the extra headroom of 250-256GB and aren't always having to run CCleaner to clear out temp files.

SaboR1996

I was only really going to put my OS and drivers on my SSD, Was going to keep programs for my HDD, and Seagate is very unreliable, my 1TB one only lasted about 1 year and a half, it was just a price estimate, as I said its my first build, I'm trying to keep the price relatively low and that was the cheapest motherboard that was the correct chipset, I did have this build set up on PC Specialist just to make sure stuff was compatible.

These problems are why I come to Polycount in the first place

But if anyone knows of a good mobo that uses a 1150 socket, please chuck it down and help me out , I'll keep searching, I am trying to keep it under £1200, Personally I want it to be under £1000 but at the moment I am just going with almost top of the line on CPU and GPU which is eating my budget away.

Also ASUS vs Gigabyte. Help me out, I seriously don't know what motherboards are good and what isnt.

Joost

You could go with the stock cpu cooler for now and upgrade later if you think it's necessary.
Spend the £50 on a bigger SSD imo.
you can get this one for £90

[ame="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-2-5-inch-Basic-Solid-State/dp/B00E3W16OU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420856187&sr=8-3&keywords=samsung+pro+evo"]Samsung 840 EVO 1TB 2.5-inch Basic SATA Solid State Drive: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories[/ame]

EarthQuake

Yeah go with the stock fan, only buy another fan if you actually need it (if the noise bothers you or if you're going to OC, but ocing a CPU like this is just overkill). Most of the fans that ship with higher end intel cpus are perfectly fine unless you're trying to build a totally silent system.

I would get at least a 250GB ssd, prices for SSDs are really quite reasonable these days and the EVO linked above is a very good choice.

Punio

Agreed, I recently built my own rig and I went with the smaller ssd for the boot drive, Samsung 850 evo pro. I suggest a 2tb hybrid ssd for the secondary drive, they're a lot cheaper and will do the job.

SaboR1996

This solves my hard drive space problem, still doesn't solve the motherboard issue

Joost

This would be a good option for ATX [ame="https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASRock-Z87-EXTREME4-Motherboard-Generation/dp/B00CZXYH8G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420893363&sr=8-1&keywords=z87+extreme+4#productDetails"]z87 extreme 4 [/ame]

unless you're planning on moving it around a lot I'd just get an ATX case.

SaboR1996

Question: How important are side and front vents, I'm trying to pick out a case which isn't plastered with LEDs but still has relatively decent fans, I also am trying to avoid a case that looks like Megatrons left ass cheek.

ZacD

I went with the Tj08-e because it's small, quiet, and has good cooling. The CPU has great cooling options, but the GPU does get a bit hotter than normal due to being inverted. The Prodigy seemed like a much worse option.

Target_Renegade

I'd get a 512GB SSD, I've got 256GB and it's down to 30GB, bad performance when the free storage get's low, I remember there was a feature somewhere - maybe Tom's Hardware outlining this, and also here?

Bearing in mind that I have Guild Wars 2, Battlefield 4, Divinity and Frontier Elite Dangerous on there, as well as Unity, Visual Studio (Desktop and Web) UDK and other libraries that use a lot of space. Not bad considering - all TV, audio, images / photos are on regular drives - Western Digitals, not failed me yet.

SaboR1996

Target_Renegade wrote: »

I'd get a 512GB SSD, I've got 256GB and it's down to 30GB, bad performance when the free storage get's low, I remember there was a feature somewhere - maybe Tom's Hardware outlining this, and also here?

Bearing in mind that I have Guild Wars 2, Battlefield 4, Divinity and Frontier Elite Dangerous on there, as well as Unity, Visual Studio (Desktop and Web) UDK and other libraries that use a lot of space. Not bad considering - all TV, audio, images / photos are on regular drives - Western Digitals, not failed me yet.

I really just want to keep my SSD for OS, drivers and possible Zbrush/max/photoshop, but that is literally all I want my SSD for, I'm fine with games loading from HDD because I am used to it.

SaboR1996

ZacD wrote: »

I went with the Tj08-e because it's small, quiet, and has good cooling. The CPU has great cooling options, but the GPU does get a bit hotter than normal due to being inverted. The Prodigy seemed like a much worse option.

The prodigy was my first option, but since I am now going with an ATX motherboard, I have to find a decent case that doesn't look like megatrons left ass cheek

Punio

Target_Renegade wrote: »

I'd get a 512GB SSD, I've got 256GB and it's down to 30GB, bad performance when the free storage get's low

Bear in mind the larger ssds also generate slower data transfer speeds if you look at the current benchmarks; anything over 256GB.

I know the Fractal Design R4/5 are decent. I have the NZXT h630 silent tower and the temperatures are good

m4dcow

I would also go for the 4790k, usually if you aren't overclocking it wouldn't make sense to go with the K processor, but the base clock of the 4790k is 4ghz vs 3.6ghz of the 4790. It isn't that large of a price difference either.

Target_Renegade

Benchmarks are one thing, it depends how you're going to feel when you get to the point when you definitely need to get a higher capacity HDD SSD.

SaboR1996

I think I may have found a case which is pretty decent from what I saw of a build, considering it had about 8 fans it still seemed quiet. http://www.dabs.com/products/corsair-carbide-series-500r-mid-tower-gaming-chassis--white-7LGH.html?src=3

or

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-093-AE&groupid=2362&catid=2277
Any opinions on this? or anything similar but cheaper.

SaboR1996

I made some changes, like taking advice on what you guys have said, now I just have to find a case at around £60 to keep my budget of £1200

MB: ASRock Z87 EXTREME4 Motherboard £105

GPU: GeForce GTX 970 "NVIDIA 970 Cooler Edition: £335

CPU: Intel Core i7 4790 Quad Core Professional Processor (3.60GHz) £240

SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 250gb SSD: £90

HDD: WD 2TB HDD: £60

PUS: EVGA SuperNova G1 650W (Modular): £70

RAM: Kingston HyperX Savage Red 16GB £150

Joost

You should be able to find a good gtx 970 for under 300. I got the MSI version for 270. I'd also maybe spend a bit more and get the i7 4790K, like m4dcow said.

That ram is £124 on amazon as well.

Corsair cases are great, don't know about the other one.

Here's a few case suggestions:

[ame="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CC-9011050-WW-Carbide-SPEC-01-Mid-Tower/dp/B00I6BJATW/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1420942211&sr=1-3"]Corsair CC-9011050-WW Carbide Series SPEC-01 Mid-Tower ATX Gaming Case with Red LED Fan - Black: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories[/ame]

[ame="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CC-9011058-WW-Carbide-SPEC-03-Windowed/dp/B00LITHMRG/ref=sr_1_36?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1420942450&sr=1-36"]Corsair CC-9011058-WW Carbide Series SPEC-03 Windowed Mid Tower ATX Gaming Case with LED Fan - Black/Blue: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories[/ame]

[ame="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zalman-Z11-Plus-Installation-Anti-Vibration/dp/B007C008L2/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1420942198&sr=1-2"]Zalman Z11 Plus Midi Tower Case (ATX, M-ATX, Supports Bottom PSU Installation and Aperture for Cable Management, Anti-Vibration Rubber Stand): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories[/ame]

[ame="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-Carbide-Series-CC-9011014-WW-Mid-Tower/dp/B006I2H0YS/ref=sr_1_11?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1420942198&sr=1-11"]Corsair Carbide Series 300R CC-9011014-WW Mid-Tower Gaming Case: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories[/ame]

[ame="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coolermaster-Storm-Enforcer-Tower-Case/dp/B004S9S218/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1420942668&sr=8-8"]Coolermaster Storm Enforcer Mid Tower ATX Case: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories[/ame]

SaboR1996

I went with overclockers UK when I was just finding the parts that I wanted, I will probably dig around for better prices and hopefully try lower my cost to around 1000-1100

DrunkShaman

http://pcpartpicker.com/

This should help you out. This is what I use for my PC builds and upgrades.

That being said; Why CS450 / G1 650, why not RM 750? Since you are going for i7 4790 anyways?

I would suggest going with the lower spec if you are going to use the stated PSU, and especially if you are going to use your pc for environment arts and engine work.

*Removed*

EDIT: Damn it! They took it off. Sorry. I could've sworn I saw it there when I was working on the build to upgrade my pc...

SaboR1996

I used PC specialist when I first made my build, but obviously had to rework it because now going ATX rather than ITC, I changed CPU because when I was reading reviews of certain corsair PSUs I was reading that the fail rate seemed high, I have never had a corsair PSU, or any of it, I am just going through reviews and anything like that which sticks out e.g. fail rate, I kind of steer away from it.

Also, the 4770k and the 4790k Isn't that much of a price difference. and I cant seem to find a regular i7-4770k that is 4.0Ghz which isn't overclocked.
its about a £30 price difference between the 2.

DrunkShaman

SaboR1996 wrote: »

I used PC specialist when I first made my build, but obviously had to rework it because now going ATX rather than ITC, I changed CPU because when I was reading reviews of certain corsair PSUs I was reading that the fail rate seemed high, I have never had a corsair PSU, or any of it, I am just going through reviews and anything like that which sticks out e.g. fail rate, I kind of steer away from it.

Also, the 4770k and the 4790k Isn't that much of a price difference. and I cant seem to find a regular i7-4770k that is 4.0Ghz which isn't overclocked.
its about a £30 price difference between the 2.

Ya; I didnt realize they took it off.

I was trying to advise you to worry about the PSU, GFX, RAM and storage and if you want it to be 450W, it is "OK" to get a lesser model of the intel i7. (Although; I would recommend atleast 750W PSU.) I have Corsair HX 650 650W and I would recommend it, because so far it hasnt shown any signs of failure.

Dave Jr

SaboR1996 wrote: »

I went with overclockers UK when I was just finding the parts that I wanted, I will probably dig around for better prices and hopefully try lower my cost to around 1000-1100

If you wouldn't mind, could you post links to the components? I want to build a desktop but have 0 hardware knowledge and worry about what fits with what and where lol.

SaboR1996

Nitewalkr wrote: »

Ya; I didnt realize they took it off.

I was trying to advise you to worry about the PSU, GFX, RAM and storage and if you want it to be 450W, it is "OK" to get a lesser model of the intel i7. (Although; I would recommend atleast 750W PSU.) I have Corsair HX 650 650W and I would recommend it, because so far it hasnt shown any signs of failure.

I was originally looking at 450w as the build only required about 372w of power, but after watching various build videos I saw people used higher watt PSUs, I was going to go for the CX750M by Corsair, but the RM750M is a tad cheaper for me.

Dave Jr wrote: »

If you wouldn't mind, could you post links to the components? I want to build a desktop but have 0 hardware knowledge and worry about what fits with what and where lol.

The only reason I knew what was compatible was by going to http://www.PCspecialist.co.uk or http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/ They both tell you if you have any errors when you go to buy it, But if you are going to build buy it separately and save yourself the £50 or so build charge and then I went to overclockers UK and Amazon.co.uk to check pricing of individual components