Published on February 11, 2015 By Island Dog In Personal Computing

You might have seen me mention it before, but my current main/gaming PC is around 7 years old.  I really can’t complain though, because it has lasted and really hasn’t caused any problems until now.  I built it then for around $600 or so, and it is the main PC I work with and play games on.  The past couple of months it has been difficult to start and keep running efficiently, so it’s time to start looking at a new build.

In a previous post I mentioned I was looking at a Mini-ITX system with a Corsair Carbide case, but after reading about many of the issues people were having with fitting a GeForce GTX 970 in them, I decided to find something different.  Yes, it could be done, but I don’t to worry about the hassles with it.

After more research and watching YouTube videos on it, I decided and purchased a NZXT S340 mid-tower case.  It has lots of room, great cable management, simple design, and really doesn’t take up that much room.

Photo Dec 21, 3 43 07 PM


Now for the rest of build:

The basic estimate for all this is around $1000.  I don’t think it’s too extravagant or expensive for what I’m going for.  The most expensive part is the video card, and while I could have gone cheaper I see no reason to as this is my main PC and what I will be gaming on for a while.

Right now I only have the case, so next is planning on how to acquire everything else and get it put together.

 

Update: Build is done!

I started the build on Friday night and spent several hours putting it together.  Just took my time to make sure everything was right, and it came together fine.

Spent the rest of the weekend getting Windows setup and getting the most important apps installed and data moved over to the new PC. 

Photo Feb 06, 9 35 22 PM

Photo Feb 06, 10 21 24 PM

Photo Feb 11, 1 50 54 PM


Comments (Page 1)
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on Jan 07, 2015

Congrats. Very nice case, good choice (at least from aesthetical POV). I think you should go with bigger SSD. Over here they sell Kingston 240GB for 99 EUROs these days, if its similar in US, thats just 20 bucks more for 2x the capacity. 

on Jan 07, 2015

ID what brand and model of the GTX970 did you get? NVM didnt see that evyrthing is linked -Good choice btw

about many of the issues people were having with fitting a GeForce GTX 970 in them
[/quote]
Yupp I have a medium Tower (LL) and i had to get rid of the quick locks to fit mine in.
Never had trouble before with GTX260-670 until i got the Monster

[quote who="Timmaigh" reply="1" id="3515191"]
Kingston 240GB for 99 EUROs these days, if its similar in US, thats just 20 bucks more for 2x the capacity. 

I could be wrong but his choice could have to do with the chip aswell as the controller.
The Kingston uses the Sandforce controller and MLC chip while Samsung uses MEX controller and TLC chip + the Samsung has better speeds to show.
The Evo 250GB is 117,- euros currently while HyperX Fury is at 104,- decent price though for both

on Jan 07, 2015

I'd really make sure of the power supply...

on Jan 07, 2015

benmanns

ID what brand and model of the GTX970 did you get? NVM didnt see that evyrthing is linked -Good choice btw


I haven't purchased anything but the case yet, but that's the card I mostly settled for unless something similar goes on a decent sale or something like that when it comes time to purchase. 

on Jan 07, 2015

Island Dog


Quoting benmanns,

ID what brand and model of the GTX970 did you get? NVM didnt see that evyrthing is linked -Good choice btw




I haven't purchased anything but the case yet, but that's the card I mostly settled for unless something similar goes on a decent sale or something like that when it comes time to purchase. 



If you care about noise, MSI and Asus are top rated and both a little OC maybee you can grab one for a decent price.
Like the DOC said a larger PSU would be better 750W should be enough
Since Nvidia already states that Minimum system Power Requirement is 500W on reference models, so depending what else you will hook up it would be better to take a larger one.
 

on Jan 08, 2015

What Doc and Benmanns said, you should go with a bigger PSU... it's better to have excess power than not enough, and if you do upgrade  your CPU or other components at any time, then a 600w may be cutting it very close

the other thing I'd do is go with a bigger SSD also.  A 120 gig would also be cutting it fine by the time you load the OS, your programs and a game or two, and there really needs to be some excess room for the drive to run efficiently.

Other than that... NICE!!!!! 

on Jan 08, 2015

what are the chances of skylake appearing at the end of this year for desktops? trying to wait till then...

on Jan 08, 2015

ID, yes....the PSU is the 'heart' of a computer....if it doesn't pump the watts yer screwed....but you have one half of a pair of bookends...

You don't 'need' my choice of a 1200 ....but 6 doesn't cut it...not with high-end graphic cards....yes, smaller architecture means less juice....but it's all relative...

Think around 800.

At the moment I can't help enjoying the silence of a PSU that isn't taxed enough to require its fan to run.

OK....it will be....once I'm pushing Res Evil at 250 fps [or similar] ... but more commonly it's all quiet and cool...

on Jan 08, 2015

Ok, I'll definitely increase the PSU.  As far as the SDD and HD goes, I'm going to get as big as I can in that budget when it comes times to purchase.

 

on Jan 08, 2015

Great choice on the tower. Here's my NZXT that I have had for a few years now. Very good quality towers.

 

NZXT Tower

on Jan 08, 2015

Another option just came in, sure it is far from a gaming rig but it is portable and doesnt take much space
Intel compute stick, all you need is a screen a HDMI cable mouse and keyboard
 might get one myself always wanted a PC in USB size.

on Jan 08, 2015


ID, yes....the PSU is the 'heart' of a computer....if it doesn't pump the watts yer screwed....but you have one half of a pair of bookends...

You don't 'need' my choice of a 1200 ....but 6 doesn't cut it...not with high-end graphic cards....yes, smaller architecture means less juice....but it's all relative...

Think around 800.

At the moment I can't help enjoying the silence of a PSU that isn't taxed enough to require its fan to run.

OK....it will be....once I'm pushing Res Evil at 250 fps [or similar] ... but more commonly it's all quiet and cool...

 

So I strongly disagree with this advice. Basically you want to peg your PSU as close to peak system wattage as possible. Unless you don't care about your power bill, or the earth.

You don't need 800Watts unless you're running like four of these cards in parallel. You don't even need 600W.

Try this: http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

which is saying you could squeak by with a 400W PSU.

What you need to keep in mind here, is that the more wattage your PSU can handle the more energy it wastes when you're not at peak usage (which, with a 600W PSU will be anytime the computer is running! ).

Split the baby, get a really high-end 450/500W PSU and be happy, save money, save the earth, and enjoy a nice stable system for many years to come.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139058

 

on Jan 08, 2015

You 'peg your PSU as close to peak system wattage as possible' and you'll be running at max capacity and quaintly adding to global warming and fan noise pollution.....fine if you live in a cold environment and you need a room heater - I don't.

You might better be served comparing consumption vs output, and if you are ever into overclocking....just check the increased demands on stable supply.

3 computer generations ago I was already using a 550.

Minimum listed PSU requirement for my 980 is 500watt ....and that's 'minimum'.  If you add a second it'll be a further 165 ...and this MoBo has 5 PCIes ... and nothing's mentioned re any 'over spec'/more-than-average HD numbers... peripherals...fans....or what CPU specifically...

Headroom is mandatory, as it is with HD space. [fill up your 'C' above 80% and watch your performance die - you'll have plenty of time] ...

ID's machine specs aren't quite as power-hungry, hence 800 vs 12.

If you don't cater for potential upgrade and/or overclock then all you are doing is ultimately buying TWO PSUs...and impacting on the environment materially....

on Jan 08, 2015

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

Just for 'fun' I ran my specs through this one .... assuming SLI [which I am yet to add] and lo and behold...

There's the results:-

Minimum PSU Wattage: 989 W
 Recommended
 PSU Wattage:
 *

Power Supply Wattage ResultsPower Supply Wattage ResultsPower Supply Wattage ResultsPower Supply Wattage ResultsPower Supply Wattage Results

 

on Jan 08, 2015

Oh...[couldn't add due to copy-paste] the suggested PSU ....

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Professional-Digital-Modular-Platinum/dp/B008Q7HUR0/ref=as_sl_pd_wdgt_ex?&linkCode=wey&tag=psu1200w-20

...and surprise...it's the EXACT same one I'd bought...

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