Future-proof build

[Canary Wundaboy]

Hi All,

I'm looking into buying (and building!) a new rig, the aim is to buy a functioning high-spec PC where I can double the RAM/add another GPU/add sound card etc at a later date. Therefore I'm looking at high-quality components that can be overclocked and added to later on down the line.

I already have my case, a Phantom 410. So now the question is what to add to that. I haven't included screen/mouse/keyboard etc nor am I focusing on extra case fans/lighting etc at this stage, I just want to get an idea of compatibility. With that in mind, this is what I've put together:

KFA2 GeForce GTX 760 EX OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - OEM
Samsung 250GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE250BW)
Patriot Venom Red 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (PV316G240C0KRD)
MSI Z87-G45 Gaming Series Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard
Corsair Professional Series HX+ 750W '80+ Gold' Modular Power Supply (CP-9020031-UK)
Corsair Hydro H100 Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler *Manufacturer Refurbished Unit - 90 Day Guarantee
OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM

The thought process is that I can double the RAM, SLI the graphics card and add a sound card if required all at a later date (and extra storage, goes without saying). The question is, would this base be enough to keep a system going for 4-5 years? I'm worried about compatibility etc so would like people with more 'know' to go over it for me.

I would be using it for gaming and running virtual machines while I work towards my IT server certifications.

Thanks in advance!

 

[snips86x]

Few suggestions:

Change the 760 to a 770/7950, there are a few 7970's @ £239 at the moment
Motherboard, I would recommend something a bit better, like a Gigabyte Z87-D3HP or a Gigabyte Z87X-D3H
Change the PSU for the new RM model, it's newer, gold rated and cheaper
Get some replacement fans for the H100, SP120's would do it.

 

[Doomedspeed]

Hi there,

Id personally go a bit more like this:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £239.99
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £197.99
1 x Patriot Venom Red 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-14900C10 1866MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (PV316G186C0KRD) £129.95
1 x MSI Z87-G45 Gaming Series Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £124.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H100i High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler £103.99
1 x Antec High Current Gamer 750W Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (0-761345-06223-7) £99.95
1 x Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW) £84.95
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £19.99
Total : £1,013.80 (includes shipping : £10.00).

• Much Better GPU
• PSU is seasonic Made
• Can get a bigger SSD if you wish

 

[Canary Wundaboy]

Few suggestions:

Change the 760 to a 770/7950, there are a few 7970's @ £239 at the moment
Motherboard, I would recommend something a bit better, like a Gigabyte Z87-D3HP or a Gigabyte Z87X-D3H
Change the PSU for the new RM model, it's newer, gold rated and cheaper
Get some replacement fans for the H100, SP120's would do it.

Hi Snips,
Is there a tangible benefit to getting the 7970 for that price over the GTX760 at £210? I've always had good experiences with the Nvidia cards and the 760 series is brand new isn't it? I've also heard that Nvidia's SLI is a more reliable feature that ATI's Crossfire, is that not the case?

Also, why would the Gigabyte motherboard be better? The specs on the MSI cover everything I thought I needed and is very well rated by places like Custom PC.

Good call on the PSU and the H100 fans, would prefer to get LED fans anyway!

Hi there,

Id personally go a bit more like this:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £239.99
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £197.99
1 x Patriot Venom Red 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-14900C10 1866MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (PV316G186C0KRD) £129.95
1 x MSI Z87-G45 Gaming Series Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £124.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H100i High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler £103.99
1 x Antec High Current Gamer 750W Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (0-761345-06223-7) £99.95
1 x Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW) £84.95
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £19.99
Total : £1,013.80 (includes shipping : £10.00).

• Much Better GPU
• PSU is seasonic Made
• Can get a bigger SSD if you wish

Firstly, how did you manage that list? Looks brilliant.

Second, is Seasonic a much better bet than Corsair for PSUs?

 

[snips86x]

Hi Snips,
Is there a tangible benefit to getting the 7970 for that price over the GTX760 at £210? I've always had good experiences with the Nvidia cards and the 760 series is brand new isn't it? I've also heard that Nvidia's SLI is a more reliable feature that ATI's Crossfire, is that not the case?

Also, why would the Gigabyte motherboard be better? The specs on the MSI cover everything I thought I needed and is very well rated by places like Custom PC.

Good call on the PSU and the H100 fans, would prefer to get LED fans anyway!


Firstly, how did you manage that list? Looks brilliant.

Second, is Seasonic a much better bet than Corsair for PSUs?

I prefer AMD cards as they tend (for me) to be more reliable, I've had nothing but issues with my nVidia range.

For the basket, you can use the Chrome Addon

Seasonic are the best PSU's on the market, they make the Seasonic, Antec and some Corsair units.

 

[Doomedspeed]

The AMD is better value ATM..

The HCG Antecs are seasonic made and the sub 750W HX+'s are aswell i think..

Personally the Antec HCG is a great product and a great price too.

 

[snips86x]

Sorry, didnt answer the 2nd bit of your question:

Also, why would the Gigabyte motherboard be better? The specs on the MSI cover everything I thought I needed and is very well rated by places like Custom PC.

Gigabyte has some really nice additional features like allowing you to charge your USB devices while the PC is switched off. (Not at the mains/PSU, in a shutdown state). You also get UK RMA which is a superb selling point and the majority of their budget board have very very good reviews & ratings.