Haswell partial new build

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4 Mar 2003
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37
Location
London
I'm planning on building a gaming focused PC (BF4, Arma3, Unreal, Tribes, Portal), using a mixture of new kit and bits and pieces from about four years ago when I killed my last PC and switched to a laptop. Some stuff is new to me (Windows 8, SSD storage), some just an evolution. Would appreciate any comments or suggestions:

MSI Z87-G45 Gaming Series Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard
I like MSI boards.

Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail
This retail version comes with a heatsink & fan which will be fine in an untweaked state?
I want to get the most powerful, up to date CPU without being extravagant. Although I've used AMD twice in the past I think an i5 is right this time.


Crucial Ballistix Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
or
TeamGroup Xtreem LV 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17000C11 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit
Crucial have never let me down, and I've never heard of TeamGroup.

Kingston 120GB SSDNow V300 Drive SATA 6Gb/s 3 2.5" (7mm height) Solid State Hard Drive
I planning on installing the operating system on this and maybe a few apps. I've got a SATA hard disk which is currently acting as external storage for my laptop.


Microsoft Windows 8 64-Bit DVD - OEM
I think this is the best for gaming, latest DX and improved hardware handling (pity about the interface). Does it matter which version of Win8 I get if I'm planning on installing / unistalling more than once?


I'm going to try and use my old PSU: Enermax Infiniti 720w.

To start with I'll be using my old Radeon HD 4970 and upgrading in a few months.

I'm going to stick with my old keyboard, mouse, screens, big case, DVD writer.

I'm not going to overclock to start with. I've never used more than one graphics card but open minded.

Mainly looking for incompatibility issues, something I've forgotten, or alternatives for around the same price. There's no hard budget, but I'm spacing out upgrading the graphics card and screen so it matters a bit.

Thanks
 
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The crucial ram has slightly better timings so get that.

The sandforce controller on the Kingston SSD is inferior to the new 3 core MEX controller on the Samsung EVO series plus the Samsung is quicker. Spend an extra 20 quid here.

Nothing wrong with the motherboard or CPU choice really, I prefer Gigabyte stuff (UK rma) but it's a subjective choice :D
 
you can go wrong with Crucial ram, and as for the SSD the "SSD now" is a budget range but still a hell of a lot fast the a spinning disk it all down to the budget you have.
 
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