New build spec check please

Willowbark · 17 Apr 2015 at 18:58

Hi, thanks for taking the time to read my post, I'd welcome your comments and advice on this build spec please.

I'm replacing an aging Shuttle and space is limited so I'm going for a microATX design.

I'm not sure about the PSU wattage, I've never used a radiator cooler before & I've lost track of graphics cards. I'm happy to use either Nvidia or AMD but I don't want to start a flame war. A bit of first person shooter/MMPORPG, a bit of CAD & video editing is typical usage. I also like to go for a modest overclock where possible.

I'm re-using a Crucial BX100 500GB SSD, my LG 24" HD Monitor (not 4K) and the usual destructables (keyboard & mouse). Extra storage and backup is to the NAS.

Does this look ok?

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus Z97 Gryphon Armor - Devils Canyon Core i7 4790K CPU & Micro ATX Motherboard Bundle **£15 Saving** £413.94
1 x KFA2 GeForce GTX 970 OC Silent "Infin8 Black Edition" 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card **WorldWide Exclusive** £269.99
1 x Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C10 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CML16GX3M2A1600C10) £113.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H105 240mm Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler (CW-9060016-WW ) £94.99
1 x Corsair RM Series RM 550 '80+ Gold' 550W Power Supply (CP-9020053-UK) £85.99
1 x Corsair Carbide Series Air 240 High Airflow PC Case - Black (CC-9011070-WW) £75.95
1 x Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g) £8.99
1 x Silverstone SST-CP11B-300 Ultra slim SATA 6G 300mm Cable, black £7.99
Total : £1,071.83 (includes shipping : ).

stulid · 17 Apr 2015 at 19:01

The PSU is not as good as a EVGA G2 or a Superflower.

The RAM is slow when there are faster 2400Mhz kits out there.

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI Z97M Gaming - Devil's Canyon i7 4790K CPU & Micro ATX Motherboard Bundle **£12 Saving** £387.98
1 x KFA2 GeForce GTX 970 OC Silent "Infin8 Black Edition" 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card **WorldWide Exclusive** £269.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H105 240mm Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler (CW-9060016-WW ) £94.99
1 x TeamGroup Vulcan RED 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C11 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLRED316G2400HC11CDC01) £89.99
1 x SuperFlower Golden Green HX 750W "80 Plus Gold" Semi-Modular Power Supply - Black £76.99
1 x Corsair Carbide Series Air 240 High Airflow PC Case - Black (CC-9011070-WW) £75.95
Total : £995.89 (includes shipping : ).

There is also a Bgrade GTX970 here - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BG-165-OK&groupid=595&catid=683

Or if you want it all black+grey,

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus Z97 Gryphon Armor - Devils Canyon Core i7 4790K CPU & Micro ATX Motherboard Bundle **£15 Saving** £413.94
1 x KFA2 GeForce GTX 970 OC Silent "Infin8 Black Edition" 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card **WorldWide Exclusive** £269.99
1 x Kingston HyperX Beast 16GB (2x8GB) PC3-19200C11 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (HX324C11T3K2/16) £109.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H105 240mm Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler (CW-9060016-WW ) £94.99
1 x SuperFlower Golden Green HX 750W "80 Plus Gold" Semi-Modular Power Supply - Black £76.99
1 x Corsair Carbide Series Air 240 High Airflow PC Case - Black (CC-9011070-WW) £75.95
Total : £1,041.85 (includes shipping : ).

Willowbark · 17 Apr 2015 at 19:06

Now that was a fast response! Thanks stulid!

stulid · 17 Apr 2015 at 19:11

You do not need the paste, the H105 has paste already applied to its surface.

Willowbark · 17 Apr 2015 at 20:52

Ta. That's worth knowing, I just need to resist the temptation to seat and re-seat it a few times.

stulid · 17 Apr 2015 at 20:53

What was the SATA cable for? the boards come with some.

Willowbark · 17 Apr 2015 at 22:02

I liked the look of it, but it's out of stock at the moment. I've got red and orange ones leftover from previous builds. Having the clear panel made me want to get the colours right - not sure I've got the patience for braiding.

Quartz · 17 Apr 2015 at 22:08

Willowbark said:
I'm replacing an aging Shuttle and space is limited so I'm going for a microATX design.

Have you considered just replacing the motherboard (and CPU and memory) in the Shuttle? They take a standard ITX motherboard IIRC. (Older ones take a rotated FlexATX.)

Tommyzz · 17 Apr 2015 at 22:26

Just thought I'd say, the H110i GT and H100i GT are due to be back in stock around the end of this month or maybe in a weeks time if you want to hold off.

Heard it from a Corsair rep, OCUK might know more on this though.

Willowbark · 18 Apr 2015 at 07:33

Thanks for the tips.
I've tried to find a match for Shuttle motherboards before without success, admittedly I was trying to keep the proprietorial ICE cooler. Not as exciting as a new new build but the price difference may tempt me.

Is the H100i better than the H105? It's the right size.

stulid · 18 Apr 2015 at 08:18

The H105 is better than the H100i.

Thicker rad so more surface area.

The H100iGT H110iGT are the newer models.

Willowbark · 18 Apr 2015 at 23:22

Bought it, built it, love it. Running on stock air cooler at the moment as no Corsair H105s (or similar) are in stock atm.
Thanks again for the support, a real community and a great company.

stulid · 18 Apr 2015 at 23:24