Spec check please!

[bliss]

Looking to buy this lot in the next couple of weeks. But before I do can some of you take a quick look at it to see if there's any major compatibility issues or other options worth looking at. Thanks.

Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail
ASRock Z87M EXTREME4 Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard
Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9)
Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW)
Silverstone TemJin TJ08B-E Midi Tower Case - Black (SST-TJ08B-E USB 3.0)

I'll be adding my current HD7850 and a couple of HDD's to this. Will my PSU be enough still? Or is it worth picking up a new one? PSU in question is a Corsair HX520 that's a few years old.

 

[bliss]

Thanks!

Any opinions on the actual parts?

 

[bliss]

Thanks for all of the replies.

Haswell can use faster RAM dude, it's not much more so might as well.

Alternative......

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £197.99
1 x Gigabyte Z87M-D3H Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £97.99
1 x Corsair Obsidian 350D Windowed Micro ATX Case - Black £86.99
1 x Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW) £86.99
1 x TeamGroup Xtreem LV 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (TXD38G2400HC10QDC01) £59.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H100 Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler *Manufacturer Refurbished Unit - 90 Day Guarantee £44.99
Total : £574.93 (includes shipping : FREE).

I'll took at look at the RAM. Only chose the one that I did because of familiarity with the brand.

What does the GB board offer other than a better warranty? It was on my shortlist but ended up choosing the ASRock due to interest in the audio chip and that it seemed to be a decent clocker if and when required. How is the GB board on these 2 fronts?

Good points on the case. I aren't actually too bothered by SLI/XFire so that shouldn't be an issue however the PSU as you say could be a problem. Are we seeing a move into larger PSU's in general? The Temjin is a case I've had my eye on since I've been wanting to downsize my setup a little. I did take a quick look at the Corsair a few days ago, however if I did opt for that one it probably would be without the window. Is the Corsair much better in your opinion? I imagine it is newer and therefore caters to current components a little better?

Thanks.

 

[bliss]

I can fill you in on the TJ08-E.

I have one, it was the only case i really had my eye on in the mATX tower range (the 350D wasn't out then).

The TJ08-E is a great case, cooling is superb condsidering there is only 2 fan spaces. The problem is you won't get a h100 in it, you can get a h80(i) at the back, which is what i'd reccomend.

The 350D can take the H100 though.

The TJ08-E is a quite a lot smaller than the 350 (on the outside) so if space is limited, or you just want the smallest mATX rig possible, it a great choice.

A modular PSU is a must really, as i have a modular PSU along with an OD and my HDD/SSD in the 2 5.25 bays, so it's pretty crowded.

The overall build quality of the case is great, the fan filters are my favourite things on the case as they keep the inside super clean.. Like i say it limits your choice of parts a little but i feel it's worth it.

Hmmmmm what do to, what to do.

The Temjin offers a smaller footprint which is something that I wanted coming from a Mountinamods case of 14" cubed. However I'm not actually limited in space and the Corsair gives a little more scope for additions in the future.

Sometimes I hate choices.

Any more opinions on the Gigabyte/ASRock debate?

 

[bliss]

That's a cop out lol If the RAM speed makes no real odds and it's all about CAS timings why not do this as he had "money to burn" anyway?

YOUR BASKET
1 x TeamGroup Vulcan ORANGE 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLAD38G2400HC10TDC01) £89.99
2 x TeamGroup Vulcan ORANGE 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLAD38G1600HC9DC01) £49.99 (£99.98)
Total : £199.57 (includes shipping : £8.00).





Yes technically the lower the CAS the better but read reviews. Even say a 1600MHz C9 would be benchmarked at stock, next thing they do is overclock it. To get faster speeds they often have to slack off the timings (to C11) then they benchmark again to show the improvement. If a kit has no more speed to give up they attack it a different way and try to tighten up the timings to help performance. The Teamgroup RAM is 2400Mhz C10 and priced pretty close to 1600Mhz so might as well go for it, only con as such is the height of the RAM but I pointed out a good CLC to over come that issue.

Overclocking is a (silicon) lottery but the M-D3H should be good for 4.6Ghz from what I've seen, it does allow voltage adjustment. Onboard audio is what it is, if you are an audiophile then consider adding a soundcard later on.

I was going to say Doomed uses that Temjin maybe he could give his thoughts but I see he has already popped in I'm not "picking" on Teppic, just found it odd he criticized my suggestions and just said yours was fine when I found a few points to make.

I'm not keen on mATX mobos but if you want the Temjin then that's the largest size you can use. If you dont want to do SLi/Xfire then you don't really need more the 500W so getting a PSU to fit won't be an issue. If you buy a new one just make sure it's modular like Doomed has suggested.

It's your build so your rules bud. If you need a small case then that's fair enough. Yes the 350D is a bit bigger but I thought I throw it out there as a suggestion. I look forward to seeing your next posted basket

The gigabyte board does give me PCI slots meaning that I could use my existing sound card, which would more than likely give some improvement.

Any other cases I should look at before I start to order?

 

[bliss]

Ideally yeah. Part of my urge to dowsize my kit. A smaller htpc and nas is on the to do list once my main rig is complete.

 

[bliss]

Thanks. Just picked the cpu (4670k) while a cheaper place had them in stock. Just need the rest now.

Am I right in thinking that the new evo ssd's come out this week?

 

[bliss]

I think this would be great:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus Z87 GRYPHON Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £119.99
1 x Corsair Obsidian 350D Windowed Micro ATX Case - Black £86.99
1 x Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW) £86.99
1 x Patriot Viper "Black Mamba" Generation 3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17000C11 2133MHz Dual CHannel Kit (PV38G213C1K) £59.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H100 Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler *Manufacturer Refurbished Unit - 90 Day Guarantee £44.99
Total : £413.04 (includes shipping : £11.75).



future updates:

• Bigger PSU for Xfire
• TUF armour

Thanks for the updated spec. I think I've nailed down every part of the spec now apart from the motherboard. Is the Asus worth the extra £20 over the Gigabyte? Build, warranty etc? I've always had a hard time picking my motherboards and it has alsways seemed like a bit of a minefield to me.

 

[bliss]

Thanks. Decided to go with the Asus board. Gonna just read a few reviews first so I'm 100% sure.

 

[bliss]

By all means, reviews are great for finding out about features and abilities of certain motherboards..

Ok, I'm going with the Asus. Really like what I've read about it. It is a pity that the armour isnt included though. £30 seems a little much for a piece of plastic and a fan lol.

 

[bliss]

And now the price has gone up by £10. My budget was already pretty tight, especially after incuding the H100 over a cheaper air cooler, so I'm either going to have to find it elsewhere or pick a cheaper one. Great...

edit: Just had a quick look around and I can pretty much find it cheaper everywhere else. Not exactly a good price increase there OCUK.

was £129.95 inc VAT
£129.95 inc VAT

The was price that is still there is kinda redundant now lol.

 

[bliss]

Last post before I checkout. Does all this look OK?

edit: Impatient me couldn't wait and checked out.