Help me choose hardware for my next custom project

Archer

Archer

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Finally, after thinking about this for probably close on 2 years I'm going to start on another custom chassis :D But I'm so out of touch, and finances are a leetle bit tight so I'm looking for options here

GTX970 I've pretty much settled on, nothing comes close to its bang for buck from what I've seen. Might even leave on the air cooler for now to save some moola
4670 or 4670k. Price difference is small enough that I'll probably end up with the k version.
RAM - I'll be getting any half decent 1600mhz DDR3, probably 2x4GB, can always get more later
SSD?? Thinking of making the machine with only 2.5" drives, so I'll need another 250GB at least. Or I must make a spot for a 3.5" drive (probably behind the mobo somewhere) and keep it like I've got it now. Potential for big savings here
Mobo - where to start? Z87 vs Z97, is the latter worth it? Then I need a reasonably plain mobo, but depending on CPU I would prefer 8 power phases. Perhaps getting a non k CPU would make it easier to get a lower spec board? I dont have the confidence in 4 phases if I'm going to aim for a 24/7 4Ghz+ OC, maybe it's not an issue though? edit: leaning to Asus Gene VII for now, the small sound card might mean I can sell my current one and fan controls are a big plus. But its the most expensive of the lot :/ Oh, it's also got to be mATX or smaller.

Budget as small as possible, but I can technically afford 13k, without the SSD.
 
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Nice idea dude, keep us updated.

I need to buy myself a new rig as well but I'm out of touch with hardware entirely. Also, my rig with CM case et al was left behind in SA so I need to try and find something that won't cost me an arm and a leg but that can still play MMO's and FPS's without taking strain. I tried my laptop and it felt like a kid with astmah giving CPR.
 
TBH I don't see the point in a 4670k vs non-k. They overclock terribly anyway unless you can de-lid them.
 
Or... do I wait for Broadwell? :D Maybe get a cheapie 1155 mATX board for now...
 
I am in a very similar predicament, below is my potential build:

Asus Z97M -Plus - R2000
i5 4690 or K - R3100
Corsair Vengeance 2x 4GB - R1300
Antec 620W PSU - R900
Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD - R1300
GTX 970 - Getting it in UK approx R4500
Total approx R13k

What is the benefit of the Gene mobo? Better power regs? I am not particularly keen on a big overclock.
What case are you using? Wondering why you would consider 2.5" HDD.

What suppliers do you have in mind? Like to keep it local in case of returns issues.

Fun times :)
 
DMZ said:
What is the benefit of the Gene mobo? Better power regs? I am not particularly keen on a big overclock.
What case are you using? Wondering why you would consider 2.5" HDD.
Click to expand...

Gene has 8+2 digital VRM, vs 4 phase digital on most other boards. And a host of features most people wont use :p
The case is a MH MKII :p ie custom built. Wanting to to challenge myself and go small, currently at roughly 200w, 410d, 380h. Reservoir takes up the space where the drives would go, 2.5" I can fit 3 drives, 3.5" I can fit 0.9 of a drive :p So it's gotta go somewhere else if I am looking to keep it
 
Oh ok makes sense now, should have gathered water cooling from your comment on leaving the air on the 970.

Checked out the thread on your custom chassis, awesome work! MKII is gonna have to be a beast to top that..
 
That's true though, thought I might leave that there for reference...lol
 
OC builds not my thing, the extra cash you spend on making it OC ready could always be used just to go one step higher and get better parts instead that can do an alright job in terms of real world performance.

But that's just my opinion. Small OC's maybe.
That GTX970 gonna do most of the work anyways.
 
Sokum said:
That's true though, thought I might leave that there for reference...lol
Click to expand...

I actually really like that board, but colour is unfortunately an important factor. Same reason why I'm really hesitant to get the Asus Gryphon board. My current one is fine after all (I think, looks fine in all the pics?). And now that I compare the two properly... the new one uses darker colours, which should mean it'll blend in better right? :confused: And that could be a substantial saving vs the Gene 7 at least
 
My wish build..
AMD Vishera FX-9590 4.70GHz - R 3,645.72
ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z, AMD 990FX - R 3,555.61
G.SKILL RipjawsX 8GB (2x 4GB) Kit - R 1,044.60
ASUS Radeon R9 270X (R9270X-DC2T-2GD5) - R 3,199.93
Antec TruePower Classic (TP-550C), 550w (12v:540), EPS12V - R 943.24
Corsair Force LX (CSSD-F128GBLX), 128GB, 2.5", SATA6G - R 951.62
total +/-R13400
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+FX-9590+Eight-Core&id=2014

AMD FX-9590 Eight-Core + Compare Average CPU Mark
Description: Socket: AM3+, Clockspeed: 4.7 GHz, Turbo Speed: 5.0 GHz, No of Cores: 4 (2 logical cores per physical), Max TDP: 220 W
Other names: AMD FX(tm)-9590 Eight-Core Processor
CPU First Seen on Charts: Q2 2013
CPUmark/$Price: 42.91 Overall Rank: 56
Last Price Change: $239.99 USD (2013-09-01)
10296

Single Thread Rating: 1725
Samples: 313
 
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HideInLight said:
Ever thought of going AMD

http://www.rebeltech.co.za/2172-amd...-40ghz-with-turbo-core-420ghz-am3-octa-c.html

Their FX range is just plain good value, the trick is finding the right MB without going overboard and losing the value perspective vs the i5.

9020
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+FX-8350+Eight-Core

7646
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-4690+@+3.50GHz

Both 3k
Click to expand...
My wish build..
AMD Vishera FX-9590 4.70GHz - R 3,645.72
ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z, AMD 990FX - R 3,555.61
G.SKILL RipjawsX 8GB (2x 4GB) Kit - R 1,044.60
ASUS Radeon R9 270X (R9270X-DC2T-2GD5) - R 3,199.93
Antec TruePower Classic (TP-550C), 550w (12v:540), EPS12V - R 943.24
Corsair Force LX (CSSD-F128GBLX), 128GB, 2.5", SATA6G - R 951.62
total +/-R13400
This is beter than the I7-4770k

AMD FX-9590 Eight-Core + Compare Average CPU Mark
Description: Socket: AM3+, Clockspeed: 4.7 GHz, Turbo Speed: 5.0 GHz, No of Cores: 4 (2 logical cores per physical), Max TDP: 220 W
Other names: AMD FX(tm)-9590 Eight-Core Processor
CPU First Seen on Charts: Q2 2013
CPUmark/$Price: 42.91 Overall Rank: 56
Last Price Change: $239.99 USD (2013-09-01)
10296

Single Thread Rating: 1725
Samples: 313
 
That 9590 AMD chip would cost me at least R300 per year more in electricity, and I can not find any decent mATX boards (I'm extremely hesitant to put 220W onto 4 phase power designs). A quick look at Asus boards actually show none of the mATX boards have the 220W beasts as supported CPUs

Then vs the 8000 series my 2500k beats it most of the time, so thats not an option

Sokum, I reckon you must buy my machine :p It'll at worst match your machine you spec'd (although I'm confident it'll be 15% faster), and it's cheaper to boot
 
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Archer said:
That 9590 AMD chip would cost me at least R300 per year more in electricity, and I can not find any decent mATX boards (I'm extremely hesitant to put 220W onto 4 phase power designs). A quick look at Asus boards actually show none of the mATX boards have the 220W beasts as supported CPUs

Then vs the 8000 series my 2500k beats it most of the time, so thats not an option

Sokum, I reckon you must buy my machine :p It'll at worst match your machine you spec'd (although I'm confident it'll be 15% faster), and it's cheaper to boot
Click to expand...

I don't see the 2500k beating the 8k series, the 6k yes.
The 2500k might beat the 8000 serious slightly, but that kinda defeats the point of going that many cores in first place. Although the games coming out now made for multi-cores are retardedly un-optimized atm.

Anyways, my opinion on price ranges.

<1k : Intel
1.6k - 3k : Amd
Over 3k : Intel

But the safest route is the i5 and i7 cpu, that's why pay "premium" for them.
 
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