The Build Your Own Computer Thread

[Grayman]

A place to build your own computer in your head before you really build your computer

List parts and why. What do you want to be able to do with it?

Others offering suggestions for changes to builds are welcome.

Will list my build soon.

 

[Grayman]

Update:

You don't have to post a list of parts feel free to...

Post some cool pics of your custom built pc
Ask any questions involving hardware, troubleshooting, or installing
Link a cool and unusual accessories for a custom built pc
http://geekcrafts.com/901-pc-ez-bake-oven/
Any Custom Computer Building Discussion Etc...

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

I will be building something in two months or so.
I never had the money to build a decent spec and I might still change my mind and go with something cheaper, or spend money on something else.

Reasons: I want everything to be smooth and last two+ years.

Currently my desired parts are as follows:
CPU:
Intel Core i5 4690K
Motherboard:
Asrock Z97 EXTREME4
Graphics:
2x MSI GeForce GTX770 2GB DDR5/256bit TF3
Cooling:
Noiseblocker BlackSilent XLP PWM
Zalman FX70
RAM:
2x Crucial DDR3 4GB 1866MHz Ballistix Sport XT CL10
HDD:
Western Digital Red Edition NAS
SSD:
Crucial SSD M500 240GB SATA3
Power:
XFX TS 750W
box:
SilentiumPC Aquarius X90

 

[Reluctantly]

I built a mini-itx computer.
[bimgx=500]http://s7.postimg.org/o0lyqarei/IMG_20140928_085726_877.jpg[/bimgx]

It runs on a 450Watt PSU, has an I5 Haswell 4670, blu-ray support, wireless AC and has surround sound virtualization for stereo built-in to the motherboard, a desktop HDD, and I could fit a 760 GTX in it. The mobo also has support for mSATA. It's awesome for me because if I take it on a plane or need to move it somewhere, it's easy to move, especially with a projector instead of a screen. And it plays most games maxed out, except for Crysis 3 where I need to turn down AA.

My only regret is not getting a projector with built-in speakers that don't clip the audio at standard listening volumes.

SSD:
Crucial SSD M500 240GB SATA3

That thing is really cheap. Just reading the newegg reviews, it sounds sketch. Performance doesn't seem to be what's advertised and some people claim its bandwidth is gimped. Just fyi in case you aren't aware.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

That thing is really cheap. Just reading the newegg reviews, it sounds sketch. Performance doesn't seem to be what's advertised and some people claim its bandwidth is gimped. Just fyi in case you aren't aware.

I wasn't aware, I was looking at performance optimised parts and haven't yet checked opinions of each component, which I usually do before purchase.
Yes, it was cheap and that was the main reason for getting a 240 SSD instead of 120.

I will most likely get a cheap SSD because according to what I read the fact that I have one matters most, when performance is compared to a standard hdd, the quality of it is much less important than maxing out on Graphics/CPU. So as it is important for the drive to be reliable, it won't affect the FPS, only the load times in the end.

It's awesome for me because if I take it on a plane or need to move it somewhere, it's easy to move, especially with a projector instead of a screen.

Do you set up the room for the projector? Blocking the sunlight, smooth achromatic walls?

 

[Reluctantly]

I block the light; it's easy to get a curtain up and for a cheap price. As far as walls go, it depends on the wall. I don't need it to be perfect, but if I notice the imperfections I'll put something like this on the wall, which I've used before with tacks. Amazon.com: Carl's Blackout Cloth, DIY Projector Screen, Raw Material/Fabric, 66x110-inch, Matte White, 16:9/1.0: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vejKkBWyL.@@AMEPARAM@@51vejKkBWyL

If I ever buy a house though, I'd like to devote a large room to a mini-theater.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Graphics:
2x MSI GeForce GTX770 2GB DDR5/256bit TF3

I'm not completely sure, but based on these two benchmarks ( GTX 980 vs GTX 770 SLI) it seems like you'd get increased performance for only about $50 more going with the GTX 980. Considering the big drop in power usage, you'd arguably be saving money in the long term, if you pay for the electric bill that is.


edit: my own before I put it together

Spoiler

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

I'm not completely sure, but based on these two benchmarks ( GTX 980 vs GTX 770 SLI) it seems like you'd get increased performance for only about $50 more going with the GTX 980. Considering the big drop in power usage, you'd arguably be saving money in the long term, if you pay for the electric bill that is.

There are statistics showing sli 770 beat 980, there are stats showing 980 being 15% better. It depends on the game and as of now I am leaning towards 980 simply due to SLI not being supported by every program and the lower power consumption, however I posted 2x 770 because 980 is not availible in my country at a desired price, but that situation might change in two months.

I pay my share of a power bill btw .

edit: It might be worth noting to avoid confusion that generally electronics in europe (central europe for instance) are 30% more expensive than the prices in USD I find on the internet or benchmark sites. Some products are entirely unavailible in the price range.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Ah, oh well. Yeah, I noticed prices and availability are un-competitive in countries outside the U.S., and it's even worse for retail gaming PCs.

I would get the RAM asap though, overall prices don't seem to be going down.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

Build Update:
I have revised every part and below are the parts to be ordered, the total price increased but I am satisfied with these:
CPU:Intel Core i7 5820K
MB:Asrock X99 EXTREME4
RAM:Crucial DDR4 8GB 2133MHz CL16 x2
GPU:Msi Geforce Gtx980
HDD:same as before
SSD:Samsung 840 Pro 256 GB
Power:SeaSonic P-660
Cooling:same as before
Box:same as before

Ah, oh well. Yeah, I noticed prices and availability are un-competitive in countries outside the U.S., and it's even worse for retail gaming PCs.

I would get the RAM asap though, overall prices don't seem to be going down.

I found a retailer that is only 8% more expensive than the US prices, which allows me to have the above spec without extenting the budget. I am not sure but they either get their wares from US or directly from China, I wonder how they cut their prices so low in relation to others. I wanted to go with used parts, but with prices like these it doesn't make sense to save 10% on used stuff.

 

[Coolydudey]

Build Update:
I have revised every part and below are the parts to be ordered, the total price increased but I am satisfied with these:
CPU:Intel Core i7 5820K
MB:Asrock X99 EXTREME4
RAM:Crucial DDR4 8GB 2133MHz CL16 x2
GPU:Msi Geforce Gtx980
HDD:same as before
SSD:Samsung 840 Pro 256 GB
Power:SeaSonic P-660
Cooling:same as before
Box:same as before

I found a retailer that is only 8% more expensive than the US prices, which allows me to have the above spec without extenting the budget. I am not sure but they either get their wares from US or directly from China, I wonder how they cut their prices so low in relation to others. I wanted to go with used parts, but with prices like these it doesn't make sense to save 10% on used stuff.

name of retailer please?

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

name of retailer please?

Sent on your wall.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

So the news is 5 months old by now.

I went with building a less over-kill machine with:
i5-4690k
GTX 970
and 240 SSD + all the parts to make it work that I'cba'd to list unless asked.

I still feel like it was an overkill since I can run any game in 1080 60 fps on maxed settings, I have headroom with custom cooling and overclockable cpu/gpu parts too, so I just want to see if it lasts for another 1,5 years or maybe the industry will make a leap.

I had some fun making it work, but I found I'm not really into assembling computer parts or cable management/fancy cool looks. What I had a lot more fun with was reconfiguring my old PC for the role of experimental server that could host some applications or programs as well as being a general FTP/media cloud for when I'm out. That does take some energy to have it constantly running, but I mostly turn it on when I leave and I feel like I'll need it, also remote boot is awesome, but I haven't managed to set it up yet.

 

[Anktark]

I still feel like it was an overkill since I can run any game in 1080 60 fps on maxed settings, I have headroom with custom cooling and overclockable cpu/gpu parts too, so I just want to see if it lasts for another 1,5 years or maybe the industry will make a leap.

Considering the incoming GPU jump from 28nm to 10nm FinFet technology, there might be something nice coming in 2016, then again, software developers will take time to catch up to any jumps.

 

[punchinelli]

Just finished up my new PC.

Core i5 4690K @ 4.1 GHz
8 GB RAM
Radeon HD 7970 (from last PC)
Samsung 840 Pro SSD (from last PC)

http://imgur.com/a/jBuxN

 

[Grayman]

Just finished up my new PC.

Core i5 4690K @ 4.1 GHz
8 GB RAM
Radeon HD 7970 (from last PC)
Samsung 840 Pro SSD (from last PC)

http://imgur.com/a/jBuxN

Wow, that is a big cpu fan.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Since my last post I upgraded to a GTX 780 Ti, 16GB RAM, Samsung 850 evo and a few high capacity HDDs. Is anyone else holding out for Zen? My cpu is old (fx 6350 from 2013) but it never really gives me any problems.Though if I upgrade anymore it'll be for a zen/intel cpu and a 120/144hz monitor.

I also have 10" subwoofer if that counts, it makes war games sound amazing but it's really overpowered for everything else besides music.