Building my first desktop

[Pogba4Now]

My laptop started having issues after 2 years of use (still functional but often crashes, extremely slow boot despite trying an SSD - probably motherboard failing) so I decided laptops are not for me. That is my 4th laptop in 8 years. The thing is, I do a lot of photo editing, play games regularly and spend a lot of time on it for other entertainment and work. Enough to reduce the lifespan of laptops.

I initially wanted to buy a desktop but then after talking to some friends and watching some youtube videos, I decided to build a desktop PC. The advantage of building is that you know what you're putting in it; prebuilt ones may have cheap, low quality parts to lower the price. Also, if something goes wrong, I would be more comfortable to open it up and change the defective part.

I have ordered everything already and have received all parts except the casing and memory card reader.

Here's what I have ordered:

Processor: Intel Core i7-4770K

Graphics card: EVGA Nvidia GTX 760

Motherboard: ASUS Z87-pro

RAM: Patriot Memory Viper 3 Series Venom Red DDR3 16GB 1600MHz PC3 12800 Memory Kit PV316G160C9KRD

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 750G2 80 Plus Gold Certified ATX12V/EPS12V 750W

Hard Disk: 250 GB Samsung 840 Evo

Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (ATX)

Bluray Drive: ASUS - BC-12B1ST

SD card reader: NZXT Aperture M

Monitor: ASUS VH238H (1080p, contrast ratio 50,000,000:1, 2ms speedy response time)

Keyboard/Mouse combo: Logitech Wireless Desktop MK710

I will post a picture of the end product later on.

Any thoughts/advice?

 

[MaestroZidane]

Damn, looks like you're going all out on the Desktop. I use a similar monitor and I love it, great image and clarity for the price. I personally still use regular HDD, totaling 2TB.

You forgot the speakers btw.

 

[Pogba4Now]

Damn, looks like you're going all out on the Desktop. I use a similar monitor and I love it, great image and clarity for the price. I personally still use regular HDD, totaling 2TB.

You forgot the speakers btw.

Yeah, I want to build one that I'm gonna use for years.

What I liked with the monitor is that it has a fast response time, ideal for gaming. Good for the price.

Forgot to comment about my speakers. The monitor I got actually has speakers integrated (2W x 2 Stereo RMS). I don't think it's gonna be good enough though.

I already have a bluetooth speaker that I got as a gift:

Bose Soundlink III

Wouldn't mind using them as my desktop speakers. Sound quality is amazing.

EDIT: The 250 Gb SSD that I bought is going to be used mainly for running the OS and installing softwares/games etc. I have a 1 GB HDD that I have from my laptop that I am going to use as extra storage. I also have a 500 Gb HDD that I can use. That is more than enough for me.

 

[Waldo1639]

Wow, that's a damn fine gaming machine. Intel processor with NVIDIA graphics is the best combination. 760 is a beast. Show us the case when it comes

 

[Theodorakis]

nady, three things;

1- you have a good cpu.. dont waste it with gtx 760.. go for at least gtx 770..

2- if you're gonna play games on your desktop, at least 120hz monitor is a must.. dont waste your money on 60hz ones..

3- always go for bowers&wilkins.. I used bose speakers for a long time and thought they were good, but no.. I'm now using p5 and a7, they're just epic..

 

[Alex]

Are you getting a normal HDD too? SS is great, but doesn't leave you much storage. Why not get a big normal HDD too? For things like watching video, the HDD is rarely the bottleneck speed wise, but you don't get much HD+ quality with 250GB

 

[Filipower]

Yeah I was going to say, SSD is great but 250 doesn't seem like alot of GB today. Perhaps you already own an external HDD or something.

 

[Mandieta6]

How much did it all cost in comparison with an ewuivalent, ready-made PC?

 

[Pogba4Now]

Wow, that's a damn fine gaming machine. Intel processor with NVIDIA graphics is the best combination. 760 is a beast. Show us the case when it comes

Yes, will post a picture of the end product.

nady, three things;

1- you have a good cpu.. dont waste it with gtx 760.. go for at least gtx 770..

2- if you're gonna play games on your desktop, at least 120hz monitor is a must.. dont waste your money on 60hz ones..

3- always go for bowers&wilkins.. I used bose speakers for a long time and thought they were good, but no.. I'm now using p5 and a7, they're just epic..

Thanks for your suggestions

1) I actually wanted the GTX 780, but it's way too expensive. 770 is significantly more expensive than 760 also, unfortunately. I think the 760 would be good enough for the games I plan to play. I am not a very hardcore gamer. I will play games like Fifa, PES, NFS and GTA. I am sure you can play these games with maximum graphics with the 760. My motherboard also supports SLI, for possible future upgrade if needed.

2) Monitor is not a priority for me TBH. I just wanted a budget but good one. Didn't want to spend too much on the monitor. I probably will upgrade later.

3) Bowers and Wilkins produce quality stuff, but I already have a Bose at the moment. Will certainly consider other brands later on.

 

[Pogba4Now]

Are you getting a normal HDD too? SS is great, but doesn't leave you much storage. Why not get a big normal HDD too? For things like watching video, the HDD is rarely the bottleneck speed wise, but you don't get much HD+ quality with 250GB

Yeah I was going to say, SSD is great but 250 doesn't seem like alot of GB today. Perhaps you already own an external HDD or something.

Yes 250 GB SSD is not enough. As I mentioned above, I have a 2.5 inch 1 TB HDD from my laptop and I have another 500 GB from another older laptop. 1.5 GB in addition to the SSD is good enough for me.

 

[Pogba4Now]

How much did it all cost in comparison with an ewuivalent, ready-made PC?

That's a difficult question to answer because it is impossible to find an identical ready-made desktop to a custom built one. there are always going to be differences.

It costed me approximately $1 800. That includes the keyboard/mouse combo ($80) and monitor (around $150) but doesn't include the SSD and HDD because I already had them. The ready-made ones usually come with cheap, wired mouse/keyboard which cost $30 or less.

If you include the SSD and HDD (suppose 250 GB SSD and 2 TB HDD), exclude the monitor and replace the keyboard/mouse combo with a cheap one (that usually comes with ready made ones), it would amount to around $1 900. Ready made ones of similar specs would probably be about $2 300 or more.

EDIT: All prices are taxes included.

 

[Theodorakis]

Yes, will post a picture of the end product.



Thanks for your suggestions

1) I actually wanted the GTX 780, but it's way too expensive. 770 is significantly more expensive than 760 also, unfortunately. I think the 760 would be good enough for the games I plan to play. I am not a very hardcore gamer. I will play games like Fifa, PES, NFS and GTA. I am sure you can play these games with maximum graphics with the 760. My motherboard also supports SLI, for possible future upgrade if needed.

2) Monitor is not a priority for me TBH. I just wanted a budget but good one. Didn't want to spend too much on the monitor. I probably will upgrade later.

3) Bowers and Wilkins produce quality stuff, but I already have a Bose at the moment. Will certainly consider other brands later on.

750w might just cause you problems, if you'd upgrade your PC to SLI config...

also, Fifa and PES might be OK; but with NFS and GTA, I'm not so sure that you can max them with GTX 760.. it's your call nevertheless.. I'm always using high end cards like 680 and 780, cos I'm just too stupid to not satisfy myself with 770, but really 770GTX is all you need..

 

[yoyo913]

Woah, 1800 for a custom built PC, sounds like it will be awesome.

I thought of building a PC also after taking a hardware class. I'm still a little worried I'd mess something up but I'd probably do the right amount of research before hand and ask on hardware forums if the parts mesh well.

I'm interested to know how well it runs shit once you test it out.

 

[Back Door Skip]

Like three years ago I looked into building one with the help of a buddy, but it seemed too daunting of a task for a noob like me, so I opted to buying one from cyberpowerPC. It was pretty good and it was less than 1k. But by now it's pretty outdated although it can run FM, which is pretty much the only PC game I played seriously.

 

[MaestroZidane]

Almost forgot one more important question, what OS are you going to load?

 

[Sepak]

Looks fine to me, I'd only change the case, I recommend you Cooler Master HAF X case. I'd also get a liquid cooling system. they spend more energy but it will keep your processor and gpu safer.

 

[Pogba4Now]

750w might just cause you problems, if you'd upgrade your PC to SLI config...

also, Fifa and PES might be OK; but with NFS and GTA, I'm not so sure that you can max them with GTX 760.. it's your call nevertheless.. I'm always using high end cards like 680 and 780, cos I'm just too stupid to not satisfy myself with 770, but really 770GTX is all you need..

I wouldn't mind too much if I don't get maximum graphics with NFS and GTA. I would be happy with medium graphics. That is a massive upgrade over laptops for gaming anyway.

One of my friends has the GTX 460 and has a core i7-2600k and can play the games I play on high graphics. My package is better. I am quite confident I'll do fine with the games I play.

 

[Pogba4Now]

Looks fine to me, I'd only change the case, I recommend you Cooler Master HAF X case. I'd also get a liquid cooling system. they spend more energy but it will keep your processor and gpu safer.

The CM HAF is a very good case but I prefer the Phantom's design and it is almost as good IMO. It has 3 in built fans with capacity for 8. Liquid cooling system is pretty cool but out of my budget at the moment.

Almost forgot one more important question, what OS are you going to load?

Windows 8.1. Already downloaded a copy. My SSD already has Windows 8.1 anyway.

 

[Pogba4Now]

Woah, 1800 for a custom built PC, sounds like it will be awesome.

I thought of building a PC also after taking a hardware class. I'm still a little worried I'd mess something up but I'd probably do the right amount of research before hand and ask on hardware forums if the parts mesh well.

I'm interested to know how well it runs shit once you test it out.

I hope it will be. Yes, I am also worried I'll mess up something. I'll have to be careful and be patient. Building a PC is very time consuming if you're doing it for the first time. Took me weeks to choose parts. The toughest part is the choice of motherboard and power supply.

Like three years ago I looked into building one with the help of a buddy, but it seemed too daunting of a task for a noob like me, so I opted to buying one from cyberpowerPC. It was pretty good and it was less than 1k. But by now it's pretty outdated although it can run FM, which is pretty much the only PC game I played seriously.

The good thing about CyberpowerPC desktops is that it's easy to upgrade/change parts.

 

[Alex]

How much did it all cost in comparison with an ewuivalent, ready-made PC?

That's a hard question, because for gaming, an equivalent PC would cost LOADS more. But then on an equivalent ready made you would also be getting some things that this PC may not have.

Building your own is mainly cheaper as you pay for what you need and want, not power and functionality that you don't.