[janner66]

Hi,

 

I have been saving up and can finally afford a new PC.

 

I usually go with PCSpecialist but I see DinoPC have some nice ones also.

 

Which one would you prefer?:

 

Case COOLERMASTER CM STORM TROOPER - GAMING ENTHUSIAST CASE Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-4820K (3.7GHz) 10MB Cache Motherboard ASUS® X79 DELUXE: INTEL® SOCKET LG2011, WIFI Memory (RAM) 16GB KINGSTON HYPER-X BEAST DUAL-DDR3 2133MHz X.M.P (2 x 8GB) Graphics Card 2GB AMD RADEON™ R7 265 - DVI, HDMI, DP- DX® 11, Eyefinity 2.0 Capable 1^st Hard Disk 120GB INTEL® 530 SERIES SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 550MB/sR | 520MB/sW) Power Supply CORSAIR 850W RM SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET Processor Cooling Corsair H60 Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler Extra Case Fans 2 x 12CM Black Case Fan (configured to extract from rear/roof) Sound Card Asus Xonar DGX 5.1-Channel Gaming Audio Card Wireless/Wired Networking 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs Wireless Router/HomePlugs NONE USB Options MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 6 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS Operating System Genuine Windows 8.1 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence DVD Recovery Media Windows 8.1 (64-bit) DVD with paper sleeve

 

 

or

 

 

 NEW! Intel Core i7 4790K 

Corsair H100i Extreme Water Cooler 

Windows 8.1 (64-bit)

Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 5 

16GB Corsair 2400mhz Vengeance Pro (2x8GB) 

Crucial 128GB MX100 SSD

 AMD Radeon R9 290 4GB

Onboard 7.1 Audio 

 Wireless 802.11N 300Mbps MIMO PCI-E card

 In Win GROne Case

 

Which one would you choose? They are roughly the same price. Thanks.

[Advertisements]

Second option looks like a better deal..

[HelpMeHelpYou]

Second option looks like a better deal..

[iammykyl]

Gday.

Is the computer mostly for gaming or will you be performing photo/video editing?

Is the second build a fixed offer or can you alter it?   What is the brand/model of the PSU used?

[janner66]

It is mostly for gaming use and multitasking/storage. I will have a few hard drives in there. 

 

They are both custom builds. I have actually ordered the first one but can cancel it. 

 

Sorry I forgot to mention the PSU. It is a 750w Corsair RM Fully Modular.

 

I have just changed the second case to a COOLERMASTER CM STORM TROOPER also. 

 

 

 

 

My feelings are that the first one has a better processor and motherboard but the second one has a far better graphics card. 

At the moment I do most of my gaming on the consoles but I would like to give PC gaming a try.

Edited by janner66, 25 July 2014 - 05:49 PM.

[janner66]

Sorry, I will be away for a couple of hours. Be back at 3 am. I'm on the night shift at work. 

 

I'm back if there's still anyone around.

Edited by janner66, 25 July 2014 - 08:04 PM.

[iammykyl]

Thanks for the info.

I would first cancel your order, do some brainstorming and then decide the configuration.

I have just gone through some extensive research for my next build, considering the same basic parts as you have.   My main use would be video editing and game benchmarking, not particularity for actual gaming.

 

The X79 chip, 2011 platform has a limited upgrade path, 2 very expensive CPUs that would hardly enhance game performance and and did not like having only 2 SATA ports by Intel, I also prefer having the option of access to integrated graphics.  The next E CPUs, Haswell, will require a new socket MB.

The Z97 chip, 1150 platform has  all SATA ports by Intel, the latest materials, support for the next generation of PCI-E SSDs.

> MB compare, > http://www.newegg.co...132-047:$$$$$$$

Some reasons why I went with Z97.

> http://www.gamersnex...parison-z97-h97

I have been unable to find any Pro review with a direct comparison between a Z97 and X79 MBs.

 

4790K, hard to find reviews where the 4920K is included.   For gaming, the 4790K often pips the 4960K, >  http://www.tweaktown...iew/index5.html

> http://www.hardwarel...k-.html?start=9

 

My build, parts already purchased, For you, would be over the top with RAM, HDDs, PSU, and a bit low on the GPU.> http://pcpartpicker....yl/saved/hhQfrH

Edited by iammykyl, 27 July 2014 - 12:15 AM.
Repair CPP link

[janner66]

Wow thanks very much for the really useful info. Your build link does not work for info.

 

PC Specialist only offer the X79 motherboards and nothing else. If the X79 motherboard only has 2 intel SATA points what does that mean. I will probably want to have 2 SSDs and about 4 HDDs all at SATAIII. Will there be enough ports to accommodate these? I am not too worried about a processor upgrade as I will likely keep this build for 5 or 6 years and then replace it. I am worried about the SSD support though. When are the new generation SSDs likely to be out and affordable?

 

The Z97 chip motherboard is considerably cheaper than the X79 online.I really just want a motherboard that has lots of slots to upgrade cards in the future whether it be graphics, sound, support for new technology etc... I might relay my concerns (or your concerns) to the Tech guys at PC Specialist and see what they say.

 

Thanks ever so much for taking the time to research and answer my question. I haven't had time to look at it in full right now (taking dogs for walk then off to work) but I will tonight.

 

Much appreciated.

[janner66]

Do you think this would be a better build taking into account your points?

 

 

Case COOLERMASTER CM STORM TROOPER - GAMING ENTHUSIAST CASE Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-4790k (4.0GHz) 8MB Cache Motherboard ASUS® Z97-A: ATX, USB3.0, SATA 6GB/S, SLi, XFIRE Memory (RAM) 16GB KINGSTON HYPER-X BEAST DUAL-DDR3 2133MHz X.M.P (2 x 8GB) Graphics Card 3GB AMD RADEON™ R9 280 - DVI, HDMI, mDP - DX® 11.2, Eyefinity 2^nd Graphics Card NONE 3^rd Graphics Card NONE 1^st Hard Disk 120GB INTEL® 530 SERIES SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 550MB/sR | 520MB/sW) 2^nd Hard Disk NONE 3^rd Hard Disk NONE 4^th Hard Disk NONE RAID NONE 1^st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive NONE 2^nd DVD/BLU-RAY Drive NONE Memory Card Reader INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT Power Supply CORSAIR 850W RM SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET Processor Cooling Corsair H100i Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler Extra Case Fans NONE Fan Controller NONE Sound Card Asus Xonar DGX 5.1-Channel Gaming Audio Card Wireless/Wired Networking 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs Wireless Router/HomePlugs NONE USB Options MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS Firewire NONE TV Card NONE Power Cable 1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead) Operating System Genuine Windows 8.1 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence DVD Recovery Media Windows 8.1 (64-bit) DVD with paper sleeve

 

 

 

http://www.guru3d.co...-review,24.html

Edited by janner66, 26 July 2014 - 01:59 PM.

[iammykyl]

Gday.

Thanks for the thumbs up, I have repaired the link to my build  > http://pcpartpicker....yl/saved/hhQfrH

Re. the X79 Asus Delux MB, Does have other SATA ports, other models will have less.

Intel® X79 chipset : 
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), black  I already have 2 SSDs in my build and intend more as prices will drop as the PCI-E  and M 2 SSD come out in a couple of months. I see many reports of unsatifactory performance using the Marvel and Asmedia controlers on the X79 platform.
4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), black
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Marvell® PCIe 9230 controller : 
4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), dark brown
ASMedia® ASM1061 controller : 
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), dark brown
2 x Power eSATA 6Gb/s port(s), green

It pretty expensive but the cheaper Z97 that I went for would accommodate the drives you might need and slots for add on cards.

 

That is not a bad build, I would go for a 250GB SSD.  What was the Price?   Are you still getting it built locally. 

[janner66]

The SSD is purely for the operating system and I will add my own storage to it when it arrives. The build is £1250 including delivery and warranty. It comes form PCspecialist. You basically pick the bits you want and they build it for you. I don't really have the expertise to build my own although I would like to try.

 

I have been reading about M 2 SSD but don't understand it fully. Is it used just to cache off your existing SSD to create better bandwith? Are they usually only very small in size?

[iammykyl]

Building your own computer, even first time, does not take any special skills.   following a guide and a few simple rules we seldom get members having problems, usually forgotten cable plugged in, sometimes a DOA part which can take time with returning/receiving the replacement.

 

Have a look at this parts list, edit it to get exactly what you want,  see what kind of saving you would make by purchasing your own parts. Then build yourself or find a local shop that would build and test using your supplied parts. > http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/D7FD7P

 

 have been reading about M 2 SSD but don't understand it fully. Is it used just to cache off your existing SSD to create better bandwith? Are they usually only very small in size?

There are plenty of M 2 cards available e.g. > http://www.pcgamewar...0gb-ssd-review/

Not t be confused with M 2 type card capable of running on a PCI-E slot, will be available towards the end of this yearfor consubers,  > http://www.thessdrev...-and-sata-ssds/

Both types used for the OS/programs Boot drive.   I am looking twords those drives forcing down the price of today's SSDs, enabling 500GB ones to be used for storage.

[janner66]

It saves about £100 so I don't think they are over-charging really. 

 

I would not feel confident installing the motherboard, processor and coolers. Will I need soldering skills? The cards and HDD/SSDs are a doddle though.

 

The M2 Card link is dead. 

Edited by janner66, 27 July 2014 - 10:44 PM.

[iammykyl]

Gday.

Fixed the link.

No soldering, only tools you need are a #2 Phillips head screwdriver, magnetic preferred, and a small pair of scissors or snips for tidying up the ends of any zip ties. 

 

That build cost is pretty good providing they do a complete install and test.

How about posting back your build from CPP,    so we can pick some holes in it, no, just a compatibility check. 

[janner66]

Thanks. I must admit I would like to give a build a go. I find that sort of thing interesting but like you say a £100 for a build is not bad, and they do install and test and have a quality test also.

 

I have cancelled my original order and not yet placed another so I can play around with it a bit before ordering now.

 

The motherboard selection PCSpecialist offer is a bit limited. They offer the followimg:

 

ASUS Z97-A

ASUS SABRETOOTH MK1

ASUS MAXIMUS VII RANGER

ASUS MAXIMUS VII GENE

GIGABYTE Z97 HD3

GIGABYTE Z97X GAMING 3

 

DinoPC offer the following motherboards:

 

GIGABYTE B85M-HD3

GA-Z97P-D3

Z87-HD3

Z97X-GAMING 5

SABRETOOTH MARK 2

 

Mesh seem to be running some good deals now also.

 

I will list all 3 finalists - Which one would you go for?

 

PCSpecialist £1251

 

 

Case

COOLERMASTER CM STORM TROOPER - GAMING ENTHUSIAST CASE

Processor (CPU)

Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-4790k (4.0GHz) 8MB Cache

Motherboard

ASUS® MAXIMUS VII RANGER: PCI-e 3.0, SATA 3.0, USB3.0

Memory (RAM)

24GB KINGSTON HYPER-X FURY DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz (3 x 8GB)

Graphics Card

2GB AMD RADEON™ R9 270X - DVI, HDMI, DP - DX® 11, Eyefinity 4 Capable Free Item

Free Item

FREE NSF - SILVER GAME VOUCHER with AMD R7 260 & R9 270 GPUs

1^st Hard Disk

120GB INTEL® 530 SERIES SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 550MB/sR | 520MB/sW)

2^nd Hard Disk

2TB 3.5" SATA-III 6GB/s HDD 7200RPM 64MB CACHE

Memory Card Reader

INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT

Power Supply

CORSAIR 850W RM SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET (£99)

Processor Cooling

Corsair H100i Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler (£89)

Sound Card

ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)

Wireless/Wired Networking

10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)

Operating System

Genuine Windows 8.1 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)

 

Total = £1261

 

 

Dino PC:

 

 

Special Deals: 16026 - Bundle! Green Surge Protector + Bullguard Internet Security CPU: 2231 - NEW! Intel Core i7 4790K CPU Overclocking: oc45 - 4.5Ghz - Extreme Overclock CPU Cooler: 3022 - Corsair H100i Extreme Water Cooler Operating System: 11022 - Windows 8.1 (64-bit) Motherboard: 4214 - NEW! Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 5 RAM: 5068 - NEW! 16GB Corsair 2400mhz Vengeance Pro (2x8GB) Hard Drive: 6066 - NEW! Crucial 128GB MX100 SSD Graphics card: 9065 - AMD Radeon R9 290 4GB Sound card: 10001 - Onboard 7.1 Audio Internet: 13009 - Wireless 802.11N 300Mbps MIMO PCI-E card Case: 17049 - CM Storm Trooper PSU: 18062 - NEW! 750W Corsair CS Modular Warranty: pc-1 - 3 Year PromoCare Warranty

 

Total = £1263

 

 

Mesh:

 

Fractal Design Define XL Black Pearl Full Tower Ultra Low Noise Performance Case
750W Top Quality FSP Quiet Power Supply - FSP750-50ERN ,88% Eff', 80 PLUS Silver
**New** MSI Z97-GD65 GAMING Intel® Z97 ATX Motherboard
New 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-4790K Quad Core Processor (4.4GHz, 8MB Cache)
Corsair H80i Hydro Series Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
CPU overclocked - Intel i7 4790K overclocked up to 4.4GHz
16GB DDR3 2133MHz Memory (2x8GB) Kit
3GB AMD Radeon R9 280X Gaming (2048 Streams), DVI/HDMI/mDPort
120GB SSD - Solid State Drive ** Special Offer **
2TB SATA III 6Gb/s, 7200rpm, 64MB Cache, 8ms Hard Drive
24x DVD Writer (read/write CD & DVD)
Integrated 7.1 High Definition 8-channel Audio
High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Microsoft Windows® 8.1 - 64 bit inc. DVD & Licence
FREE 60 Day Trial of Microsoft Office 2013
BullGuard Internet Security - Free 90 Day Trial
Standard Warranty - (1 Year Parts, Lifetime Labour,1 Month Collect & Return)

 

 

Total = £1240

 

Here are the builds on PC Part Picker:

 

http://uk.pcpartpick...66/saved/nQmFf7

 

http://uk.pcpartpick...66/saved/RGpmP6

 

http://uk.pcpartpick...66/saved/zYvqqs

 

The Mesh order was an OEM power supply from FSP Group so probably around £50 not £121 but it is a silver 80+ (It appears to have a 2yr warranty).

I could not find the make and model of the 128gb SSD either.

 

I look forward to your reply.

Edited by janner66, 28 July 2014 - 05:17 PM.

[janner66]

Here are my thoughts.

 

I like the Mesh package because the motherboard has 8 SATA 3 ports rather than the others having only 6. Storage is important to me so that is a bonus. However on some sites it says it has 4th generation support

http://www.msi.com/p...o-specification

but on others it says it has 4th and 5th generation support.

http://www.cclonline...rboard/MBD1335/

Can you clarify?

 

I am worried about he OEM power supply on the Mesh and the lack of information on the Make and model of the SSD and HDD. Also not heard of the make of memory either.

 

The other two builds are relatively similar. The DinoPC build has a great graphics card though.

 

The last option is to buy the parts I want and either build it myself or ask my friend to build it for £50. I am starting to think this might be the best option as the choices are too limited (especially with motherboards). At least then I can get what I want.

 

This is the build I would really like. Could you comment on this one and compare it with the others please?

 

http://uk.pcpartpick...66/saved/vRrYcf

Edited by janner66, 28 July 2014 - 07:10 PM.