Advice needed before I order

[Sandra]

Hi

A few months ago I asked for advice on a X99 system and was going to get it when life happened and now I need to decrease my pc budget to help towards the cost of several courses I want to do. So with no pc and my laptop on it's last legs I really need to get something sorted before I end up with noting!

I still want to do photo and video editing if the specs below will allow it. Other then that it will be for the usual surfing, MS Word, Excel, DVD's & Skype. I tend to have lots of windows open at one time especially if I'm checking out information. I don't want it to lag or freeze. My laptop has an i5 processor and it's as slow as a snail. From reading posts on here I can see it shouldn't be that way but it's all I have to compare things with.

Anyway here are the specs of the build I'm considering. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or any ways of cutting the cost as I still have a monitor to get.

Thanks

Case
CORSAIR CARBIDE SERIES™ 200R COMPACT GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-4790 (3.6GHz) 8MB Cache
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 3: ATX, LG1150, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs, XFIRE/SLI
Memory (RAM)
16GB KINGSTON HYPER-X FURY DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 970 - 1 DVI, 1 mHDMI, 3 mDP - 3D Vision Ready
1st Hard Disk
240GB KINGSTON HYPERX 3K SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 555MB/sR | 510MB/sW)
2nd Hard Disk
1TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD1003FZEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W CS SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET (£69)
Processor Cooling
Super Quiet 22dBA Triple Copper Heatpipe Intel CPU Cooler (£19)
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)
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Operating System
Genuine Windows 8.1 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Warranty
3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£69)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £1,258.00 including VAT and delivery.

Unique URL to re-configure: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/intel-haswell-pc/0qJGx3LbWz/

 

[Force V]

To me, that PC is pretty much perfect. Save up for your peripherals and everything before you acctually buy it, that way you'll be satisfied.

 

[Sandra]

To me, that PC is pretty much perfect. Save up for your peripherals and everything before you acctually buy it, that way you'll be satisfied.

Thank you! Good advice regarding the peripherals.

 

[Force V]

Thank you! Good advice regarding the peripherals.

No problem, just remember to buy top quality peripherals with high ratings, e.g. gaming mouse Razer Deathadder 2013, not a cheap china one from eBay.

 

[keynes]

Is it for gaming ?

 

[Sandra]

Hi Force V

Thanks for the advice although I won't be doing gaming like you guys

 

[Sandra]

Hi Keynes

Thanks for commenting. The only games I have is Sims 2 and 3. I might buy Sims 4. I might try my hand at guitar hero. I don't like games with fighting. What it will mainly be used for is photo and video editing if the specs below will allow it. Other then that it will be for the usual surfing, MS Word, Excel, DVD's & Skype. I tend to have lots of windows open at one time especially if I'm checking out information. I don't want it to lag or freeze. My laptop has an i5 processor and it's as slow as a snail. From reading posts on here I can see it shouldn't be that way but it's all I have to compare things with.

 

[Edd1e]

Spec looks good. What software do you use for video editing? Helps determine the best type of GPU choice - open cl vs cuda etc but the 970 is a cracking GPU.

 

[Sandra]

Hi Edd1e

Thanks for commenting. I don't know what software I will be using. I've been wanting to do it for about 14 years but it always gets pushed down the list unfortunately. To begin with I think it will be free software until I can get enough time to warrant paying for any.

When it comes to open cl vs cuda I really don't know. I would like to eventually try digital art but again I don't know which software. Looking at NVIDIA's website it shows that GTS, GT and GeForce are best for digital applications so I'm a bit confused. I know that a lot of everyday things needs DirectX 11 and the 970 doesn't support that. There is so much information available in relation to gaming but very little on creativity.

 

[Edd1e]

Hi Edd1e

Thanks for commenting. I don't know what software I will be using. I've been wanting to do it for about 14 years but it always gets pushed down the list unfortunately. To begin with I think it will be free software until I can get enough time to warrant paying for any.

When it comes to open cl vs cuda I really don't know. I would like to eventually try digital art but again I don't know which software. Looking at NVIDIA's website it shows that GTS, GT and GeForce are best for digital applications so I'm a bit confused. I know that a lot of everyday things needs DirectX 11 and the 970 doesn't support that. There is so much information available in relation to gaming but very little on creativity.

Well you are pretty much spot on with the above although I have read mixed reports about the 970 actually supporting directx 11 with the upgrade planned to 12. Dont have a card to hand now to check unfortunately.

Outside of that Cuda, open cl, open gl etc are used differently depending on software for example Adobe is optimised for CUDA but now also will use open cl, Somy Vegas is open cl only, Lightworks uses pixel shaders and the list goes on. The games you mention do not require a powerful GPU so you could opt for a lower card say a GTX 760 which would cover all the bases and save £100, which could be put towards a future GPU upgrade if and when you need it. The GTX 970 is still a cracking card though so just an idea.

 

[Sandra]

Hi Edd1e, thanks again for replying. Sorry for taking so long to reply back.

Thanks for your advice, I was half thinking of lowering the GPU Glad I didn't rush to order it has I can see that NVidia have introduced a new card! I'm thinking that the GTX 960 might be good enough for my needs. What do you think?

The other thing I'd like to ask your advice on is regarding a monitor. I thought that would be pretty straight forward Any help in this area would be appreciated

Undecided on whether to get a 24" or 27" Price with be the deciding factor. I'm leaning towards PLS or IPS. I've read that 27" monitors with a 1920 x 1080 results in some pixels being seen. If this is true I would hate that. I have a good eye for things and spot things easily. Is it right that everything looks smaller on larger screens? The ideal solution would be to view them but I live in a town that only has a small currys and they don't have much on show at all in the line of monitors. Then there's the amount of colour it supports and if that's what your GPU supports. I will have a nose on NVidia's site now.

Thanks again.

 

[Sandra]

Hi everyone

Decided to change the case to the fractal define R5. Contacted PCS via email and have been assured that I don't need to change the Triple Copper Heatpipe as the outside temperature doesn't make a lot of difference. Can someone explain why it doesn't make a difference please? I would have thought if the inside of the pc was hot and it draws in hot air then it will be harder to cool it?

 

[Sandra]

Hello

I've made a few alterations and would like to know if I go with the H100i and have it at the front of the case, then have the fractal fan (that had to be removed) put on the H100i's radiator for a push and pull air flow will it work well enough without removing any of the insulations at the top of the case? No over clocking just worried about the hot room it will be in.

Thanks

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE R5 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-4790 (3.6GHz) 8MB Cache
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 3: ATX, LG1150, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs, XFIRE/SLI
Memory (RAM)
16GB KINGSTON HYPER-X FURY DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 960 - 2 DVI, HDMI, DP - 3D Vision Ready
1st Hard Disk
240GB KINGSTON HYPERX 3K SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 555MB/sR | 510MB/sW)
2nd Hard Disk
1TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD1003FZEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W CS SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
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)
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
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
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Warranty
3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 3 to 5 working days
Quantity
1

 

[keynes]

The h100i is overkill for stock clock speed, if you are concerned about cooling then getting a quiet case won't improve cooling.

 

[Sandra]

I knew a silent case will create more heat, that's why I'm thinking of the H100i. I need it to be silent or as quiet as possible. I don't think the intel's triple copper will work well enough and I've read reviews saying that 212 Evo isn't much better. I've read reviews the H55 is not much better then either of these two. What would you suggest? I want it quite, in a really hot room and no other options available via PCS.

 

[keynes]

I knew a silent case will create more heat, that's why I'm thinking of the H100i. I need it to be silent or as quiet as possible. I don't think the intel's triple copper will work well enough and I've read reviews saying that 212 Evo isn't much better. I've read reviews the H55 is not much better then either of these two. What would you suggest? I want it quite, in a really hot room and no other options available via PCS.

Triple copper heatpipe cpu cooler is not the standard Intel cpu cooler , I really much doubt you will get any noticeable benefits with anything more expensive , the h100i is also likely to be noisier.

 

[Sandra]

Triple copper heatpipe cpu cooler is not the standard Intel cpu cooler , I really much doubt you will get any noticeable benefits with anything more expensive , the h100i is also likely to be noisier.

No, I know its not intel's standard cooler. The H100i won't be more beneficial then an air cooler? Why is that then? As for the H100i being noisier, the silent case should take care of that shouldn't it providing I didn't have to open it up for more ventilation?

I've had 1 PCS sales advisor tell me an air cooler would be fine because room temperatures don't really have much of an impact (which I can't see how it can't effect it) and I've seen many reviews and read articles stating that room temperatures do make a difference. Then another PCS sales advisor said I would benefit from having a liquid cooler. So you can see my confusion. I'm fast loosing the will to live!

 

[Edd1e]

No, I know its not intel's standard cooler. The H100i won't be more beneficial then an air cooler? Why is that then? As for the H100i being noisier, the silent case should take care of that shouldn't it providing I didn't have to open it up for more ventilation?

I've had 1 PCS sales advisor tell me an air cooler would be fine because room temperatures don't really have much of an impact (which I can't see how it can't effect it) and I've seen many reviews and read articles stating that room temperatures do make a difference. Then another PCS sales advisor said I would benefit from having a liquid cooler. So you can see my confusion. I'm fast loosing the will to live!

No, I know its not intel's standard cooler. The H100i won't be more beneficial then an air cooler? Why is that then? As for the H100i being noisier, the silent case should take care of that shouldn't it providing I didn't have to open it up for more ventilation?

I've had 1 PCS sales advisor tell me an air cooler would be fine because room temperatures don't really have much of an impact (which I can't see how it can't effect it) and I've seen many reviews and read articles stating that room temperatures do make a difference. Then another PCS sales advisor said I would benefit from having a liquid cooler. So you can see my confusion. I'm fast loosing the will to live!

Hang in there!

Of course ambient room temp have an effect as this is where the air is pulled from by the fans as part of the cycle of removing the heated air from the case. However as long is there is good airflow then a few degrees make very little difference. The room would have to be uncomfortably hot before I would see this as an issue. Most problems occurs when people box in their units in cramped spaces or desks where there is little room around the computer for the air to move naturally (hot air rising of course) so there is a danger of the heated air being cycled back into the machine.

The airflow is as important as the fans for cooling and a cool computer will run relatively quietly. Big noise comes from fans hammering away and for this reason I prefer non silenced cases as it kinda defeats the purpose if they run hotter with more load on fans - this is only a personal preference. However most of this only really applies with system that as going to be under sustained load for long periods of time such as gaming sessions. For normal computing you are more likely to hear a mechanical drive working away than notice a fan (unless it was a really cheap one or there was an issue with it). For editing that will be render and export points which unless you are cutting very long pieces shouldn't be that bad.

 

[Sandra]

Hang in there!

Of course ambient room temp have an effect as this is where the air is pulled from by the fans as part of the cycle of removing the heated air from the case. However as long is there is good airflow then a few degrees make very little difference. The room would have to be uncomfortably hot before I would see this as an issue. Most problems occurs when people box in their units in cramped spaces or desks where there is little room around the computer for the air to move naturally (hot air rising of course) so there is a danger of the heated air being cycled back into the machine.

The airflow is as important as the fans for cooling and a cool computer will run relatively quietly. Big noise comes from fans hammering away and for this reason I prefer non silenced cases as it kinda defeats the purpose if they run hotter with more load on fans - this is only a personal preference. However most of this only really applies with system that as going to be under sustained load for long periods of time such as gaming sessions. For normal computing you are more likely to hear a mechanical drive working away than notice a fan (unless it was a really cheap one or there was an issue with it). For editing that will be render and export points which unless you are cutting very long pieces shouldn't be that bad.

I'm hanging in!

Thank you for taking the time to explain that to me. I really appreciate it. My first PC that my brother built for me (no point in asking him now has he's not done anything pc wise in years so totally out the loop) wasn't noisy at all. That was made up from a mixture of new and second hand parts and lasted for 5 years. The last one I bought was so noisy. There was no point in watch or listening to anything unless I wore headphones. After reading your post I'm now wondering if the noise was actually coming from the power supply? As soon as it's turned on the noise is like that of a fan heater. I still have that pc and it still has power so I will have a look inside it to see if I can see where the noise is coming from. This will then help me make a clearer decision of which case and cooler to have. Logic tells me a none silent case would be the best. The room does become uncomfortable to the point of not being about to stay in there. It faces South so as I've said gets the sun all day long from about 10am till late evening.

Thanks again.