To Build or To Buy or To Buy & Upgrade?

[marlowe221]

OK, here's a (very) provisional build I've been playing around with over the course of the last few days. I think it takes the advice I've received here into account.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/marlowe221/saved/MXrmP6

Please tell me where I have gone wrong!

[ExedExes]

i5-4430 quad core is a good processor choice. My new desktop has it and it runs my GOG and retail games pretty good. Also fast for everything else. I like this build, except I'm more of an nVidia fan myself

[isiolia]

Looks like it'd all come together well.

One small thing that you might consider is bumping up to an H87 or H97 based board rather than the H81 based one. It'd mean going from a ~$50 mobo to probably the $80-90 range though.

Those chipsets would net a couple more PCIe lanes, meaning they'd probably have another expansion slot or two. They support dual channel memory as well.
They allow for more native USB ports, and more native USB 3.0 ports at that. Also, more SATA ports, and all of them 6Gb/sec instead of 2 3Gb and 2 6Gb.

The basic info can be found quickly at http://ark.intel.com/ - though keep in mind that's what the chipsets offer. Some motherboards may not implement all of it the same. Others may add features via extra controller chips.

[marlowe221]

Looks like it'd all come together well.

One small thing that you might consider is bumping up to an H87 or H97 based board rather than the H81 based one. It'd mean going from a ~$50 mobo to probably the $80-90 range though.

Those chipsets would net a couple more PCIe lanes, meaning they'd probably have another expansion slot or two. They support dual channel memory as well.
They allow for more native USB ports, and more native USB 3.0 ports at that. Also, more SATA ports, and all of them 6Gb/sec instead of 2 3Gb and 2 6Gb.

The basic info can be found quickly at http://ark.intel.com/ - though keep in mind that's what the chipsets offer. Some motherboards may not implement all of it the same. Others may add features via extra controller chips.

I think my budget can stand that upgrade.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/marlowe221/saved/t2smP6

Is the power supply sufficient?

Edit - Have to pick a new case now... no USB jacks on the front of the Cooler Master

[isiolia]

HAF 912 has front USB ports, they're just not USB 3.0 ports (not saying those aren't desirable, of course). Corsair Carbide 200R is a similarly priced case with front USB 3.0.

PSU should be good. From what I gather, that's a Seasonic manufactured unit as well.

[marlowe221]

I'm sure one of those cases will work. I'm not too concerned about looks really. I'm more worried about good ventilation than anything else.

But I feel good about the parts list now that I have had some consultation with the experts here on Racketboy. I don't plan on buying the parts all at once. I'm going to try and catch a sale here and there if I can and gather the parts over the next few months. I will sign up for the email alerts from pcpartspicker.