Another newb looking for custom build Feedback and advice

[Medic1030 0]

I originally posted a similar build-related question about a year ago when I was first planning on putting together a custom FSX computer, but life got in the way a bit and here I am a year later, finally ready to pull the trigger on a new build.  It’s going to be a huge improvement over the laptop I’ve been using since getting into FSX.  Good news is that I now have a bit more spare cash to make this a good build I think, and I’ve also spent the last year becoming a much better virtual pilot. 

 

Listed below is the system I’ve put together from PCPartpicker.  I’m hoping the experts on here can spare some time to take a look and give me some feedback.  I’m reasonably handy and can self-teach pretty well, but by no means am I computer-savvy and have never built my own system.  I’m just looking for some general feedback about the list or any glaring errors I may have made, and then I also have a few specific questions listed below the specs…

 

CPU                – Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core

CPU Cooler    – Noctua NH-D14

Motherboard   – Asus Z97-Pro (Wi-Fi ac) ATX LGA1150

Memory          – G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-2133 - (9-11-11-31 - 1.6v)

Storage           - Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5” SSD - (for OS and other basic programs – ie office, adobe, AV, etc.)

                        - Crucial MX200 250GB 2.5” SSD – (for FSX and all addons)

                        - Western Digital Black 1TB 3.5” 7200RPM HD (for storage/everything else)

Video Card     – Asus GeForce 970 4GB STRIX

Case               – Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 ATX Mid Tower

Power Supply – EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX

OS                  – Windows 7 Home Premium

 

My questions:

1- I plan to overclock modestly to 4.4GHz.  This CPU already has a turbo of 4.4GHz but  my understanding is that this is only with one core under load, so I’m hoping it will be a relatively straightforward overclock to get it to a steady 4.4.  Am I right in this assumption, and will my selected cooler be adequate for this?

 

2- With regards to the memory; pcpartpicker gives me a warning that, at 1.6v, it's above the recommended 1.5v as per the Intel specs, and that it may not run at the specified frequency as a result.  Is this something I have to worry about?  Will it cause any problems with the CPU, and will it actually run at less than 2133?  I’m hoping not since there’s no point buying 2133 if it will run at a lower speed.  Also with regards to the memory, would there be a significant improvement if I went to the 2400 (10-12-12-31) Ripjaws over the 2133 (9-11-11-31), and would there be any logical reason to go to 2x8GB instead of 2x4GB?

 

3- Re the video card; Would there be any worthwhile improvement if I went with the GeForce 980 (at nearly double the cost) instead of the 970?

 

4- Finally, regarding the case, it comes with 3 built-in fans but lists space for 5.  Are the 3 it comes with enough, or should I look at getting 2 more?

 

Thanks in advance for the help.  This site is great and has been a great resource for me over the past year as I got into flight simming!

 

Corey

 

EDIT: Oops. Posted this in the wrong forum. Mods can you please move it to the "MOBO, RAM, CPU's & Other Hardware" forum, where I think it is more appropriate given the various questions I asked.  Thanks.

[Medic1030 0]

_{I've reposted this in the correct forum as noted in the edit at the end of the last post.  I'll be checking that one instead. Sorry about that.}

[W2DR 1,860]

A couple of thoughts...

 

1.  The 4790K in Turbo mode runs 4.4 on the first core, 4.3 on the second, and 4.2 on the other two cores. How much you can OC depends on the chip but 4.5 - 4.6 should work fine. I can run at 4.7 with the smaller version of your cooler (mine is the  Noctua NH-U12S) and the temps are fine (low 70's). But...since I see very little, if any difference in FSX/P3D with the OC I've gone back to Turbo mode and let the CPU run much cooler (50-52C).

 

2.  I wouldn't worry about the RAM voltage (lots of words on the subject starting here  http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2267491/2133mhz-ddr3-haswell.html  .) I'm running two sticks of Corsair Vengeance at 2133 and the DRAM voltage is 1.472. Do a bit of reading and that should dispel any concerns about the Haswell being able to handle it.

 

3.  The 980 would be a waste of money. Even the 970 is overkill (way overkill) for FSX but what the heck, we have to have something (I have a 970 and love it).

 

4.   The three fans are probably enough but I've always believed you can't have enough air movement. Fans don't cost much. I'd go ahead and add the extra ones. But, only with good ones like Noctua.

 

Enjoy the new box. I think you'll love it.

 

Doug

 

Intel 4790K
MSI Z97 Gaming 7
Noctua NH-U12S
Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB 2133 MHz
nVidia GTX 970
Cooler Master HAF 932 Tower
Thermaltake 1000W Toughpower
500GB SSD - Samsung 840
12TB HDD Internal - Western Digital Black
40TB HDD External - Western Digital
2x Asus PA246Q ProArt 24" 1920x1200
4x Plextor PX-891SAW DVD-RW
Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit