Help with first pc build (gaming) - Hardware & Software

Originally I put together a build using other threads and whatnot to get a general gist of what I should be doing. The budget for that build in mind was $1303, but now I'm down to $1103 since I had to lend money to a family member who was in a grim situation. This naturally meant revising some things for the new budget and I did so in a very hasty manner. So now I come to you guys in all your infinite wisdom for opinions and advice on what I should do now because I'm not quite so sure any more. At first I did want to overclock, but with my current budget I don't think that will be likely without possibly sacrificing a few other parts. PCPartPicker part list: [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2hcPD[/url] Price breakdown by merchant: [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2hcPD/by_merchant/[/url] Benchmarks: [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2hcPD/benchmarks/[/url] CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg) Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg) Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg) Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($101.20 @ Newegg) Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($68.98 @ Newegg) Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($184.99 @ Newegg) Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($113.58 @ Newegg) Power Supply: Fractal Design Integra R2 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg) Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($21.98 @ Newegg) Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg) Total: $1068.69 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-08 16:43 EST-0500)

Perhaps chance to the 4670k processor and bump up the graphics card too a 280x or a 770 depending on your preference [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2hdhY[/url] Slightly over budget, im sure there is a way of knocking it down (Will probably be some good deals as its near christmas)

Cheaper, overclockable, faster: [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2hjru[/url] You can even bump up to a R9 270X Twin Frozr and stay within budget (which I recommend).

[QUOTE=flayne;43118053]Cheaper, overclockable, faster: [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2hjru[/url] You can even bump up to a R9 270X Twin Frozr and stay within budget (which I recommend).[/QUOTE]The G.Skill Ares and cpu cooler are both out of stock on newegg, so I'll just stick with the G.Skill Sniper and get the cpu cooler at a retail store. Don't mean to sound silly, is the 270 you listed suppose to be the Twin Frozr? If it isn't then I can't seem to find that model anywhere.

The 270 I listed is the Twin Frozr model: [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/mr/newegg/msi-video-card-r9270gaming2gv305[/url]

I finished putting together the computer earlier in the day, but now I'm come into a issue whenever I try and start it up. The pc turns off and on repeatly and I can't seem to figure out why. I've tried everything I could think of. Taking off one ram stick (plus rearranging, etc), unplugging the GPU (didn't try taking it out though), unplugging the drivers. I even unplugged the 20-pin power connector and inserted the 4/8-pin one, but when I do that it doesn't turn on. I even had both connected while trying to start it up but it still shows the repeating on-off problem. I'm starting to think either the problem is the CPU itself or maybe some thermal paste got onto it, I honestly can't tell at the moment.

Just might be a DOA mobo, also check over your parts to make sure there's no damage.

Your case or motherboard should have come with a motherboard speaker (looks like [url=http://img.bhs4.com/8d/2/8d2064aaa80504b2674052686523f157d1eed2bd_large.jpg]this[/url]). If it didn't, you can always [url=http://www.cwc-group.com/casp.html]buy[/url] one if you still can't figure out the problem. Plug it into the appropriate pins on the motherboard (the motherboard manual should say which ones). It will beep a certain number of times depending on your problem; you should be able to find these either on wikipedia under UEFI beep codes or on the particular manufacturer's website/manual. Remember that invariably you should have the CPU power connector, the CPU, one stick of RAM, and the motherboard power connector all plugged in. If you remove the other components, it might help determine that something is not working. Also one other thing, make sure your RAM is all the way inserted into the sockets (the latches you have to open to pop them into the slots should close by themselves when inserting the RAM). In my first build I didn't insert mine all the way in, and I got the same problem. [QUOTE=kamikaze470;43186381]unplugging the drivers[/QUOTE] What? Drivers are software. What did you actually unplug?

[QUOTE=kamikaze470;43186381]I finished putting together the computer earlier in the day, but now I'm come into a issue whenever I try and start it up. The pc turns off and on repeatly and I can't seem to figure out why. I've tried everything I could think of. Taking off one ram stick (plus rearranging, etc), unplugging the GPU (didn't try taking it out though), unplugging the drivers. I even unplugged the 20-pin power connector and inserted the 4/8-pin one, but when I do that it doesn't turn on. I even had both connected while trying to start it up but it still shows the repeating on-off problem. I'm starting to think either the problem is the CPU itself or maybe some thermal paste got onto it, I honestly can't tell at the moment.[/QUOTE] Do fans spin up/ lights go on? What happens exactly? Also did you use motherboard standoffs?

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you guys. As it turns out, I didn't push in the ram sticks all the way, I'm always so hesitant when it comes to applying pressure to these kind of things in fear something like break. Everything is just fine now. :smile: [QUOTE=flayne;43190337] What? Drivers are software. What did you actually unplug?[/QUOTE]My bad, I meant the HDD, SSD and optical drive. [QUOTE=taipan;43192712]Do fans spin up/ lights go on? What happens exactly? Also did you use motherboard standoffs?[/QUOTE]Fans/lights would momentarily function when power was on, and I did use standoffs.

Like I said, I did the same thing my first build.