Need some advice on a ~1500 gaming rig build options

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Leslie Falvey

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Jun 10, 2013
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Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Next week

Budget Range: By my calculations the total build will be ~$1500 but can go a bit higher if there is a performance boost

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, other light computing functions

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: I am after a CPU, MB, videocard, RAM, HSF, Power. I am also going to get a new case and DVD drive but will buy those locally in Dubai (all other items will be shipped from the US). Will have to make do with the range that they have here for Case and DVD. Will use monitor, mouse, keyboard, Vortex 128GB SSD, 1TB Caviar Black HDD, headphones from previous rig.

Do you need to buy OS: No, have Windows 8

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Prefer single vendor as re-shipping will be cheaper to Dubai.

Location: New Jersey re-shipping address

Parts Preferences: Haswell chipset to keep current as long as possible

Overclocking: No but nice to have the option

SLI or Crossfire: Possible upgrade later

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 Samsung LED TV

Additional Comments:

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I am buying this as my current rig will not meet the specs for Battlefield 4 and I want something that will do me for ~3 years

Parts list: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Rand0m_Thoughts/saved/1JAC

Key questions:
1. I can find a lot of information about the difference between CPUs but not much written about motherboards for them. What would I gain going up or down from the current MB?
2. I seem some mentions that an 850W power supply would be overkill. Should I trim this back? Will it increase noise?
3. Liquid cooling vs. fan cooling? As long as both were sufficient what would be quieter?
4. I have gone with the cheapest 1866 RAM that I could. Is there a difference between these and other modules? What is the best configuration (I have assumed that 1x8GB is better than 2x4GB)?
5. Can I do the build myself or should I have someone professionally do it for me (wouldn't cost much here in Dubai).
 
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n1ghtr4v3n

n1ghtr4v3n

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Feb 27, 2013
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Key questions:
1. I can find a lot of information about the difference between CPUs but not much written about motherboards for them. What would I gain going up or down from the current MB?

- there are few key things in mind while selecting a mobo.
-if you want overclocking you gotta choose the one with voltage tweaking (the mobo you choose is a solid one, no need to invest in higher stuff) you would only gain some features maybe extra slots or different outputs

2. I seem some mentions that an 850W power supply would be overkill. Should I trim this back? Will it increase noise?

-850w is for sure an overkill. you can go down by 700-750W if it comes for a decent price to worth it. No it wont make noise unless you actually "load" it. It doesnt automatically draw 850W, it has the capacity

3. Liquid cooling vs. fan cooling? As long as both were sufficient what would be quieter?

-liquid cooler is not needed unless you want high/extreme overclocking. Hyper212Evo Air cooler is miracleously good for any cpu these days.

4. I have gone with the cheapest 1866 RAM that I could. Is there a difference between these and other modules? What is the best configuration (I have assumed that 1x8GB is better than 2x4GB)?

-if you are going to get another 8gb later, stick to 1 slot for now. But if you aint gonna upgrade to 16gb, your cpu is dual channel so you shall benefit 2x4gb more.

5. Can I do the build myself or should I have someone professionally do it for me (wouldn't cost much here in Dubai).

-it relatively easy. there are lots of videos over internet. if you know a bit about pc's and also if you can be gentle. do it yourself. its quite fun :D

good luck!! :D
 
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dannyboy2233

dannyboy2233

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May 24, 2013
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CPU: i5 4670k- $250
MoBo: Asrock Extreme4, Gigabyte UD3H/GD65- $100-$200
RAM: 16 GB Corsair Vengeance @ 1600 MHz- $100
GPU: 2x GTX 770's (preferably Windforces)- $840
PSU: Corsair HX 850- $150
Cooler: Corsair H60- $60
Total: $1500-$1600 (depends which motherboard you want to pick)
 
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dalmvern

dalmvern

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Jun 15, 2011
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Ok to begin with, your choice of an i7 will not get you much more for gaming over an i5, go with the i5-4670k.

1) The motherboard you choose is largely going to determine how easily you will be able to overclock your processor. The one you chose is not a bad choice, keep it.

2) Unless you are planning on adding a second 770, 850W is more than you need. Even if you are going to add a second, you can drop this down to 750W. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095 This power supply is still more than your rig needs, but i dont want to drop you down to 520W for only $5 savings.

3) Liquid cooling is typically quieter than big air coolers, though some of the radiator fans can be loud if you dont have your settings right, but the cooling benefit of closed loop liquid cooling like the Corsair H100i is one or two degrees C at most.

4) There is not much difference between 1x8GB and 2x4GB RAM, your choice is fine, G.Skill makes good RAM.

5) That is your choice, building yourself can be fun and you have a real sense of accomplishment and ownership at the end. Plus there are numerous guides, walkthroughs, and videos that you can watch to walk through it.
 
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dannyboy2233

dannyboy2233

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There IS a difference in RAM. He needs two sticks to utilize dual-channel RAM.
 
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Leslie Falvey

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Jun 10, 2013
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First of all thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond, it is much appreciated and helping me to catch up with some of the newer developments in hardware which has been a lot of fun.

I had a few more questions based on the comments above:

1. @Dalmvern suggested that I would not get any more performance for gaming from an i7 vs. the (~$100) cheaper i5. I have seen this comment echoed in a few articles. I think I am falling into the "wanting the latest and greatest trap here", I will step this down to the i5.

2. I selected the ASRock Extreme 6 based on the recommendation from Toms Hardware (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z87-haswell-motherboard-review,3524-31.html). What is the difference between this and the ASRock Extreme 4 and the Gigabyte UD3H/GD65 suggested by DannyBoy2233? How will this effect overclocking down the road if I want to do it?

3. Have downgraded the the PSU to 750W but upgraded it to the "Platinum" range to get the extra energy efficiency. Do you think this is worth it as the price is around the same?

4. The RAM is where everyone has pointed out a big change. I have changed the configuration to 2x4GB sticks of the same manufacturer as I have read that going to 16GB is really overkill.

5. Have bumped up the video card to a GTX780 as it seems that this brings around a 10% boost.

6. Seemed that most people agree that fan cooling is fine (and from what I read less likely for something to go wrong). I have changed the cooling unit to the recommended Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BK.

Here is the build now, would love to hear more comments / suggestions / answers:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/15czw

Still coming in at around $1300 which with the couple of parts that I need to buy locally (case and optical drive) should bring it in at around ~$1500.

Thanks again to everyone.
 
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dalmvern

dalmvern

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Really there will be very little practical difference between the motherboards you are choosing between. They are all going to overclock roughly the same, just with different features and options. Personally, my new build is going to be the MSI GD65, but mainly because I liked the aesthetics.

I was going to recommend that you NOT get a Rosewill PSU since they are not typically "A" grade, but that PSU got a good review on JohnnyGuru http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=306. I would still feel remiss if I didnt recommend that you instead go with SeaSonic, Corsair or Antec...they make the best power supplies out there.

I would also recommend that you change your heatsink. From the looks of that one, it will not be efficient...plus, you can get one of the best coolers out there for half the price. Get the Coolermaster Hyper212 Evo. If you want an even better cooler, even though its a bit more expensive, get the Noctua NH-D14...its the best air cooler out now. Both of these are LGA 1150 compatible.
 
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Leslie Falvey

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Jun 10, 2013
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Dalmvern,

Thanks for the comments. Based on the suggestion I have swapped the PSU to a "Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Silver" as I have a Corsair in my current rig and have been happy with it and this one gets good reviews.

I have also taken your suggestion to swap to the "Noctua NH-D14" as price isn't much different and the HS is an important and often overlooked element.

Build as it is now: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/15eLO

Thanks!
 
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Leslie Falvey

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Jun 10, 2013
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Marcopolo123, thanks for the suggestions.

1. The MB you are suggesting here is the UD3H version and the one that gets good reviews on Toms Hardware is the UD4H. The price difference is around $70. Do you know what the other differences are? The UD4H is not available for sale anywhere...

2. Nice, have added the Fractal Design case with the window (although I prefer the simple black one).

3. Any particular reason for the XFX PSU vs. the Corsair? $20 price cheaper but just wondering as I have a Corsair in my current rig that I have been happy with.

Thanks again.
 
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Leslie Falvey

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Jun 10, 2013
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Hey guys, sorry to bother you on this again. Have been looking around at what cases I can get here locally (it is an expensive component to have shipped) and can't get the one that I want.

What do you think about the Corsair 600T (Black)?

http://uae.souq.com/ae-en/corsair-graphite-600tm-black-mid-tower-case-5104773/i/

It get's good reviews, looks pretty good and most importantly I can get it locally. I may have other choices when I go to the computer center later this week but wanted to get people's opinion on this case as I know that it is available.

Thanks again for your help everyone!
 
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dalmvern

dalmvern

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Yeah, that case looks pretty solid, decent airflow and some nice cable management. I like the Corsair Obsidian series over the Graphite series, but thats mostly because I dont like the rounded look of the Graphite cases.

The price seems a bit high for a mid tower though, you could easily find a good full tower for that price and get better airflow, more drive space, and a roomier case in general.

If you like that case, absolutely go for it, but it might be worth your while to at least look into some full tower cases.
 
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Leslie Falvey

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Jun 10, 2013
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I was tossing up between the Obsidian and the Graphite series. Will have to see what they both look like IRL.

Why do you think full tower would be a way to go? I am a bit worried that it would be too big...
 
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dalmvern

dalmvern

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Its all dependent on the constraints you have for your case. Full towers have better airflow than mid-towers for the most part, and usually have better cable management, but those Corsair cases all have good cable management, so that is really not an issue. Full towers also have more drive space, so if you wanted to add in more hard drives.

I think full towers are the best to go with when you are building your own mostly because of the extra room they give you to work. Personally I have big hands so sometimes I get cramped when working with mid tower cases.

Like you said, see how they look in real life and go with whichever you like the best. Cases are ultimately a personal choice and preference.
 
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