Would appreciate advice on my 1000$(US) gaming build?

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Donbaloo

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Jul 29, 2013
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Hi folks. I've been out of PC gaming for, ohhh, about 15 years easily. Have been console gaming during that time but I'm getting the urge to come back. I've heard drivers and such aren't quite as insane to keep up with these days. I was going to move ahead with a new console but we're in desperate need of a new PC for utility so figured I might as well ditch the console and out that money toward gamifying the PC.

I probably don't even need a smoking rig or anything because I'm sure there's a decade backlog of awesome PC games to occupy me. But just in case I get to wanting one of those new releases I'm thinking I should probably try to build relatively current.

-I'm looking to build as soon as possible.
-No need for monitor or peripherals. I likely won't be overclocking but who knows. Once I get my hands inside this thing I may get more interested in that.
-1000$ or less
-Here's my build thus far from my research here. I've included cooling but not sure if my uses will need it. Please feel free to tear down and make recommendations. Let me know where I can save more money while maintaining performance. Alternately, tip me off where I've cut too deep or chosen shody parts. Thanks a lot!

Edit to add: Its been a LONG time since I've tinkered inside a computer. I'm hoping I can handle a self-build.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1m0DS
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1m0DS/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1m0DS/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.80 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($259.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.73 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $977.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-29 16:00 EDT-0400)

 
Solution
geofelt
That is a very good list, you did well.
A couple of comments:
1. I love using a SSD. I will never build again without one for at least the os. In your case, I really think 64gb is too small.
Lots of things want to go on the "C" drive. When a ssd nears full, it will slow down and lose endurance. You will only get perhaps60gb useable out of the drive. I suggest at least 120gb. Consider deferring on the hard drive, you can always add one later. Better yet, buy a 240gb drive and you may never need a hard drive at all. I have not needed one. Look for a Samsung 840 on sale, they are clearing out inventory on anticipation of a newer EVO version. You can find a 240gb unit for $175.
2. I do not much like windows 8. You may. But, go...
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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That is a very good list, you did well.
A couple of comments:
1. I love using a SSD. I will never build again without one for at least the os. In your case, I really think 64gb is too small.
Lots of things want to go on the "C" drive. When a ssd nears full, it will slow down and lose endurance. You will only get perhaps60gb useable out of the drive. I suggest at least 120gb. Consider deferring on the hard drive, you can always add one later. Better yet, buy a 240gb drive and you may never need a hard drive at all. I have not needed one. Look for a Samsung 840 on sale, they are clearing out inventory on anticipation of a newer EVO version. You can find a 240gb unit for $175.
2. I do not much like windows 8. You may. But, go to a store and try out their demo PC's to see how you like it.
 
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Donbaloo

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Jul 29, 2013
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Thank you for the feedback geofelt! Ill definitely take into consideration the larger SSD. I've never used one but read their praise especially for running the OS. So I was just going to splurge on a small one for the OS and use the TB for everything else. I definitely need a lot of storage. Not sure how much storage is needed for gaming these days but I also store all of our family pics and videos on there. Maybe I could go up a level or two and have enough SSD to game from as well and just use the TB for media storage? Ill think about it!

Here's an alternate build with same specs (kept the SSD he same now for comparison). Shaved a few bucks off but not sure if I sacrificed quality anywhere. I did drop the cooler though as I don't know if ill even need it if I don't OC. Is this better, worse, negligible?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1m1UI
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1m1UI/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1m1UI/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: MSI Z87M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($97.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($48.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Cooler Master GX 650W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($48.00 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.73 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $905.66
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-29 16:31 EDT-0400)
 
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wonkybits

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Mar 22, 2012
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I'd shift over to a mini-itx so you can shrink the size of the computer down to use as a tv computer, and add a wireless dongle for an xbox 360 controller (get the wireless pc kit if you don't already have a controller). Now you can plug this into a tv whenever you want and the video card will do really well at 1080p. if price is an issue, many of the last 2 gens of graphics cards can play at 1080p without an issue.

asus sells a few mini-itx motherboards and switching to a different case shouldn't cost much more. Since you aren't maxing out the board than you don't reall need to have a large system anyway.

I'd also go with a larger ssd but that's just a bonus. If you are planning to use it as a cache drive it's ok, but if it's going to be your system drive you'll want more space.





 
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wonkybits

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Mar 22, 2012
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10,510
I'd shift over to a mini-itx so you can shrink the size of the computer down to use as a tv computer, and add a wireless dongle for an xbox 360 controller (get the wireless pc kit if you don't already have a controller). Now you can plug this into a tv whenever you want and the video card will do really well at 1080p. if price is an issue, many of the last 2 gens of graphics cards can play at 1080p without an issue.

asus sells a few mini-itx motherboards and switching to a different case shouldn't cost much more. Since you aren't maxing out the board than you don't reall need to have a large system anyway.

I'd also go with a larger ssd but that's just a bonus. If you are planning to use it as a cache drive it's ok, but if it's going to be your system drive you'll want more space.





 
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wonkybits

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Mar 22, 2012
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10,510
I'd shift over to a mini-itx so you can shrink the size of the computer down to use as a tv computer, and add a wireless dongle for an xbox 360 controller (get the wireless pc kit if you don't already have a controller). Now you can plug this into a tv whenever you want and the video card will do really well at 1080p. if price is an issue, many of the last 2 gens of graphics cards can play at 1080p without an issue.

asus sells a few mini-itx motherboards and switching to a different case shouldn't cost much more. Since you aren't maxing out the board than you don't reall need to have a large system anyway.

I'd also go with a larger ssd but that's just a bonus. If you are planning to use it as a cache drive it's ok, but if it's going to be your system drive you'll want more space.





 
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Donbaloo

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Jul 29, 2013
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Thanks for the suggestion wonkybits. At least for the interim the computer actually will be a TV computer. We're in a small house now and really don't have a good place for gaming desktop. So I've thought about just gaming on it the way I do my Xbox, in the living room in the small hdtv. What are the drawbacks to the ITX case? I saw one available really didn't know anything about it. And can you point me to what I'd need to utilize my Xbox controller or one like it for compatible games? Thanks!
 
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Lemonjelleaux

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Jul 29, 2013
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To use a wireless XBOX 360 controller you need a wireless receiver that plugs into a usb 2.0 port. As far as I can tell they are only sold packaged with a controller, which is annoying if you already have a few lying around. There are knock-offs but people have had trouble with the off brands. Best buy and similar stores sell what you need: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Microsoft---Xbox-360-Wireless-Controller-for-Windows/2589153.p?id=1218503724374&skuId=2589153. Each wireless receiver supports up to 4 controllers.

Any wired XBOX 360 controller can simply be plugged into a usb 2.0 port after the proper drivers are installed and will work.
 
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Donbaloo

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Jul 29, 2013
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Thanks lemonjelleaux.

A couple questions about these two builds.
1. Do I need to buy a cooler or will stock be okay (assuming theres a stock cooler)? I don't plan to overclocknbut if I change my mind does that change whether I need to buy a cooler?

2.Considering that the new consoles will all have AMD chips, would I be better served going AMD with my builds or does it even matter?

3. I was really sort of taking a stab at mobos in each build as the choices were overwhelming and I don't know much about them. Are they both reasonable? Is there a comparable mobo that's better value that would save more dollars?
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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My thoughts:
1. coolermaster is a step down in psu quality. You really don't want that.
Here is a list of psu's arranged by quality tiers:
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx
2. I was originally planning my 4670K build to go in a red lian li PC-Q08 ITX case that I have been wanting to use.
On testing overclocking with the 4670K, I found how hot it could get and decided to put it in my Silverstone TJ08E case instead.
I think I got a dog chip. But, even at stock or with a mild oc the cpu seems very strong. I would buy some sort of an aftermarket cooler. The stock cooler gets very noisy under load.
A cm hyper212 is ok.
3. Ignore the FUD suggesting that gaming is better with AMD because of consoles. Game developers will not willingly limit their market.
4. Any Z87 based motherboard will oc and do the job for you. Pick your favorite brand. M-ATX will usually be cheaper. So long as you will not need dual cards for triple monitor gaming, M-ATX is fine.
 
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