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2 Build Options for ~$1,000

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  • Gaming
  • Option
  • Motherboards
  • Cooling
  • Build
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Last response: in Components
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March 6, 2014 6:17:23 PM

Option 1: http://

Option 2: http://

I am trying to get a PC for about $1,000, purely for gaming.
Option 1 has 4670k, a separate cooler, and a Z-87 mobo.
Option 2 has 4670, a stock cooler, a cheaper H-87 mobo but a gtx 770 instead of 760.
Which one would you recommend?
Also for Option 2, is the H-87 mobo viable if you are not overclocking?
If not, which alternative would you suggest instead?
Are there any parts that are incompatible, lowly rated, etc.?
Thanks.

More about : build options 000

March 6, 2014 6:32:39 PM

I'm not sure if it's just me, but the builds are the same, other than the mobo.
although, going off what you're saying I think I can still answer your questions.
if you're not overclocking, the H-87 will be fine.
as for choosing an option, personally, I would try to get a z87 mobo, with a unlocked proccessor, even if you don't want to overclock yet. If you cannot afford to get unlocked, with a 770, just get a 770 with an h87 mobo. the performance you will get from overclocking will not be able to surpass the difference between a 760, and 770.

also, get 2x4gb of ram, dual channel is best channel.
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March 6, 2014 6:34:58 PM

if you're not overclocking at all even with choice 1, may as well go with 2. you're likely to see improvements with a better GPU than simply going with an under-utilized unlocked CPU. the other things i'd change is getting a 2x4GB ram kit and the PSU. the Corsair CX is known to fail in a short time of use. consider a tier 2 from this list; http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

EDIT: i thought you said you were going with a 4670K on choice 1?
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March 6, 2014 7:00:56 PM

Oops, sorry. I don't know why the two were the same.
They have now been edited properly.
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March 6, 2014 7:02:05 PM

Do you think GTX 770 can show its full potential under that Gigabyte H-87 board with 4670?
Are they balanced well?
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March 6, 2014 7:12:18 PM

you could get an i3 and you'd still less likely to see any problems with a 770, save for the occasional badly optimized games. the motherboard plays a limited role in performance, and most mid to high end mainstream CPUs aren't going to hold a 770 back by a lot.

http://www.hardwarepal.com/best-cpu-gaming-9-processors...
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March 6, 2014 7:41:06 PM

Thanks for answering. Then could you tell me what makes a good motherboard good?
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March 6, 2014 7:59:27 PM

it all comes down to build quality and features. the more you pay, the better the quality and features, natch. so that $40 B85 may not look much different than an $80 B85, but unless you're strap for cash,i'd pay more for a bit of quality and reliability. if you're not OCing or going for an SLI/CF rig, you're basically paying for reliability.

there's two major factors a motherboard would play in increasing performance; overclocking and SLI/CF support. the first is "supposed" to be available only for Z87 boards, provided you didn't install intel's update that'll shut off OCing features in their B85/H87 boards. the latter's only available in Z87 boards.

if you're OCing modestly, then any $90-110 will do. higher OCs may require a better board with a better power phase design (more chokes, higher quality caps, heatsink near these chokes : http://www.overclock3d.net/gfx/articles/2007/10/0813211...) for better stability. SLI/CF support usually starts at around the $120 mark.

as for brand; Asus, Gigabyte and Asrock. personally, MSI has been rather poor with quality lately.
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