Gaming PC Build, Need Help.

Brados22 · Mar 19, 2014

Hello guys/girls, I am looking to build a gaming PC that will topell all others for about $1200. Infact I have already picked out all the parts for one, I just need feedback from all of you telling me wether this build is viable or not, what I should change, and what I should leave the same. Anything you could tell me would be helpful, Thanks.
*Edit* Sorry about no link for PcPartPicker, http://pcpartpicker.com/user/gothicdarkstar/saved/45po hope this helps
also, the reason for the motherboard is I am hoping to do some major upgrading along the road and maybe some OC, Plus I really like all the options for System fan connectors on this motherboard (6 system fan 4-pin connectors)
*Edit* With everything I have been reading and seeing I am beginning to rethink my previous build so I came up with a new one, will this suit my needs better?
Final Build
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-Pro (V Edition) ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($329.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX750B BRONZE 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Other: Cooler Master HAF 922 W/ All Black Interior ($79.99)
Total: $1193.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-19 17:17 EDT-0400)

Previous Build

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Formula ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($299.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive[/url] ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($175.38 @ Newegg)
Case: ARMOR-EVO ATX Full Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX750B BRONZE 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($101.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor[/url] ($132.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $1199.68

minerva330 · Mar 19, 2014

Would be nice to in the future to have the PC partpicker link.

The main thing I see is that your PSU is insanely overpowered (especially for a 750Ti), unless your considering a massive upgrade in the future.

Edit: Good motherboard but I do not understand why you would get one at that price point with all those features (it is an enthusiast board) when all of your other hardware will not be able to to take advantage of it. Case in point, you don't even have an unlocked CPU, so why would you get an OCing board?

I would get a good middle of the road board and then sink that money into a GTX 770

Turb0Yoda · Mar 19, 2014

You should atleast get a 660 GPU... And Win 8.1 unless you absolutely hate it.

dustinhunt78 · Mar 19, 2014

For that budget, this is a system that I designed. It is very "overclocking" compatible, which will allow you to squeeze everything you can from it.

Sorry....this is an updated version. The other didn't include a monitor. The "See As Plain Text" option isn't working good on PC Partfinder today.

Component Selection Base Price Promo Shipping Tax Price Where
CPU
Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor $219.00 Free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime $219.00 Amazon
Buy
CPU Cooler
Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler $49.99 $49.99 NCIX US
Buy
Motherboard
Asus Z87-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard $184.00 -$15.00 FREE $169.00 Newegg
Buy

$15.00 mail-in rebate

Memory
Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory $92.99 FREE $92.99 Newegg
Buy
Storage
Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk $169.99 $0.99 $170.98 Newegg
Buy
Video Card
EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card
Case
Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case $89.99 Free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime $89.99 Amazon
Buy
Power Supply
Corsair Gaming 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply $89.99 Free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime $89.99 Amazon
Buy
Optical Drive
Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer $84.99 -$20.00 $0.99 $65.98 Newegg
Buy

$20.00 mail-in rebate

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) $99.98 $99.98 OutletPC
Buy
Monitor
Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor $157.00 $157.00 B&H
Buy
Base Total: $1237.92
Mail-in Rebates: -$35.00
Shipping: $1.98
Total: $1204.90

HiTechObsessed · Mar 19, 2014

This'll do it:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: SilenX EFZ-120HA5 86.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($61.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($489.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: BitFenix Shinobi Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.26 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1196.17
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-19 15:09 EDT-0400)

Novuake · Mar 19, 2014

Overspending on motherboard / chassis and power supply.

Hell that graphics card is way underpowered for a serious gaming machine.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3cJwU
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3cJwU/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3cJwU/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD4H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($85.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($329.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Samsung S22C350H 21.5" Monitor ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $1204.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-19 15:22 EDT-0400)

10x better graphics card and generally a much more balanced build.

Brados22 · Mar 19, 2014

Turb0Yoda :

I do hate windows 8 I would like to stick with Win 7

Brados22 · Mar 19, 2014

minerva330 :

Thanks for your input I am new to this and this is my first build so it is a little shaky

dustinhunt78 · Mar 19, 2014

Brados22 :

Whatever you finally decide on, I strongly advise on making sure that the build has a good SSD instead of conventional hard drive. The only people who would suggest otherwise are the ones who have never used a good SSD. LOL The only thing that a conventional HDD is good for anymore is mass storage of rarely used items, such as photos, movies, videos, etc. A strong SSD gives you an insane jump in speed/performance in every aspect of your PC, including but not limited to gaming.

minerva330 · Mar 19, 2014

dustinhunt78 :

I would disagree, I think a SSD is a luxury item. For someones first gaming build it makes more sense to sink that money into the video card and upgrade later. If the budget is a tight $1200 than Nouvake build is the most balanced. If he can afford another $100 or more on top of that than get a Samsung Evo for your OS and such. I will openly admit that a SSD is awesome, probably the single biggest jump I have ever had in overall performance from one item, however, if I was on a tight budget I would much rather put the money towards a GPU.

Brados22 · Mar 19, 2014

minerva330 :

dustinhunt78 :

I would disagree, I think a SSD is a luxury item. For someones first gaming build it makes more sense to sink that money into the video card and upgrade later. If is budget is a tight $1200 than Nouvake build is the most balanced. If he can afford another $100 on top of that than get an Samsung Evo 120gb for your OS and such.

Question would it be viable to have both SSD and HD or just one or the other?

dustinhunt78 · Mar 19, 2014

minerva330 :

dustinhunt78 :

I would disagree, I think a SSD is a luxury item. For someones first gaming build it makes more sense to sink that money into the video card and upgrade later. If the budget is a tight $1200 than Nouvake build is the most balanced. If he can afford another $100 or more on top of that and get a Samsung Evo for your OS and such. I will openly admit that a SSD is awesome, probably the single biggest jump I have ever had in overall performance from one item, however, if I was on a tight budget I would much rather put the money towards a GPU.

We will definitely agree to disagree on this one then. LOL

minerva330 · Mar 19, 2014

Brados22 :

minerva330 :

Question would it be viable to have both SSD and HD or just one or the other?

It really depends on your storage needs. Most people have both. A SSD for your OS, Apps, and maybe a few choice games. A HDD for media content and other games (Titanfall is 50GB unpacked so I did not put that on my SSD). If you have deep pockets you can get a 1TB SSD but they are about $500. It depends or your needs, likes, and budget. Getting a small capacity SSD coupled with a high capacity HHD will give the best performance to price ratio

dustinhunt78 · Mar 19, 2014

minerva330 :

Brados22 :

It really depends on your storage needs. Most people have both. A SSD for your OS, Apps, and maybe a few choice games. A HDD for media content and other games (Titanfall is 50GB unpacked so I did not put that on my SSD). If you have deep pockets you can get a 1TB SSD but they are about $500. It depends or your needs, likes, and budget. Getting a small capacity SSD coupled with a high capacity HHD will give the best performance to price ratio

I can't agree more. I actually paid $425.00 for only 512GB of space, but I bought a Samsung 840 Pro. The only way to beat the 840 Pro is go with a PCI-e SSD, and then you're talking about STUPID money. I found a 10.24TB PCI-e SSD a couple of weeks ago for $124,000.00. And no, that isn't a typo. It was LITERALLY over a hundred thousand dollars! LOL

HiTechObsessed · Mar 19, 2014

dustinhunt78 :

minerva330 :

I can't agree more. I actually paid $425.00 for only 512GB of space, but I bought a Samsung 840 Pro. The only way to beat the 840 Pro is go with a PCI-e SSD, and then you're talking about STUPID money. I found a 10.24TB PCI-e SSD a couple of weeks ago for $124,000.00. And no, that isn't a typo. It was LITERALLY over a hundred thousand dollars! LOL

But for a newbie gaming PC, that $400 could be MUCH better spent elsewhere. The difference between an 840 Pro and a Kingston V300 is minimal. I bought a V300 for my dad, who has the same CPU just locked, and his bootup time is only about 2 seconds slower than my 840 Pro.

No matter what, this build with a 760 + SSD will ALWAYS be slower than with a 770 and regular HDD.

Brados22 · Mar 19, 2014

minerva330 :

Brados22 :

It really depends on your storage needs. Most people have both. A SSD for your OS, Apps, and maybe a few choice games. A HDD for media content and other games (Titanfall is 50GB unpacked so I did not put that on my SSD). If you have deep pockets you can get a 1TB SSD but they are about $500. It depends or your needs, likes, and budget. Getting a small capacity SSD coupled with a high capacity HHD will give the best performance to price ratio

So what is a good range for GB on SSD coupled with a 1TB HDD? Or should I just stick with the 1TB HDD?

minerva330 · Mar 19, 2014

It depends on your budget. You can get a good SSD for less than $100. Samsung Evo 840 is a great choice. They are really driving down the market and have excellent reviews....http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147249

Hmmm...a Porsche 911 Turbo or I know a more storage space. #firstworldproblems

HiTechObsessed · Mar 19, 2014

You can get a Kingston 120GB for $70, or a PNY XLR8 for $65. For your first SSD, they will still be immensely faster than a regular HDD, and only marginally slower than an 840 EVO.

Brados22 · Mar 19, 2014

Please check out the new build if you haven't already, I think it will satisfy most of you. If not please tell me what else I can do to get the best bang for my buck.

dustinhunt78 · Mar 19, 2014

minerva330 :

You're absolutely right. HDD's are disappearing FAST. I give them 5 years MAX and they won't even be available for sale anymore. They are going the way of the old floppy disk. It's old technology being replaced with MUCH better performance and reliability that can be found in the SSD.

minerva330 · Mar 19, 2014

HiTechObsessed :

dustinhunt78 :

But for a newbie gaming PC, that $400 could be MUCH better spent elsewhere. The difference between an 840 Pro and a Kingston V300 is minimal. I bought a V300 for my dad, who has the same CPU just locked, and his bootup time is only about 2 seconds slower than my 840 Pro.

No matter what, this build with a 760 + SSD will ALWAYS be slower than with a 770 and regular HDD.

Brados22 :

Much more balanced. The only thing I would recommend is that you dish out another $15 or so and get the 4670k. The k denotes that the CPU is unlocked and therefore can be overclocked. That way you can take full advantage of overclocking potential if you ever you decide to do so, otherwise get a H87 board. However, I think it is always nice to more options than less.

Turb0Yoda · Mar 19, 2014

Didn't the Kingston SSD's have a lot of complaints over the fact that they were slower that a regular hard drive. Evidence was pointing to a factory that was using Asynchronous NAND but I am still not sure I would want one..

Brados22 · Mar 19, 2014

minerva330 :

HiTechObsessed :

Brados22 :

Much more balanced. The only thing I would recommend is that you dish out another $15 or so and get the 4670k. The k denotes that the CPU is unlocked and therefore can be overclocked. That way you can take full advantage of overclocking potential if you ever you decide to do so, otherwise get a H87 board.

I might just do that the only reason I am very hesitant to OC is this is my first build and I wanted to stay away from OC because I am inexperienced and it could be harmful. Most tech savvy friends I have, have warned me to stay away from OC, Saying it would diminish my hardware's life, is this true?

Turb0Yoda · Mar 19, 2014

Brados22 :

minerva330 :

HiTechObsessed :

Brados22 :

Much more balanced. The only thing I would recommend is that you dish out another $15 or so and get the 4670k. The k denotes that the CPU is unlocked and therefore can be overclocked. That way you can take full advantage of overclocking potential if you ever you decide to do so, otherwise get a H87 board.

I might just do that the only reason I am very hesitant to OC is this is my first build and I wanted to stay away from OC because I am inexperienced and it could be harmful. Most tech savvy friends I have, have warned me to stay away from OC, Saying it would diminish my hardware's life, is this true?

Only if you go overboard and oc it to an unstable state. (i.e, 5 Giga hertz) so yes, OC can reduce component life, but only if it is unstable and having high temps. and bad voltages.

Turb0Yoda · Mar 19, 2014

Thanks to everybody for quoting so much that this page is now oversized.
USE SPOILERS DAMNIT!

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