Cost to Performance? Under $2,000.

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ThePawn1

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Apr 7, 2014
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Not sure if what I wrote on the previous screen carried over, first time user of this site. (Long time lurker) I am looking for more input on a build [ http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/3nJmk ] I don't want to go out and buy the parts without consulting the experts here. I already have a home PC, and I am now looking for a gaming only PC under $2,000. I was just curious to know if there are parts that offer similar or better performance (happens rarely) at a lower cost. Lastly, depending on price drop I would also consider downgrading certain parts if the performance drop isn't too drastic. I am looking to play a number of steam games, and hoping for minimal frame rates of 60-80 fps at highest settings. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Edit: 19:29 EST 07/04/2014

Wow... just wow. The community here is just phenomenal. I'm going to look at all the answers and take some time to make a decision. Just wow though. Thank you all so much. I appreciate it, and soon my wallet will too.

Edit: 04:08 EST 02/05/2014

It's been almost a full month I've been mulling over and considering all options. A big thanks goes out to those who have answered. I finally went out yesterday and purchased all my parts and built my very own PC, first timer here too.

For anyone following this or for those who find it in the future, here's the parts I decided on, cost just under $2,000 after taxes.

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/3Cq0R

(haven't installed the CPU cooler just yet, still using stock for now)
 
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maurelie
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lowriderflow

lowriderflow

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not sure how prices vary in canada, so i can't comment on that.

I'd probably go to a haswell CPU since your GPU is going to be so monsterous.

You dont need more than 8gb ram for gaming, but it's not 'that' expensive for 16gb.

Do you need a full size tower? seems unnecessary, but if you have something against mid-towers, then by all means.

I personally only buy samsung SSDs, and Asus mobos. In my experience, they're the most reliable.
EVGA is probly the top of the GPU world, so that's a good choice

dont forget to grab some Prolimatech PK-1 thermal paste. that stuff alone an drop CPU temps 2-5 degrees C
 
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187Flatliner

187Flatliner

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Jan 28, 2014
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Just a hair over for your prices, american its under by 300 or so.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.79 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($104.99 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($212.00 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($95.65 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($159.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($829.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($55.75 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($124.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.75 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($118.34 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Total: $2076.21
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-07 16:44 EDT-0400)

you can drop the price if you wnet with an air cooler instead of the h100i, your choice on that one.
 
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Dunlop0078

Dunlop0078

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This is a great build i would go with this one myself although the rm series psu's arent very good.
 
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187Flatliner

187Flatliner

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never had a problem with the rm psu's, heard a few but no real facts, lots of friends run them as well and not one hiccup.
 
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Danbuscus25

Danbuscus25

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http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/Danbuscus250/saved/4iuD
CPU Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core $368.50
CPU Cooler Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing $29.79
Motherboard MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 $164.98
Memory G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $80.97
Storage Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" SSD $99.99
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $64.75
Video Card Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 4GB $699.99
Case Azza Hurrican 2000R ATX Full Tower $159.99
Power Supply Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V $177.50
Optical Drive Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer $19.50
Operating System Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) $112.28
Total: $1978.24

this will be faster by quite a bit :)
 
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187Flatliner

187Flatliner

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no need for a 750w psu,

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($368.50 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($80.97 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 4GB Video Card ($699.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Azza Hurrican 2000R ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($114.79 @ DirectCanada)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.50 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($104.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1913.25
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-07 16:52 EDT-0400)

 
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maurelie

maurelie

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I made something for your budget, and here is my rationale behind this build
-Intel's i5 4670k is more oriented towards gaming and less expensive. The hyperthreading features of Intel's i7 3770k or 4770k will not have any benefits in gaming, since games do not use hyperthreading. Other heavily threaded tasks and applications may need the Intel's i7, but for gaming only Intel's i5 4670k is all you need.
-Games will not require more than 8GB of RAM. If you plan to do some rendering or video editing, than 16GB and i7 is the right choice.
-R9 290 is almost as fast as GTX 780, depending on different games. Why spend extra $100 for performance difference of 5%
Benchmarks: R9 290 vs GTX 780
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1068?vs=1036
-Corsair's HX units are solid and quality one. The use high quality capacitors, 5 year warranty, 80+Gold certificate and enough wattage for overclocking both CPU and GPU
-Crucial's M500 is pretty decent SSD for the money. Faster than the Kingston's one and also reliable.
-Fractal Design Define R4 is nice and quiet case. Has all the space inside to fit all the parts, high quality finish, modular HDD cages, side window panel, sleeved cables, rubber grommets and other features.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.79 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($80.97 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB Video Card ($509.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($94.50 @ DirectCanada)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.50 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($104.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1539.24
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-07 16:57 EDT-0400)

 
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Danbuscus25

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this is a great build for $1550, but if you are willing to spend up to $2000 then my solution will be faster. and the performance between the i5 4670k and the i7 4770k is about 10-15 fps, depending on the game.
 
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schau314

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Feb 10, 2014
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The best solution cost wise is to go to the i5-4670k. It is fine for most uses but the i7 can be bought for editing and virtual machines.
Any good 100-150 motherboard is fine if not seriously overclocking.
A good cooler like the evo is fine
8gb of ram is good enough unless running virtual machines of photoshop.
Because of your budget the samsung evo 240 gb is nice.
Stack a 1 or 2 tb harrdrive with a 7200rpm and a 64 mb cache for backup and storage of large files.
A cheap optical drive is good unless you need blu ray.
Any os if fine for around a 100
Cases are good for any use. The haf 912 or nzxt 410 phantom are good or a full size is fine if you want something pretty.
A nice 550w power supply is efficient enough. Modular is good if wanted.
The video card is personal preference. The 770 is good for value and performance.
Here's my build
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Schau314/saved/4ivz
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3nLOl
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3nLOl/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3nLOl/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified 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) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1265.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-07 17:09 EDT-0400)
 
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Danbuscus25

Danbuscus25

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good build for $1250, but 16gb isnt necessary. also, a 550watt psu is kinda pushing it, and leaves no headroom. i would go with a 650watt if you were to get something similar to this.
 
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maurelie

maurelie

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There is absolutely no difference in FPS between the i5 and i7 and it has been proven many times over the years.
Myself, using the i7 2600 had deliberately turn HT off (to make it work like i5) and to see if there is major FPS downgrade. The result were the same. Not a single FPS gained with HT on.

CPU_01.png

CPU.png
 
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schau314

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Yeah I forgot to add the ram and the cooler to the psu. I think it is the most balanced and I prefer to put 8gb instead of 16 but that came up as a combo. I really hate getting these thread jacked by idiots saying sli gtx 780 every time.
The best price performance is in the 750-1200 range of price.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3nM7Z
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3nM7Z
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3nM7Z/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3nM7Z/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified 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) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1199.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-07 17:18 EDT-0400)
The voltage is down to 430 on a 550 w power supply. 80% power usage
 
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