Would Appreciate Help with a Build (Gaming)

nafnoid · Apr 16, 2014

Hello,

This is my first post here but you guys helped me save an old HP that had crapped out which saved me from having to buy a new PC before I was ready so I trust this site immensely!

Anyway, I would like to build my own gaming rig and saw the video NewEgg released that showed them building their gaming rig and thought that looked good, but some of the components they used I don't need/want so I thought I would ask you guys/gals to help me. Here is the link to their build: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=30089907&cm_mmc=SNC-YouTube-_-NETV-_-jL0dy5cNyWk-_-NEAbuild

I don't think I need the soundcard and I really don't need that huge case but the dual graphics cards and 16GB of ram seem to be what is attracting me the most. I would like to keep the price to somewhere around $1000-$1500 if possible and am open to any substitutions and recommendations you may have! I plan on building ASAP with parts from NewEgg.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to help me!

Edit : Forgot to mention that I already have the monitor. Thanks again!

numanator · Apr 16, 2014

This is a good build for around 1.3k

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($494.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black/Green) ATX Full Tower Case ($100.98 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($34.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1339.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-16 14:02 EDT-0400)

If you wanted the 16 gb ram and the i7 that would put you closer to the $1.5k budget. Dual gtx 780s would put you at $2k. It is possible to do dual gtx 770s or 760s but it is typically better to go for the most powerful single card and go for dual of that at a latter date.

Also if you are playing at 1080p, a single gtx 780 can play all the games out, max settings and then some. The dual 780s would only be needed for a triple monitor setup or some crazy resolution.

numanator · Apr 16, 2014

FYI no games out are using more than 8 gb ram at this time, 16gb is typically only needed for lots and lots of multitasking or video editing/rendering

Here is a build with the i7, 16gb ram, gtx 780, and a power supply that would be able to handle a second gtx 780 in the future:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($127.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($494.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black/Green) ATX Full Tower Case ($100.98 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80+ Silver Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.89 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($34.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1508.27
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-16 14:08 EDT-0400)

nafnoid · Apr 18, 2014

Thank you so much! I didn't expect to get a reply so fast! Wow! I have a couple follow up questions before I buy :

1. MSI Gaming components have this VGA Boost that supposedly increases performance when you use MSI Graphics Cards on their MBs. (More info at the end of this post) Is MSI the only company that does this? Is it just PR or would it actually enhance performance? Is there any advantage to using parts from the same manufacturer besides matching colors?

2. I've heard many people say that the i5 is better for gaming but the i7 is better for multitasking. I'll be mainly gaming, surfing the web, building websites, and streaming to Twitch. Is the i7 better for that?

3. When looking at the 780 you listed, I saw the 780ti. Is that much more powerful? If I went with the ti would that eliminate the need to use dual 780s?

4. This is going to make me look like a fool for asking but I saw this : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856167065 . I appear to be one of the few people that loves its aesthetic. I haven't found many reviews of it though. I'd only be able to put a single graphics card in it so I'd want to go as powerful as possible, I'd think. Would you even consider it or is it a passing novelty? My only fear is that it would overheat but MSI is raving that it won't...

Thank you again for your help!!

[MSI VGA Boost is one of MSI's exclusive ways to support gamers to fully engage in their virtual world.

VGA Boost increases the power limitations for MSI GAMING graphics cards when inserted in an MSI GAMING motherboard. It simply upgrades your Power Tuning and current limits allowing your graphics to boost to higher clock speeds when your gaming graphics get more intense and sustain maximum performance for a longer time.
This is all supported because of the power design for the PCI Express slots and the build quality of MSI Graphics cards. Now, matching MSI gaming hardware not only gives your game PC some fiery red dragon looks, your PC gaming experience will benefit from a safe and powerful boost in graphics.]

numanator · Apr 19, 2014

Sorry for the slow reply, been out of town.

1. I am not positive about the MSI boost for gaming, but i think it just allows you to overclock the gpu a bit more. There is typically no advantage to using parts from the same company other than matching logos and such.

2. It is not that the i5 is better for gaming than the i7, they simply get around the same performance for gaming which makes the extra $100 for the i7 not worth it to most people. I believe the only use you listed that would perform better on the i7 is streaming to twitch, but even that would not be a big difference from my understanding.

3. The reason I did not recommend the gtx 780 ti is because the price difference does not seem to be worth the extra cost to me. You would get about 15% more performance for an extra $300. Dual gtx 780s would kill the 780 ti in the future. What screen resolution are you planning on playing at? If you are playing at 1080p then the gtx 780 will be playing ultra for next few years and dual will last you even longer. At this time, the best bang/buck for playing a single monitor 1080p is the gtx 770, so the gtx 780 will perform even better. If you plan on a multi monitor setup or playing at higher resolutions then the 780 is needed.

4. Mini-ITX form factor cases are fine. There are some more options out there for them as well, I will try to put together some options for you for mini-itx but I don't have too much experience with them

numanator · Apr 19, 2014

So here is a mini ITX build that would work:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12 37.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.25 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($128.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($80.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($689.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Silverstone SG07B-USB3.0 (Black) Mini ITX Desktop Case w/600W Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SN-208FB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($23.47 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1455.64
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-19 17:35 EDT-0400)

I personally like the silverstone case better than the msi one you linked but either would work. Here is another good mITX case option:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163187&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

I also trust that the silverstone powersupply will be good quality, not sure about which one comes with the MSI barebones you linked.

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