Upgrade or build new PC?

ImPrettyIrish

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Hi,
I am thinking about building a new PC but then I wondered if it was even worth it. You can see my system specs on the right. I'm not getting the performance in games as I would like to. I do some gaming as well as photo/video editing. I was thinking about the build that I will post on the bottom. Is it good? Can you make some improvements on it?



PC build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Toshiba 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.18 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 760 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($239.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($164.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1510.08
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-30 10:48 EDT-0400)

This is about $300 more than I would like for it to be. Can you make it better and still have it cost about $1200? Thanks in advance!
 
Changes
CPU → i5 4670k $230@OutletPC
Mobo→ ASUS Z87-A LGA 1150 Intel Z87 $140@Newegg
Graphic Card → Sapphire Dual-X R9 280x 3GB $299@Newegg
Case → Cooler Master HAF 912 $59@newegg
PSU→ The psu that you listed would be an overkill for this setup. But there is nothing wrong in overkill especially with psu. But if you want to save money I'd suggest go for a 600W psu.

If you are going to overclock you will need a CPU cooler. For 4.2-4.5ghz overclocking Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo will do its job with right amount of cooling in case.

Now this setup will be better in Gaming than the one you listed.



For your current build you can get R9 270x/270 or GTX 760. You might also have to change your psu as well and get like XFX Core Edition 550W Pro. If i were you I would upgrade my current build and save money. There's nothing wrong with your current build. Just get a nice graphics card and change your Cooler Master psu and you'r good to go for 1080p gaming.
 
Gets you the upgrade to 16GB of RAM, you'll have 2 4GB 760s in SLI, a watercooled CPU, and a 240GB SSD. Will be a beast, and all under $1,200 as requested :)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($92.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.02 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($73.24 @ Amazon)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 4GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($271.30 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1196.47
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-30 13:01 EDT-0400)
 

ImPrettyIrish

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Thank you. I don't quite understand how to watercool, so it's something to play around with. I will be playing around with the build (like getting a 770, more storage, ect...).
 

ImPrettyIrish

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I'm sorry, but with my past years of having an AMD card, I really don't want another one. Basically all of my computer problems have been because of the GPU that I have. Mainly the drivers. I also don't like my CPU as I have had problems with that as well. Also, my motherboard's chipset is out of date and I would like to get a new one, as well as a new case (Mine is too flashy in my opinion). Thanks anyways.
 

andrei65

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The build you've choosen as the best answer could be even better .
A h100i is not needed and is as powerfull as a noctua air cooler , which is cheaper .
So here is my build with a better gpu allowing you to get more FPS in games :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($71.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.02 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($73.14 @ Amazon)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($76.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1196.05
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-01 11:34 EDT-0400)


 


This build will be much worse. He already has a 760, so going to a 770 will be minimal improvement, whereas SLI 760s will be very fast. The D14 is a great cooler, but is very bulky, and will block the entire window on the Phantom, making the window moot.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/h100i-elc240-seidon-240m-lq320,3380-12.html

The D14 is phenomenal, no doubt about it, but the H100i is cleaner and a little better. It's definitely preference, but with a window, I think aesthetics wins out. The D14 would definitely be a good choice though!
 

andrei65

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I prefer an air cooler over a water cooler .
The 770 WON'T be a minimal improvement
If he doesn't care about asthetics then it's not going to be a problem .
An H60 will do the job just fine , too :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.02 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($98.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1192.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-01 12:42 EDT-0400)
 
Yes, the 770 will be a very minimal improvement over a single 760 compared to 760s in SLI. He already has a 760, so an upgrade to a 770 is a waste of money. The 770 beats the 760 by around 20% on average, the 780 beats the 770 by about 20% on average, and a pair of 760s in SLI beat a 780 by about 20% on average. It will be a MUCH bigger improvement to go with another 760, than to take a single step up to a 770.
 
Most new games now do support SLI, and even if they don't, you still have 760 levels of performance.

And micro-stuttering is an AMD crossfire issue. NVIDIA's drivers are MUCH better at dealing with that.

If he buys a 770 now, he is paying $320 for 15-20% improvement. If he buys a second 760, he pays $240 now for a 50-90% improvement in most new games. It just makes no sense to buy a 770 now.
 

ImPrettyIrish

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Ok, I don't have a 760. The build that I listed is what I was thinking about building.

I really like the Fractal Design Define R4 over the NZXT Phantom. The Phantom seems too flashy for me.

If you want to see my current build it is in the right in my signature. THAT is my current build.

According to GPU Boss, the only reason to get a 760 over a 770 is because it has a lower TDP... obviously. http://gpuboss.com/gpus/GeForce-GTX-770-vs-GeForce-GTX-760

I really want 16 GB, 1600MHz RAM because I have 1333 MHz 8GB and it feels lacking. I also do video editing and I would like to at least run Arma 3 at decent FPS.

I see FPS-wise, the 770 does better but only by about 10 FPS, which is stupid low considering it cost $100 more.

I think this is my final build. --->
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($134.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($149.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1180.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-04 09:25 EDT-0400)
 

andrei65

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Don't listen to gpuboss they're saying alot of crap
Go on sites like techpowerup
 

ImPrettyIrish

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That's not the reason I picked the 760.