Suggestions for Gaming PC Build

Comrade_Soapy · May 3, 2014

Hello,

I am a noob when it comes to picking parts for a PC, but from what I have gathered on the forums and elsewhere, I have put together something decent for a gaming rig. I am looking to spend around $1,500, do not plan on overclocking, and the most graphics intensive games I plan to play are Starcraft 2 and Titanfall.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3CpDG

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.97 @ OutletPC) CPU

Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($509.99 @ Amazon)

Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/Orange) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($149.99 @ TigerDirect)

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)

Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($147.58 @ Newegg)

Total: $1476.43 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-03 16:46 EDT-0400)

I have questions for the community. Specifically, I want to know if there are any recommendations for optimizing my build. For instance, I am not sure if the motherboard I chose is adequate for future upgrades, since I do not know if it is too small to accomodate the video card and the other components comfortably. Maybe I need a Z87 board? Should I get a Z87 even if I don't plan on overclocking? Is liquid cooling a good idea even without overclocking? Are the MHz on the ram sufficient for the i5 or should I get something faster? What about a SSD? Is it necessary or nice to have? Am I better off with an R290 or is the GTX 780 ok? Is the PSU a reputable one? Does it matter if it is semi or fully modular (I don't know the difference)? Any input is appreciated!

Seeking Solace · May 3, 2014

You can get an H87 motherboard rather than the z87 since you aren't overclocking. Also, you don't NEED the hyper 212 EVO, the stock cooler would be fine. If you were looking for quieter cooling, you'd be better off with a Noctua, though it is a bit more expensive.

The RAM is fine, though you could probably find some for a bit cheaper. I doubt you would notice a difference between 1600MHz and 1866MHz

The PSU is great, though you could make savings there if you wanted. Fully Modular means you can detach all unused cables, semi modular means that you can't detach some of the main cables and non modular would be all of the cables stay attached to the unit.

You can get an SSD to greatly improve your OS boot times.

The graphic card is beastly, you could run 2 or 3 monitors with it if you wanted.

You don't need liquid cooling.

Comrade_Soapy · May 3, 2014

Thanks for your input!

Quick question, why do you say I don't need the Hyper 212 EVO? Is it overkill for the my purposes?

Also, on the partpicker site the Noctuas have decibel ratings higher than the EVO, why is that? Or is there something I'm missing? Which Noctua would you recommend?

Finally, should I opt for 16 gigs of ram? I think 8 is all I would need for now, but I don't know if having 16 would be better.

Seeking Solace · May 3, 2014

Comrade_Soapy :

noctua are reputed to make much quieter coolers, that said, you only really need one for overclocking, the stock cooler would be fine since you aren't going to with your build. You don't even need the hyper 212 EVO for that reason. The noise depends on how fast the fans are spinning. The hyper 212 EVO lists a max of 36dB and the Noctua NH-D14 lists a max of 19.8dB, quite a difference. Though they are in very different leagues of each other as can be seen from the price difference.

You don't need 16GB of RAM for gaming.

schau314 · May 3, 2014

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Dn6G
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Dn6G/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Dn6G/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($78.36 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($319.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1007.72
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-03 20:05 EDT-0400)
Opinions on this build. Balanced in ways

Comrade_Soapy · May 3, 2014

Thanks for the information!

Schau314, I like your build since it does trim it down to the bare essentials. I will tinker with it.

schau314 · May 4, 2014

We're here to help. Think of he build as a guideline. Ask for any more suggestions or guidelines.

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