Help Optimizing Cost/Performance with a $1000 Gaming Rig

elepp · May 16, 2014

Looking to build a gaming setup, but since this is my first build (and first gaming desktop), I am hoping to figure out whether the system I have put together is optimizing cost and quality. I am trying to keep parts (excluding monitor, keyboard, and OS) around $1000. Any helpful suggestions, comments, or criticisms would be appreciated. Current components:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.94 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($145.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($72.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($326.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Antec GX700 ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($257.04 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1468.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-16 01:28 EDT-0400)

Primary Use: Gaming

Country/State: US, IL

Overclocking: Currently yes, but not sure if it's worth it.

SLI or Crossfire: No.

Not sure how pricing in hardware goes, but is there any reason it would be worthwhile to delay the parts-buying process (such as anticipated price drops on old parts after new releases)?

Thanks!

g-unit1111 · May 16, 2014

That's a pretty good start, I would change a few things up for a rig for $1400 with monitor and keyboard:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($48.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($145.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M550 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($95.37 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB ACX Video Card ($349.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout with Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.18 @ Amazon)
Total: $1196.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-16 01:58 EDT-0400)

- Went with newer, faster Crucial M550
- Switched out PNY card for EVGA
- Better case and 750W PSU for SLI
- Faster RAM which will be better for overclocking

IRONBATMAN · May 16, 2014

Here's a full build. I went cheap on peripherals though.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.94 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($239.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master N400 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($257.04 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: AZIO L70 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Gigabyte GM-M6980X Wired Laser Mouse ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1318.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-16 02:06 EDT-0400)

elepp · May 16, 2014

Thank you for the feedback! I will definitely start looking into the parts both of you mentioned.

G-unit1111, is there an advantage to EVGA over PNY? I went with the PNY because they have a lifetime warranty on their cards, which seems like a good deal. Since I wasn't planning on SLI, I don't know if the better case/power unit are needed. The better RAM is a great idea, I will put that into the build for sure.

IRONBATMAN: I know the R9 280X series stacks up well against the GTX 770 series, but I wasn't sure about the 280. Would it be worthwhile to go for the 280X to get a bit more "oomph"? That keyboard also looks solid, the one I had was pulled out of a random list.

Thanks again for the help!

IRONBATMAN · May 16, 2014

The R9 280x is basically an overclocked R9 280. You can overclock the R9 280 yourself.

Prrathamesh Loke · May 17, 2014

I suggest. Go for either 290 or gtx 780. As you are building gaming rig i would suggest to spend as much as possible on gpu. I have same budget as of yours (Although. Mine includes monitor). I have decided to go with sapphire 290 trixx oc.

For me overclocking was not a feasible solution ( ambient temp is much warmer) so i went with i5 4440 with b85 motherboard.

Besides i have heard that you can make 290 into a 290x by flashing 290x firmware on it.

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