Is this build good for gaming and school?

sniper48 · May 24, 2014

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3QdjA

This will be the first computer I build and I was wondering if it would be good enough for the latest games along with an programs an engineering major might require.

For some reason the PSU I selected randomly disappears from pcpartpicker but is still for sale on newegg. The actual base price is supposed to be $956.90 when the PSU is included.

Also, while I know the build could be cheaper if I looked for the lowest price I am restricting myself to newegg.

Also, what are some tips for a first time builder? Any help will be appreciated.

snowctrl · May 24, 2014

I would switch yo HD to an SSHD - will save u loads of time waiting for programs t load. Any idea which programs u will b using for yo degree? Would b worth findin out... CAD programs n similar will benefit from a pro graphics card as they have optimised drivers ie a Quadro or FirePro, but u will sacrifice some fps in yo games

sniper48 · May 24, 2014

The main reason I don't get an SSD is that it would be more expensive than the normal HDD. Also, I feel I wouldn't have enough memory to store games in.

As for my degree, I will either do electrical or computer engineering. For both I will have to take a CAD course which I assume will require that I run CAD programs. Would the r9 270x be no good for CAD programs?

maddogfargo · May 24, 2014

As much as I like AMD, I think an Intel i5 or even i7 build will be better for the school/engineering side. Most CAD and graphics apps for industry are optimized for Intel CPUs. A decent build should still be doable for your budget, especially if you can find a few things on sale.

sniper48 · May 24, 2014

What do you think would be a good i5 build less than $1000 (base price not counting rebates)?
Budget is around $950 and I can't really go over more than around $20.

sniper48 · May 24, 2014

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3QmAm

How would this one work out for my needs?

snowctrl · May 25, 2014

Swap yo HD for an SSHD - this will giv u t program load speed of an SSD, and t space of a regular HD, for only a small increase in cost over yo HD.

Gfx cards - a gamer card like t one u hav picked will run any CAD programs u need fine, just maybe not as well as t pro cards, but no need t worry, u will b fine.

2 other comments on yo build - u hav picked a K Series processor, ie an overclockable one, without cooling. U will need serious cooling eg Corsair H100i, if u wanna overclock. If u don't wanna overclock, u can get a cheaper, non-K CPU. Also u might want t choose a different PSU, Corsair CX aren't as robust as other Corsair series

CTurbo · May 25, 2014

This would be great for $950. Certainly better than any AMD build.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Qt17
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Qt17/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Qt17/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($91.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 Advanced ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master Storm Devastator Keyboard & Mouse Wired Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($31.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $949.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-25 02:42 EDT-0400)

sniper48 · May 25, 2014

That's a nice build. And you have some good parts I hadn't looked at.

The reason I had a K series CPU is that I might want to overclock in the future. If I got it I wouldn't over clock anytime soon but I would eventually do it (would probably be at least 6 months before I even tried). Also, if I get the 4670k I will make sure to get a CPU cooler before I try to overclock.

Since I will eventually overclock would the 4670k still be a bad idea? By the time I overclock I should have more money to get a proper CPU cooler.

ahmedkhalifa1999 · May 25, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Xtreem Dark Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Enermax 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($42.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TRENDnet TEW-805UB 802.11a/b/g/n/ac USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $970.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-25 09:44 EDT-0400)
What about this build since you will benefit from Nvidia CUDA

sniper48 · May 25, 2014

You all gave some great builds. If I'm going Intel though, my mind is set on the i5-4670k as the CPU.

As a final build how is this one?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3QDGk

ahmedkhalifa1999 · May 25, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Xtreem Dark Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Enermax ECA3253-BL ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $986.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-25 14:23 EDT-0400)
What about this one ?

CTurbo · May 25, 2014

That's a nice build. And you have some good parts I hadn't looked at.

The reason I had a K series CPU is that I might want to overclock in the future. If I got it I wouldn't over clock anytime soon but I would eventually do it (would probably be at least 6 months before I even tried). Also, if I get the 4670k I will make sure to get a CPU cooler before I try to overclock.

Since I will eventually overclock would the 4670k still be a bad idea? By the time I overclock I should have more money to get a proper CPU cooler.

Overclocking is not a BAD idea, it's just almost never necessary with Intel cpus. It's basically a waste of money, but if it's important for you for some reason then go for it. At least you aren't spending THAT much extra money on it.

njdbkn18 · May 25, 2014

Better case, better harddrive, better card, and 3 free games:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3QK0D

And cheaper

sniper48 · May 25, 2014

Will the 600w PSU like the one you listed be good enough for the 280x/280? Will other 600w ones like this one work fine too?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438014&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

CTurbo · May 25, 2014

I would get the EVGA 600B over the Corsair CX600

njdbkn18 · May 25, 2014

As per this, it should be fine:
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/radeon_r7_260x_r9_270x_280x_review_benchmarks,10.html

I'm currently running a 280X overclocked version with a 125W processor, on a 650W PSU

The i5 is 84W and that 280X is not overclocked.

If you want to be safe, you can go with 650W.

Edit: Maybe go with the EVGA instead of the corsair as CTurbo recommended. Quality PSU is absolutely necessary.

sniper48 · May 25, 2014

Thank you all for the help.

Is this build good for gaming and school?

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