Building first gaming PC, need advice. ($900 cap)

ScubaDucki

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Hi toms hardware members, i am looking for experienced individuals opinions on my build. There is only one computer part shop i know of in QLD, Australia that i have access to which is called Umart. If there are any cheaper alternatives please let me know. I will be linking the components i refer to in my thread. I would just like to mention that I have no intention of overclocking. The games that i intend to play are mainly League of Legends, Simcity 4, MMo's, and Minecraft. I would also like to be able to stream. My main goal is to have these games run completely smooth at the highest settings.

CPU
I have looked around and believe an intel i5-4690 seems to be a good processor. It costs $242 which seems a lot, it has good reviews, however i have been told that it is overkill for what i need. Is this true? Is there a cheaper alternative that will run everything fine?

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=13&bid=4&sid=134428

Motherboard
The 4670 runs in a 1150 socket. I am not overly sure what motherboard to get. However i do not need any overclocking capabilities at all. So i chose the MSI G43 Gaming motherboard, it seems to have high quality components from what i read. Yet again any reccomendations on if it is worth the money, or if i should settle for a cheaper one.

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=376&bid=4&sid=139088

Graphics Card
Overall i have found that the R9 270 and GTX 750/ti seem to be the best cards within my budget. I would like to know if these cards can run the aforementioned games at a smooth fps, i believe 60 is the optimal fps? Is the R9 270 worth the price difference? Below are 3 cards i selected. Please mention if there are any better cards for a similar price.

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10&bid=4&id2=248&sid=141286
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10&bid=4&id2=247&sid=189249
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10&bid=4&id2=247&sid=163878

SSD
For the SSD i have chosen the cheapest with the best reviews/feedback. I got the $88 Samsung 120GB, which is a good price from what i hear. If there are any cheaper for similar performance please let me know.

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=159&bid=2&sid=138029

RAM
I got a dual channel 8GB at 1.5v for $99. Is this a good price range for what i am getting? Is this product good?

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=153&bid=4&sid=106269

OS
Simply windows 8, i have read and pro seems to be non relevant to gaming.

My Case and PSU are already dealt with. Case support Micro-ATX and ATX.

Concluding my thread i would like any informational feedback i can get from anyone experienced in computer parts. If someone could also please confirm whether all of these parts are compatible would be helpful as i'm inexperienced and would like someone experienced's approval. All help is greatly appreciated.

Scubaducki


 
Solution
Yes it will handle most current mid level gpus eg up to gtx760. The 8 series gtx are supposed to be lower power consumption.
If you got a Seasonic 620 you could power any gpu eg gtx 780ti.

If you stick with the r9 270x, the seasonic 520 will handle it with ease.
Try and look around for prices. Try PartPicker Aust
In Vic we have PCCG, MSY and CPL as well.

i5 4670 or http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=187_1490&products_id=27550 4690 $249

B85 G43 or http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_1491&products_id=27569 H97 $109

The R9 270 is better than the gtx 750ti

In a $900AUD build, I wouldn't try for a SSD. I'd put the money towards eg a better graphics card
eg http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1642&products_id=27653 R9 280 - $299

RAM - 2x 4gb 1600 $99. Try http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_912&products_id=18602 2 x 4gb 1866 $105
 

ScubaDucki

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Alright this seems convincing enough for me to choose the 4690 over the 4670. On Umart the 4690 goes for $242 which is slightly cheaper. Thankyou for the assistance with the CPU, although i am not sure why there is a processor with lower close for a higher price...

I've heard that SSD's are significantly better than HDD's. Thats why i decided to get an SSD. Would i be benefitting more from buying a cheaper HDD and getting the graphics card you suggested?
 

ScubaDucki

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I've taken a quick look at pricing and the r9 280 will cost a good $100 more than the R9 270X. If you know, would the R9 270x card be able to handle the games i specified at ultra w/60fps stable?
 

byza

Honorable
I'm in QLD too. Umart usually works out the cheapest, as you won't be paying shipping, although their stock fluctuates so they don't always have the greatest selection of parts. They've recently opened a few more stores though, so they might start holding more of each item in stock.

www.pccasegear.com will sometimes have cheaper prices, but the shipping can kill it. If your ordering quite a few parts, or you want a specific part, it can sometimes work out cheaper so it's worth checking. Always check their clearance section, occasionally they can have pretty nice sales on GPU's and stuff here. I got an awesome deal on my mobo from PCCG that worked out about $40 cheaper, with shipping, than Umart.

www.mwave.com.au is also worth checking. They can be comparable in price to PCCG, but shipping is cheaper on small items.

Also www.i-tech.com.au and www.pcmeal.com.au but I haven't bought stuff from these guys.

Update: Wrote this and forgot to click answer before dinner, looks like my contribution is pretty useless now.
 

ScubaDucki

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Alright, i'm just wondering but is it worth getting the 4GB over 2GB sapphire card? The difference is $30.

Also i see it a lot, but do i need to buy a cpu cooler or are the stock coolers fine?

On a seperate note, thank you, you've been really helpful to me in cutting down costs and getting better parts. I really appreciate it.

(And thank you for the shopping tips byza)
 

ScubaDucki

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I have already got the case and psu, my bad i should've mentioned what it was... It is a Thermaltake V4 mid tower with 500W PSU

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=216&bid=4&sid=95716

I have monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers settled. I have checked and believe that the 270x will fit with an extra 10cm space give or take.

In fact i do need a wifi card! Thank you for pointing that out, any reccomendations?

Actually there is only one card available at Umart... it is the
Skymaster Express Card Gigalan a for $30

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=280&bid=4&sid=50593

Is this card going to work well?
 

ScubaDucki

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I just noticed as i read through but that card doesn't support windows 8 if i am correct?

When you say the PSU is bad quality, what do you mean by that? Will it not support my PC's power needs?

Sorry i gave you the wrong case... it was actually a Versa I

Those are the PSU Specs
PSU - 500W ATX 12V
- 120mm fan x 1
- 24P, CPU+12V 4+4Pin, PATA x 5, FDD x 1, PCI-E 6Pin, SATA x 3
- 115V / 230V

 
Which card?

So what does it hold the 12V line within? Does it have overcurrent protection? Is it 80plus certified?
How many 12V rails?

PATA or SATA?

Without a make and model number, I wouldn't endorse it.

For a quality power supply see http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html
For a pc with a R9 270x in it you need a good quality 500W + power supply eg
Seasonic 520 - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_972&products_id=15957 $119
or
Antec HCG 520M - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_226&products_id=19762 $99

 

ScubaDucki

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From your recommendation i see it is imperative to get an aftermarket PSU...

I will definitely go for a Seasonic 520 (http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10&bid=4&id2=140&sid=59248 the one you recommended). Will this PSU be good for several years then? Also is the 520W enough for my system?
 
Yes it will handle most current mid level gpus eg up to gtx760. The 8 series gtx are supposed to be lower power consumption.
If you got a Seasonic 620 you could power any gpu eg gtx 780ti.

If you stick with the r9 270x, the seasonic 520 will handle it with ease.
 
Solution

ScubaDucki

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Thank you very much for all the help, you definitely receive the solution for my thread. I plan to stick with this build.

CPU
i5-4690

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=1...

Motherboard
MSI G43 Gaming motherboard.

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=1...

Graphics Card
R9 270x Sapphire Radeon

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10...

SSD
$88 Samsung 120GB

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=1...

RAM
dual channel 8GB at 1.5v.

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=1...

PSU
Seasonic M12II

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10...

Case
Thermaltake Versa I (Already Purchased)

OS
Windows 8 64-bit $112

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=1...

Total Cost: $1022 (Over what i wanted but I am fine with it if the PSU will provide safety.)

Again thanks for the help, i appreciate it. ^_^