Mid-range PC Build Suggestions?

Vinit Desai

Reputable
Aug 12, 2014
2
0
4,510
Can someone help me pick parts for my computer? I'm looking to build a computer that will easily be able to play games at 1080p but is also very quiet. I prefer an Intel over AMD and my budget is around $1200 to $1300.

I particularly like the new Haswell processors and prefer a Z97 chipset but there are soo many motherboards there.. not sure which to pick?
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 Guard-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($87.31 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($104.59 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.63 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1168.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-12 05:06 EDT-0400
 
Solution

Vitric9

Distinguished
If you opt for Micro ATX the MSI Z97 GamingM is my choice and recommendation. Plus that way you could use a smaller decent case ie: Fractal R2 Mini or Corsair 350D... But for regular ATX there is many choices around the $200 that offer similar features and quality. I like the Asus boards in this range. more specifically the Asus Z97 Pro but the Z97 A is a very well priced Board but does have slightly less features. The MB of Choice right now hands down is the GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-UD5H-BK.
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z97mgaming
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97pro
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz97xud5hbk
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz97xud5h....These Gigabyte Motherboards are basically the same aside from looks and I only really put them on as they seem to be getting a lot of good reviews
 

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
I went non overclocking route. I managed a better GPU, and i7 performance as well. This kept the price similar to above.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($247.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 4GB Tri-X Video Card ($538.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.63 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1161.05
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-12 09:49 EDT-0400