Building gaming rig, need suggestions!

jkkkjkhk

Honorable
Nov 18, 2013
6
0
10,510
Hi, I believe this is my first post. I'm planning to start a build soon but with so much out there I'm having a little trouble picking the right parts. The games I'm most interested in are Battlefield, Arma, and H1Z1, but I also do a great deal of audio production. For the budget, I'd like to stay around $1200 without a monitor.

This is what I've come up with. Please give me any suggestions on any of this. I'm pretty new to building computers, last time I messed with this I was using Pentium II's. lol

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/XzxXVn) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/XzxXVn/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54670k) | $219.99 @ Newegg
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2) | $24.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [Gigabyte GA-Z97X-GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz97xgaming7) | $157.50 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d8gbxl) | $72.00 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te250bw) | $118.99 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [Gigabyte GeForce GTX 760 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn760oc2gdrev20) | $229.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-sgc1000kwn1) | $87.99 @ NCIX US
**Power Supply** | [Corsair RM 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-rm650) | $99.00 @ Amazon
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $89.98 @ OutletPC
**Keyboard** | [Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-keyboard-jqd00001) | $59.98 @ OutletPC
**Mouse** | [Razer DeathAdder 2013 Wired Optical Mouse](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/razer-mouse-rz0100840100r3u1) | $54.99 @ NCIX US
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1215.40
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-31 15:30 EDT-0400 |

The main pieces I'm concerned with are the motherboard, PSU, and the case. I already own the case but if it's recommended I can look at picking something else up instead. I've been looking at the Fractal Design Define R4 as a possible upgrade (?). For the motherboard I see it supports 7.1 surround sound but is it ideal, or should I still look at a separate sound card? For the PSU I just want to make sure it's the best option for my needs. I also plan to add an additional 1TB hard drive eventually.

What kind of results would I see from this system on BF4?

Thanks for any help.
 
Solution
That motherboard has better sound quality than most other motherboards. I also have the razer tiamat 7.1 and I am running off a motherboard integrated sound and get enough to power the headset. If you find you don't feel you are getting enough power from the onboard sound you can always upgrade later. Installing a sound card is nice and simple.

If you make the changes you list, that will make for an amazing gaming system.
For BF4 or similarly demanding games, I'd personally look to a little stronger GPU. I'd want a gtx770/R9 280X minimum. If that puts you over budget, I'd drop the SSD in order to get the better GPU. For gaming SSDs don't help with frames per second at all, they help with load times. If I have to make a choice between FPS or load times, I'd pick FPS every time.

Integrated sound on the motherboard is good enough for 99% of users. Only if you have an incredible sound system is it really worth the dedicated sound card.
 

jkkkjkhk

Honorable
Nov 18, 2013
6
0
10,510
If I swapped the 760 for a 770 at least, changed the PSU to the XFX, and added a HDD along with the SSD what would you say about the build? If so I'd just wait a little longer and get the better parts.

Any opinion on the motherboard? I'm looking at the razer tiamat 7.1 headset and I want to make sure the onboard is good enough, or I'll start checking out additional cards.
 
That motherboard has better sound quality than most other motherboards. I also have the razer tiamat 7.1 and I am running off a motherboard integrated sound and get enough to power the headset. If you find you don't feel you are getting enough power from the onboard sound you can always upgrade later. Installing a sound card is nice and simple.

If you make the changes you list, that will make for an amazing gaming system.
 
Solution