Looking for input on potential gaming $1000 build

Snoopy 31195

Reputable
Oct 5, 2014
2
0
4,510
I am planning to use this mostly for gaming and will hopefully have enough money for the core components by the end of November, but will buy some before if the price drops and money permits.

This is the build I am planning:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8HhqwP

I am sure on the CPU and fairly sure on the case, but would like input/alternatives for the other components. I already have a copy of windows 8 64-bit. I am also planning on using a 960 instead if it is released at a about $250. The RAM needs to be two sticks to allow the possibility of upgrading to 16GB later. The hard drive should be non-SSD and be at least 1TB. I would prefer a modular/ semi-modular power supply with at least 600W to allow for later SLI.


I am also looking for tips from people who have put together similar builds.


 
Solution
I can give you these notes:
1: get a SSD for the OS and various programs, i went from a 2TB HDD to that + a 128GB SSD, it gave me a much faster overall experience, the SSD will run very fast, even with multiple programs using it, the HDD without the OS load is going to be quite a bit faster too, a HDD will run pretty slowly if you're running a game, all your programs and OS on it, and also get one of the two very popular HDD's instead, they have a bigger cache and runs on SATA 6GB/s and has plenty of good reviews from other who bought them.

2: Get a GTX970, don't go for the 760 4GB edition in hope for a future SLI setup. The GTX970 is going to be as fast as that SLI setup, it's cheaper than 760SLI, it's a single-gpu which in itself is...

bignastyid

Titan
Moderator
Where you are gaming drop down to a 4690k with a z97 motherboard, use the money saved there to get a gtx 970. For SLI you want at least a good 750w psu 850w if you plan on any serious overclocking. Also for any serious overclocking you'll want a better cpu cooler like a h100, a d14 or d15. Get ram with a cas of 9 or less.
 
I am working on s $1000 build at the moment.

You have chosen an i7 CPU. Many of its features are of limited value in most games today. Moving to an i5 4690K would allow you to upgrade to a GTX970. I chose to include an OS/app SSD as well for faster boot and level-loading. (I realize that I'm contradicting a couple of your givens)

You HDD has only a 32Mb Cache. I'd want 64Mb. I look at lower latency memory too, but I'm not familiar with that set or specs.

EDIT: SNAP
 

NiCoM

Honorable
I can give you these notes:
1: get a SSD for the OS and various programs, i went from a 2TB HDD to that + a 128GB SSD, it gave me a much faster overall experience, the SSD will run very fast, even with multiple programs using it, the HDD without the OS load is going to be quite a bit faster too, a HDD will run pretty slowly if you're running a game, all your programs and OS on it, and also get one of the two very popular HDD's instead, they have a bigger cache and runs on SATA 6GB/s and has plenty of good reviews from other who bought them.

2: Get a GTX970, don't go for the 760 4GB edition in hope for a future SLI setup. The GTX970 is going to be as fast as that SLI setup, it's cheaper than 760SLI, it's a single-gpu which in itself is a big plus.

3: With the GPU change, also get the XFX XXX edition 550w, it's plenty for the setup, it's cheap and it's a very solid unit. Here's a tier list, it's Tier one.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

I also made a build with these changes plus some other changes:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($317.27 @ TigerDirect)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($58.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX Video Card ($329.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 Advanced ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($50.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1161.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-05 13:09 EDT-0400

It's $80 more if you compare it to the slower 760 build, but looking at it the other way, it's cheaper than your current $1080 build plus what's probably $200 for another gpu in half a year or so, and you'll get a SSD, much lower noise level, lower power consumption, better HDD and a higher quality psu (though lower 80+ rating).
The difference from the peeps above is that you'll get BOTH your desired CPU and the GTX970 here ;)

Hope this helped ;)
 
Solution

Snoopy 31195

Reputable
Oct 5, 2014
2
0
4,510
NiCoM, thanks a lot for the information. I think I am going to go with the changes you suggested. It looks like it will cost about $1100, since I can get the 4790k from Microcenter and maybe save about $50 on buying the other stuff looking at past price drops. Just one note, the XFX you suggested is actually a TS series and is tier 2 class A.
 

NiCoM

Honorable


Pretty sure they've mixed up the store links then, especially because the TS 550w only have one link on it's site:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-xfxts550w

I'm also having a hard time identifying it on some of those sites, though i'm pretty sure it's a mix of XXX and TS series then :/

EDIT: though i will also mention that anything down to Tier two class B is a fine choice i would say.