Please Help With Gaming Build (Motherboard and CPU)

akzon

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Sep 29, 2014
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Hello Guys,

I live in China, and I am looking to buy a motherboard and a Intel processor, which are the two items I am missing to finish my pc. The problem is the budget. My original plan was to buy a Asus Maximus VII Hero and a Intel i7-4790K, but buying the two items would overpass my CPU and motherboard budget, which is $616. I have several options which are buying cheaper components, medium components or buy the expensive options. I can use the money I save to buy Corsair H100i or other components to make my build better.Very important. I plan to overclock in the future and I want this build to last at least 4 years.

I think the important thing for me is to know what is more important the CPU or Motherboard.

MSI Z97 Gaming 5 cost $244 not worth it.

Amazon doesn't deliver motherboards to China only processors.

Option 1 (High)
Here in China the Asus Maximus VII Hero cost $316 (I could buy a X99 in USA...)
The intel i7 4790k cost $350
Total = $666 (over $40)

Option 2 (Medium)
Asus Z97- A cost $146
Intel i7 4590K - $350
Total = $496 (save $120)

Option 3 (Medium)
Asus Maximus VII Hero cost $316
Intel i5 4690k cost $236
Total= $552 (Save $64)

Option 4 (Low)
Asus Z97-A cost $146
Intel i5 4690k cost $236
Total=$382 (save $234)

Thanks very much for your help!
Ric





 
Solution
Option 4 will game basically the best and is the cheapest. That is the obvious choice here.

An i5 performs the same in games as an i7. there is no reason to buy an i7 for games. The motherboard does not affect game performance.

akzon

Reputable
Sep 29, 2014
14
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4,510


How many years will option 4 last, playing games at optimal conditions? Playing in optimal conditions only depend on the GPU?
What about the features that the Asus Maximus VII Hero provides and the overclocking it can do? Wouldn't that be future proof?
 
It will last for MANY years. No one can say for sure but atleast 4.

The GPU is the real factor when gaming.

No, the z97-A can overclock perfectly fine. There are no features the more expensive boards provide that will make anything last even one second longer. They are just overpriced. Get the 4690k and the Z97-A. Easy choice.
 

akzon

Reputable
Sep 29, 2014
14
0
4,510


With option 4 I have $234 left, what items would improve my gaming performance? I was thinking on buying a Corsair H100i because if I want to overclock in the future, I will need to change the stock cooler.