1500 gaming PC - Review and suggestions please
Tags:
-
Systems
Last response: in Systems
tbonez3858
October 15, 2014 4:28:16 PM
Its been a long time since I've built a PC and things have changed a lot. I have a $1,500 budget for a gaming PC. If possible could you please review the system and let me know if there are improvements I can make...
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qNM6K8
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qNM6K8/by_merchant/
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($128.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.28 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced ATX Full Tower Case ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1400.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-15 19:27 EDT-0400
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qNM6K8
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qNM6K8/by_merchant/
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($128.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.28 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced ATX Full Tower Case ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1400.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-15 19:27 EDT-0400
More about : 1500 gaming review suggestions
-
Reply to tbonez3858
Shamar Holtz
October 15, 2014 4:31:28 PM
Shamar Holtz
October 15, 2014 4:33:31 PM
Related resources
- Sub-1500 Gaming PC, please help and review. Suggestions Welcome! - Forum
- Please review my $1000 - $1100 PC build, open to suggestions. - Forum
- Gaming Pc 1500$+ dollars! Need suggestions. Am going to buy it on cyber monday. - Forum
- $1500 Gaming PC Build. Suggestions/tips for completion. - Forum
- ~$1500 Scratch Intel Gaming PC Build.Asking 4 Suggestions - Forum
tbonez3858
October 15, 2014 4:47:37 PM
-
Reply to tbonez3858
m
0
l
Best solution
JackNaylorPE
October 15, 2014 4:50:07 PM
1. Since this is a gaming PC, you could save $100 with a 4690k....savings $100
2. That memory is tall, might hit ya cooler. This is better, faster and less money.... savings $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
3. This is almost 70% faster than the WD Black and same price.
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/hdd-charts-2013/-17-...
9.78 MB/s versus 5.80 MB/s
4. Ya want the at least B2 version of that PSU but the G2 is the top end w/ $10 year warranty) and is just $5 more at $80 .... best $25 you'll spend
5. The HAF-X was one of the best cases in its day ... it's day being 5 years ago. I'd look at the Enthoo Luxe which ups the ante with built in fan controller, build in LED system and built in LED controller..... spent $15 more of ya money
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkRJsjuvQVY
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220g2075...
So ignoring the CPU .... I saved ya $23 .... spent $25 and $15 getting better case, faster memory and much, much, faster HD ....so ya down $17 but have better stuff. And yes, faster RAM does make a difference in gaming, look at THG reviews.... but faster is a no brainer when it's also cheaper and doesn't hit ya cooler.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/32-gb-ddr3-ram,3790...
As for the cooler.... the Hyper 212 is a great budget cooler ..... but 2 things:
1. It is very easy to over tighten the clamping mechanism, I have done 3 rebuilds for people who broke their MoBo and / or CPU and there's at east that many active threads here on the board, so be careful not to overtighten.
2. A better cooler will get ya 7 - 10C cooler temps.
Unfortunately prices are $10 higher this week so it will cost ya $40 more than the Hyper 212 Evo for the Phanteks ... you can match color to your case / MoBo whatever.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...
$15 more will get ya the best in da business.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4UF...
So w/ $1500 budget ... If I have had $100 of your money to spend .... better me than ya wife / GF
.... what would I do.
-I'd keep the i7.
-I's upgrade the cooler to the Phanteks +45
-I'd upgrade the RAM to the Mushkins -$23
-I'd upgrade to the faster SSHD sunce that SSD will help you load faster only what's on it... rest of your stuff on HD can now load almost as fast
-I'd upgrade the case for something newer with more features +$15
-I'd upgarde the PSU to the one with the 10 year warranty +$25
You should be at about $1462 now, still under ya budget.
2. That memory is tall, might hit ya cooler. This is better, faster and less money.... savings $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
3. This is almost 70% faster than the WD Black and same price.
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/hdd-charts-2013/-17-...
9.78 MB/s versus 5.80 MB/s
4. Ya want the at least B2 version of that PSU but the G2 is the top end w/ $10 year warranty) and is just $5 more at $80 .... best $25 you'll spend
5. The HAF-X was one of the best cases in its day ... it's day being 5 years ago. I'd look at the Enthoo Luxe which ups the ante with built in fan controller, build in LED system and built in LED controller..... spent $15 more of ya money
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkRJsjuvQVY
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220g2075...
So ignoring the CPU .... I saved ya $23 .... spent $25 and $15 getting better case, faster memory and much, much, faster HD ....so ya down $17 but have better stuff. And yes, faster RAM does make a difference in gaming, look at THG reviews.... but faster is a no brainer when it's also cheaper and doesn't hit ya cooler.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/32-gb-ddr3-ram,3790...
As for the cooler.... the Hyper 212 is a great budget cooler ..... but 2 things:
1. It is very easy to over tighten the clamping mechanism, I have done 3 rebuilds for people who broke their MoBo and / or CPU and there's at east that many active threads here on the board, so be careful not to overtighten.
2. A better cooler will get ya 7 - 10C cooler temps.
Unfortunately prices are $10 higher this week so it will cost ya $40 more than the Hyper 212 Evo for the Phanteks ... you can match color to your case / MoBo whatever.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...
$15 more will get ya the best in da business.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4UF...
So w/ $1500 budget ... If I have had $100 of your money to spend .... better me than ya wife / GF
.... what would I do.-I'd keep the i7.
-I's upgrade the cooler to the Phanteks +45
-I'd upgrade the RAM to the Mushkins -$23
-I'd upgrade to the faster SSHD sunce that SSD will help you load faster only what's on it... rest of your stuff on HD can now load almost as fast
-I'd upgrade the case for something newer with more features +$15
-I'd upgarde the PSU to the one with the 10 year warranty +$25
You should be at about $1462 now, still under ya budget.
-
Reply to JackNaylorPE
Share
Shamar Holtz
October 15, 2014 4:51:04 PM
tbonez3858
October 15, 2014 4:55:52 PM
JackNaylorPE said:
1. Since this is a gaming PC, you could save $100 with a 4690k....savings $1002. That memory is tall, might hit ya cooler. This is better, faster and less money.... savings $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
3. This is almost 70% faster than the WD Black and same price.
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/hdd-charts-2013/-17-...
9.78 MB/s versus 5.80 MB/s
4. Ya want the at least B2 version of that PSU but the G2 is the top end w/ $10 year warranty) and is just $5 more at $80 .... best $25 you'll spend
5. The HAF-X was one of the best cases in its day ... it's day being 5 years ago. I'd look at the Enthoo Luxe which ups the ante with built in fan controller, build in LED system and built in LED controller..... spent $15 more of ya money
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkRJsjuvQVY
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220g2075...
So ignoring the CPU .... I saved ya $23 .... spent $25 and $15 getting better case, faster memory and much, much, faster HD ....so ya down $17 but have better stuff. And yes, faster RAM does make a difference in gaming, look at THG reviews.... but faster is a no brainer when it's also cheaper and doesn't hit ya cooler.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/32-gb-ddr3-ram,3790...
As for the cooler.... the Hyper 212 is a great budget cooler ..... but 2 things:
1. It is very easy to over tighten the clamping mechanism, I have done 3 rebuilds for people who broke their MoBo and / or CPU and there's at east that many active threads here on the board, so be careful not to overtighten.
2. A better cooler will get ya 7 - 10C cooler temps.
Unfortunately prices are $10 higher this week so it will cost ya $40 more than the Hyper 212 Evo for the Phanteks ... you can match color to your case / MoBo whatever.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...
$15 more will get ya the best in da business.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4UF...
Really good info! Im going to go through these links. Will the CRYORIG fit in the case. Thing is HUGE!
-
Reply to tbonez3858
m
0
l
JackNaylorPE
October 15, 2014 4:59:25 PM
tbonez3858
October 15, 2014 5:15:34 PM
-
Reply to tbonez3858
m
0
l
tbonez3858
October 15, 2014 5:22:40 PM
Ok...I believe I have it corrected....
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Redline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.28 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe ATX Full Tower Case ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1329.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-15 20:22 EDT-0400
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Redline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.28 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe ATX Full Tower Case ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1329.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-15 20:22 EDT-0400
-
Reply to tbonez3858
m
0
l
JackNaylorPE
October 15, 2014 5:42:14 PM
tbonez3858 said:
JackNaylorPE said:
I did some edits at the bottom so take a look ... the white Phanteks case with the white Phanteks cooler looks so frakin hawwwwwt and ya only give up about 1 - 1.5CThanks..Making changes now. One last question not sure which HD you are recommending in line 3.
The 1st one on the THG charts
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Replace the Blue with that and your screaming. yell back if you need overclocking help. I'll post a guide for ya
ooh one more thing .... first off, your MoBo is a great board. If ya have trouble getting either the GFX card (also great) or the MoBo, consider the MSI GD65 and the MSI 970. In this price range I like the MSI and Gigabyte and not much else. Only thing I can say about the MSI versus Gigabyte selections for those two is MSI has the better assembly video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LldCS7N7DHE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvNnv7nh2Es
-
Reply to JackNaylorPE
m
0
l
tbonez3858
October 15, 2014 6:27:50 PM
JackNaylorPE said:
tbonez3858 said:
JackNaylorPE said:
I did some edits at the bottom so take a look ... the white Phanteks case with the white Phanteks cooler looks so frakin hawwwwwt and ya only give up about 1 - 1.5CThanks..Making changes now. One last question not sure which HD you are recommending in line 3.
The 1st one on the THG charts
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Replace the Blue with that and your screaming. yell back if you need overclocking help. I'll post a guide for ya
ooh one more thing .... first off, your MoBo is a great board. If ya have trouble getting either the GFX card (also great) or the MoBo, consider the MSI GD65 and the MSI 970. In this price range I like the MSI and Gigabyte and not much else. Only thing I can say about the MSI versus Gigabyte selections for those two is MSI has the better assembly video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LldCS7N7DHE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvNnv7nh2Es
Thanks! Do you think I need a bigger SSD? I put a 120 gb on there.
-
Reply to tbonez3858
m
0
l
JackNaylorPE
October 15, 2014 6:32:19 PM
tbonez3858
October 15, 2014 7:01:50 PM
JackNaylorPE said:
Not if you have the SSHDSSD boots in 15.6 seconds
SSHD boots in 16.5 seconds
You can't tell the difference w/o a stop watch. I only put it SSDs if I can't spend the $100 better somewhere else:
i5 => i7
8 GB = > 16GB
970 => 980
So are you saying to run the SSHD as a single drive and forget about the SSD? By the way thank you very much for your help!
-
Reply to tbonez3858
m
0
l
JackNaylorPE
October 15, 2014 7:12:40 PM
It all depends on how ya wanna spend ya money. We use our laptops to make As-Built Drawings in the field... so speed is key. I was getting a bit frustrated with peeps bringing me back lappies and desktops and asking me to clean off the C:\ drive (SSD) all the time. So we bought two lappies .... one with a SSD + HD and one with a SSHD ..... none one can tell them apart .... well at least until the C drive gets full and I have to clean it again
.
I then build a desktop and put two 250 GB SSDs in RAID O and two SSHDs in RAID 1. I wa snot impressed with the RAID but I figured Id give it another shot as hadn't ever found it useful but last attempt was 4-5 yearts ago. After 3 months I broke both arrays and all 4 drives work independently .
I can boot off either SSD or one of the SSHDs...without a stopwatch, ya can't tell which drive ya booting off.
So .... if budget is limited a 2 TB SSHD is a fine choice...... you really won't miss the SSD....at least we don't. If ya got money left over, then by all means grab the SSD .... just be prepared to do the necessary file location management since everything wants to install on C:\ ... and even if you install it elsewhere ... things like java updates will go and move it on ya ....as will Adobe, AutoDesk and other vendors who in insist on putting "CommonFiles" on C:\ no matter where ya put the other stuff.
.I then build a desktop and put two 250 GB SSDs in RAID O and two SSHDs in RAID 1. I wa snot impressed with the RAID but I figured Id give it another shot as hadn't ever found it useful but last attempt was 4-5 yearts ago. After 3 months I broke both arrays and all 4 drives work independently .
I can boot off either SSD or one of the SSHDs...without a stopwatch, ya can't tell which drive ya booting off.
So .... if budget is limited a 2 TB SSHD is a fine choice...... you really won't miss the SSD....at least we don't. If ya got money left over, then by all means grab the SSD .... just be prepared to do the necessary file location management since everything wants to install on C:\ ... and even if you install it elsewhere ... things like java updates will go and move it on ya ....as will Adobe, AutoDesk and other vendors who in insist on putting "CommonFiles" on C:\ no matter where ya put the other stuff.
-
Reply to JackNaylorPE
m
0
l
tbonez3858
October 15, 2014 7:23:12 PM
JackNaylorPE said:
It all depends on how ya wanna spend ya money. We use our laptops to make As-Built Drawings in the field... so speed is key. I was getting a bit frustrated with peeps bringing me back lappies and desktops and asking me to clean off the C:\ drive (SSD) all the time. So we bought two lappies .... one with a SSD + HD and one with a SSHD ..... none one can tell them apart .... well at least until the C drive gets full and I have to clean it again
.I then build a desktop and put two 250 GB SSDs in RAID O and two SSHDs in RAID 1. I wa snot impressed with the RAID but I figured Id give it another shot as hadn't ever found it useful but last attempt was 4-5 yearts ago. After 3 months I broke both arrays and all 4 drives work independently .
I can boot off either SSD or one of the SSHDs...without a stopwatch, ya can't tell which drive ya booting off.
So .... if budget is limited a 2 TB SSHD is a fine choice...... you really won't miss the SSD....at least we don't. If ya got money left over, then by all means grab the SSD .... just be prepared to do the necessary file location management since everything wants to install on C:\ ... and even if you install it elsewhere ... things like java updates will go and move it on ya ....as will Adobe, AutoDesk and other vendors who in insist on putting "CommonFiles" on C:\ no matter where ya put the other stuff.
Great news that just made my life MUCH easier. Thanks again!
-
Reply to tbonez3858
m
0
l
JackNaylorPE
October 15, 2014 7:27:04 PM
tbonez3858
October 15, 2014 8:53:57 PM
Related resources
- SolvedGaming PC for $1500 - Please Help Forum
- SolvedCan you please review my planned build for my gaming PC. Forum
- SolvedLooking for suggestions for a killer gaming pc for 1500 dollars Forum
- I want a gaming PC it has to include the monitor and OS nothing over 1500 and has have the fans. any suggestions? Forum
- SolvedPlease Review My Gaming PC Build Forum
- Help me review my PC build! Suggestions please? Forum
- $1500 gaming rig - Please review Forum
- Finalizing gaming build.. review *please* (~$1,500 budget) Forum
- Suggestions on building a silent ~$1500 gaming pc(including peripherals) Forum
- Please review $1500 gaming system Forum
- USD$1500 gaming pc build suggestions Forum
- Solved$1200 Gaming PC Review/Suggestions Forum
- SolvedGaming PC Build < $900 - Please Review! Forum
- Solved$1500 Gaming PC build suggestions Forum
- SolvedPlease build me a $1500 gaming PC! Forum
- More resources
Read discussions in other Systems categories
!