How does this look for a gaming build?

darksaga017 · Oct 25, 2014

At first I was looking at a ~$1,200 gaming build, but decided since I only build a computer every 4-5 years why not increase the budget. How does this build look? Any input/recommendations would be appreciated!

PS, If I cannot get my hands on the Gigabyte Card, I'm considering the MSI Gaming 970 as well.

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

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74790k) | $329.99 @ Newegg
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2) | $29.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97a) | $139.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f31600c9d16gxm) | $154.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct256mx100ssd1) | $112.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $59.99 @ Newegg
**Video Card** | [Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn970g1gaming4gd) | $375.91 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Cooler Master HAF X Blue ATX Full Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-rc942kkn3) | $159.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-hx750) | $129.99 @ Newegg
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24f1st) | $14.99 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $102.98 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1611.80
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-25 16:05 EDT-0400 |

middlemarkal · Oct 25, 2014

nice, very nice, maybe faster ram if not too expensive.
for 100$ dollars more maybe a 512 GIG mx100
I like the gigabyte 970, lots of connections options.

Kohwali · Oct 25, 2014

This build will be better for gaming:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H105 73.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($137.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($128.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($368.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1575.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-25 16:28 EDT-0400

The H105 will get much better temperatures.

The Samsung 840s are the best SSDs: http://elitegamingcomputers.com/the-best-ssds-for-gaming/

The Enthoo Pro is the best value full tower case; review by HardwareCanucks: http://youtu.be/cBhmn21ylkc

I switched the PSU to a much better EVGA G2 850W which is more than enough for a future SLI config; review by JonnyGURU: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=377

Any questions?

Note: If you're only gaming, you can drop down to an i5-4690K and 8GB of RAM. The advantage of an i7 over an i5 is hyperthreading, which the majority of games do not use. Most games don't even utilize all four cores.

Kohwali · Oct 25, 2014

I'd suggest this build on that budget if you take my suggestions in that note I left.
This build is even better for gaming:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.96 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H105 73.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($137.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($86.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($355.91 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($355.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1648.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-25 16:37 EDT-0400

970s in SLI will eat up any game without breaking sweat. It's like doubling your firepower: http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/sli/technology
Good thing the GTX 900 cards are extremely power efficient.
970 SLI benchmarks: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/geforce_gtx_970_sli_review,18.html

You won't notice a difference in game performance between the i5-4690k and i7-4790k. You also won't notice a difference in games between 8GB and 16GB of RAM.

The SSD was dropped to fit the budget, but I upped the HDD storage to 2TB. I'm assuming you can wait an extra 10-20 seconds for booting up and loading times, right?

darksaga017 · Oct 25, 2014

My thought for going with the i7 vs the i5 was futureproofing. Same thing with 16 GB ram. Just in case over the next few years game devs start to increase core usage, hyperthreading, etc. Also I'm not a big fan of liquid cooling. I much rather prefer a fan/heatsink and have the system run slightly higher than liquid.

tiny voices · Oct 25, 2014

There is no such thing as future proof. Build a PC for now, not for the future.

I also prefer air coolers. Cheaper and quieter for comparable performance.

If you are playing at 1080p, get ONE 970. It will max all games. Then get a second one in 2 years when you need it. Buying 2 now for 1080p gaming is completely pointless.

Kohwali · Oct 25, 2014

darksaga017 :

That's extremely unlikely, especially when devs are making games intended for potato consoles, then porting a PC version.

darksaga017 :

This is an AiO cooler for CPU only, which is much more simple than conventional cooling with reservoirs throughout the entire system. Go look at some pictures of it/watch some videos. However if you insist on just air cooling, the Noctua NH-D14 is excellent ($80): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018

tiny voices · Oct 25, 2014

I still recommend air coolers over closed loop coolers. Simply better price/performance and ALOT quieter.

Kohwali · Oct 25, 2014

tiny voices :

*high five*

tiny voices :

A single 970 will be at half the FPS of a two-way SLI. You'll need that FPS with crazy games like Crysis 3 and Battlefield 4. And its all within the budget, so why not?

tiny voices · Oct 25, 2014

BF4 maxes at 60fps at 1080p with a single 970 and Crysis 3 runs at 50. That is the only game that won;t max with a 970 at 60fps at 1080p.

There is no reason to buy 2 cards now with a 1080p monitor. Get only one. Two is a waste. OP never even mentioned Crysis.

Kohwali · Oct 25, 2014

tiny voices :

I agree, but the heatsinks for high-end air cooling are massive! You'll have to find low profile RAM to fit those. For which, Corsair has their Vengeance LP series, which are pretty much the same price as regular RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

Kohwali · Oct 25, 2014

tiny voices :

OP didn't mention any games. And if OP goes with a 120 Hz/140 Hz/G-Sync monitor, that higher FPS will come into play.

tiny voices · Oct 25, 2014

Get ting low profile RAM is no big deal. Often times it is actually cheaper.

Kohwali · Oct 25, 2014

I agree, but the heatsinks for high-end air cooling are massive! You'll have to find low profile RAM to fit those. For which, Corsair has their Vengeance LP series, which are pretty much the same price as regular RAM:

The HyperX series from Kingston are also LP. Just check the pictures if you go with air cooling.

tiny voices · Oct 25, 2014

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/team-memory-tzrd38g1600hc9dc01

I would get that. MUCH cheaper low profile RAM.

Kohwali · Oct 25, 2014

This build for monitors with over a 60 Hz monitor:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.96 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($137.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Team Zeus Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($355.91 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($355.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1605.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-25 17:14 EDT-0400

This build if your monitor is 60 Hz:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.96 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($137.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Team Zeus Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($128.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($355.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1378.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-25 17:18 EDT-0400

Kohwali · Oct 25, 2014

If you really wanted the i7-4790k and 16GB RAM, you could do that on the for 60 Hz refresh rate monitor build and still be in your budget, although there would be no increase of performance in games - maybe some increase on a highly PC optimized game like Star Citizen, but its still a stretch. If is available on console, there's next to no chance its highly PC optimized.

How does this look for a gaming build?

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