Gaming build for son. Input appreciated.

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dave102269

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Nov 26, 2014
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Son and I are building a gaming computer for Christmas. Would really appreciate any input you smart guys might have. Don't want to go much higher on budget than we already are. Primary games right now are BF4, League, Far Cry 4. No intention of over clocking.

Notes say the RAM may not run optimally due to voltage issues. Is this a problem?

For gaming performance, are we better off with the i7 and 970 card, or should we go i5 and 980?



[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BF8dgs) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BF8dgs/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74790) | $279.99 @ Newegg
**CPU Cooler** | [Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhd14) | $67.75 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [MSI H97 GAMING 3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-h97gaming3) | $116.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmx8gx3m2a1600c9) | $79.99 @ Micro Center
**Storage** | [Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct128m4ssd2) | $140.89 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st310005n1a1asrk) | $55.99 @ Best Buy
**Video Card** | [MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-gtx970gaming4g) | $349.95 @ B&H
**Case** | [Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-400r) | $84.99 @ NCIX US
**Power Supply** | [Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m) | $76.39 @ SuperBiiz
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $86.43 @ SuperBiiz
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1339.36
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-26 11:01 EST-0500 |
 
Solution
frag06
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frag06

frag06

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Mar 17, 2013
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I'd go with something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.14 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.95 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.43 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1177.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-26 11:11 EST-0500

The Xeon will perform the same as an i7. An i7 isn't needed for gaming, but for the small price difference between and i5 and the Xeon, I'd though I would add one.

The D14 is not necessary since you aren't/can't overclock (locked processor). I added a smaller Noctua cooler, which is only worth the money if you need silence. If you don't mind getting a slightly louder cooler, the 212 EVO would do well.

I changed the motherboard to an ASRock. MSI has poor CQ with their motherboards, it's best to stay away from them. Z97 isn't needed, but again there is a small price difference between it an a good H97 board.

I changed the RAM to 1866MHz, as that is what Haswell prefers. I also changed the SSD to a cheaper model and the HDD to a better model.

The 970 is a great choice for 1080p, the 980 will only give you an extra ~10 frames, which isn't worth the addition $250 IMO.

I changed the case out to a Phanteks Enthoo Pro. It's a great case, a full tower. I also changed out the PSU.

A cheaper alternative (I've been bored :( ):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($180.94 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.92 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($68.19 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.14 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.95 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.43 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1035.02
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-26 11:25 EST-0500

 
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ABagOfFritos

ABagOfFritos

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Jan 19, 2013
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The i5 is a better choice for gaming. Same or better performance for a lower price. Go with i5.

As far as RAM and voltage issues, I would recommend finding a memory kit running at 1.5 volts. 1.65 is usually (like 9 times out of 10) a non-issue but pcpartpicker is pretty reliable when it comes to pointing out times when it will be.

A Xeon is NOT a gaming processor and is not the right choice.
 
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frag06

frag06

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Mar 17, 2013
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Why do you say an Xeon is not good for gaming?
 
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ABagOfFritos

ABagOfFritos

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Jan 19, 2013
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Xeon's are specialized processors for server applications. Games are not server applications and won't have any way to actually take advantage of what a Xeon is really offering. It'll work fine, but it's a pointless purchase when an i5 will both outperform and potentially cost far less than the Xeon. (though admittedly it may also cost more depending on which i5 and which Xeon are looked at/compared)
 
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frag06

frag06

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Mar 17, 2013
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An Xeon is basically an i7 (depends on the model, not all of them have Hyper-Threading), just without the integrated graphics. This Xeon would perform almost exactly the same as an i7 4770 (turbo boost is 100MHz lower on the Xeon).

When you can get an Xeon V3 1231 for almost the same price as a 4690/K and you don't plan to overclock, it's a great deal.
 
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Solution
logainofhades

logainofhades

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Apr 27, 2009
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You are wrong about the Xeon. The 1231v3 is essentially an i7 4770, without IGP. It will game just the same, as said 4770.
 
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