2014 Gaming build (Recommendations needed)

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Mnm2364

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Hey guys, i need a gaming pc build. I already have windows 8, a monitor, keyboard and mouse. My budget is 1400$ CAD. I'd like to be able to play most of today's popular games (Ex: B4, COD, and upcoming games.) here's the build i've been looking at but i'm no expert. Any advice is welcome, thanks. :)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.99 @ NCIX)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H105 73.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($104.99 @ Memory Express)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($123.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($100.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($87.21 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.95 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB DirectCU II Video Card ($420.98 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($124.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($124.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.79 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1419.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-06 16:46 EDT-0400


 
Solution
Darkbreeze
The build is just fine. Very good in fact. Here is an alternative that's basically the same with a couple of tweaks. For one, I think maybe the Rosewill Thor V2 might be a better case choice, if you don't mind the fact that it's a full tower case rather than a mid tower case. It comes with all the necessary fans including front intakes, side intakes, rear exhausts and top exhausts, all preinstalled. The Corsair 500R includes two front, one side and one rear fan leaving two fan locations to be filled unless of course you have a top mounted radiator in your case which would mean you wouldn't need them.

The Thor V2 also has a bit more elbow room inside, being a full tower case.

I personally like the Thor V2 better, but either case is...
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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I don't see any issues at all with that build aside from the motherboard being slightly lower tiered than you might want for the rest of the build and particularly for any medium to high-ish overclocking. The Gigabyte gaming 5 or ASUS Z97-A would probably be better choices but what you have there is fine if that's the best you can afford. I'll take a look at the build to see if we can create some wiggle room for upgrading the board. Be back shortly.
 
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EV_Creeper

EV_Creeper

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get a GTX 970, they are cheaper, consume less power and perform better. And, if you don't think about upgrading to dual GPUs, then you can save a little on mobo and PSU. Everything else is fine, also if you are not an overclocker, you don't need the water cooling.
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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This:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.98 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H105 73.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($109.89 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($158.98 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($92.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($82.89 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($419.69 @ DirectCanada)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($125.64 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($17.75 @ Vuugo)
Total: $1402.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-31 20:00 EST-0500
 
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rockie_

rockie_

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Sep 20, 2014
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.98 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.98 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($158.98 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($94.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.89 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($409.75 @ Vuugo)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1233.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-31 20:00 EST-0500
 
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Jeff Baffalo

Jeff Baffalo

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Apr 10, 2014
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.98 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Memory Express)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($158.98 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($92.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($82.98 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 980 4GB AMP! Edition Video Card ($589.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1423.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-31 20:07 EST-0500
 
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Trossa

Trossa

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Nov 22, 2014
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More performance for less money. Put the saved money towards a second 970 in the future/SSD/Monitor/Peripherals

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.98 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($84.99 @ Memory Express)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($82.98 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($409.75 @ Vuugo)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($20.05 @ Vuugo)
Total: $1291.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-31 20:13 EST-0500
 
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babernet_1

babernet_1

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.98 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.98 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($158.98 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($86.00 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($165.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($409.95 @ Vuugo)
Case: Rosewill THOR V2-W ATX Full Tower Case ($159.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($84.99 @ Memory Express)
Total: $1391.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-31 20:16 EST-0500
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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If you want to use liquid cooling, do so, regardless who tells you otherwise. You may have good reason for using it and may not want a big ass cooler cramping up the inside of your case. It will certainly do a better job than the EVO. If you plan to do any serious overclocking I wouldn't use the Hyper 212 anyhow as it really isn't that great of a cooler.

As a budget alternative it's good, no arguments there, but only as a budget alternative. It certainly is NOT a high end cooler as so many of the members here seem to think it is, plus, it's a 120mm cooler and is very noticeably louder under load than many other 140mm options which run at lower RPM. If you want to use an air cooler in lieu of liquid cooling, I'd say the Noctua NH-U14S, NH-D14, NH-D15, Cryorig R1 Ultimate or Universal, Thermalright Silver Arrow series or Phanteks PH-TC14PE would all be good options.

If you want to go with air rather than water there are many very good alternatives that would be cheaper than the H105 and cool just as well, but if you prefer a liquid solution for aesthetic or other reasons, don't be persuaded by the naysayers. It's fine to go with or without liquid cooling.

On another note, I could certainly bring the price of my build down lower as has been done on some other builds, but was trying to stay as much as possible with what you had already outlined while including only the changes I felt were actual performance based options. Good luck either way you go.
 
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Trossa

Trossa

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^ I agree with what darkbreeze said 100%. Just something else, if you want to have a silent build you should definitely look at air cooling because most AIO water coolers come with a pump that sounds like a cat being strangled (there are some exceptions). If you decide on water cooling make sure you buy a case that is water cooling friendly. Some cases' airflow is ruined when you whack on a great big radiator on the top and feed the cpu with water instead of air. Speaking of radiators, try to get a cooler with dual 120/140s as a bare minimum, since single 120s sound like you're feeding the strangled cat into a jet engine (I am not making this up) because the puny fan has to work very hard.
I apologise if I got slightly sidetracked there.
 
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M

Mnm2364

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Haha, im no expert. im basicly following newegg's youtube video, but with a different build. I'm not planning on overclocking but i want the option. This will just be a basic gaming pc, i don't understand water cooling very well. Maybe i should choose another build?
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Jun 24, 2014
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The build is just fine. Very good in fact. Here is an alternative that's basically the same with a couple of tweaks. For one, I think maybe the Rosewill Thor V2 might be a better case choice, if you don't mind the fact that it's a full tower case rather than a mid tower case. It comes with all the necessary fans including front intakes, side intakes, rear exhausts and top exhausts, all preinstalled. The Corsair 500R includes two front, one side and one rear fan leaving two fan locations to be filled unless of course you have a top mounted radiator in your case which would mean you wouldn't need them.

The Thor V2 also has a bit more elbow room inside, being a full tower case.

I personally like the Thor V2 better, but either case is excellent.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.98 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($84.99 @ Memory Express)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($158.98 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($92.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($82.89 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($419.69 @ DirectCanada)
Case: Rosewill THOR V2 ATX Full Tower Case ($119.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($17.75 @ Vuugo)
Total: $1372.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-31 22:03 EST-0500
 
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Solution
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Jun 24, 2014
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Maybe you missed the part where he said:

I'm not planning on overclocking but i want the option.
Click to expand...

And I don't see how any discussion that helps to fine tune the needs of the build and determine WHAT exactly is needed, is ever pointless. Besides, even if you DON'T overclock, the K sku chips are FACTORY clocked higher than the non-k models so there is STILL a point even if you choose not to overclock.

I'd as soon talk twice as long if it results in the right build. It's only pointless to people who are looking for a quick BA.
 
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