Suggestions for gaming PC please

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vermilion04

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Hi, I'm going to build a desktop PC that i'll mostly use to play heavy current-gen games. I have already made a list of what I probably going to get:

CPU: Intel i5 4690 Quad Core 3.5 Ghz
Motherboard: Asus H97M-Plus
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Low Profile, 2x4GB DDR3 1600 (PC3-12800), 9-9-9-24, 1.5V
GPU: MSI - R9 270 Gaming 2G 900MHz/5.6Gbps Core/Memory Clock, 2GB GDDR5, 256-bit, PCI-E 3.0
HDD: WD 2TB Green
PSU: Corsair CX600M 600 Watt
Case: BitFenix Prodigy M

So, there are a few question I'd like to ask:
1. Will it be future-proof enough for, at least, the next couple of years in terms of gaming?
2. Can it run current-gen games on high setting and last-gen games on ultra setting?
3. Is there another (preferably cheaper) alternative for the CPU and motherboard? Probably something from AMD that would perform equally to i5 4690?
4. Is my PSU sufficient enough?
5. Will they all fit in the BitFenix Prodigy M case? Because I live in a small apartment, so form factor is quite important to me.

I've already stretched out of my budget a little bit, so any more expensive changes is out of question. But still, any suggestion is appreciated.

Cheers! :)
 
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There are some things I think could be changed in that build. The first is definitely the Graphics Card, it is enough for now, but it won't be enough to run high settings in 2017 probably, so that is the first thing I would change. Secondly, unless you are going to have a gigantic amount of games installed on your hard drive, I don't think you need 2TB of storage. The PSU is just fine, 80+ Bronze is more than enough for a budget gaming rig. With that said, I'm going to show what I would personally build for a gaming computer for around that price and with some components you listed yourself.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($222.99 @ NCIX...
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vermilion04

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Thanks for your reply!
I'll consider those PSUs. Is 600W enough? Or maybe even too much? I'm not into overclocking though.
As for the GPU, they sure are much better but also much more expensive. Like I said, I'm already out of my budget. So I guess I'll stick with R9 270. :)
 
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drill97

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There are some things I think could be changed in that build. The first is definitely the Graphics Card, it is enough for now, but it won't be enough to run high settings in 2017 probably, so that is the first thing I would change. Secondly, unless you are going to have a gigantic amount of games installed on your hard drive, I don't think you need 2TB of storage. The PSU is just fine, 80+ Bronze is more than enough for a budget gaming rig. With that said, I'm going to show what I would personally build for a gaming computer for around that price and with some components you listed yourself.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($222.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus H97-PLUS ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($95.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($48.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $700.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-10 17:05 EST-0500

You can also choose an AMD processor (FX-8350) which will save you about $50, and get an AMD R9 280X instead. Or even the AMD FX-6300 to save about $100 on the CPU and get an AMD R9 290, AMD R9 290X or Nvidia GTX 770.

About the questions you asked:
1. Not with that Graphics Card.
2. Most of the titles yes. Cases like the last Assassin's Creed title most likely not.
3. Consider the Intel i5 4670 or the Intel i5 4590. From the AMD side, probably the AMD FX-8350.
4. More than enough.
5. I'm affraid I can't answer that with 100% accuracy. The GPU is not particularly small. I really recommend having an ATX case instead of a MicroATX one. See what you can do, but the extra space is really important.

Hope I was helpful, feel free to ask me whatever you want, and please let me know what your decision is. ;)
 
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CTurbo

CTurbo

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This would be best in it's price range. You can get a 290 for about $50 more

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FM6hTW
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FM6hTW/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($176.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cougar Solution (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $677.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-10 17:33 EST-0500
 
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vermilion04

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I'm going with AMD FX8350 and MSI R9 280 Gaming 3G. I'm also thinking about getting Seasonic for the PSU, but only if it's not much price difference.
So, thank you everyone for all your answer. You guys have been very helpful!

Cheers :)
 
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vermilion04

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Why is that? I mean, I've never had any experience with AMD CPUs before, but I've googled a few benchmark comparisons between FX8350 and i5 4690. And yes, the i5 performs a bit better, but I doubt I'll notice any significant performance difference (am I right?). Also, the AMD would save me about $40 to go with better GPU. Is there any reason I should stay with the i5? Will I notice any significant performance difference?
 
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CTurbo

CTurbo

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Well lets get one thing out of the way real quick. The FX8350 will get the job done. It's not a bad cpu and it's certainly strong enough for a R9 280

But...

It old already. The AM3+ platform is dead, outdated, and does not offer an upgrade path.
Even the "weakest" 4th gen i5 will outperform it in gaming.
If you plan on overclocking the FX significantly, which you will want to do, you'll end up paying a lot more than the i5 4460 + H97 motherboard from my build above.
Getting a H97 motherboard now would have an excellent upgrade path since you could get an i7 later if you want and it will support Broadwell when it's released later this year.
Then there's the extra power, heat, and noise the FX will have...
There is just NO upside to going with AMD at this time.


PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JDWy8d
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JDWy8d/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($176.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $248.94

vs

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Pj368d
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Pj368d/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($168.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $272.63



As you can see, it's not cheaper, it's not "better on a budget", it has no advantage.


 
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slyu9213

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I won't make a build for you as many already have and are still at it. The one thing holding your proposed computer back would be the R9 270 IMO. Also I don't see the point of going with an FX 8350 unless your getting it cheap (used) over an i5. Additionally the FX 8350 and AM3+ platform is OLD. No upgrade paths and have been behind Intel's i5/i7 for a bit. To make the FX 8350 Build plausible you will need to OC the CPU to make it last long as possible. You'll need a decent motherboard, and decent cooler for a high OC (4.8/5GHz). The FX 6300 would be a 'budget' AMD CPU. Only way an FX 83XX CPU is budget is if you can get it around the $100 pricepoint

"Then there's the extra power, heat, and noise the FX will have..."

Extra power would not be a problem with an FX 8300, 8310, 8320E, 8370E but you would have stock clocks that are lower than the 125W, so performance loss. Heat wouldn't be a problem with a lower TDP CPU or if you didn't OC, but then it would be hard for the FX 83XX to compete. Noise can be avoided even with an OC as long as you build smart.
 
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vermilion04

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Actually, in my place the AMD is about $40 cheaper than the i5. But I see your point, and thanks for pointing that out.
So, is i5 4460 combined with R9 280X will be future-proof enough for most AAA games? Doesn't have to be on high settings of course, but at least would run on decent FPS.
Sorry for these unending questions. I hope you don't mind. I just want to move from console to PC gaming, so I need to make sure it would have a decent lifespan. :)
 
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slyu9213

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It's all good. I bought a used 8350 from a friend for $100. Not thinking that it is a better buy than an i5 but because I just wanted a PC based on a 8-Core FX to go with my 6-Core Phenom. I honestly think an i5 4460 and a R9 280X should be able to play most games on High-Ultra with decent FPS, especially high. This is on 1080P too. You could technically lower resolution a little to get a better boost too. I can't give my experience because I went from a 7850 (R7 265) to a R9 290.
 
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madmatt30

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Intel is a no-brainer for an matx build mate as said (& this is coming from primarily an amd builder)
There's only 1 matx mb for am3+ rigs which is anywhere near decent & it will still struggle with an 8350.
The 280x is a good card for the money - there's nothing really comparable at the price point.
Consider it a 1080p high setting card for new titles,rather than ultra,& you won't be disappointed.
 
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drill97

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Hello again. First, I am sorry but I kind of sent you in the wrong direction, it was late at night and completely forgot the motherboard issue. And thanks to the one's who pointed that out, otherwise you would have probably made a wwrong choice.

Now, considering the motherboard issues already mentioned, it is a bad idea to go for any AMD CPU unless it is really really cheap. Almost every Intel i5-4### is a better choice. If you want to save money, do it within the i5 series. With that said, just get the best GPU you can with the money you have left.

Again, I am sorry for the bad advice. Best luck with your new computer.
 
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vermilion04

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No problem at all! You've answered most of my question though. So, here's what i'm going for:

CPU: Intel i5 4460 Quad Core 3.2 Ghz
Motherboard: Asus H97M-E
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Low Profile, 2x4GB DDR3 1600 (the price is about the same to the Kingston you suggested, so I'm still going with this)
GPU: MSI - R9 280X Gaming 3G
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB
PSU: Seasonic M12II Evo Bronze 620W
Case: Cooler Master N200 M-ATX

The i5 4460, 1TB HDD, and Cooler Master N200 saved a lot to get me a better GPU.
Anyway, my friend suggested to get a Power Color R9 280X TurboDuo OC instead of the MSI because it's about $40 cheaper than the MSI in the store where I'm going to buy it. But honestly, I've never heard much of it. Is it a good one?
 
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