$600+ Gaming Build ...Please Critique

P4RTYH4RTY · Feb 11, 2015

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VvpNZL

As you can see I have monitors and OS included as I'm starting from scratch, so ignore those prices. Also, the RAM and GPU are already in my possession, so no changes on those. I still have a couple questions...

1. Is the PSU sufficient?

2. Will the RAM clear the Hyper 212 EVO?

3. Since I don't plan on running dual GPUs, is the M5A99X EVO a better choice over the M5A99FX PRO?

4. Do I even need a 990 chipset for this build or will 970 be sufficient?

Thank you for the help!

CTurbo · Feb 11, 2015

1. Absolutely not.
2. Probably not
3. n/a
4. 970 is sufficient
5. Get something better than a GTX760

CTurbo · Feb 11, 2015

If you want me to critique it, I think you need to start over from scratch and go Intel. I want to point out that the RAM and GTX760 is not included in the price so that build would be well over $1200 anyway.

P4RTYH4RTY · Feb 11, 2015

Best Solution was a misclick, and I can't seem to quote from my phone. Anyways, I can't change the RAM or GPU as I stated earlier, I already have them. In regards to the $600+ title, it was in referrence to the build without the monitors and OS, again, stated from the beginning.

CTurbo · Feb 11, 2015

Best Solution was a misclick, and I can't seem to quote from my phone. Anyways, I can't change the RAM or GPU as I stated earlier, I already have them. In regards to the $600+ title, it was in referrence to the build without the monitors and OS, again, stated from the beginning.

I see.

CTurbo · Feb 11, 2015

I unselected your best answer slip.

I recommend these changes

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

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($133.75 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($71.97 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-2933 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card
Case: Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.79 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VE248H 24.0" Monitor ($161.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE248H 24.0" Monitor ($161.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($34.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $857.27
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-11 20:39 EST-0500

P4RTYH4RTY · Feb 11, 2015

Thank you for removing that. I am very new to builds/components, so bare with my questions.

Does the increase of 50W on the PSU make it sufficient now as opposed to before because you downgraded the mb and cpu?

Also, aside from the $40 savings, what would justify not going with the mb and cpu i had before?

Lastly, you suggested Intel the first time around...why did you go back to amd in your latest post?

CTurbo · Feb 11, 2015

It's not so much the wattage of the psus that are important, it's the quality. The Corsair you selected is a poor quality unit. The XFX I chose, is a high quality unit that just happens to be more powerful.

The motherboard you chose is good, but it's not worth the extra money over the one I chose.

The FX8350 is nothing more than a higher clocked FX8320. No sense in paying extra for the 8350 when the 8320 can perform the same.

Intel is better. There's no doubt. Intel is better at every single price range. That doesn't mean that the AMD parts are no good. It seemed like you wanted to go that route, and I try not to shove Intel down every persons throat every time they try to make an AMD build.

CTurbo · Feb 11, 2015

So yes, this would be much better, and it also has a much better upgrade path.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yK4wK8
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yK4wK8/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-2933 Memory
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.79 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.79 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VE248H 24.0" Monitor ($161.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE248H 24.0" Monitor ($161.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($34.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $861.34
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-11 21:22 EST-0500

Keep in mind that your RAM is 1.65v and just about all Intel motherboards support up to 1.5v. The RAM should work, but it's going to downclock itself to probably 2133mhz if not 1866mhz. I don't see this as a big deal as RAM speed means very little anyway.

P4RTYH4RTY · Feb 11, 2015

**missed your latest post, let me read up**

Thank you for the detailed response.

In regards to the psu, does quality go beyond the certification? I noticed they were both 80+ Bronze.

In your very first post, you said that my RAM prob wouldn't fit with the Hyper 212 EVO...does this mb provide a different layout that can now accommodate it?

I only went with AMD cause I saw several suggests for it in this price bracket, but I am open to whatever.

With everything you have listed, I'm sitting at $850...for an additional $100-$150, could I make any significant improvements?

Thanks again for the help!

CTurbo · Feb 11, 2015

Yes psu quality goes well beyond certification. Build quality is everything. Some of them are great, some good, some mediocre, and some are just plain terrible.

I wouldn't doubt if the RAM didn't fit under a 212 Evo. I don't know for sure, but I can check. Usually fancy overclocked RAM like that has big heatsinks so they're usually taller than normal. The Intel build does not require an after market cooler.

With an extra $150, I would add a ssd, and probably try to sell the GTX760 to get a better video card.

P4RTYH4RTY · Feb 11, 2015

Well, you have me sold. If I am able to sell the GTX 760, which GPU would you recommend for this build?

CTurbo · Feb 11, 2015

Depends on how much you can get for it. $150 seems like a reasonable price, but I can't make any guarantees. If you could get $150 for it, an extra $89 would get you a R9 290, 290x is just $40 more than that, GTX970 is $40 more than the 290x.

P4RTYH4RTY · Feb 11, 2015

I'll post it up, see what I can get.

In regards to the ASRock, should I opt for the Pro4 over the anniversary for the better heatsinks? Or even the Z97?

CTurbo · Feb 11, 2015

I don't see any reason to get a Z97 for sure, and since you won't be overclocking, the better cooling from the Pro4 isn't really going to matter.

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