Need some advice on buying a new gaming PC

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Inveigler

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Dec 14, 2011
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Hi,
I'm looking to upgrade to a newer gaming PC. However, I'm useless at understanding hardware. I'm not against spending a little bit of money upfront so the components last a bit longer, but I don't need a PC monster. I'm looking at around the NZ$2000-3000max range.

I'm currently running:
CPU: i5-2500K
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 570
Motherboard: Z68MA-D2h-B3
RAM: 8GB

I've recently gotten some quotes and I wanted to get some advice on what has been quoted.

Build 1 - NZ$2699.00
- Intel Haswell Core i7 5820K 6 Core 3.3Ghz
- Gigabyte GA-X99-UD4 Intel X99 Socket LGA2011-3
- Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (4GBx4) DDR4 2400M
- Crucial M550 512GB SATA3 2.5" SSD
- Galax GF GTX 970-4GD5-V2 Black Edition PCI-E3.0 4GB
- Deepcool Maelstrom 120k Liquid Cooling System
- Thermaltake Chaser A31 Mid Tower Black NO PSU
- Antec VP-700P 700W 88% Efficiency MEPS Approved

Build 2 - NZ$2200
- Intel Haswel Unlocked Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz
- Asus Z97-A Intel Z97 ATX Haswell Socket 1150
- EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB
- Crucial M550 512GB SATA3 2.5" SSD
- Antec KUHLER H2O 650 Performance Series Extra Large Water Pump
- 2x Kingston 8GB 1600MHz DDR3
- Raidmax Cobra 600W 80 PLUS GOLD Power Supply
- Thermaltake Versa H24 Mid Tower

Build 3 - NZ$3349.55
- ASUS X99-A Intel X99
- Intel Haswell-E Core i7 5820K 6 Core 12
- Corsair Hydro Series H110 Extreme
- Corsair Vengeance LPX (4x4GB) DDR4-2800 RAM
- Samsung 850 EVO Series 500GB 2.5" SATA3 SSD
- EVGA GeForce GTX970 FTW
- Fractal Define R5 Titanium with Window
- Seasonic Platinum 660W Modular PSU

Build 4 (Uses older PSU, case and HDD) - NZ$2,006.75
- Intel Haswel Unlocked Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz
- Gigabyte GA-Z97M-D3H Socket 150EVGA
- GeForce GTX980 4GB SC Version
- COOLER MASTER Seidon 120V Watercoling kit
- Crucial 8GB DESKTOP DDR3 160Mhz DIM
 
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nipplethewhale

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Nov 21, 2014
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these builds are precisely what you dont need. u said u dont want a pc monster. these are monster stompers. you do not need any z motherboards and water cooling because u are not OCing. you dont need 16 gb of ram 8 or 12 is more than enough for many titles out right now. what u want is a graphics gard that comes with 4 gb of vram if u can. no need the 500+ gb ssd. just go with a 200gb one and have a separate 1tb hdd for games. cheaper that way.
 
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Vosgy

Vosgy

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Nov 24, 2014
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PCPartPicker part list: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/rRNW7P
Price breakdown by merchant: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/rRNW7P/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($350.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($54.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($229.00 @ PC Force)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($128.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($203.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.00 @ PC Force)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($569.00 @ PC Force)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($179.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($216.69 @ Wiseguys)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($30.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($139.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Total: $2187.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-06 21:24 NZDT+1300

This is what I ended up with, you can down grade the PSU to a 550w-650w and change the board to a more basic Z97 without SLI if you never plan on upgrading, but atm I've set it up so you can add a second GTX970 into SLI if you need some extra performance down the road.
Also you can use a more simple case, the Fractal is a nice quite one though and I personal like the looks, though case should be a more personal item as it is what most people will see, not to mention that you have to look at it every day.
Now people feel bad about how much extra Australians pay for shit, god damn poor New Zealand.
 
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I

Inveigler

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Dec 14, 2011
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Thanks everyone for the response. Especially you Vosgy for putting together that list.
So I was trying to put something together that would last and wouldn't need to be upgraded for a while.
I based it off this post on Rock Paper Shotgun, but you think it's too much? http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/10/16/custom-built-pc-or-diy-pc-2/
I have to admit, I like running graphics, etc at max, but I'm not an overclocker (terrified of breaking things) and I don't care about bells and whistles (I like things kept simple). I just like playing things that'll run smoothly at a good framerate.

Just so I learn, what is the difference between the builds you guys recommend and what I've had quoted? Just trying to understand.

Thanks!
 
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Deucalion02

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Mar 6, 2015
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You definitely don't need more than 4 Cores or 40 PCI-E Lanes , an i7 4790K Is more than enough for gaming / Small Video Rendering or Streaming and Game Captures.

PCPartPicker part list: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/8sdtqs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/8sdtqs/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($493.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Nepton 240M 76.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($197.94 @ Wiseguys)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Cooling MX-2 65g Thermal Paste
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($329.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($324.69 @ Ascent Technology)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($182.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($605.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Case: Corsair Vengeance C70 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($236.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($279.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($39.99 @ Mighty Ape)
Total: $2851.57
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-07 09:19 NZDT+1300

This Gives you a Headroom for upgrades , without any potential Bottlenecks. And if you want to spend $300 more , You can use a Gigabyte GTX 980 G1.

SSD For the OS , and 2 1TB Seagate Barracudas on Raid 0 For Game File Storage and Fast Loadings.
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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Going from a K series Sandy Bridge, to a Haswell K series is a waste of money. A mild overclock, if you haven't already done so, and a GTX 970, and you will game just as well. The performance difference between SB and Haswell isn't much. I strongly suggest just waiting it out till Skylake. The 2500k is still an awesome CPU.
 
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Deucalion02

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Mar 6, 2015
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Mr. @ Inveigler , Those Builds you have posted are based on the new Intel x99 Platforms and New Intel Extreme Processors which is , actually targeted much more for PC Enthusiast like my self and Workstations that do Day and Night Rendering, Not much for gaming , and they Feature the new DDR4. The Price per performance of the new DDR4 isn't quite acceptable for Casual Consumers , and For "Gaming" you don't really need the Speed that DDR4 is Offering , a 2400mhz DDR3 Like the build i posted above , is much more than enough for your "Casual Gaming" or "Editing". You really won't Feel the difference of the DDR3 to the DDR4 on Gaming , a couple of seconds on the loading time at most.
 
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Deucalion02

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@logainofhades I Do Agree , when he said "Newer Gaming PC" i thought he might want to Build a new one , a Completely Different one on a Different Platform , and Many like my self use the our Sandy Bridges as dedicated Streaming PC.
 
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I

Inveigler

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Dec 14, 2011
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I can either turn my old computer into a media server and/or run smaller games off it on the TV (like a console).
So my options are tone the builds down to something along the lines of what @Deucalion02 and @Vosgy have recommended or I look at upgrading the GPU alone.
Given the computer is 4 years old and has been used a lot, I guess I'm nervous about putting new components in something that's slowly running down and might not be up to snuff. Don't want to spend $600 on a new GPU just to find out the computer scraps itself in a few months and I need to build a new computer around the GPU.

I really appreciate the help! You've been super helpful.
 
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