Looking for advice with regard to improving my gaming pc build

Lackadaisical Panda · Mar 9, 2015

After compiling a list of parts for my gaming pc build, I'm currently looking for experienced individuals who can evaluate it and offer suggestions as to how I can improve it. I know next to nothing about building computers and any advice would be greatly appreciated. Here's my build so far:

[strike]CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor [/strike]
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
[strike]Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Formula EATX LGA1155 Motherboard [/strike]
[strike]Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory [/strike]
[strike]Storage: Western Digital VelociRaptor 1TB 3.5" 10000RPM Internal Hard Drive[/strike]
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card
[strike]Case: Azza Genesis 9000 (Black) ATX Full Tower Case [/strike]
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (64-bit)

I will use this pc for games as well as photoshop (painting and editing).

UPDATE
The following changes have been made:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
[strike]Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII FORMULA ATX LGA1150 Motherboard[/strike]
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Wired Network Adapter: Intel EXPI9301CTBLK 10/100/1000 Mbps PCI-Express x1 Network Adapter
[strike]Case: Azza Solano 1000R ATX Full Tower Case[/strike]

turkey3_scratch · Mar 9, 2015

I see no reason why you would go last-gen with the Intel I7 3xxx processors. Get one of the ones in the 4000's along with an LGA1150 to accommodate the Haswell-generation processor. Also, rather than getting a 10,000RPM hard drive you'd be much better off getting an SSD along with a $50 hard drive with 7200RPM.

Entomber · Mar 9, 2015

- get a 4th-gen processor, if you want an i7 you're looking at an i7-4790K.
- pair a Z97 motherboard with that i7-4790K, like the ASUS Maximus VII Formula
- a 10000RPM HDD is loud and not much faster than a 7200RPM one. It's much better to get an SSD if you want speed.
- make sure you get Windows 81. 64-bit, not 32-bit, so you can use all of the RAM you are planning to get.

Lackadaisical Panda · Mar 9, 2015

Can you explain to me exactly why I should change the CPU? What advantages are there in doing so? What does an i7 4xxx have to offer that an i7 3xxx doesn't? Thanks for your responses.

turkey3_scratch · Mar 9, 2015

Lackadaisical Panda :

1) It's newer. You could get a 10-year-old processor that was the best 10 years ago but it won't be as good today.

2) Though the margin of 1 year is not so large, why get the older version when the newer ones have slightly better performance and technology for the same price? The 4xxx I7 processors have a lower clocks-per-instruction, and more transistors, which gives them a small advantage over the previous 3xxx gen.

Entomber · Mar 9, 2015

a 4th-gen i7 is more energy efficient, and has a higher stock clock speed than a 3rd-gen i7, meaning it will be faster by default. Both processors are also priced similarly, so a 4th-gen i7 is a much smarter buy.

take a look:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

Lackadaisical Panda · Mar 9, 2015

turkey3_scratch :

Ah, that makes sense. I'll look into some more of the differences between the two generations. I picked the i7 3770 because an article I'd read (from 2012) recommended it. By now I'm assuming the 3xxx's are obsolete, so I'll be sure to revise my build.

Lackadaisical Panda · Mar 9, 2015

Can either of you rate my build's performance, taking into consideration that the CPU, motherboard, and hard drive will be replaced? How about the GPU, is there a brand/model you would recommend?

Entomber · Mar 9, 2015

Your build as it stands would be quite good, with the exception of the HDD. It's just not the best value for your money.

As for the GPU, Gigabyte's GTX 970 offering is great, no need to change it. Your alternative in the same price range is a R9 290x, which is much less power-efficient and not something that I would buy myself.

Lackadaisical Panda · Mar 9, 2015

Entomber :

Just updated my build as you suggested, I will keep the thread unsolved for now in case there are more changes that could be made, but I appreciate you sharing with me your knowledge. As for the ssd, what's a reasonable amount of storage to buy, and what types of applications/files are typcially stored on it? Thanks again!

turkey3_scratch · Mar 9, 2015

Lackadaisical Panda :

Entomber :

Just updated my build as you suggested, I will keep the thread unsolved for now in case there are more changes that could be made, but I appreciate you sharing with me your knowledge. As for the ssd, what's a reasonable amount of storage to buy, and what types of applications/files are typcially stored on it? Thanks again!

128GB is ideal, install the operating system onto it and place your most used programs and games on it.

Lackadaisical Panda · Mar 9, 2015

Do I have enough RAM? I figured 16 gigs would be more than enough for gaming and photoshop. Please note that I want this build to meet the highest standards of performance, effortlessly running the latest games on max settings at the highest resolution with an average of 60 fps.

turkey3_scratch · Mar 9, 2015

Lackadaisical Panda :

16GB is perfect for your purposes, anything over is too much.

Lackadaisical Panda · Mar 9, 2015

I also need to be able to paint on large, high resolution photoshop canvases without any lag.

turkey3_scratch · Mar 9, 2015

Lackadaisical Panda :

Can't go wrong with the I7-4790K.

Lackadaisical Panda · Mar 9, 2015

turkey3_scratch :

Awesome.

Entomber · Mar 10, 2015

Lackadaisical Panda :

It depends on how many programs you wish to have on fast access. Typically, you'll store your OS on your SSD so it boots quickly, and you'll also put any games or programs that have high loading times on your SSD as well. In your case you'd probably want to install Photoshop on your SSD.

Personally, I buy SSDs of 240+ GB, since 128GB only allows you to install 1-2 meaningful games on the SSD before it fills up; your OS will take up 50GB, and any games that I would consider installing on an SSD are dozens of GB.

Also, why are you buying a sound card?

Lackadaisical Panda · Mar 10, 2015

Shouldn't I buy one?

Decided against purchasing an ssd, I don't think it's worth the extra money. If it only improves loading and booting speed, I can do without it.

Entomber · Mar 12, 2015

well, if you've never experienced the speed of an SSD you won't know what you're missing out on, and that's fine.

you don't need a sound card unless you are an audiophile, since your motherboard comes with onboard sound.

Lackadaisical Panda · Mar 12, 2015

Entomber :

Is there a significant audible difference in quality between default onboard sound and the sound produced by a sound card? I'm not an audiophile, nor is my ear trained to distinguish between the two types of sound, so it may not be necessary. But I love being able to fully immerse myself in what I'm doing, and I almost always have jams playing during my gaming/drawing sessions. I'm heavily leaning towards buying one, since it's relatively inexpensive and I love music.

Entomber · Mar 13, 2015

I think you should hold off on buying the sound card unless the onboard audio quality is unbearably bad for you.

Lackadaisical Panda · Mar 13, 2015

Alright, that makes sense. Thanks for all your help. I'm putting the final touches on my build now and will create a new thread shortly with the finalized build.

Looking for advice with regard to improving my gaming pc build

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