New to Intel: Is this a good build for 1080p gaming?

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CuteFuzzyDalek

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Mar 4, 2015
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After deciding to use Intel on my new build, I was a bit confused by the myriad of chipsets, micro-architectures, and sockets in the Intel product line. After much deliberation, I have settled on this build (seen below). Obviously, I want to make sure this is a good rig before I drop the cash. Additionally, I have 4 questions:

1. Is the cooling and size provided by the case adequate for healthy airflow?
2. Will this system possess any noticeable bottlenecks?
3. Are there any components I should downgrade in order to save money?
4. How futureproofed is this build?

Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H105 73.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($109.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 MPOWER MAX AC ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($339.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($399.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($549.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Core V71 ATX Full Tower Case ($130.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P2 1000W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($169.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Thermaltake AF0026 97.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($15.28 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Thermaltake AF0026 97.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($15.28 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Thermaltake Pure 20 LED 129.6 CFM 200mm Fan ($11.79 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2400.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-16 00:06 EDT-0400
 
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synphul
Here's an example, still a bit overkill on the ram (16gb). Same psu, same video card, same cooler, same case (assuming you have a preference for all these things). It has twice the storage space, still offers a 256gb ssd for boot drive (os/programs) and upgraded to a samsung 850 pro - upgraded to win 8.1 retail (in the event you ever want to swap out motherboards or change your system, you won't be buying windows all over again). No additional fans listed, the case says it comes with 3 200mm fans and a 140mm. You shouldn't need additional fans unless you wanted to replace the stock fans or are replacing the fans with the h105. If that's the case, you may want to check into something with static pressure optimization like scythe gentle...
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synphul

synphul

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Mar 11, 2011
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As far as gaming is concerned, 8gb of ram with an i5 4690k and the gtx 980 is plenty for 1080p gaming if you ask me. Not a bad price on the i7 if you're close to a microcenter (I don't think they ship, at least not cpu's). The ram is definitely overkill, even 16gb is lacking in terms of diminishing returns. In terms of money and where it's spent, I'd rather put the cash for a 1tb ssd into a 240gb ssd and add a 1-2tb hdd for file storage. No real reason for a $230 z97 motherboard. Not saying they're bad parts but a serious overspend on parts in my opinion. With some of the money saved I'd use better quality case fans.
 
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synphul

synphul

Champion
Mar 11, 2011
9,477
7
54,965
Here's an example, still a bit overkill on the ram (16gb). Same psu, same video card, same cooler, same case (assuming you have a preference for all these things). It has twice the storage space, still offers a 256gb ssd for boot drive (os/programs) and upgraded to a samsung 850 pro - upgraded to win 8.1 retail (in the event you ever want to swap out motherboards or change your system, you won't be buying windows all over again). No additional fans listed, the case says it comes with 3 200mm fans and a 140mm. You shouldn't need additional fans unless you wanted to replace the stock fans or are replacing the fans with the h105. If that's the case, you may want to check into something with static pressure optimization like scythe gentle typhoon ap15's or ap45's.

Just by lowering the ram, going with a different cpu (can still be oc'd very well), different motherboard with all the features as the other except it doesn't have wifi (not sure if you needed wifi or not). The motherboard in this build has a 5yr warranty vs the 3yr of the mpower. Overall, knocked a good $500+ off that build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($222.75 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H105 73.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($109.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD5H-BK ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($163.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($124.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($549.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Thermaltake Core V71 ATX Full Tower Case ($130.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P2 1000W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($169.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($101.75 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1891.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-16 01:39 EDT-0400

Note: even if you wanted to stick with the i7 from microcenter, you're still looking at a solid i7 based build with a gtx 980, plenty of room to grow with that psu, 16gb of ram (more than enough for most things including video editing) for around $1950.
 
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