Building a Gamer PC, need some advice on the parts!

verdynius · Mar 19, 2015

Hello there!

First of all, sorry for my bad english!

To get to the point, im currently building a PC for gaming, maybe streaming, recording games, MAYBE editing the videos. The budget is around $1200. The reason i created this topic to ask YOU guys, what do you think of the parts i picked for the PC, which parts need to be replaced with something else in that price range, or you might have a better alternative for some. The prices of the parts are from an actual webshop from my country (Hungary), from which i intend to buy them, and i calculated the $ prices by today's HUF->USD exchange rate, it may differ through the next days.

The build so far :

ASUS Z97-AR ($136)
[strike]NTEL Core i5-4460 3.20GHz 1150 BOX ($187)[/strike]
INTEL Core i5-4690K 3.50GHz 1150 BOX ($257)
HyperX 16GB Savage DDR3 1866MHz CL9 KIT HX318C9SRK2/16 ($157)
[strike]VGA 04G-P4-3975-KR GTX970 4GB GDDR5 SSC ACX 2.0+ PCIE ($440)[/strike]
GIGABYTE GV-N970G1 GAMING-4GD GTX970 4GB GDDR5 OC PCIE ($384)
SEAGATE SV35.6 3TB 7200rpm 64MB SATA3 ST3000VX000 ($114)
[strike]EVGA SuperNOVA B1 750W ($104)[/strike]
[strike]CORSAIR CX Series Modular CX600M ($86)[/strike]
Seasonic S12 II 620W ($89)
ZALMAN ZM-Z11 Plus ($65)
OCZ Agility 3 240GB SSD (from my current G74SX setup, so its "for free")

The reasoning behind the picks are the next:

Motherboard & memories: i looked up the best ratio between RAM MHZ and CL, and, correct me if im wrong, with this price tag is 1866MHZ and CL9 might be the best choice. Yes, there are cheaper boards, but i like the ASUS quality, and i can live with that $136 price tag.
CPU: after long hours of research, i found this as the best price / performance ratio CPU at this price.
GPU: i think it explains itself!
PS: [strike]i might never use all of the 750W, but from the superNOVA line this is the "smallest". I was / am currently thinking of replacing this with a EVGA 600B. Any advices on this?[/strike] After doing some more research, and reviewing some advices from YOU guys, i finally made my mind into buying a seasonic PS!
HDD: i just need a big cheap storage for my data. In the future i'll buy a better one, but for now its okay i think.

As an addition for peripherials, i got everything now, so i dont have to spend on them from the budget ( G19 keyboard, G602 mouse, G930 headset, and a 27" 1920x1080 LG display ). I intend to buy a second 1920x1080 display later this year, but the system is built for 1 display 1920x1080 gaming (the second one is for "space", watching movies / streams, reading guides menwhile)

Any good advice? Replacement?

*edit: edited the parts according to the advices, and my needs*

Matt Dobe · Mar 19, 2015

Looking really nice. Good job on the research.

Power supply is a bit over the top. Your system would run fine with 550/600W with a good PSU.

The 600B is a step down in terms of quality so I would stick with 750W if you have the budget!

DasHotShot · Mar 19, 2015

2 things:

You picked a locked processor on a Z97 board. This means you will not be able to overclock it, just FYI. If you want to overclock you need to pick something marked "k" like a i5 4690K for example.

If you don't plan to overclock, you can save loads of money on the board and just get an H97 one. As such though, this is optional and the board and cpu you picked will obviously work together fine.

STAY AWAY from EVGA 600B to save your life!!! Promise us this!!! It will nuke your parts into oblivion!

Some other stuff:

You may think it fine to just get a big old cheap HDD, however this is an area where you will notice more of a difference than almost ANY other part of the system other than the GPU...

For something like you are building you MUST consider an SSD. If it means replacing the GTX 970 with a Radeon 290x which can keep up with that card and changing the board to H97 etc to shave off dollars here and there...

You WILL feel the difference massively and I can onlyrecommend trying to get a 120 GB system and crucial programs SSD and then using a storage drive for the rest...I can't stress this enough!

Pr3di · Mar 19, 2015

Why the Z97 mobo if you have a non-OC CPU?
You can go for an H97 mobo which should be cheaper.
Try to go for the B2 PSU from EVGA, or something else from Tier 1 or 2 in this list: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html
550W will be sufficient juice for you, 750W if you plan to get another GPU in the future.

Regarding the GPU, I recommend the G1 Gaming from Gigabyte, but that`s personal prefference.

Gracodana · Mar 19, 2015

Pr3di :

I would say go for a seasonic or XFX series psu or anything on the first 2 tiers of the chart. Obviously you should get a 4690k with that mobo but if you don't have the extra cash then that fine to stick with this as the broadwell series is going to be supported and if you decided to get more serious about editing you could get an i7 thats overclockable.

Just as a note to DasHotShot he put an SSD at the bottom of the list.

DasHotShot · Mar 19, 2015

Gracodana :

Pr3di :

I would say go for a seasonic or XFX series psu or anything on the first 2 tiers of the chart. Obviously you should get a 4690k with that mobo but if you don't have the extra cash then that fine to stick with this as the broadwell series is going to be supported and if you decided to get more serious about editing you could get an i7 thats overclockable.

Just as a note to DasHotShot he put an SSD at the bottom of the list.

I did not see that, you are right.

In that case, game on and pick a nice PSU! Those things are still built to last so the better it is the longer you can use it, even in future builds.

maddogfargo · Mar 19, 2015

+1 for pairing an H series board with that locked CPU. Unless you plan to upgrade to a K series CPU later and overclock it you are wasting a lot of money on that motherboard.

+1 for the Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970. It is a great card and runs very cool and quiet.

+1 for getting a good quality PSU. Everything in your system can be destroyed by a poor quality PSU.

And a final +1 for trying to fit an SSD + HDD into your build. SSD performance helps load times and boot times a great deal.

verdynius · Mar 19, 2015

Thanks for all the anwswers, ill try to comment on every single one:

The PS: my knowledge is that it does not matter, if you have a 750W PS, it will only pick up as much power, as needed, so my power bill's wont get that high. And it fits my budget, so i think i'll stick with it, because who knows, i might get another GPU in the future. A little bit more never hurts.

The motherboard: i've willingly choosen this motherboard, for reasons: 1) i might buy in the long-term future a i7 processor with OC options 2) It supports 1866MHZ mem's, which i find the best for this setup. So im aiming for the long-term-might-be's, and im paying a little bit more for it (like $20-30 more).

The SSD: i bought the OCZ Agility 3 like 2 years ago (dont really remember) for the gaming laptop, and it doubled its speed and efficiency, so i would NEVER EVER build a system without SSD in my life again. So what do you think about the 240GB SSD (system + games on it) and the 3TB HDD for storage (personal stuff, photos, movies, mp3's, videos, etc)?

The GPU: You guys made me hesitate over my EVGA decision. So i gave the idea some thought, and research, then i found a thread about it, which says i have three ways to go: GIGABYTE, ASUS, MSI. And i'm really lost now. Gonna spend this afternoon searching for the best GTX970 (BTW they are priced the same, give or take $20). Any smartness on that? (here's the list what's available at the moment http://ipon.hu/search/shop/gtx970 USD=HUF/290)

BTW im really thankful for your input guys, i really, really appreciate the help. You are da real MVP.

Pr3di · Mar 19, 2015

Based on what you said:
- I now understand your logic on the mobo -keep it as it is.
- PSU - it`s not only about power, but about quality. A 750W bad quality PSU might burn some capacitors in 2 years, and when that happens, it can burn your whole build in one go. As long as you have more than 550W PSU, tho only thing that matters is the quality. Again, look for Tier 1 and 2 in this link: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html
I sure you can find some cheap SeaSonic (non-modular) that`s maybe cheaper and a lot better than the EVGA B1.
- SSD - it`s a must in any PC/ laptop. You`re good here.
- GPU - I went through the same search you are now, and decided on the G1 Gaming. For me it`s the best pick of the lot, and I`ve had no problems so far. I`m even running a multi-seat off it, and I`m playing BF4 while my wife is browsing the internet off the same computer.

DasHotShot · Mar 19, 2015

Pr3di :

Could you elaborate exactly how that is happening? I would love for you to explain the tech behind this.

Pr3di · Mar 19, 2015

Multi-seating is an application (I use SoftXpand) that allows you to use two (or more) user accounts on one computer at once.
This means you need to have (for 2 users) connected to the computer 2 monitors, 2 keyboards, 2 mice and 2 sound outputs (I`m using a USB soundcard for my wife).

Each user is accesing their own account and uses the PC independently.

verdynius · Mar 19, 2015

Well, after checking the list, i narroved down the PSU possibilities to 3: CORSAIR CX Series Modular CX600M, EVGA SuperNOVA 750 B2 and SEASONIC S12 II 620W. The seasonic seems friendly, but honestly, im not really familiar with the company. At all. Any inputs on that? BTW all 3 are "tier 2" in the list, and there is only like $15-20 differency, so the price difference does not matter in this case. Best one ?

And for the VGA, there are 2 competitors left: MSI GTX 970 GAMING 100ME and the recommended GIGABYTE G1 GAMING-4GD GTX970. But as far as i see after checking those 2 up, they are quiet the same. Both works fine, excellent performance, and so on. I guess i'll roll a dice or something ;D

DasHotShot · Mar 19, 2015

Pr3di :

Right...

Buy a laptop for your wife?

Matt Dobe · Mar 19, 2015

DasHotShot :

Why would he do that if this set up works and doesn't cost $300...

DasHotShot · Mar 19, 2015

Matt Dobe :

Just seems a weird setup, that's all. Each to their own.

Also how doesn't a second set of ALL peripherals and a monitor and a license fee for the software not cost $300 or nearly $300?

It's obviously a choice they made...

Gracodana · Mar 19, 2015

DasHotShot :

Matt Dobe :

Just seems a weird setup, that's all. Each to their own.

Also how doesn't a second set of ALL peripherals and a monitor and a license fee for the software not cost $300 or nearly $300?

It's obviously a choice they made...

It does allow for more power then a $300 laptop, I know I know web browsing but still it is nice to have the smoother experiance and a bigger screen.

DasHotShot · Mar 19, 2015

Gracodana :

DasHotShot :

It does allow for more power then a $300 laptop, I know I know web browsing but still it is nice to have the smoother experiance and a bigger screen.

It's highly unorthodox, that is all I am saying

Gracodana · Mar 19, 2015

DasHotShot :

Gracodana :

DasHotShot :

It does allow for more power then a $300 laptop, I know I know web browsing but still it is nice to have the smoother experiance and a bigger screen.

It's highly unorthodox, that is all I am saying

True but kinda cool I think.

verdynius · Mar 19, 2015

It was fun reading through the "buy-your-wife-a-laptop" comments ;D Btw. i think its their own decision to make. And its a pretty interesting solution to a "problem", i do like it very much

BTW, back to the original thread: the parts are now updated depending on your advices / my needs, did a lot of reasearch on it. Im starting to feel that im about to get to my final build. What do you think about it now?
Honestly, i looked up the best GTX970's, and i found that the gigabyte is the best, by not far, but its cheaper in my country by $68! Really? Cheaper and better? So i decided to pick up a cheaper (but really good, and bronze rated) PSU, and the because of the price difference i can afford a WAY better Core i5-4690k.
You guys are F.CKING awesome! Thanks.

Gracodana · Mar 19, 2015

verdynius :

The cx series from corsair really arn't good quality, I believe they are ranked 3 on the tier list. You said that there was a seasonic 620w that is the best out of those 3 psu's by a long way.

verdynius · Mar 19, 2015

[strike]So you think the SEASONIC S12 II 620W is better than the CORSAIR CX Series Modular CX600M? They are basically the same price here ;D[/strike]
Okay, spent 2 more hours lookingin to it. Seasonic S12 II 620W it is. My build if finally complete ;D

verdynius · Mar 19, 2015

Thank you all for helping me making this awesome build, you are all awesome! I'm kinda sad that i could select only one answer as the solution, but a BIG THANK YOU for all of you helping me out!

Pr3di · Mar 19, 2015

verdynius :

GPU - MSI is more silent, G1 is more powerful.
PSU - my pick would be in this order: Seasonic (one of the best PSU company), EVGA, and last the CX.

The CX/CS/Builder from Corsair are pretty bad.

Pr3di · Mar 20, 2015

Just now I noticed the posts about the laptop for my wife

FYI - we were planning for a laptop for her, but when I found out about the multi-seat configuration and mentioned it to her, she said that she preffers this to a laptop.

So now, we're both happy for a fraction of the money.

verdynius · Mar 21, 2015

So i was thinking. After picking up the i5-4690k, i decided that ill try OC'ing the processor, so im getting a CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO CPU cooler to the setup. And i was wondering, that if my SEASONIC S12 II 620W PSU will be sufficent, or do i need to change up to a 750W model? What if i try to OC the G1 GTX970 too at the same time? I found some calculator sites, but im not really trusting them. Any opinions?

Building a Gamer PC, need some advice on the parts!

Honorable

Reputable

Honorable

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Splendid

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Reputable

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Share this page