Under 1K Gaming Build

Cpeden7 · May 15, 2015

Hey there I am new on this site but would really love to hear any thoughts and opinions on what will be my first pc build. I plan to use this pc as a workstation for college, though also moderate gaming. Feedback is appreciated.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RLrCcf

Aspiring techie · May 15, 2015

1. I recommend getting a higher quality PSU from Antec, Seasonic, or EVGA. The CX series is made from low quality capacitors.
2. You don't need a CPU cooler. The i5 is locked, so the stock fan will keep it cool.

Since this is going to be a workstation, I recommend going for a cheaper case and motherboard, and going for an i7. If the applications you plan to do in college are multithreaded, then an i7 will be much better than an i5.

toyftw · May 15, 2015

Cpeden7 :

Hi - looks good. A couple of suggestions;
You can save some $$ on the mobo, the Z series benefit is for overclocking, but your CPU
is not an overclock model, so an H series mobo should give you the same performance for less $$.

http://pcpartpicker.com/mr/outletpc/gigabyte-motherboard-gah97nwifi

And for the price of the cx600 PSU, you can get a better quality unit, like XFX or EVGA. A
550 from either of those is more than enough to run a system with one R9 280.

Bossyfins · May 15, 2015

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wCNVXL

entropy4money · May 15, 2015

If youll be doing any rendering and not buying a workstation video card then go with AMD. AMD video cards perform better than NVIDIA with SolidWorks and other CAD related software.

Aspiring techie · May 15, 2015

Bossyfins :

If the computer is going to be a workstation and not heavily used for gaming, then more should be spent on the CPU, not the graphics card.

entropy4money · May 15, 2015

Aspiring techie :

Not necessarily true. If he is doing engineering related stuff like CAD he needs a good video card.

Here check this out:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($289.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($107.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($78.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $853.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

You want an i7 and a good quality PSU (it is worth the price). The R9 280 is a decent CAD video card and great for gaming. I didn't add a SSD because I think you can survive without one, and you can add it later on when you have more money.

Cpeden7 · May 15, 2015

Thank you so much for the answers already! I may have misused the term workstation. I will be using primarily office, and general apps such a spotify etc. Now there is a chance I may run some CAD so I do want to be prepared for it. But as I said mostly word, and other basic tasks.

entropy4money · May 15, 2015

Cpeden7 what do you think about my build? you will be able to do CAD with it. Also, do you have any preference on case size or anything else?

Cpeden7 · May 15, 2015

Also I have made the above changes, any recommendations for a cheaper case? I'm sure I could save a little there.

Cpeden7 · May 15, 2015

Entropy I actually really like that, and no I have no preferences for case, looking for something that will get the job done thats about it.

Cpeden7 · May 15, 2015

Though would I be better off keeping an i5 in there an upgrade to a 290 to better aid CAD would I see a large difference between i5 and i7 since i have no overclocking plans?

entropy4money · May 15, 2015

Ok I have some questions for you Cpeden7. What do you think you are going to get from the SSD?
Also, you know the PSU is often an over-looked component? it is the source of energy of all your components, if it is not a good quality PSU and it goes bad it can damage all of your components. It is not just about energy efficiency.
you might get away with an i5 processor, but if you will be doing any heavy programming or computer simulations you definitely want to go with an i7. I personally would rather spend more money on the processor than getting an SSD.

Yes there will be a large difference between i7 and i5. Also why are you getting a miniITX board and a medium sized tower? you might be able to save money if you get a smaller case.

Cpeden7 · May 15, 2015

I already dropped SSD completely agree that it isn't necessary at this time. And I don't plan on doing any programming and or simulations. So I may be able to stick with the i5 any box recommendations? And I also see your point on PSU.

Cpeden7 · May 15, 2015

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2pqf4D most recent rendition. I really like this one.

entropy4money · May 15, 2015

You will be good with the i5 then.

If you want to stick with mid tower (better air flow and easier to build and upgrade) http://www.microcenter.com/product/323929/V3_Black_Edition_ATX_Mid_Tower_Computer_Case

smaller (fits microATX and miniITX)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208059&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

http://www.outletpc.com/sz4292-hec-6t18bb-computer-case-black-microatx-0-6mm.html?utm_source=sz4292-hec-6t18bb-computer-case-black-microatx-0-6mm&utm_medium=shopping%2Bengine&utm_campaign=pcpartpicker&utm_content=HEC%2B-%2BCases%20%3E%20Desktop%20Cases%20%3E%20Micro%20ATX%20Cases

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208053&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

and tiny console-style (only fits miniITX).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129198&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

entropy4money · May 15, 2015

That's a good build for a great price. You will be able to play games in high settings with that. Good quality components and powerful video card.

Cpeden7 · May 15, 2015

I really appreciate this everybody and especially entropy!

entropy4money · May 15, 2015

Cpeden7 :

Anytime man. Also if you are looking for a starting mouse and you really want to spend very little money. Get this:

http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity%C2%AE-Scroll-M555-Programmable-Professional/dp/B00F3L19KQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1431715946&sr=8-2&keywords=etekcity+mouse

or this:

http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity%C2%AE-Precision-Programmable-Profiles-Switches/dp/B00KHSG8YM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1431715946&sr=8-3&keywords=etekcity+mouse

Etekcity even makes a 8 dollar gaming mouse, that sucks for intensive gaming but it is decent. the 13 dollar one is really good, it is incredible how cheap these mouses are.

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