Which PC Is Better On A $1200-$1300 Budget

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Qball33

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Oct 24, 2015
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Alright guys I'm new to the PC scene, I used to be a huge console gamer for about 7-8 years now and I feel like now is the right time to switch to PC gaming. I have been conversing with some friends about a build and we have come up with a couple of builds. Give me your thoughts and advice on these builds and if you have anything better feel free to post yours too. Thanks guys :).

Build #1- https://pcpartpicker.com/p/wJTBK8

Build #2- https://pcpartpicker.com/p/jchthM
 
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deadrush

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Oct 25, 2013
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The first one will have better CPU performance, however the second one would have better GPU performance overall they would both be great for current gen games and future proof for awhile down the road.
 
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CTurbo

CTurbo

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Aug 27, 2013
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Option 3.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($309.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($89.75 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer GN246HL 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($207.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech Wireless Combo MK270 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($19.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1192.12
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-24 20:31 EDT-0400





I would not buy either of your two builds. The psus are not good. The FX8350 would bottleneck the GTX980ti. The first build is overkill for that monitor. My build gets you a big ssd, a good 144hz monitor, and a very reliable psu.
 
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nymzy

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Aug 1, 2015
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well, the build with the 980ti is obviously going to be a lot faster than the 1 with the 970, but i think you should combine the 2 for an even better build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card ($659.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1353.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-24 20:39 EDT-0400

This is what i came up with.
I really kept aesthetics and upgradeability in mind when doing this build, however, i don't recommend the 980ti if you are playing on 1080p, at least get a 1440p or 4k monitor.

if you plan to stay at 1080p then swap the 980ti out for a 980 and you will save around $200 wich u can spend on a ssd.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($226.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($115.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($63.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($309.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $967.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-24 20:51 EDT-0400

You could also get a build like this,

It will play current games at max settings at 1080p, this build has sli, so you could add another 970 in in the future.

 
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dr777669

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Oct 8, 2015
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if you were to use it for gaming option 2 would be better option i own a 8350 and i has great overclocking abilities plus the card with option 2 will take you a long way with 6gb of vram plus the ti is a very powerful card right under the titans so option 2
 
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deadrush

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Oct 25, 2013
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($226.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($81.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($497.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1174.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-24 20:50 EDT-0400
 
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CTurbo

CTurbo

Pizza Monster
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Aug 27, 2013
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($479.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($89.75 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer GN246HL 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($207.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech Wireless Combo MK270 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($19.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1362.12
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-24 21:50 EDT-0400
 
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Qball33

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Oct 24, 2015
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Yea I've decided that Im going to go over my budget a little bit for the 980, I was originally planning on getting the 970. And also, what's so bad about the EVGA 650W 80+ Gold power supply, and also why do you suggest the 4590 over the 4690k just curious. Thanks for your input.
 
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nymzy

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Aug 1, 2015
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get this psu instead:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-110b20750vr

by going for the 4590 you don't need a motherboard for overclocking since the cpu can't and you don't need a better cooler either.

so you are saving about $80


i recommend going for the 4690 if u plan to go for a non overclockable cpu

the single core performance is slightly stronger.

if you want to overclock go for the 4690k with a z97 motherboard and something like the hyper 212 evo as cpu cooler
 
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CTurbo

CTurbo

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Aug 27, 2013
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The EVGA G1 psu uses low quality components and is not very reliable.

I recommend the 4590 because the 4690k is not worth ALL of the extra money that comes with overclocking like getting the Z97 motherboard and cpu cooler.

That money is better spent on a big ssd that would actually give you a performance boost you would actually notice and feel.
 
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Qball33

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Oct 24, 2015
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4,510
Alright, so I have done more research and as it turns out, JayzTwoCents made a video of the GTX 970 vs. r9 390 and he says that the 390 is the best bang for the buck when it comes price to performance. He also states that for around the $300 price of a graphics card, he cant suggest any card over the MSI r9 390. Should I consider that card over the 970, even the 980 ($200 more expensive and seems to be only marginally better). So I think Im going with either the 390 or 970 since they happen to be the price for performance best video card. Also I see what you mean when you say that particular EVGA power supply sucked, so I chose a better one that is in the top tier when it comes to psus. I have changed build a bit and this is what it looks like. (Also quick side note, I want the 4690k as I will be overclocking). http://pcpartpicker.com/p/K6kwBm
 
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