First Gaming PC Build ~£1000. Any advice ?

[Dragoon_2]

Hey all,

After my most recent PC packed itself in, I decided that I would treat myself to a brand new gaming rig for a budget of around £1000 (~$1300, excuse my rough conversion). This is my first build and would be primarily for gaming with an intent to run games on the highest settings for a good few years to come.

I am pretty much set on the parts that I want for the PC and I'm about to buy (once I convince the missus!) so I'd like any opinions or advice that you guys can give me on the setup. Are there any ways that it could be improved? Let me know. All advice is welcome as I want to maximise the PC I get out for the financial input.

For note, I don't plan to right away, but there is the possibility of SLI between 2 cards in the future

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£231.98 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£25.45 @ Scan.co.uk)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste (£11.27 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£95.99 @ Aria PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (£62.26 @ Ebuyer)
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£81.46 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card (£249.99 @ Dabs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case (£71.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (£64.99 @ Amazon UK)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer (£15.99 @ Amazon UK)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£81.56 @ Amazon UK)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan (£9.98 @ Novatech)
Total: £1002.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-27 19:29 GMT+0000)

One of my outstanding questions is whether to invest in a more expensive CPU cooler?

Anyway thank you for getting this far. Any advice or comments would be more than welcome!

 

[Killr4u]

Hey all,

After my most recent PC packed itself in, I decided that I would treat myself to a brand new gaming rig for a budget of around £1000 (~$1300, excuse my rough conversion). This is my first build and would be primarily for gaming with an intent to run games on the highest settings for a good few years to come.

I am pretty much set on the parts that I want for the PC and I'm about to buy (once I convince the missus!) so I'd like any opinions or advice that you guys can give me on the setup. Are there any ways that it could be improved? Let me know. All advice is welcome as I want to maximise the PC I get out for the financial input.

For note, I don't plan to right away, but there is the possibility of SLI between 2 cards in the future




PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£231.98 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£25.45 @ Scan.co.uk)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste (£11.27 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£95.99 @ Aria PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (£62.26 @ Ebuyer)
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£81.46 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card (£249.99 @ Dabs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case (£71.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (£64.99 @ Amazon UK)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer (£15.99 @ Amazon UK)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£81.56 @ Amazon UK)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan (£9.98 @ Novatech)
Total: £1002.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-27 19:29 GMT+0000)

One of my outstanding questions is whether to invest in a more expensive CPU cooler?

Anyway thank you for getting this far. Any advice or comments would be more than welcome!

Well, if you plan on SLI'ing in the future, then you may want a bigger power supply, perhaps a 850-1000W, for SLI and power for overclocking.
You should probably get a bigger storage. 240GB does not last long. A TB or 2 would be good.
Instead of SLI'ing "in the future" maybe consider saving a bit more for a 780 ti?
A better CPU cooler would be better if you plan on overclocking. If you plan on overclocking, and want to cool on air, then I suggest a Noctua NH-D14.
~

 

[Dragoon_2]

Well, if you plan on SLI'ing in the future, then you may want a bigger power supply, perhaps a 850-1000W, for SLI and power for overclocking.
You should probably get a bigger storage. 240GB does not last long. A TB or 2 would be good.
Instead of SLI'ing "in the future" maybe consider saving a bit more for a 780 ti?
A better CPU cooler would be better if you plan on overclocking. If you plan on overclocking, and want to cool on air, then I suggest a Noctua NH-D14.
~

Hi, Thanks for replying. I should have mentioned that I'm going to reuse a 500GB hard drive from my old computer for some more storage, apologies for that.
Thanks, I'll have a look at either getting the 780 ti or getting a power supply accordingly. Do you think I would get better performance out of 2 SLI 'ed' cards or just one single 780 ti?

 

[Luis Morales]

Well, if you plan on SLI'ing in the future, then you may want a bigger power supply, perhaps a 850-1000W, for SLI and power for overclocking.
You should probably get a bigger storage. 240GB does not last long. A TB or 2 would be good.
Instead of SLI'ing "in the future" maybe consider saving a bit more for a 780 ti?
A better CPU cooler would be better if you plan on overclocking. If you plan on overclocking, and want to cool on air, then I suggest a Noctua NH-D14.
~

Hi, Thanks for replying. I should have mentioned that I'm going to reuse a 500GB hard drive from my old computer for some more storage, apologies for that.
Thanks, I'll have a look at either getting the 780 ti or getting a power supply accordingly. Do you think I would get better performance out of 2 SLI 'ed' cards or just one single 780 ti?

You are better off getting a single GPU. Specially if its a 780.

 

[Dragoon_2]

Hi, Thanks for replying. I should have mentioned that I'm going to reuse a 500GB hard drive from my old computer for some more storage, apologies for that.
Thanks, I'll have a look at either getting the 780 ti or getting a power supply accordingly. Do you think I would get better performance out of 2 SLI 'ed' cards or just one single 780 ti?

You are better off getting a single GPU. Specially if its a 780.

Thanks, having a 780 would make quite a difference. I'll need to see if I can fit it into the budget. Would a 650 W PSU be enough to handle a 780 and overclocking my cpu do you think? Or should I just play it safe and get a higher wattage PSU?

 

[Killr4u]

Well, if you plan on SLI'ing in the future, then you may want a bigger power supply, perhaps a 850-1000W, for SLI and power for overclocking.
You should probably get a bigger storage. 240GB does not last long. A TB or 2 would be good.
Instead of SLI'ing "in the future" maybe consider saving a bit more for a 780 ti?
A better CPU cooler would be better if you plan on overclocking. If you plan on overclocking, and want to cool on air, then I suggest a Noctua NH-D14.
~

Hi, Thanks for replying. I should have mentioned that I'm going to reuse a 500GB hard drive from my old computer for some more storage, apologies for that.
Thanks, I'll have a look at either getting the 780 ti or getting a power supply accordingly. Do you think I would get better performance out of 2 SLI 'ed' cards or just one single 780 ti?

You would get more performance out of 2 770's, however, a 780ti is better. You could get a second 780ti later if you wish to upgrade, and no SLI means less heat and less power consumption. Plus SLI has its problems, and not all games support it. Get a single 780ti and get another later if you wish to upgrade.

 

[Killr4u]

Hi, Thanks for replying. I should have mentioned that I'm going to reuse a 500GB hard drive from my old computer for some more storage, apologies for that.
Thanks, I'll have a look at either getting the 780 ti or getting a power supply accordingly. Do you think I would get better performance out of 2 SLI 'ed' cards or just one single 780 ti?

You are better off getting a single GPU. Specially if its a 780.

Thanks, having a 780 would make quite a difference. I'll need to see if I can fit it into the budget. Would a 650 W PSU be enough to handle a 780 and overclocking my cpu do you think? Or should I just play it safe and get a higher wattage PSU?

Also, Dragoon, how much are you looking to spend on a power supply? Tell me your power supply budget and Ill find one.

 

[Dragoon_2]

Hi, Thanks for replying. I should have mentioned that I'm going to reuse a 500GB hard drive from my old computer for some more storage, apologies for that.
Thanks, I'll have a look at either getting the 780 ti or getting a power supply accordingly. Do you think I would get better performance out of 2 SLI 'ed' cards or just one single 780 ti?

You are better off getting a single GPU. Specially if its a 780.

Thanks, having a 780 would make quite a difference. I'll need to see if I can fit it into the budget. Would a 650 W PSU be enough to handle a 780 and overclocking my cpu do you think? Or should I just play it safe and get a higher wattage PSU?

Also, Dragoon, how much are you looking to spend on a power supply? Tell me your power supply budget and Ill find one.

In response to your first post, thank you, it's definitely something to look into, albeit more expensive.
As for the power supply I'm happy to spend up to around £100 on it although I'm willing to go higher if need be. Preferentially, the total budget for the PC would be around the £1000 mark all in, but I'd be willing to go as far as £1250 (just don't tell my fiancée as its coming out of the wedding budget...)

 

[Killr4u]

Hi, Thanks for replying. I should have mentioned that I'm going to reuse a 500GB hard drive from my old computer for some more storage, apologies for that.
Thanks, I'll have a look at either getting the 780 ti or getting a power supply accordingly. Do you think I would get better performance out of 2 SLI 'ed' cards or just one single 780 ti?

You are better off getting a single GPU. Specially if its a 780.

Thanks, having a 780 would make quite a difference. I'll need to see if I can fit it into the budget. Would a 650 W PSU be enough to handle a 780 and overclocking my cpu do you think? Or should I just play it safe and get a higher wattage PSU?

Also, Dragoon, how much are you looking to spend on a power supply? Tell me your power supply budget and Ill find one.

In response to your first post, thank you, it's definitely something to look into, albeit more expensive.
As for the power supply I'm happy to spend up to around £100 on it although I'm willing to go higher if need be. Preferentially, the total budget for the PC would be around the £1000 mark all in, but I'd be willing to go as far as £1250 (just don't tell my fiancée as its coming out of the wedding budget...)

Sorry, how much is 1250 in USD?

 

[Dragoon_2]

Sorry, how much is 1250 in USD?

Err, a quick check through google tells me its about $2000. I thought it might be less than that but there we go.

 

[Killr4u]

Sorry, how much is 1250 in USD?

Err, a quick check through google tells me its about $2000. I thought it might be less than that but there we go.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3hzAF

Hmm, go on and look at that build, how does it look?
Also, the CPU Cooler will be perfectly fine to cool the 4770k @ 4.7 ghz OC'd.

 

[Dragoon_2]

Sorry, how much is 1250 in USD?

Err, a quick check through google tells me its about $2000. I thought it might be less than that but there we go.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3hzAF

Hmm, go on and look at that build, how does it look?
Also, the CPU Cooler will be perfectly fine to cool the 4770k @ 4.7 ghz OC'd.

Looks pretty damn good thanks. Only problem with it being when I try to change that to the sterling it appears that some of the parts might not be available in the UK. This is only a really quick first glance of what pc partpicker seem to think so obviously I can have a shop around and see if anywhere offers these components. We really do get pretty poor deals in the UK compared to the States haha. Thanks for having a look!
I think I'll have a revise of my part list, see if I can accommodate a 780 and bigger power supply.

 

[Killr4u]

Sorry, how much is 1250 in USD?

Err, a quick check through google tells me its about $2000. I thought it might be less than that but there we go.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3hzAF

Hmm, go on and look at that build, how does it look?
Also, the CPU Cooler will be perfectly fine to cool the 4770k @ 4.7 ghz OC'd.

Looks pretty damn good thanks. Only problem with it being when I try to change that to the sterling it appears that some of the parts might not be available in the UK. This is only a really quick first glance of what pc partpicker seem to think so obviously I can have a shop around and see if anywhere offers these components. We really do get pretty poor deals in the UK compared to the States haha. Thanks for having a look!
I think I'll have a revise of my part list, see if I can accommodate a 780 and bigger power supply.

My bad you could not get some of the parts due to different countries;
But, I am glad I could help!
The 780 ti is a GREAT choice. The best on the market for gaming at the moment.

 

[Dragoon_2]

Looks pretty damn good thanks. Only problem with it being when I try to change that to the sterling it appears that some of the parts might not be available in the UK. This is only a really quick first glance of what pc partpicker seem to think so obviously I can have a shop around and see if anywhere offers these components. We really do get pretty poor deals in the UK compared to the States haha. Thanks for having a look!
I think I'll have a revise of my part list, see if I can accommodate a 780 and bigger power supply.

My bad you could not get some of the parts due to different countries;
But, I am glad I could help!
The 780 ti is a GREAT choice. The best on the market for gaming at the moment.

Ach never mind, the problem with being a Brit eh? A quick question, how does the original build look all things considered? Would it perform near the top end (in terms of high graphical fidelity and fps, and in terms of running pretty fast, which I'd hope with an i7!)

 

[Killr4u]

Looks pretty damn good thanks. Only problem with it being when I try to change that to the sterling it appears that some of the parts might not be available in the UK. This is only a really quick first glance of what pc partpicker seem to think so obviously I can have a shop around and see if anywhere offers these components. We really do get pretty poor deals in the UK compared to the States haha. Thanks for having a look!
I think I'll have a revise of my part list, see if I can accommodate a 780 and bigger power supply.

My bad you could not get some of the parts due to different countries;
But, I am glad I could help!
The 780 ti is a GREAT choice. The best on the market for gaming at the moment.

Ach never mind, the problem with being a Brit eh? A quick question, how does the original build look all things considered? Would it perform near the top end (in terms of high graphical fidelity and fps, and in terms of running pretty fast, which I'd hope with an i7!)

Your original build, or my original build?
Your original build would run perfectly fine in most games, at 1080p that is.
The new build could run games at perhaps higher resolutions, and be further upgraded.
Either way, both of them are good.

 

[Dragoon_2]

Ach never mind, the problem with being a Brit eh? A quick question, how does the original build look all things considered? Would it perform near the top end (in terms of high graphical fidelity and fps, and in terms of running pretty fast, which I'd hope with an i7!)

Your original build, or my original build?
Your original build would run perfectly fine in most games, at 1080p that is.
The new build could run games at perhaps higher resolutions, and be further upgraded.
Either way, both of them are good.

I meant mine originally but it's useful to know that for both. Many thanks for all your help, it's really appreciated. I think I may have a little look into incorporating a 780 ti if money allows. Again thanks for your help.

 

[sora]

Ach never mind, the problem with being a Brit eh? A quick question, how does the original build look all things considered? Would it perform near the top end (in terms of high graphical fidelity and fps, and in terms of running pretty fast, which I'd hope with an i7!)

Your original build, or my original build?
Your original build would run perfectly fine in most games, at 1080p that is.
The new build could run games at perhaps higher resolutions, and be further upgraded.
Either way, both of them are good.

I meant mine originally but it's useful to know that for both. Many thanks for all your help, it's really appreciated. I think I may have a little look into incorporating a 780 ti if money allows. Again thanks for your help.

I'd personally stick with the 780; the 780 ti imo is not worth it and it would be better to wait for the 790 or the 8xx series.

 

[Dragoon_2]

I'd personally stick with the 780; the 780 ti imo is not worth it and it would be better to wait for the 790 or the 8xx series.

Hi Sora, thanks for the suggestion. I've had a rejig of the proposed build to fit a 780, modifying the motherboard and case to save some money so that the cost is pretty reasonable.

Here is the new build below. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice for this build? Once again the main goals for this PC are high end gaming for a good few years to come. Overclocking is a possibility so I may look to change that power supply. Or would I need to? Is 650W enough when I'm no longer looking to SLI.

Cheers once again.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£231.98 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£25.45 @ Scan.co.uk)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste (£11.27 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£77.81 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (£62.26 @ Ebuyer)
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£81.46 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (£359.98 @ Dabs)
Case: BitFenix Shinobi Window ATX Mid Tower Case (£59.99 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (£64.99 @ Amazon UK)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer (£13.54 @ Amazon UK)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£81.56 @ Amazon UK)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan (£9.98 @ Novatech)
Total: £1080.27
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-29 13:55 GMT+0000)

Put in a Dollar comparison below.

Total: $1470.20