Help Part Picking for Gaming PC $1,000-$1,200 (Did I pick a good setup? Can you help me save $ ??)

Bri707

Reputable
Jun 25, 2014
4
0
4,510
Approximate Purchase Date: this week

Budget Range: $1,200 - $1,400 (I had originally wanted to keep it around $1,000...but didn't look like a system would be good enough for star citizen at that price point. If I could get it back to $1,200...it would be better.)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, dual monitors, multi-client EVE, star citizen, BF3, web surfing.

Parts: Below is what I put together;
PCPartPicker part list; (http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xNWRgs)
Price breakdown by merchant; (http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xNWRgs/by_merchant/)

**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54690k) | $239.99 @ Amazon
**CPU Cooler** | [Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhd14) | $64.99 @ NCIX US
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z97extreme4) | $128.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Kingston Predator Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-memory-khx21c11t2k216x) | $168.99 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sandisk-internal-hard-drive-sdssdhp256gg25) | $109.98 @ OutletPC
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $54.98 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [MSI Radeon R9 280X 6GB TWIN FROZR Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-r9280xgaming6g) | $359.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-500rbk) | $59.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220g20850xr) | $109.99 @ NCIX US
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas) | $16.99 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $102.98 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1399.86

Is the GPU I picked good enough, or should I switch it for a R9 290??

Do you need to buy OS: Yes ...Plan on Windows 8.1

Overclocking: Maybe

Additional Comments: In the summer, it is regularly 90 deg + here.

I used the forums here, some gaming company websites, some fellow gamer advice, etc. This would be my first build. I have a family, and have full-time RL, so I want a Gaming PC for high quality gaming with my online friends, no lag, and the ability to play star citizen well.

Any advice on parts, $ saving (Don't say get rid of RL!), etc. would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

Analgetic

Honorable
Feb 8, 2014
188
0
10,760
I've searched a bit and r9 290x is better for star citizen but if you don't care for ultra graphics and only for fps then do not change the GPU you posted above
 

z_4

Distinguished
Apr 21, 2011
367
0
18,960
Here's a build with a much better GPU, and Reliable SSD. Have a look :

CPU & Motherboard : $339 - Intel i5-4670K & Gigabyte GA97X - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1658250 (CPU has $20 off with promo, also Wifi card free)
HDD & Cooler: $81 - Seagate 1TB & CM Evo 212 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1696644
SSD & Case: $215 - Samsung 840 250GB & Cooler Maste N600 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1697663
GPU : $410 - Asus R9 290 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121842
PSU: $120- EVGA NOVA 750Watt - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438017
ODD & RAM: $160- Lite On & GSKill Ripjaw 16GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1702095 ($5 off with promo on ODD)

Total (Excl. Rebates Promo): 1325 USD
Rebates & Promo: $90

To bring closer to $1200 budget you can drop the RAM to 8 GB it will save $70.
You could look at this SSD for $100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820721108 ( Saves $40)

Hope you like this build.