mid-range gaming build opinions

[geetargeek]

Hey all,

I want to build a 'steam machine' style gaming rig for my living room for under $1500. What do you think of this build? Thanks.


-ASRock Z97 PRO3 LGA1150 ATX 4XDDR3 1XPCI-E-16 2XPCI-E-1 2XPCI 6XSATA3 USB3.0 Motherboard

-G.SKILL Ripjaws X F3-14900CL9D-8GBXL 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1866 CL9-10-9-28 Memory

-Samsung 840 Evo Series MZ-7TE250BW 250GB 2.5in SATA III Internal SSD Single Unit Version

-Corsair CX Series CX750 750W ATX 12V 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply Active PFC Fan 120mm Fan

-Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200RPM SATA3 64MB Cache 3.5in Internal Hard Drive

-ASUS DRW-24F1ST 24X SATA DVD Writer Black

-NZXT H440 ATX Mid Tower 7X2.5IN 5X3.5IN 2XUSB3.0 Steel Computer Case White & Black - *No PSU*

-Corsair Cooling Hydro Series H100I CPU Cooler System LGA1150 1155 1156 1366 2011 AM2 AM3 FM1 & FM2

-Powercolor Radeon R9 290X OC 1030MHZ 4GB 5.0GHZ GDDR5 2xDVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E Video Card W/BF4

-Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64Bit SP1 DVD OEM

Total approx: $1435 CAD

 

[t3nn1spr3p]

Where's your cpu? I'd suggest i5 4590

Also, you have a z version motherboard, are you planning on overclocking? If so you also need a cpu cooler. Then you should get the i5 4690k and a cooler master hyper 212 evo.

The cx series power supplies are said to have poor quality electronics by experts. Doesn't mean they're gonna fail, just maybe not last as long? I'd recommend Antec, Seasonic, or XFX brands.

Do you really need the 250GB solid state AND the 2TB storage drive? Probably would have enough space with 120GB for OS and essential programs.

 

[jaraldo]

If you want to spend $1,500 for a steam machine, that's fine, just personally I find it huge overkill; $750 would be my max.

You didn't include the processor but I'm assuming it's an i5/i7 which is fine.
If you aren't going to overclock, you can do with a h97 motherboard, if you are going to then I'd get something better than the CX series. I'd only consider using them in $500-600 budgets.

[strike]Try this power supply. 7 year warranty, gold rated $69 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182073&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=[/strike]

Edit: Sorry about that, forgot canada You won't need a 750w for one graphics card anyways. This one is much better quality than the CX.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059&AID=10657534&PID=3938566&SID=&nm_mc=AFC-C8JunctionCA&cm_mmc=AFC-C8JunctionCA-_-na-_-na-_-na

P.S some people might criticize the choice of Windows 7; I am fine with both personally. I've heard Windows 8 runs games better though.

 

[geetargeek]

Actually, I'm a total n00b and hacked this system together by looking at other people's specs. What power supply do you recommend then? And I don't necessarily need to overclock. Just want a great stock system that will last for years to come.

 

[jaraldo]

If it's just something like a steam machine I wouldn't go over $800-850 CAD. You could get something like an i5-4440, a h97 motherboard something like a r9 270x or r9 280 and this power supply
http://www.ncix.com/detail/xfx-650w-pro650w-core-edition-ab-59616-1060.htm?affiliateid=7474144

If you wanted lots of room, the Crucial MX100 256GB SSD are probably around $110-120.

Just an FYI, almost all custom computers if maintained well, will last you 3 - 5 years. Usually after 5 years they start to become dated but you could easily run the same computer for 10 years. (if parts last that long)

 

[geetargeek]

Well, I should clarify that when I say 'steam machine', I really just mean a gaming PC hooked up to my large screen TV in the living room. I still want a quality mid-range gaming rig.

 

[geetargeek]

Would this be a better motherboard? I know mITX doesn't support as much stuff. I also would like this PC to have wifi connectivity so there's no giant ethernet cable sticking out of the back.

Gigabyte H97N-WIFI mITX LGA1150 H97 DDR3 PCI-E16 PCI-E8 SATA3 USB3 HDMI GBLAN Motherboard

 

[geetargeek]

Would it be too much to ask you guys to rebuild this rig with your suggested specs? As I said, I'm a newbie and I know it's totally taboo to buy a pre-built computer, but I've almost considered it a few times. I don't want to be price-gouged and settle for low-quality parts however.

I really just want something with a sleek design (I like plain chassis; don't need crazy LED lights, etc) that will play Skyrim, Far Cry 3, and other titles at a buttery smooth frame-rate. I would prefer Intel over AMD and I don't need OCing and I really would like it to be wi-fi capable so there's no ethernet cable attached. Doesn't need to be mATX or small form-factor and I don't want overheating issues. That's really about it.

 

[jaraldo]

hehe, well we are just different when it comes to the term "mid range". As an example, an i5+ r9 270 can play any game right now in max settings 40+fps.

When you said "steam machine" I thought you meant you already had another gaming computer and this one was just for just gaming with friends or whatever. I see now

Try using this site to build as it will make it easier for people to help you as they can edit your build. It also shows the lowest prices on products
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/

I think a wifi card and a normal motherboard are better than one that's built in. Certainly cheaper anyways.

 

[Luka Korica]

I would personally recommend you my rig I have right now. http://pcpartpicker.com/user/lukakorica/saved/dHNgXL
I upgraded the i7-4770k to the new Intels i7-4790 and also Powercolor isn't a particularly good brand for the R9 series GPUs. I would get an Tri-x it runs SUPER QUIET AND SUPER COOL. Seriously it's great i can't hear my PC when it's running only slight noise when i play some intensive games like BF4, Crysis 3... It runs cool and the performance is just great also I got a nice oc on it if you are in to overclocking. You are looking at 100+fps in BF4, Watch Dogs 60-80fps with E3 Shaders, Crysis 3 50-70+ (depends on the area where are you pretty smooth gameplay), everything maxed out 1080p.
If you have any questions PM me

 

[jaraldo]

^---Nothing wrong with powercolor.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-r9-270-benchmark-review,3769-4.html

Anyways, if you both feel you need a $1,400 build for gaming, that's fine, it's not my place to say no.

Geetargeek, since you mention this is "just a living room PC", I would still advise against getting $300-400 graphics cards.

2 questions:
What games are you playing and what settings do you want to play them at?
What computer do you already have?

Maybe I'm misinterpreting something, but usually when a PC is in the living room, it's for HTPC or a gaming system for friends (like a Xbox).