Ordering: $650 Gaming PC (incl. OS) Final Looks

[blatantlyobvious]

Hello all! Last week, I began a thread asking for suggestions and advice regarding a $600 gaming PC which will be my first build. I received a great amount of advice and information, and now I believe I am more or less ready to begin ordering parts.

This PC will be for casual gaming with a greater emphasis on CPU abilities (I tend to prefer MMOs) and little need for "ultra settings 60 fps" hardware. I enjoy a pretty game, but I have been playing on a PC I purchased 6+ years ago and do not mind toning down the graphics for better performance. That being said, I decided to put a little more cash into a decent CPU while sticking with the GeForce GTX 750 Ti, which I have read is a solid and reliable GPU.

Below is my current PC build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-HD3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($70.97 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($25.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $648.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-29 11:06 EDT-0400

I have a couple of questions/requests to any interested parties:

1. I've chosen to go for a lower-end MOBO because if I do end up upgrading my CPU in the future, I will also upgrade my MOBO. If possible, please help me find a sufficient MOBO in the $50 price range.

2. If possible, please suggest equivalent RAM at a better price.

3. Let me know what you think of this build. I have not yet ordered these parts, but will likely begin doing so later in the day. I always appreciate input and feedback, however!

I'm excited to order these parts and begin the next step of the build. I appreciate all of the members of these forums that have helped me thus far and am continuously open to suggestions and advice.

Thanks,

Blatantly

 

[smasher4207]

cheaper memory: Gskill ares series 2x4gb ddr3 1600 mhz 83$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231544&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[blatantlyobvious]

Thanks for the suggestions, smasher!

 

[blatantlyobvious]

Hi all,

I did some poking around and changed out the MOBO to a slightly cheaper model. Here is the new (and perhaps final) build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-D2V Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($59.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($25.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $633.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-29 14:49 EDT-0400

 

[nikoli707]

gaming only... you will get far better 1080p performance this route....

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 64GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.40 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($37.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $598.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-29 16:38 EDT-0400

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pentium-g3258-b81-cheap-overclocking,3888-3.html

benchmarks clearly show virtually no gaming performance loss(and minimal to moderate bottlenecks even when paired with titan gpu) by going with the pentium over the i5... and currently the bang for buck leader, if your not concerned with video editing or other non gaming cpu intensive apps of course. the bottleneck will virtually disappear when paired fps is less than 90fps and a lower tiered video card is used.

 

[blatantlyobvious]

Thanks for the reply, Nikoli. I neglected to mention that the build I am working towards will not be OC'd. That being said, I do not believe the G3258 is the right choice for my usage.

I do appreciate the suggested RAM chang. Is Team a reputable brand?

Knowing that I prefer the i5 over the G3258, would you still suggest the R9 270?

Thanks!

edit: Forgot to mention that I tend to play MMOs and other CPU-intensive games as opposed to ultra-setting AAA titles.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

yes, 270 is much better

 

[nikoli707]

if you don't plan on overclocking then the i5 would be a better choice…. though should mention that overclocking is not something to be to terribly afraid of since it can be very simple while being reliable and effective. i do feel pairing an i5 with a 750ti is just a bit silly. for some real 1080p gaming that you will have no problem enjoying, i would recommend at least a gtx660 or an r9-270(hd7870) as the jump in performance is very noticeable.

 

[blatantlyobvious]

While the i5 may be able to handle a high-powered GPU, I think I'd rather save the extra expense and stick with the 750 Ti. I do not require insane graphics for the games I enjoy.

Thanks for the input!