Mid-High Gaming Build

[Aevista]

Hi all, I'm looking for some help adapting/refining a system build. I'm happy to spend around $1600 but obviously reducing the price without sacrificing is great too! From Australia by the way.

It's a general purpose rig, with the most taxing activities likely to be gaming. I play just about everything, but BF4, modded Skyrim etc are good benchmarks currently. I already have peripherals, so these won't factor into the cost.

I've done a bit of research on Tom's Hardware, and put together a list that I think works pretty well which can be found here: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/NJn3NG

The price from my local computer hardware store (Umart) is slightly higher at $1677 using the
Gigabyte GTX 780 OC EDITION instead, priced at $555. http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&bid=2&id2=247&sid=135732

I was also looking to buy the parts and build myself for this, so any tips would be welcome!

 

[Nuckles_56]

Here are a few changes which will make the build a little bit better and also slightly cheaper as well

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PERFORMANCE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($99.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($549.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($155.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($135.00 @ Scorptec)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($25.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Total: $1535.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-02 16:31 EST+1000

 

[AntonM95]

it's great build but I'll make a little change to reduce it's price and save money with a higher performance , and you will not need to Z97 mobo because of you have locked CPU either you do not need to 750 watts PSU ,650W is enough.
*side note : the GPU in this build is GTX 780 OC GHZ Edition not the OC edition . that is better than 290X in some apps.

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/y84RwP
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/y84RwP/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($238.00 @ CPL Online)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty H97 Performance ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($127.00 @ CPL Online)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($99.00 @ CPL Online)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($82.00 @ CPL Online)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.00 @ Centre Com)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($569.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 Advanced ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.00 @ Scorptec)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($135.00 @ Scorptec)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($19.00 @ CPL Online)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($107.00 @ CPL Online)
Total: $1547.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-02 16:29 EST+1000

 

[AntonM95]

Here are a few changes which will make the build a little bit better and also slightly cheaper as well

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PERFORMANCE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($99.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($549.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($155.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($135.00 @ Scorptec)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($25.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Total: $1535.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-02 16:31 EST+1000

the OS not included in price dude

 

[Nuckles_56]

Here are a few changes which will make the build a little bit better and also slightly cheaper as well

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PERFORMANCE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($99.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($549.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($155.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($135.00 @ Scorptec)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($25.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Total: $1535.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-02 16:31 EST+1000

the OS not included in price dude

I know that, for whatever reason, it just won't find the price for me

 

[Aevista]

I've noticed you both changed the case - is this due to preference or is the NZXT Phantom not going to work with the build as it stands?

Is it worth going for the GTX 780? That's the part that I'm really undecided about, as it can quite easily drop $200 off.

 

[Nuckles_56]

No, the reason why we changed the case is that way you don't have to remove any hard drive bays to get the GPU in place. As the the gtx 780, it is a great card, don't get me wrong but unless you are wanting to game at 1440p or more, you are just as well off going with the gtx 770 instead and when that card isn't enough on its own, get a second one and put it in SLI

 

[AntonM95]

no man the phantom is pretty good but I just wanna to save money for you !
and the 780 GHZ is more than good and it will be enough for more 3 years from now that will be excellent choice

 

[Aevista]

Cheers guys! Thanks for all the advice, will adjust accordingly!

 

[Nuckles_56]

if you are happy, hit the solve button

 

[Aevista]

Pretty sure its a discussion thread (woops), so I'm not able to change it to solved/give a best answer yes?

 

[Nuckles_56]

That is quite possible that it is and I am pretty sure that you are unable to do so if that is the case

 

[Aevista]

Hi guys, I've made a few changes to the system over the last couple of days with a bit of research. Same questions apply as before.
http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/gWV3WZ

 

[Nuckles_56]

Seeing as you are getting a processor which can overclock, you should get a motherboard which allows overclocking as well, but apart from that, everything else is good

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($269.00 @ PCCaseGear)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($37.00)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($130.00 @ Scorptec)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($225.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($479.00 @ Scorptec)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($125.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($169.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($25.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Total: $1663.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-05 16:06 EST+1000

 

[Aevista]

Thanks Nuckles! I'd give you the solution tick if I could.
Just one question, is there an ASRock or Gigabyte board of similar price that you could suggest?

 

[Nuckles_56]

Thanks Nuckles! I'd give you the solution tick if I could.
Just one question, is there an ASRock or Gigabyte board of similar price that you could suggest?

Here is an asrock one of a similar price http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z97anniversary
and a gigabyte one for $20 more (the cheapest i could find for you) http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz97hd3

 

[AntonM95]

I prefer ASRock Fatal1ty Z97X Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
or ASRock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
for advanced performance