Long Lasting Gaming Computer

[calibek]

OK here is the deal, it is time for me to get a new gaming computer. The last computer I bought was custom made (not sure if it is ok for me to say from what online builder) and I have had it for almost 8 years now and it still works good. Only thing that ever happened to it was the GPU blew about 5 years in and I had to get a new one. I was thinking about getting one custom made again from the same place. My only problem is a lot of hardware has changed since the last time I have looked at things and my strength is not in hardware. This computer is going to be for gaming only, and not even high level FPS gaming (mostly MMO's). Anyways here are a few questions.

1. Which is better z97 or the new x99.
2. As far as video cards go, was looking at NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 2GB. Is this ok or would it benefit me to go to 780?
3. 16GB RAM enough?
4. Looking at getting 1000W Power Supply. Overkill?
5. Intel Core I-7 4790K 4.0 GHz...good processing power?

Honestly I ask these questions simply because I don't want to overspend money on something if the output is minimal compared to a downgraded version (770 vs. 780 as an example). Also I can build the computer myself though I would like to forgo that route if possible. Also I would like to stick with Intel and NVIDIA.

So what is the opinion here? Would appreciate any help I can get to build a machine that will last a pretty long time.

 

[USAFRet]

For anyone to provide a meaningful parts list....how much do you want to spend on this, and where are you buying from?

 

[calibek]

For anyone to provide a meaningful parts list....how much do you want to spend on this, and where are you buying from?

I would like to spend around the $1500 mark. As far as parts last computer I bought was from Cyberpowerpc.com and it was wonderful. Would like to buy from there again but I am also not opposed to building my own if the cost of parts is cheaper than what I could build from that site.

 

[USAFRet]

For anyone to provide a meaningful parts list....how much do you want to spend on this, and where are you buying from?

I would like to spend around the $1500 mark. As far as parts last computer I bought was from Cyberpowerpc.com and it was wonderful. Would like to buy from there again but I am also not opposed to building my own if the cost of parts is cheaper than what I could build from that site.

I'm sure a few somebodies will be along to provide a few parts lists.

 

[TomSkini]

1. Get a Z97 as it will be much cheaper and there won't be a difference in your gaming experience.
2. the gtx 770 is the better choice in my opinion as it's a better value. The 780 isn't that much better but quite a bit more expensive. If it were me I would get a amd r9 290 as its as good as the 780 but similar price to the 770.
3. You will never need more than 8gb for gaming (current games).
4. 750w will be fine, unless you plan on getting another card in the near future?
5. The i5 4670k would be a better option as you'll get the same fps as the i7. People who get the i7 are usually streamers/video editors and do multiple, strenuous tasks which require more cores (the i5 has 4 whereas the i7 has 8).

 

[calibek]

1. Get a Z97 as it will be much cheaper and there won't be a difference in your gaming experience.
2. the gtx 770 is the better choice in my opinion as it's a better value. The 780 isn't that much better but quite a bit more expensive. If it were me I would get a amd r9 290 as its as good as the 780 but similar price to the 770.
3. You will never need more than 8gb for gaming (current games).
4. 750w will be fine, unless you plan on getting another card in the near future?
5. The i5 4670k would be a better option as you'll get the same fps as the i7. People who get the i7 are usually streamers/video editors and do multiple, strenuous tasks which require more cores (the i5 has 4 whereas the i7 has 8).

All of this sounds good and thanks for the answer. One thing I am curious about is the i7 vs. i5. i7 has 2 MB more cache. I also read the i74790k has 4 cores but 8 threads (for hyperthreading) wouldn't the hyperthreading be better for gaming?

Also another thing is I plan on using air cooling over liquid. Is this better

 

[TomSkini]

The hyper threading only become useful for gaming when you start to record as more threads are needed. Have a look at some benchmarks for the i5 4670k and the i7 4790k. Also I meant 4 cores for the i7 and 8 threads like you said. As for the CPU cooler I would 100% go for air over liquid unless you plan on doing some serious overclcoking which isn't needed for solely gaming if I'm honest.

 

[TomSkini]

A build like this would be good for you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($76.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB DirectCU II Video Card ($529.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1331.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-07 14:33 EDT-0400

 

[calibek]

A build like this would be good for you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($76.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB DirectCU II Video Card ($529.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1331.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-07 14:33 EDT-0400

This sounds really good except I would probably go 770 2gb graphics card

 

[calibek]

Another question I want to ask is how long do you think a machine like above would last me before it would become obsolete for today's MMO's

 

[TomSkini]

I don't know specifically but I don't think you'll need an upgrade for a while. If I were to guess I'd say at least 5 years probably more. You could wait a little but longer and get one of the new Nvidia cards.