Gaming PC Build $1750. Opinions please!

[Scum Bucket]

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/tQhmvK


CPU
Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
$284.50 $284.50 shopRBC
Buy

CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
$34.75 $34.75 Vuugo
Buy

Motherboard
Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
$174.98 $174.98 DirectCanada
Buy

Memory
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
$82.99 $82.99 Canada Computers
Buy

Storage
Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
$249.00 $249.00 Canada Computers
Buy

Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
$64.99 $64.99 Canada Computers
Buy

Video Card
MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card
$439.99 -$20.00 FREE $419.99 NCIX
Buy
$20.00 mail-in rebate

Case
Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case
$69.95 $69.95 Vuugo
Buy

Power Supply
EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
$99.99 -$20.00 $79.99 NCIX
Buy
$20.00 mail-in rebate

Optical Drive
Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
$23.05 $23.05 Vuugo
Buy

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit)
$149.99 $149.99 Canada Computers
Buy

Keyboard
Logitech G13 Wired Gaming Keyboard
$54.99 $54.99 Newegg Canada
Buy

Base Total: $1729.17
Mail-in Rebates: -$40.00
Total: $1689.17



What I am looking for is a gaming machine that will last me another 4 years or so before needing to upgrade.

Radeon R9 280 vs GTX 970. From what I have read, they are very comparable in performance, but not at all in price. I have also read that in gaming (specifically) the NVIDIA card will outperform? Basically mixed information...

i5 vs i7 CPU? Is there any reason for me to go with the more expensive CPU?

8GB RAM, any need to go higher? My current build has 16GB from 4 years ago, but not sure if it was just over kill.

Windows 8.1 vs 7? I have Windows 7 on an SSD from current build, do you guys think updating to 8.1 is worth it? I could always buy it later I suppose and use 7 for now...

Most of the parts I chose were just top rated from parts picker website. I look forward to reading your opinions on what does and does not work as I am sure most of you guys are much more apt than me at building beep boop puters!

Thanks for your time

 

[Phil923]

This is a pretty solid 1080p gaming build.

The GTX 970 is actually comparable to the R9 290 and it runs cooler and uses less power, but the 290 does cost a lot less at the moment ($70-$100 less) and is only about 5% slower. Some people are driven away from the 970 due to the vram issue, but at 1080p gaming, you are never going to hit anywhere near a 4gb vram usage, However many still prefer Nvidia for more reliable drivers and the 900 series fully supporting DX12.
It is down to tradeoffs for which GPU you choose.

Strictly for gaming, not enough games support over 2-4 cores to justify getting an i7 and even those that do will run fine on an i5, so there is no reason to get the i7.

I am using 16gb on my current rig and I have yet to see it go over ~6gb usage, but my rig is strictly for gaming as well.

I don't think getting windows 8.1 is really worth it if you already have windows 7, but getting it in the future is a good idea.

The only thing I would change in the build is the power supply because the EVGA G1 PSUs aren't that great quality, so getting a B2 or G2 instead would be better for example, (http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-110b20750vr) better quality components, same price, higher wattage sacrificing a little bit of efficiency.

Personally, I prefer Samsung SSDs, but Crucial is a very close second so it doesn't give me a good enough reason to change it because the Crucial SSDs are a bit cheaper. Another thing that could be considered is a different case because the 200R is more of a budget case, but if you don't really need a high end case and care more about the core components then the 200R is a decent choice.

Lastly, there is a good reason those were at the top of the list, they give great performance at a good price.

Good Luck!

 

[ajbuckingham]

In response to your question about upgrading the Operating System, keep in mind a free upgrade to Windows 10 will be available from the Windows 7 install you already have, so it may not be worth it to upgrade to Windows 8 if you can use Windows 7 for a few months until the free upgrade to 10 comes around.

 

[Scum Bucket]

Derpy question regarding OS. If I am buying a new mobo, will I need to purchase a new OS anyway? Or should I still be able to use my current OS my new rig. Anyway I can find out if my version of W7 is OEM?

 

[ajbuckingham]

In regards to your question about changing the motherboard

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/making-sure-windows-7-will-boot-after-changing-the-motherboard/

and about the OEM Windows version

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/how-to-tell-if-windows-is-retail-or-oem/ea57d733-716d-4c9e-ba86-233be13545de

Let me know if these give you all the information you need or not.

 

[Bossyfins]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($284.50 @ shopRBC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.75 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($159.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($79.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($249.00 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($419.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.95 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($74.98 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($23.05 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) ($149.99 @ Canada Computers)
Keyboard: Logitech G13 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($54.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $1666.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-26 00:34 EDT-0400

Same parts, better PSU

 

[Scum Bucket]

Thanks everyone for their answers on here. I do appreciate it!

 

[ajbuckingham]

Thanks everyone for their answers on here. I do appreciate it!

No problem! Glad I could help. Let me know if you have any other questions I might be able to help with.