$1300 Gaming PC Build Opinions

Richyrichrich

Reputable
Jun 7, 2015
2
0
4,510
Hi, I'm planning to make a gaming rig for the summer with a little bit of editing for some school projects. I have a 1080p monitor right nowCLICK FOR MONITOR, however, I might get a 1440p monitor, but I highly doubt it. I will get a cpu cooler to overclock once I have more money in the long run. I'm planning to play games like the Witcher III, BF4, Fallout 4, Shadow of Mordor, and traditional MOBA games. I plan to get the cpu and mobo off of microcenter since it's really cheap there and everything else but the case from amazon. My friend recommended the windowed version of the case because I wanted a window and since he has worked in the case before and has had no issues with it(case is on newegg).

CLICK FOR BUILD ON PCPARTPICKER

CPU: i5 4690K - $199.99

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 7 LGA 1150 ATX - $144.99

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB(2 x 4GB) 1600MHz - $49.99

GPU: MSI GTX 980 - $509.99

STORAGE: Seagate 2TB SSHD - $99.00

PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 650G1 - $79.99

CASE: NZXT Source 210 Windowed - $44.99

OS: Windows 8 - $89.99

COST = $1,219.92 + taxes/shipping
TOTAL = roughly $1300


I already have a keyboard and mouse so I don't need to spend for that.

Questions:
Is my GPU overkill for my monitor?
Should I opt for a 128gb SSD + 1TB HDD or is the 2TB SSHD fine?
Is there any cheaper semi/full modular PSU that has black sleeved cables? (I really the cables that aren't braided all the way through and show colors, they look weird)
Is there any other black/red mobo you would prefer from the one I have?
Thanks in advanced for anyone who answers any of the questions

 

bsod1

Distinguished
980 with SLIGHTLY inferior parts.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($115.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($51.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($67.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.45 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($509.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1296.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-07 03:49 EDT-0400

GTX 980 is overkill for 1080p gaming but wouldn't hurt to have for the future and if your budget allows it. Else you can cut costs and get a GTX 970

Within budget and with higher quality case, PSU and CPU cooler (you can add the cooler from this build to the previous build for slightly better cooling):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($115.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($51.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($67.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.45 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.99 @ Directron)
Case: Fractal Design Define S w/Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($105.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1171.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-07 03:46 EDT-0400

 
if this is purely for gaming only and you are on a $1300 budget then you really need to stretch your money a little...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($241.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($81.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($107.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.45 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($679.99 @ B&H)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1436.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-07 02:23 EDT-0400....

 

yeskay

Distinguished


This is much of a overall value oriented best bang for your buck config:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97X Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($121.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($107.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.45 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($339.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($89.99)
Monitor: BenQ RL2455HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($191.94 @ Amazon)
Total: $1306.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-07 02:45 EDT-0400

Notes:

- The GTX 970 is better choice for 1080p over GTX 980, as it cost $160 extra for just 10-15% extra performance is not worth the money. In fact the GTX 970 can even handle most games at 1440p with high graphical fidelity. Also the 10-15% performance is only on 1440p. At 1080p the performance gap between them comes down to under 10%.
index.php

index.php

- The ASRock is a top of the line motherboard with Red/Black theme, offers great value at this price point.
Fatal1ty%20Z97X%20Killer.jpg

- SSD + HDD is the way to go. You can easily install OS, all popular apps and 3-4 modern games on that 250GB SSD. Greatly reducing OS boot/loading, game level loading times.
- The monitor I've suggested is a 24" Inch 1080p Full HD, 1ms response time, Official Major League Gaming Tournament monitor. You can visit the site to know more about this awesome monitor here - http://gaming.benq.com/gaming-monitor/rl2455hm
- The GTX 970 only require a 500W PSU that can deliver 28Amps or more on its +12V rail. The PSU I've included is a quality "Tier 1" that can deliver 54Amps or more on its +12V rail, which is better and also costs less than what you've selected.

(OR) You can go for this great "Tier 2" PSU that cost the same, which has nice Red/Black color theme, also provides you the option to SLI the GTX 970 in future. Config with Antec High Current Gamer Modular 750W PSU:
psu_quarter.jpg

You can check the full review and more detailed images here - http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Antec/HCG-750M/3.html

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97X Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($121.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($107.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.45 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($339.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($89.99)
Monitor: BenQ RL2455HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($191.94 @ Amazon)
Total: $1301.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-07 03:05 EDT-0400

Overall a better build that gives great value for the money you spend.

Cheers!
 

Richyrichrich

Reputable
Jun 7, 2015
2
0
4,510
Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll go with yeskay build, to switch out the 980 and just get 970 so I can buy another monitor and other stuff. Also, is there any other GPU's coming out soon that I should just wait for or is the 970 fine?
 

yeskay

Distinguished


Yes AMD coming up with new high end 300 Series cards on June 16, 2015. More high-mid range, mid range, low end cards are expected to be revealed within this month. Just wait and see if they offer anything good than GTX 970. If not go with GTX 970. Cheers!