Gaming Computer First Build Help

[Bwell]

- Final build down in a below post.

 

1. Budget & Location - 1400 AUD. I am a little flexible on this, however I don't want to spend just because I can I want a good reliable set up that will last me. This is my first build and I am still very confused about parts etc If it is above this budget let me know why. I have left room for shipping of around 100 dollars as i know pcpartpicker aus doesn't do shipping at all. I'll probably end up going with one place that has everything because it saves on shipping. 

 

I live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and can travel to Brisbane to get parts so if anyone has any suggestions that can save me on shipping that'd be great. Umart is an option too that pcpartpicker doesn't have, I really just want to know an average on parts because they only vary 10-20 dollars at most.

 

2. Aim - I want a good gaming system that can run 1080p. I am a web designer, graphic design and 3d Artist. I do render but only stills not animation as i'm a 3d character modeler. I will be doing videos of gaming footage as well. I want to play games like Battlefield 4 etc.

 

3. Monitors - I currently have terrible monitors that aren't 1080p but will be upgrading at least one to 1080p and keeping my 1600 x 900

 

4. Peripherals - I need windows 8.1 and a 1080p monitor ( monitor not included in this cost but windows 8.1 is ). I do need a wireless adapter.

 

5. Why are you upgrading? - I have a prebuilt computer that regularly breaks and has done since i got it 5 years ago. I paid about 3500-4000 for this computer and just really want to build my own. 

 

6. What I currently have - Keyboard, mouse, headset, 2 monitors one low res and one 1600 x 900. I have a 2tb HD on this current computer i could take out. I have 12 gbs of ram but its old *using cpu-z it says is ddr3, module size 4096 MBytes, Max bandwidth 667MHz, Manufacturer - Micron Technology

 

7. Notes - I don't really like MSI motherboards, thats just personal preference and friends stories. I am planning on buying the parts this week or next. I will be getting this case - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=27906 that is personal preference

This is what i currently have picked out, I don't know if this is the best for its money so if anyone can help that would be great. I'd love 16gbs of ram but i can always upgrade to that later. I don't plan to overclock so i know know if i need a 4690K but thought a few years down the track I could overclock obviously getting a better fan. Are stock fans on cpus bad? If so I may want to get another fan for that.

 

[PCPartPicker part list](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/pK4vD3) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/pK4vD3/by_merchant/)

 

CPU | [intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54690k) | $272.00 @ CPL Online 

Motherboard | [Asus SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK2 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-sabertoothz97mark2) | $219.00 @ CPL Online 

Memory | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f314900cl9d8gbxl) | $99.00 @ CPL Online 

Storage | [seagate  1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dx001) | $99.00 @ CPL Online 

Video Card | [Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr928xoc3gd) | $329.00 @ Mwave Australia 

Case | [bitFenix Shinobi ATX Mid Tower Case](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/bitfenix-case-shinobi) | $79.00 @ CPL Online 

Power Supply | [EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220g20750xr) | $150.00 @ CPL Online 

Optical Drive | [LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-optical-drive-gh24nsb0) | $22.00 @ CPL Online 

Operating System | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $115.00 @ CPL Online 

Wireless Network Adapter | [Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-wireless-network-card-pcen15) | $22.00 @ CPL Online 

 

Total Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1406.00

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-21 17:55 EST+1000 

 

 

 I think that is all. Thanks for the help

[soaringchicken]

Yeah I can't see anything wrong with that really, very good choices. Also, stock CPU fans get the job done but I highly recommend not ocing them. If you wanted to save money you could downgrade the RAM to 1600mhz because RAM speed isn't necessarily important in most cases. You could also downgrade the PSU to a 650watt model to save even more. And with that money, if you wanted you could buy an SSD. hope this helps.

[Dude]

Get an R9 290 instead of an R9 280X. Get another Z87 or Z97 motherboard because the Sabertooth is overpriced by a near comical amount. Also, your PC is likely to be stationary so having a wireless connection as opposed to a wired connection is worthless.

[Geekazoid]

@Bwell, thanks for reading the 'Build Plan Thread Recommendations' thread. It's so much better when people do.

[Bwell]

Get an R9 290 instead of an R9 280X. Get another Z87 or Z97 motherboard because the Sabertooth is overpriced by a near comical amount. Also, your PC is likely to be stationary so having a wireless connection as opposed to a wired connection is worthless.

 

I don't have the ability to have it plugged into the router at this current stage because my router is in another room which i cannot do anything about unfortunately. What Z97 motherboard would you suggest?

 

 

@Bwell, thanks for reading the 'Build Plan Thread Recommendations' thread. It's so much better when people do.

 

It did make it easier to lay out and for myself to know what to ask as I am extremely new to this and there is so much i'd worried about doing wrong in my build haha.

 

Yeah I can't see anything wrong with that really, very good choices. Also, stock CPU fans get the job done but I highly recommend not ocing them. If you wanted to save money you could downgrade the RAM to 1600mhz because RAM speed isn't necessarily important in most cases. You could also downgrade the PSU to a 650watt model to save even more. And with that money, if you wanted you could buy an SSD. hope this helps.

 

I picked a hybrid SSD / HD would this not do the job? What brands for PSU are good? Also there was only a couple of dollar difference in the ram.

[Dude]

I don't have the ability to have it plugged into the router at this current stage because my router is in another room which i cannot do anything about unfortunately. What Z97 motherboard would you suggest?

 

 

 

It did make it easier to lay out and for myself to know what to ask as I am extremely new to this and there is so much i'd worried about doing wrong in my build haha.

 

 

I picked a hybrid SSD / HD would this not do the job? What brands for PSU are good? Also there was only a couple of dollar difference in the ram.

Use homeplugs for your ethernet connection, also take a pick, all the Z97 ASUS boards are good.

[Bwell]

Use homeplugs for your ethernet connection, also take a pick, all the Z97 ASUS boards are good.

 

I had never heard of homeplugs, so they just plug into the wall then I plug the ethernet cable into the computer? Does this give the same signal strength as directly to the router?

[Dude]

I had never heard of homeplugs, so they just plug into the wall then I plug the ethernet cable into the computer? Does this give the same signal strength as directly to the router?

You get two plugs and cables, one for the router and the other for the PC room. You connect ethernet cables to the router and PC and ta-da! By the way, homeplug ethernet connections are so much faster and so much more consistent. Never dropping in signal or anything like that.

[Geekazoid]

It did make it easier to lay out and for myself to know what to ask as I am extremely new to this and there is so much i'd worried about doing wrong in my build haha.

Yeah, well that's what it's there for. It helps you and helps this LTT forum.

[Bwell]

Updated this. I can't seem to get the r9 290 in this under 1400. If anyone has any suggestions. Is this power supply okay? Should i go full modular or is semi okay?

 

[PCPartPicker part list](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/CYNFmG) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/CYNFmG/by_merchant/)

 

Type|Item|Price

 

CPU | [intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54690k) | $272.00 @ CPL Online 

CPU Cooler | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2) | $39.00 @ Mwave Australia 

Motherboard | [Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97a) | $195.00 @ CPL Online 

Memory | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f314900cl9d8gbxl) | $99.00 @ CPL Online 

Storage | [seagate  1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dx001) | $99.00 @ CPL Online 

Video Card | [Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr928xoc3gd) | $329.00 @ Mwave Australia 

Case | [bitFenix Shinobi ATX Mid Tower Case](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/bitfenix-case-shinobi) | $79.00 @ CPL Online 

Power Supply | [Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m) | $109.00 @ CPL Online 

Optical Drive | [LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-optical-drive-gh24nsb0) | $22.00 @ CPL Online 

Operating System | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $115.00 @ CPL Online 

 

Total Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1358.00

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-21 19:34 EST+1000 |

[Bwell]

I'm considering extending my budget to allow for a R9 290 & 16gbs of memory. Do you think this is worth it? As i'm thinking about future proofing the computer so I can have it for 4-5 years or more with not having to update it as often. 

 

Ideas? 

 

Currently that pushes it to around 1650 plus 100 dollars postage. I'm at work at the moment so can't do another pcpartpicker but its basically changing the above to have the r9 290 ( $499 ) and 16 gbs of memory ($200 )

[soaringchicken]

I'm considering extending my budget to allow for a R9 290 & 16gbs of memory. Do you think this is worth it? As i'm thinking about future proofing the computer so I can have it for 4-5 years or more with not having to update it as often. 

 

Ideas? 

 

Currently that pushes it to around 1650 plus 100 dollars postage. I'm at work at the moment so can't do another pcpartpicker but its basically changing the above to have the r9 290 ( $499 ) and 16 gbs of memory ($200 )

Sounds good, it should work well.

[Bwell]

Sounds good, it should work well.

Awesome, i may rework a few things to see if i can get it cheaper and save some money. I just am not the best with what parts i should use and where i can save. Will update soon

[Bwell]

Final Build 

 

So this is the final build i've come up with i've also added in a new monitor as i needed to upgrade to a 1080p anyway. The case i'm getting is the window'd version of this. I think i'm pretty happy with this build and am excited to start it. My current system is terrible, my gpu runs at 85 on idle and goes over a 100 if i attempt to play any games, even on low.

 

I'll be purchasing this system tomorrow so if anyone has any feedback that'd be great.

 

[PCPartPicker part list](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FqkKsY) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FqkKsY/by_merchant/)

 

Type|Item|Price

 

CPU | [intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54690k) | $267.00 @ PCCaseGear 

CPU Cooler | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2) | $39.00 @ Mwave Australia 

Motherboard | [Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97a) | $195.00 @ CPL Online 

Memory | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl10d16gbxl) | $188.00 @ CPL Online 

Storage | [seagate  2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st2000dx001) | $139.00 @ CPL Online 

Video Card | [Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB DirectCU II Video Card](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-r9290dc2oc4gd5) | $499.00 @ Mwave Australia 

Case | [Cooler Master 690 III ATX Mid Tower Case](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-cms693kwn1) | $109.00 @ CPL Online 

Power Supply | [EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-110b20750vr) | $104.00 @ CPL Online 

Optical Drive | [samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-optical-drive-sh224dbrsbs) | $20.00 @ Mwave Australia 

Operating System | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $115.00 @ CPL Online 

Monitor | [benQ GW2255 60Hz 21.5" Monitor](http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/benq-monitor-gw2255) | $129.00 @ CPL Online 

 

Total Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1804.00

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-23 16:08 EST+1000 |