What do you think of this build plan?

[DUFF3RR]

Hey LTT, been researching a new pc build and was wondering if anyone could help me save a few bucks or get more for my money! I plan on using this PC for gaming (simulators with very detailed mods/maps), 3d modelling and editting, and general internet browsing. I'm from Canada. I'm looking to upgrade from my current pc as it is outdated (8 year old Acer). 

My budget is a max of $1200. Althought I'd like to save as much as I can while still getting the performance I need!

Also I don't plan on overclocking!


Here's the build:

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/Duff3rr/saved/#view=ZzCcCJ


I'm not looking to downgrade much from this. I have been told though that I won't see much of a difference if i swapped the i5 4690 for a i5 4440, is this true?

I've also heard that the gtx 960 isn't much better performance than a gtx 680? I'd upgrade to a 970 but doubt it would fit in my budget without downgrading something else!

Would do you think of this build? What would you change about it without going over my budget? I'm looking to stay with intel and nvidia.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm almost ready to place my order! 

[rtpb5642]

Get windows on reddit, get a cheaper PSU from EVGA 600 watts or 650 is fine

 

Get a GTX 970

[BigDay]

the build i've put together is better. the r9 380 is better than the 960 in that price range. i chose a z97 board because it has more features than h97. i also chose a better psu for you.

 

psu jonny guru rating:

 

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=424

 

i've also included an ssd for you so that you can load your os on it; much faster boot times. also included windows 8.1

 

thoughts?

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($238.95 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($34.99 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($122.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($44.00 @ shopRBC)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($63.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($57.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 380 4GB Video Card  ($320.66 @ DirectCanada)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($69.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($104.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($23.05 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit)  ($109.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1191.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-05 22:28 EDT-0400

 

CPU review:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-3.html

 

GPU review:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-4.html

[BigDay]

if you like nvidia features better, go with this 960:

 

Zotac GeForce GTX 960 4GB AMP! Edition Video Card

 

just replace the r9 380 with the card above in that build i provided you

 

the r9 380 and the gtx 960 both @ 4gb perform similarly

 

if you do choose the 960 above, you may want a psu that has lower wattage to save some money

[BigDay]

here's the 2nd option with the 960 card:

 

12% taxes in (BC)

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($267.62 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($39.18 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($137.74 @ Amazon Canada)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($49.28 @ shopRBC)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($71.66 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($64.68 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 960 4GB AMP! Edition Video Card  ($322.57 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($78.38 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($102.54 @ DirectCanada)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($25.81 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit)  ($123.18 @ NCIX)
Total: $1282.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-05 22:58 EDT-0400

[DUFF3RR]

Thanks for the reply BigDay!  I do like nvidia better because for the game I play it apparently prefers nvidia over AMD (graphical issues with AMD)

I made a new build using some of the parts you requested in your first reply and managed to fit a gtx 970 into the budget!

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/Duff3rr/saved/#view=fvmj4D


What wattage of PSU do you think I'd need for this set-up? Is the PSU I have listed good enough? And does everything look right to be a complete build?? (already have monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.)

Also for the SSD, I plan on saving for that in the future. I'm not too worried about the speed the pc can start-up at right now. In the future I'll buy one to put my favourite games on and my OS.

I also like windows 7 64bit better than windows 8, just for the layout and everything. Or is there something I'm missing completely thats changed between the two? I don't know much about that as I'm running vista 32-bit right now!