First Gaming Rig

[Dmon]

Hey guys!

 

Today I thought I'd lay out the plans for my first rig that I'll build (Had assistance with the last one). Any and all suggestions and reccomendations will be welcomed and very much appreciated .

 

A few things worth noting are that I live in Australia and the budget for this build is somewhere between $2000 and upto $3000, However I like to buy hardware that'll give me the most bang for the buck and I can't justify forking out ridiculous amounts of money for the lastest and greatest hardware for only a marginal performance increase.

 

Now the aim for this build is to give me a nice playable experience on all games for the next couple of years. Namely 120fps on BF4 and a smooth framerate when Star Citizen gets released. ( I'll probably go SLI/Crossfire a year or two down the track, when it is necessary.)

 

The plan is to purchase a nice BENQ, 120hz, 1080p Monitor Initially with potienal for two more 1080p monitors being added in a year or two.

 

For peripherals I'll probably stick with my Deathadder 2013 however any reccomendations for a nice fairly priced Mechanical Keyboard would be welcomed. Also any suggestions for audiophile headsets (and soundcard maybe?) would be appreciated. I was thinking maybe a AudioTechnica AD700x due to it being fantastic for FPS, or perhaps I'll wait to see how Audiotechnicas new "Gaming Headsets" fair.

 

I already have a copy of Windows 7 64bit so thats not a problem.

 

Now for the actual build I decided to go with a nice black/red theme as I want something that looks nice without sacrificing on performance.

 

EDIT: This is what I've decided on purchasing, I'm still not 100% sure on everything but I've explored my options quite a bit more and I'm happy with this. Reccomendations will still be welcomed

 

Case
Corsair Obsidian 750D Black Full Tower Case w Window No PSU 3x140mm a - $209.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=1391&bid=4&sid=140075

Motherboard
MSI Z87-GD65-Gaming Z87 4DDR3, Killer E2200 GBLAN 8SATA3 4USB3 PS2 VGA DVI HDMI 6AUDIO 3PCEe3.0, CX- $259.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=376&bid=2&sid=135900

CPU
Intel Core i7 4770K LGA1150 CPU 3.5Ghz 8Mb Cache Haswell -$399.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=13&bid=4&sid=134422

PSU
Corsair RM-850 ATX PSU 80 Plus Gold Full Modular - $219.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=140&bid=4&sid=143179

RAM
Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 CMY8GX3M2A1600C9R 1600MHz Dimm, Unbuffered, 9-9-9-24, Vengeance Pro Red Hea - $119.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=153&bid=4&sid=134844

GPU
NEW! SAPPHIRE R9 290 4GB GDDR5 TRI-X OC VERSION 1000Mhz/5200Mhz PCIE DUAL DVI-D/HDMI/DP - $579.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=248&bid=2&sid=161285

CPU COOLER
Corsair Cooling Hydro Series H100i Liquid CPU Cooler - Extreme Performance CPU Cooling and Built-In - $149.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=185&bid=4&sid=105052

HDD
Western Digital Black 2TB SATA3 64M Black(WD2002FAEX) - $169.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10&bid=2&id2=129&sid=71722

SSD
Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA III 6Gbs 7mm 2.5inch 540MB/410MB - $109.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=159&bid=2&sid=138029

Network
TP-Link TL-WN951N Wireless N PCI Adapter - $29.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10&bid=2&id2=273&sid=51864

Lighting
NZXT Sleeve Red Led light 2M - $19.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=206&bid=4&sid=69374

Total = $2259 AUD


Additional Equipment (Will buy at a later time)

Monitor
Benq XL2420TE 24" LED Professional Gaming Monitor,1ms HDMI1920x1080,144Hz - $499.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=143&bid=4&sid=138979

Cable Kit
Professional Individually sleeved DC Cable Kit, Type 3 (Generation 2), RED - $79.99 USD
http://www.corsair.com/en/professional-individually-sleeved-dc-cable-kit-type-3-generation-2-red.html

ATX Cable
Individually Sleeved ATX Cable 24pin (Generation 2), RED - $19.99 USD
http://www.corsair.com/en/power-supply-units/psu-accessories-1/individually-sleeved-atx-cable-24pin-generation-2-red.html
 

(The reason all the hardware is from umart is due to the fact that I can pick it all up and save on shipping )

 

So thanks for reading, please feel free to add any feedback and suggestions you wish.

[SAV1OUR]

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2IWLA
hows that? 
i made this on us then converted it to aud, but if your not able to find some stuff change some stuff like the rm1000 to a rm850 and try looking on amazon or something 

[Dmon]

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2IWLA

hows that? 

Hmm.

 

I'm not familiar with pcpartpicker, am I correct to assume those are USD Prices considering their from US Retaliers?

 

EDIT: Nevermind, I found the country selection.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, although I'm not sure that a 780TI is worth it for the performance increase considering they are nearly twice as much the cost of a R9 290.

 

Although the Case and CPU suggestions are certainly something I will consider.

 

I do have a question about the Motherboard. Is the Asus Maximus VI Hero board worth the extra $50 over the MSI Z87-GD65?, what additional features does it offer?.

[SAV1OUR]

Hmm.

 

I'm not familiar with pcpartpicker, am I correct to assume those are USD Prices considering their from US Retaliers?

top right theres a country selection tool set it to aus to find the aus prices on the stuff and aus stores that have the stuff in stock  

[Panda of the Shadow]

1. Case is way too big for your needs. (unless you want to upgrade to a custome loop then it's fine), get the 45 instead and save 50$ or so, get a 80+Gold Psu (just do it), you could get 16 gb of ripjaws 1866mhz cl 9 ram (4x4) for 180$, i don't like the look of the cooler (gpu) but that's just my opinion, get a 2tb wd green and save 60$ or so, spend these extra 60$ on a 250gb 840 evo, you migth want to ook into a power-line, i would suggest a Bequiet Dark Rock 2 but since you can't get in au get a H110 with 2 good fans. (NF-F12's are great but they look bad) and ligthing is too fancy imo. 

[Panda of the Shadow]

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2IWP3

Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2IWP3/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2IWP3/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($395.00 @ CPL Online) 

CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($169.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($195.00 @ CPL Online) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($205.00 @ CPL Online) 

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($189.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($99.00 @ CPL Online) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB Video Card  ($588.00 @ Mwave Australia) 

Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case  ($209.00 @ PLE Computers) 

Power Supply: Corsair RM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($190.99 @ Mwave Australia) 

Total: $2239.99

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-28 19:50 EST+1100)

[Dmon]

1. Case is way too big for your needs. (unless you want to upgrade to a custome loop then it's fine), get the 45 instead and save 50$ or so, get a 80+Gold Psu (just do it), you could get 16 gb of ripjaws 1866mhz cl 9 ram (4x4) for 180$, i don't like the look of the cooler (gpu) but that's just my opinion, get a 2tb wd green and save 60$ or so, spend these extra 60$ on a 250gb 840 evo, you migth want to ook into a power-line, i would suggest a Bequiet Dark Rock 2 but since you can't get in au get a H110 with 2 good fans. (NF-F12's are great but they look bad) and ligthing is too fancy imo. 

The reason I wish to get the 750D is due to its large space, it'll allow for alot of airflow and plenty of space for me to get nice cable management. Of course a custom loop is something that'll also be nice to upgrade to in the future. ( I do wish to have my build somewhat future proof.)

 

Also what is the speed difference from the WD Black and WD Green? It seems like a good suggestions as I can get a 3TB WD Green for $40 cheaper although I do have concerns about the speed.

 

Getting a 250gb 840 evo would be nice, although not entirely neccessary for my needs currently, and besides that its an extra $100 AUD in australia.

[Panda of the Shadow]

The reason I wish to get the 750D is due to its large space, it'll allow for alot of airflow and plenty of space for me to get nice cable management. Of course a custom loop is something that'll also be nice to upgrade to in the future. ( I do wish to have my build somewhat future proof.)

 

Also what is the speed difference from the WD Black and WD Green? It seems like a good suggestions as I can get a 3TB WD Green for $40 cheaper although I do have concerns about the speed.

 

Getting a 250gb 840 evo would be nice, although not entirely neccessary for my needs currently, and besides that its an extra $100 AUD in australia.

Unless you will be running a custome loop 750D is way too big (I have it) 2. Not enough that i would suggest you to get the black 3. Do it 120gb is just to frikken small. 

[Dmon]

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2IWP3

Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2IWP3/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2IWP3/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($395.00 @ CPL Online) 

CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($169.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($195.00 @ CPL Online) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($205.00 @ CPL Online) 

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($189.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($99.00 @ CPL Online) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB Video Card  ($588.00 @ Mwave Australia) 

Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case  ($209.00 @ PLE Computers) 

Power Supply: Corsair RM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($190.99 @ Mwave Australia) 

Total: $2239.99

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-28 19:50 EST+1100)

 

I like the motherboard reccomendation.

 

From that same website I can get 2x8GB Corsair RAM which will allow me to upgrade to 32gb in the future should I feel the need. - http://www.cplonline.com.au/memory/corsair-16gb-2x8gb-ddr3-1600mhz-venegeance-pro-red-cmy16gx3m2a1600c9r.html

[Panda of the Shadow]

I like the motherboard reccomendation.

 

From that same website I can get 2x8GB Corsair RAM which will allow me to upgrade to 32gb in the future should I feel the need. - http://www.cplonline.com.au/memory/corsair-16gb-2x8gb-ddr3-1600mhz-venegeance-pro-red-cmy16gx3m2a1600c9r.html

You will not need it time soon. (Once you need it you will already be in the need of a new mobo, cpu,gpu and well ram)

[Dmon]

Unless you will be running a custome loop 750D is way too big (I have it) 2. Not enough that i would suggest you to get the black 3. Do it 120gb is just to frikken small. 

I do really like the prospect of installing a custom loop, and will probably do so in the future. (around the same time I upgrade to crossfire/sli.)

[Dmon]

Right now I'm thinking of purchasing the Corsair 850rm 80+ Gold PSU, seems like a better choice.

 

I'm also considering purchasing some red braided cables to replace all the PSU original cableing, however the only place I can find them for the RM series PSU's is corsairs website and it costs $100 usd for all the cables, does anyone no where I can get some high quality braided cables for my particular psu?

 

I don't really want extenstion cables that are braided either, my ocd will kick in

 

http://www.corsair.com/en/professional-individually-sleeved-dc-cable-kit-type-3-generation-2-red.html

http://www.corsair.com/en/power-supply-units/psu-accessories-1/individually-sleeved-atx-cable-24pin-generation-2-red.html

[WoodenMarker]

Thanks for the suggestions, although I'm not sure that a 780TI is worth it for the performance increase considering they are nearly twice as much the cost of a R9 290.

 

Although the Case and CPU suggestions are certainly something I will consider.

I do have a question about the Motherboard. Is the Asus Maximus VI Hero board worth the extra $50 over the MSI Z87-GD65?, what additional features does it offer?.

It's not worth the extra money. The 780 Ti is a bad value and the 290 has Mantle on its side.

If you're not using the extra features. the Hero is not worth the extra money. If you don't know, you probably don't need it.

The h100i is a waste of money if what you're doing is gaming. Paying so much to cool the cpu doesn't do much for gaming performance.

 

Are you limited to Umart or are you open to other Aus shops?

Why the high frequency panel instead of a better looking and possibly high resolution IPS panel?

[Dmon]

It's not worth the extra money. The 780 Ti is a bad value and the 290 has Mantle on its side.

If you're not using the extra features. the Hero is not worth the extra money. If you don't know, you probably don't need it.

The h100i is a waste of money if what you're doing is gaming. Paying so much to cool the cpu doesn't do much for gaming performance.

 

Are you limited to Umart or are you open to other Aus shops?

Why the high frequency panel instead of a better looking and possibly high resolution IPS panel?

Thanks for the feedback.

 

I'm not limited to Umart, although that is where I will be picking up the bulk of the parts as its not to far away from me and I can save money on the shipping

 

The reason I'd prefer the high frequency panel is due to how I plan to use my PC, I don't do any professional gfx or anything so I don't need really accurate colours. But I do play a lot of competitive fps which having a high frequency monitor will be more useful . (anyway the monitor I've selected is supposed to have pretty decent colours anyway.)

[WoodenMarker]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

I'm not limited to Umart, although that is where I will be picking up the bulk of the parts as its not to far away from me and I can save money on the shipping

 

The reason I'd prefer the high frequency panel is due to how I plan to use my PC, I don't do any professional gfx or anything so I don't need really accurate colours. But I do play a lot of competitive fps which having a high frequency monitor will be more useful . (anyway the monitor I've selected is supposed to have pretty decent colours anyway.)

The colors are pretty decent for a high frequency TN panel but are still far from being an IPS panel. 

I'd suggest something like this: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2PAKi

 

Sorry for the late reply. This thread got buried under a stack of tabs I've been meaning to respond to.