Moderate Gaming Build

[irkingerk]

Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 ($144)

CPU: i5 4670k ($235)

RAM: 2x4GB ($75)

PSU: Corsair RM 750 ($123)

Cooling: Corsair H80i ($75)

SSD: Samsung 840EVO 250GB ($140)

GPU: Asus GTX 760 ($250)

Case: NZXT Phantom 530 ($130)

 

Total price: $1172

Budget: $1250

 

I'll be using 64-bit Windows 7 and running a single 1080p monitor. I designed my build with some silence in mind, but I prefer the look of the Phantom series as opposed to all of the rectangular silent-optimized cases. I'll probably be sticking to some older games Arkham City, Arkham Asylum, Natural Selection 2, Strike Suit Zero, and possibly new-ish games like Skyrim: Elder Scrolls. I'm hoping to get 50+ fps in most of my games with my budget of $1250. Is this achievable with what I have?

 

Additionally, I'll likely only do a very mild overclock with the CPU. I'm considering upgrading to the i7 4770k for overall better performance with things like converting video files and copying large files. Will upgrading the CPU help?

[SAV1OUR]

location? use the quote button if you want my help

[nixproducer]

if anything upgrade the gpu rather than the cpu because the gpu is what most games take advantage of

[elan2468]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OyT3

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OyT3/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OyT3/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($223.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.94 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($139.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($59.00 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290X 4GB PCS+ Video Card  ($499.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($83.99 @ Mwave) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1166.87

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

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-21 21:32 EDT-0400)

This will be able to handle any game you throw at it with ease on all the highest settings

[ForsakenLive]

Even if it's moderate, a GTX 770  would be much better. Save on the cooler and mobo.

[irkingerk]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OBEu

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OBEu/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OBEu/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($223.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($79.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($133.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($72.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($139.99 @ Best Buy) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (White) ATX Full Tower Case  ($124.99 @ Micro Center) 

Power Supply: Corsair RM 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($104.98 @ Best Buy) 

Total: $1205.89

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

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-21 22:52 EDT-0400)

 

 

I took some of your suggestions and toned down the PSU and upped the GPU. I'm sticking with the H80i simply because I like how the liquid coolers look compared to HSF, and I like the zero RPM mode on the Corsair RM series PSU, so I'm sticking with that model. I may downgrade to the Phantom 410 as well, but thank you all.

[Faceman]

@irkingerk

 

     I am going to try and point at as humbly as possible that you can get a lot, and I mean a lot better performance for $1,200.  A lot of the choices you are making are aesthetics driven, and you are sacrificing in-game performance for looks.  At your budget, anything less than a 290X or 780 is a failure to allocate resources properly in order to get the best performing machine for your money.  If you want to stick with your aesthetics over performance build, that is your prerogative.  I would like to explain to you why some of your choices are not optimal.

 

     There is a brand new line of Intel processors that are just about to come out, as early as June 2nd.  Wait until the i5-4690k comes out.  You don't need an i7 for gaming.  The difference between i5 and i7 is hyperthreading, and games can't take advantage of this.  In order to use the new processors, codenamed Devil's Canyon, you will need a Z97 motherboard.  These new motherboards are supposed to be superior overclocks and will even allow you to upgrade to Broadwell in 15' or 16', whenever it comes out.  Even if you are unsure if you will upgrade, at least you have the freedom to do so, and at roughly the same cost as the Z87, there is no reason not to go with Z97.

 

     For a mild overclock, all you need is a Cooler Master 212 EVO.  Even some very aggressive overclocks can be achieved on this $30 cooler.  If you do decide that you want to go water cooling, go with a full 240mm radiator, a la H100i.  The H80i is really a job half done, and won't give you much of a performance advantage over an air cooler.  Another thing to consider is that 80% of your overclock is going to come from luck of the chip.  Until you know if cooling is the only thing holding you back from reaching 4.7Ghz and above, don't invest $100 in a cooler that wont be used to its full potential.  I have an i5-4670k + Hyper 212 EVO and am running at 4.7Ghz @ 1.275v with temperatures never having exceeded 77C.  My results are mostly attributed to getting a lucky chip, but it is still proof that a $30 cooler can go a long way. 

 

     The video card is the most important component of a gaming computer.  Nothing impacts performance more than your GPU.  The 770 is no slouch when it comes to 1080p performance, but at your budget, you can do better.  Going with a 780 or 290X will give you better performance from day one, as well as increasing the longevity of your system.  The games you play are not very demanding, so even the 770 is considered overkill for those games, but I am sure once you build this rig, you are going to expand your gaming horizons. Having a more powerful card to tackle new and future games will come in handy, especially a few years down the road.

 

     The case you select is such a personal preference thing, and there are multiple schools of thought on the component.  Going with a less expensive, yet highly functional and feature rich case in the $50 price range will free up more money for components that have a direct impact on in-game performance, which if you are building a gaming rig on a budget, should be your top priority.  You can then fill this less expensive case with expensive case fans to give it more "umph."  The opposite line of thinking is to splurge on a really nice case because the case you select can be used in all of your future builds.  The case I recommend is the Corsair 500R, it is usually a $100 case, but is only sale for only $60!

 

     Lastly, the power supply.  You don't want to skimp out on a power supply, but you also don't want to go overboard.  The RM series has been a point of contention lately, specifically the RM650 because it is made by a different manufacturer than the 750 and 850 variants.  The 650 uses very poor quality capacitors that you would find in a budget oriented PSU, not in a $100 Gold rated PSU.  Also, the coil whine in the RM650 is supposed to be horrendous.  Do a quick search in google of RM650, and you will see all of the complaints.  If you are dead set on getting a PSU that has the zero fan speed on low usage, you will need to step up to the 750 or 850 RMs, or find a different PSU that has that specific feature.  You would be perfectly ok going with a 550W Bronze Certified power supply for a single CPU and GPU, both overclocked.  You could save a lot of money by getting a highly reliable and functional PSU instead of spending double to get a PSU with fans that don't spin on low load. The PSU I selected for you is way overkill, but it is currently at an amazing price, and comes with a 7 year warranty, and also gives you the flexibility to go Xfire or SLI in the future if you deem necessary.

 

Without further ado, here is my $1,200 build for you.  If you don't like near a Microcenter, then you can price match with Staples online to get the i5 for $189.  But again, wait for Devil's Canyon, they should be priced very similar.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OFxJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OFxJ/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OFxJ/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($189.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.94 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($62.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290X 4GB PCS+ Video Card  ($499.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1157.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-22 01:19 EDT-0400)

[i_build_nanosuits]

@irkingerk

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OFxJ

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OFxJ/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3OFxJ/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($189.99 @ Micro Center)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.94 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($109.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($82.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($62.99 @ NCIX US)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290X 4GB PCS+ Video Card  ($499.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $1157.86

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

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-22 01:19 EDT-0400)

This...or if you want to save some more money, here's a build that will yield 93% of the performance in games and applications for 80% of the price tag:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ NCIX US)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.16 @ NCIX US)

Motherboard: Asus H81M-K Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($55.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.29 @ Amazon)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.24 @ Amazon)

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB TurboDuo Video Card ($379.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.44 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $935.08

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

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-22 10:15 EDT-0400)