SFF Gaming pc.

[Warthoger89]

Hello people of the LTT forums, i just wanted to have someone else's opinion before I pulled the trigger. My mom is moving into a new house and since space is limited ( and my current build is big and bulky ) I wanted to build a new pc altogether. I will be using this computer... for light - medium video editing, PC gaming and everyday web browsing. This will be bought using Canadian currency ( because i'm Canadian, duh ) the maximum i can spend is 950$ ( I already have an OS, Monitor and peripherals ). My baseline requirements are that it would be small ( MATX or ITX ), be able to play games on high - ultra 60+ FPS and that it would have a window in it.

This was the build I was going to use...

Corsair Air 240 ( in black )

Intel I5 4690 ( I don't plan on over clocking )

MSI H97M G-43 ( MATX Motherboard )

Phanteks BK Dual 120mm CPU cooler

Sapphire R9 285 compact ( I might get a second )

Gskill ripjaw Z 8 Gb ( 4 x 2 Gb )

EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650G

Seagate baracuda 1 Tb HDD

Ps. I am reposting this because I didn't feel as that many people had their opinion, I would like to hear from more than just 2 people this time.

[Megazero]

Hello people of the LTT forums, i just wanted to have someone else's opinion before I pulled the trigger. My mom is moving into a new house and since space is limited ( and my current build is big and bulky ) I wanted to build a new pc altogether. I will be using this computer... for light - medium video editing, PC gaming and everyday web browsing. This will be bought using Canadian currency ( because i'm Canadian, duh ) the maximum i can spend is 950$ ( I already have an OS, Monitor and peripherals ). My baseline requirements are that it would be small ( MATX or ITX ), be able to play games on high - ultra 60+ FPS and that it would have a window in it.

This was the build I was going to use...

Corsair Air 240 ( in black )

Intel I5 4690 ( I don't plan on over clocking )

MSI H97M G-43 ( MATX Motherboard )

Phanteks BK Dual 120mm CPU cooler

Sapphire R9 285 compact ( I might get a second )

Gskill ripjaw Z 8 Gb ( 4 x 2 Gb )

EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650G

Seagate baracuda 1 Tb HDD

Ps. I am reporting this because I didn't feel as that many people had their opinion, I would like to hear from more than just 2 people this time.

Even if you dont OCing it's still a better idea to get a K version of the CPU and Z97 mobo so you still do have that option later on. It only a few bucks more anyway. You dont need an aftermarket CPU cooler if you dont plan to Overclock or you only do low level overclocking, so that will save you some bucks. Try to fit a 120GB SSD in with those addtional money you saved, or try to get ~60$ more for the SSD.

[Warthoger89]

Even if you dont OCing it's still a better idea to get a K version of the CPU and Z97 mobo so you still do have that option later on. It only a few bucks more anyway. You dont need an aftermarket CPU cooler if you dont plan to Overclock or you only do low level overclocking, so that will save you some bucks. Try to fit a 120GB SSD in with those addtional money you saved, or try to get ~60$ more for the SSD.

I honestly don't care for SSD's, I think they are overrated for their price point. I don't want to use the included heatsink and fan because it looks like a pile of parts you mangled together ( no offense Intel ). I chose the phanteks CPU cooler for looks and for performance, feel free to try and change my mind though. Overclocking is something i don't want to get into, plus how would I gain more performance from a chip that is clocked at the same speed? ( that's why I chose th i5 4690 in the first place. )

[Megazero]

I honestly don't care for SSD's, I think they are overrated for their price point. I don't want to use the included heatsink and fan because it looks like a pile of parts you mangled together ( no offense Intel ). I chose the phanteks CPU cooler for looks and for performance, feel free to try and change my mind though. Overclocking is something i don't want to get into, plus how would I gain more performance from a chip that is clocked at the same speed? ( that's why I chose th i5 4690 in the first place. )

I assure you they are not let me quote Linus here, once you are used to system that run OS on SSD, it drive you "bananas" to use system that run OS on a HDD again.

The stock fan is always ugly, that's why they give you it for free

You dont get more performance from the i5 4690 vs a i5 4690k at stock speed, they are the same if you left the 4690k on stock. But with the 4690k you can overclock it, and that's when it kick the 4690 in the butt Let's think about it this way, about 3-4 years from now, when the 4690 become slow compare to newer technology/task, you can do nothing but throw away the 4690 and get a new CPU, but with the 4690k, you have the option to OC it to higher speed and gain a few more months/year out of it easily. OCing is not hard, and not as dangerous as you might think, and the 4690k only a few bucks more, so I really dont see the reason why you shouldnt use it ^^

[Warthoger89]

I assure you they are not let me quote Linus here, once you are used to system that run OS on SSD, it drive you "bananas" to use system that run OS on a HDD again.The stock fan is always ugly, that's why they give you it for free :PYou dont get more performance from the i5 4690 vs a i5 4690k at stock speed, they are the same if you left the 4690k on stock. But with the 4690k you can overclock it, and that's when it kick the 4690 in the butt Let's think about it this way, about 3-4 years from now, when the 4690 become slow compare to newer technology/task, you can do nothing but throw away the 4690 and get a new CPU, but with the 4690k, you have the option to OC it to higher speed and gain a few more months/year out of it easily. OCing is not hard, and not as dangerous as you might think, and the 4690k only a few bucks more, so I really dont see the reason why you shouldnt use it ^^

Problem is i can't really afford those extra few bucks, the most i can spend is 950$ maximum. As of right now I don't need an SSD, I would prefer to save the money as I don't mind waiting an extra 3 or 4 seconds for windows to boot up. One question what kind of fans would you recommend to someone on a budget that wants good airflow but doesn't care too much for noise?

[Megazero]

Problem is i can't really afford those extra few bucks, the most i can spend is 950$ maximum. As of right now I don't need an SSD, I would prefer to save the money as I don't mind waiting an extra 3 or 4 seconds for windows to boot up. One question what kind of fans would you recommend to someone on a budget that wants good airflow but doesn't care too much for noise?

If you mean additional fans, you dont need any. The Corsair Air 240 dont have additional slot available as far as I know, and it's stock case is already good and quiet enough. If you still want something else, get some Noctua Industrial Fans

[Warthoger89]

If you mean additional fans, you dont need any. The Corsair Air 240 dont have additional slot available as far as I know, and it's stock case is already good and quiet enough. If you still want something else, get some Noctua Industrial Fans

ok thanks, I think I'll buy some Noctua fans after. Also do you think the GPU I have chosen will do well in games like BF4, Payday2 in 1080p on max?

[Megazero]

ok thanks, I think I'll buy some Noctua fans after. Also do you think the GPU I have chosen will do well in games like BF4, Payday2 in 1080p on max?

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8460/amd-radeon-r9-285-review/10

It perform about the same level as the R9 280... so it's good but not 60 fps good. But you can turn it down to High setting and you will do just fine

[Warthoger89]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8460/amd-radeon-r9-285-review/10It perform about the same level as the R9 280... so it's good but not 60 fps good. But you can turn it down to High setting and you will do just fine

I'm cool with turning the settings down to high if the gameplay is more enjoyable but will it be strong enough on new games like battlefield hard line? For a game that visually impressive i don't mind turning down the settings to medium.

[Megazero]

I'm cool with turning the settings down to high if the gameplay is more enjoyable but will it be strong enough on new games like battlefield hard line? For a game that visually impressive i don't mind turning down the settings to medium.

I dont think there's any problem with Hardline, it dont seem to be that much graphic intense compare to BF4

[Warthoger89]

I dont think there's any problem with Hardline, it dont seem to be that much graphic intense compare to BF4

so what you are saying is that my build should be fine?