2015 “Future-proof” rig.

[Defeatist]

Hello everyone,

 

 

My plan is to buy a new rig exclusively for gaming. I would like to gather as much info as possible on what would be the best configuration for the years to come.

Budget: $1200-$1900

 

This is it for now:

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RGzqwP

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

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($329.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.98 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($146.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($82.98 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Corsair Force LX Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($129.00 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($88.97 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($569.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: Corsair 780T ATX Full Tower Case  ($179.99 @ Amazon) 

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) 

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($16.98 @ OutletPC) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($97.46 @ OutletPC) 

Total: $1761.30

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-28 13:06 EDT-0400

 

If you have an idea/s on how to optimize it better, what's unnecessary to have and so forth, I am open for suggestions!

 

Thank you in advance.

[TheKDub]

No such thing as future proof.

 

Though I'd suggest a i5 4690K, and perhaps a 980 or two.

[j.dirona]

like TheKDub said there is no such thing as future proof really but I would suggest a build along these lines http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RTkxVn

[Swndlr]

*incoming hate for using the term future proof*

[Cl2G]

4g gpu.

ssd.

[minimoose]

I don't know what res you are at, but I would buy one 980, try to cut under that budget, and in a year get another 980.

[Spongy141]

Lets say you could future proof, you would need a lot more than $2000

[ericlee30]

No such thing as future prof, buy what is hot now, and when the time is right upgrade for your needs.

[brob]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($329.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z97I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($155.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($149.89 @ NCIX US)
Storage: PNY Optima 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($82.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($569.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 380T Mini ITX Tower Case  ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider 600W 80+ Silver Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($90.26 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1899.05
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-28 01:03 EDT-0400

[AngryPandaPC]

Even the brand new GTX 980 isn't so future proof with rumors of the larger die nvidia chip coming down the pipeline.  

 

Plus look at Shadow of Mordor where it could somewhat benefit from 6GB of GPU ram, but the "top-tier" nvidia card (980) has only 3.

 

So, I'm simply getting at the idea that you can't really future proof the top-tier stuff.  That doesn't mean you can't invest in high end stuff and then really enjoy its capability for a longish time.

 

I think Nimtra said it best.

 

P.S very specific advice - if you're really considering 2 high end GPU's, buy something like a 980 now, game for a half to full year and then see where the performance landscape is/heading.  If the 980 is still great, buy another.

[Joshua Ondangan]

well it's not like there is no future-proof thingy on pc.

 

the computer case is kinda future proof. I mean I still have some old pc case back from 1996/97/00/01to 06

 

that is still alive. so yeah in that sense there is future proofing on pc. just not in a performance way.

[Defeatist]

So you think going for 6 core cpu is not really needed? I was thinking to get X99 simply cause of that, but then again Broadkwell-k is compatible with E97.

[juretrn]

@Defeatist X99 is definitely not worth it, the CPU and mobo alone would cost 900+ $. There is currently no indication of games using anything more than 4 cores, especially since most people don't possess machines with more than 2 cores. That is probably not going to happen until Intel stops making dual-cores (highly unlikely in the near future).

 

A 4790K will be good for many years to come. Most parts will be too, remember how little impact RAM has on gaming performance. Motherboards have none whatsoever. Storage, that can be easily expanded. A PSU should be able to hold out for quite a while, if you pick out one of the better brands.

 

The only thing that is almost certain to need replacing is, of course, the GPU. In 4-5 years any GPU is completely outclassed by newest games.

 

In short: don't worry too much about future-proofing.

[Defeatist]

@Defeatist X99 is definitely not worth it, the CPU and mobo alone would cost 900+ $. There is currently no indication of games using anything more than 4 cores, especially since most people don't possess machines with more than 2 cores. That is probably not going to happen until Intel stops making dual-cores (highly unlikely in the near future).

 

A 4790K will be good for many years to come. Most parts will be too, remember how little impact RAM has on gaming performance. Motherboards have none whatsoever. Storage, that can be easily expanded. A PSU should be able to hold out for quite a while, if you pick out one of the better brands.

 

The only thing that is almost certain to need replacing is, of course, the GPU. In 4-5 years any GPU is completely outclassed by newest games.

 

In short: don't worry too much about future-proofing.

Makes sense, thanks.

[AngryPandaPC]

well it's not like there is no future-proof thingy on pc.

 

the computer case is kinda future proof. I mean I still have some old pc case back from 1996/97/00/01to 06

 

that is still alive. so yeah in that sense there is future proofing on pc. just not in a performance way.

Good point.  Sorry mentally overlooked that.  A nice roomy easy to use chassis is something that will pay dividends for a long time.

[Defeatist]

The only thing that is really future proof-able is your case. If you know that down the line, you're going to...  Lets say do 4 way SLI, then get a full tower. If you're planning to do a fully custom loop in your PC, make sure the case you get is water cooling capable and has everything you need.

 

Everything else is just this cycle:

 

Buy it

Use it until it breaks or if it doesn't perform to your expectations

Buy a new one, repeat. 

What case would you recommend? http://www.thermaltake.com/Chassis/Mid_Tower_/ARMOR/C_00000204/Armor_MX_/design.htm - this one caught my eye.

[ryan cooper]

if you want something future proof, then buy a 1366 x 768 monitor and then go for all high end products like an i7-4790k and one or two 980s.

get 16 gb of ram as no game uses more than that.

even if your GPU gets outdated all games would run on high settings in the low res and the monitor would be optimized for the low res image.

[Defeatist]

like TheKDub said there is no such thing as future proof really but I would suggest a build along these lines http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RTkxVn

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GpVMyc

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

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($329.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.98 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($146.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($82.98 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($91.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($88.97 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($569.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) 

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($16.98 @ OutletPC) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($97.46 @ OutletPC) 

Total: $1624.29

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-28 10:09 EDT-0400

 

I tweaked it a bit; I will probably consider a different case. If you have more suggestions, feel free.

[Joshua Ondangan]

What case would you recommend? http://www.thermaltake.com/Chassis/Mid_Tower_/ARMOR/C_00000204/Armor_MX_/design.htm - this one caught my eye.

 

well if you ever get the money this chassis is just pure gang rape friend.

 

http://www.caselabs-store.com/magnum-sma8/

 

been saving some cash for this for a while now. depends on where you live but to where I live I'm expecting to pay around 100%-120% more for shipping/duty/tax/ and extra charges unless I get lucky and the guy writing the bill isn't a corrupted jackass like the one I experienced last time.

 

well even if you don't have a water cooling capable computer chassis should be fine even if you want to water cool it.

 

This is why Custom PC Building is so fucking wonderful. the joys of modding it to your pleasure designing it making sure stuff works and many other wonders totally makes it worth it no matter the amount of money spent.

[Tech_Dreamer]

you can build a future proof PC but you gonna need atleast 8k or above(upto 25k) price range  for that to live up to the 'future proof' name, for the price range you suggested it's basically every PC every gamer have performance so..  if within the price range the members suggestion above is your best alternative.

[j.dirona]

I tweaked it a bit; I will probably consider a different case. If you have more suggestions, feel free.

 

Um yeah not totally sure what you are looking for in a case? (how good the airflow is over what it looks like, windowed vs non-windowed, etc.) but I've done a few builds in this case and find it quite nice when it's finished (especially because it has such a large window to see the build)

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147226

[Defeatist]

Um yeah not totally sure what you are looking for in a case? (how good the airflow is over what it looks like, windowed vs non-windowed, etc.) but I've done a few builds in this case and find it quite nice when it's finished (especially because it has such a large window to see the build)

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147226

Yeah, I still have no idea what will I be going for, but the overall system seems quite decent. I was thinking to get more SSD but damn its expensive. The build you presented was of great help. 

[j.dirona]

Yeah, I still have no idea will I be going for, but the overall system seems quite decent. I was thinking to get more SSD but damn its expensive. You helped a lot. 

 

Yeah SSD's are super nice but super expensive -.- still saving up to put one in my own computer. Best of luck