Gaming PC

[Tarzan]

Hi,

 

I plan on building my first PC. Here are the specifications as for now:

 

Processor: Intel Core i5 4690K

CPU Fan: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO

MotherBoard: Asus ROG - Maximus VII Ranger

Memory: Kingston HyperX Beast 1600 MHz (4x4Go)

GPU: Asus GTX760

PowerSupply: BeQuiet Pure Power L8 - 630W

HDD: WD Blue 3,5'' 1To

SSD: Kingston HyperX 3K 240Go

DVD Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST

Cards Reader: NZXT 5,25'' Cards Reader + USB 3.0

Case: Cooler Master CM Storm Trooper

 

What do you think of it?

 

Thank you,

[Archangel1994]

Ditch the SSD and get a better graphics card

[ShadowCaptain]

SNIP

 

Looks decent, I would probably try squeeze a better GPU in there though

 

perhaps a cheaper motherboard? or drop the SSD and get a better GPU?

 

no point getting 4x4 RAM, get 2x 8gb for dual channel etc

 

What is your total budget?

[AlwaysFSX]

I don't like it. I don't like most of it.

[Tarzan]

Ditch the SSD and get a better graphics card

 

Looks decent, I would probably try squeeze a better GPU in there though

 

perhaps a cheaper motherboard? or drop the SSD and get a better GPU?

 

Actually I don't really need a better GPU. I play games, yes, but RTS games that doesn't need high performances GPU: Age of Empires II HD, etc.

 

I want a sturdy RIG, that's all. The Asus Motherboard seems great, but I do hesitate with the MSI Z97 Gaming 3 which is cheaper.

 

 

 

no point getting 4x4 RAM, get 2x 8gb for dual channel etc

 

What is your total budget?

 

Ok I'll go for 2x8Gb. My total budget is around 1200€ .

 

I don't like it. I don't like most of it.

Well, why don't you like most of it? I'm a newbie, so tell me. I like Kingston and Asus brands, that's why I chose them. The case is an expensive one but it's a very sturdy one, I plan on keeping it for a decade.

[ShadowCaptain]

Actually I don't really need a better GPU. I play games, yes, but RTS games that doesn't need high performances GPU: Age of Empires II HD, etc.

 

I want a sturdy RIG, that's all. The Asus Motherboard seems great, but I do hesitate with the MSI Z97 Gaming 3 which is cheaper.

 

Ok I'll go for 2x8Gb. My total budget is around 1200€ .

 

Hmm thats your choice, I just know that personally I would want something better, considering the amount of money spent, but if you never plan on playing any high end games then I cannot really say any different

 

yeah the MSI ones are great, I am super happy with the 2 MSI gaming boards I have though the Asus ones are great too, again comes down to your personal discretion

 

I would probably get a better SSD, like an MX100 or 850 evo, not a massive fan of the Kingston, especially after they had a bit of an issue with some of their other drives (Swapping out some components for worse ones without telling anyone)

[Spewky]

@Tarzan, getting super expensive motherboards isn't really necessary as you can get cheaper motherboards that are still very good and then use that 80-100 dollars saved on upgrading to a better GPU... Though you may not need it for Age of Empires... It's just a better idea. If you don't want to upgrade the GPU with the money saved you could upgrade the cooler to makes sure that it's... cool... Or maybe upgrade the case if you wish. Expensive motherboards aren't the most necessary things to get though they may be "future proof". 

 

Also I think there are better SSD options out there... I've heard that Kingston don't make too good ones anymore as you can get really good ones from Crucial... But don't take me for sure, that's just what I've heard. 

 

Good luck on your build!

[AlwaysFSX]

Well, why don't you like most of it? I'm a newbie, so tell me. I like Kingston and Asus brands, that's why I chose them. The case is an expensive one but it's a very sturdy one, I plan on keeping it for a decade.

Motherboard is a waste of money, you can get something a lot cheaper that does the same job just as well.

I highly doubt you'll need 16 gigs of ram.

This entire build and a GTX 760, lopsided a bit.

Power supply costs waaaaaaay too much, plain and simple.

You can get an SSD for a good amount less with the same amount of space.

Cases are personal taste but, I don't like it.

[Tarzan]

 

yeah the MSI ones are great, I am super happy with the 2 MSI gaming boards I have though the Asus ones are great too, again comes down to your personal discretion

 

 

 

@Tarzan, getting super expensive motherboards isn't really necessary as you can get cheaper motherboards that are still very good and then use that 80-100 dollars saved on upgrading to a better GPU... Though you may not need it for Age of Empires... It's just a better idea. If you don't want to upgrade the GPU with the money saved you could upgrade the cooler to makes sure that it's... cool... Or maybe upgrade the case if you wish. Expensive motherboards aren't the most necessary things to get though they may be "future proof". 

 

 

Actually the Asus MotherBoard is only 20€ more expensive than the MSI one (140€ instead of 120€) . So it's not that expensive I think... The better GPU tends to be way more expensive. Since I don't really need a high-end GPU, I made the choice to trade a better one for more RAM (16 instead of 8) and a 240Go SSD instead of a 120Go. Or do you have a nice GPU in mind under 300€? I tried to look for Gigabyte, Sapphire, MSI, Asus, both Nvidia and Radeon... But in the end I don't know which one to choose: for instance, better choose a GTX770 2Go or a GTX760 4Go? And if that matters, I don't need OC.

 

 

I would probably get a better SSD, like an MX100 or 850 evo, not a massive fan of the Kingston, especially after they had a bit of an issue with some of their other drives (Swapping out some components for worse ones without telling anyone)

 

 

Also I think there are better SSD options out there... I've heard that Kingston don't make too good ones anymore as you can get really good ones from Crucial... But don't take me for sure, that's just what I've heard. 

 

 

Oh, I didn't know those facts about Kingston. Maybe I could save 20€ on the SSD then! The evo is cheaper, indeed.

 

Thanks to you!

[ShadowCaptain]

snip

 

Do you really need 16gb of ram? really only matters if you are using heavy photoshop and video editing, for gaming and browsing its almost impossible to use more than 8gb of ram

 

 

R9 290 289?

http://de.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-r9290dc2oc4gd5

 

GTX 970? 315?

http://de.pcpartpicker.com/part/zotac-video-card-zt9010110p

[Chiobe]

Do you really need 16gb of ram? really only matters if you are using heavy photoshop and video editing, for gaming and browsing its almost impossible to use more than 8gb of ram

8 gb for pure gaming, 16bg if you want to do other stuff at the same time (like streaming).

There are also some games with high res textures that benefit from more ram, so its not a total waist.

 

Also, it dont cost that much to get 16gb these days.

[ShadowCaptain]

8 gb for pure gaming, 16bg if you want to do other stuff at the same time (like streaming).

There are also some games with high res textures that benefit from more ram, so its not a total waist.

 

Also, it dont cost that much to get 16gb these days.

 

if it means getting a better GPU and the person is mostly gaming, then dropping to 8gb makes tons of sense, + they can add more later

[Chiobe]

if it means getting a better GPU and the person is mostly gaming, then dropping to 8gb makes tons of sense, + they can add more later

I was just listing the reason for getting more ram now, but as with everything else in a custom built pc, it can always be changed later.

 

So if you need the money elsewhere, then by all means, do so.

[ShadowCaptain]

I was just listing the reason for getting more ram now, but as with everything else in a custom built pc, it can always be changed later.

 

So if you need the money elsewhere, then by all means, do so.

 

oh I know the reasons I just thought for this particular build, and since he did not mention editing, rendering or steaming that 8gb would be fine

[Tarzan]

Actually I do some streaming. I know that I need 16GB since I do quite a lot of multitasking.

 

Anyway, here is the "almost final" build:

 

Processor: Intel Core i5 4690K

CPU Fan: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO

MotherBoard: Asus ROG - Maximus VII Ranger

Memory: Kingston HyperX Beast 1600 MHz (2x8Go)

GPU: Asus Radeon R9 280X

PowerSupply: BeQuiet Pure Power L8 - 630W

HDD: WD Blue 3,5'' 1To

SSD: Sandisk Ultra II 240GB

DVD Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST

Cards Reader: NZXT 5,25'' Cards Reader + USB 3.0

Case: Cooler Master CM Storm Trooper

 

+ Keyboard: Roccat Ryos Mechanical Keyboard (Cherry MX Black)

 

I upgraded the GPU to an Asus Radeon R9 280X. I think it should be able to handle my needs very well! And I replaced the Kingston SSD with a Sandisk, 20€ cheaper and high reviews as well.

 

As for now the only thing I still need is a 16:9 1920x1080 monitor... I think about the Asus VG248QE or the BenQ XL2411Z. Same price range. Any recommandation?

[GarnetDevil]

-snip-

Are you seriously need that expensive motherboard?

[Tarzan]

It's more a matter of personal preference for the brand than anything else . As I said earlier, it's only a few euros more expensive than the MSI one, and since I really like the Asus products, I chose that one. I'm willing to wait a little more to be able to afford the component I really like than rush to buy one that doesn't appeal to me. Like Roccat for the Keyboard or Kingston for the RAM... Maybe it sounds weird to you, but to me, it doesn't.

[Tarzan]

Ok after a few more researches (lots of reading actually), here I am with my RIG plan:

 

Processor: Intel Core i5 4690K

CPU Fan: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO

MotherBoard: MSI Z97 Gaming 5

Memory: Kingston HyperX Beast 1600 MHz (2x8Go)

GPU: MSI R9 290 4Go (big sale on amazon)

PowerSupply: Seasonic MI2 II 620W EVO 80 Plus Bronze

HDD: WD Blue 3,5'' 1To

SSD: Kingston HyperX 240Go (I take one from my laptop, so it's free)

DVD Drive: None (I don't use it...)

Cards Reader: NZXT 5,25'' Cards Reader + USB 3.0

Case: Cooler Master CM Storm Trooper

 

So the big changes are: Seasonic PSU instead of BeQuiet!, and MSI Mobo instead of the Asus one.

Here are the periphericals:

 

Monitor: BenQ RL2455HM (nice 1080p, and optimized for RTS, and I love the look)

Mouse: Logitech G602 (have it already)

Keyboard: Roccat Ryos Mechanical Keyboard: Cherry MX Black

 

For a total of 1400€.

 

Any more suggestions/advices/opinions?

[Tarzan]

I have a question: how do I know if the board has enough fan spots for the cable management? The case is a Storm Trooper with 4 fans in it. It might sound like a silly question but as I've said earlier I'm completely new to building my own RIG. And, moreover, I don't have any desktop computer to see how it's done (I have laptops). I watch videos on Youtube, though.

Thank you,

[GarnetDevil]

I have a question: how do I know if the board has enough fan spots for the cable management? The case is a Storm Trooper with 4 fans in it. It might sound like a silly question but as I've said earlier I'm completely new to building my own RIG. And, moreover, I don't have any desktop computer to see how it's done (I have laptops). I watch videos on Youtube, though.

Thank you,

Google is your best friend then

[Guest]

I have a question: how do I know if the board has enough fan spots for the cable management? The case is a Storm Trooper with 4 fans in it. It might sound like a silly question but as I've said earlier I'm completely new to building my own RIG. And, moreover, I don't have any desktop computer to see how it's done (I have laptops). I watch videos on Youtube, though.

Thank you,

Have a look at the motherboard manual on the manufacturers website. You can always buy splitter cables if you don't have enough fan headers.

[Tarzan]

Well my build is now almost 4 years old (i5 4690K - GTX970 - 4*4GB RAM 1600mhz) and I think it's time to upgrade. I'd like to go with Zen 2 in a few months, and keeping my GPU for a year or so (playing at 1440p but games like Rocket League, Age of Empires, War Thunder, so my GPU is still fine for now).

4 years and not a single issue yet .