$1100 max (USD) PC game system help

[Vek1313]

I am going to be getting a job this summer and will have a max budget around $1100 and I need help with parts. I want to build a pc just for better performance and customization compared to the laptop I have to use now. Here is what I kind of have got to so far. What would be the best performance to price build with all the same parts I have used in it right now (minus mouse and keyboard, I have come to the decision on that and they are apart of the $1100)

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Rh7sBm

[thekeemo]

one moment

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($299.98 @ NCIX US) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($26.75 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($116.88 @ OutletPC) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($149.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($79.99 @ Newegg) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($269.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($91.66 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1000.24

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-30 13:12 EST-0500

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97 PERFORMANCE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($62.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.88 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($269.99 @ Newegg) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($269.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($77.98 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1000.81

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

 

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-03 00:48 EST-0500

 

just add a case

[WereCat]

What about this?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.75 @ OutletPC) 

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

Motherboard: ASRock Z97 KILLER ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($106.98 @ Newegg) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($64.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($69.98 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($71.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card  ($259.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ NCIX US) 

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($19.79 @ OutletPC) 

Keyboard: Rosewill Apollo RK-9100xRBR Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($89.99 @ Amazon) 

Mouse: Razer Razer Naga 2014 Wired Laser Mouse  ($59.99 @ Amazon) 

Total: $1097.40

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-04 19:11 EST-0500

 

[Exp]

First of all, welcome to the forums! It helps us a ton if we can get the information included here.

 

The build doesn't seem to be particularly bad (depends on what you need it for), but if you're going to pay that much, I'd say go for an i5 (4460 or 4690k are the most popular models right now).

 

Also, however good it is to plan in advance, different GPUs (I have no idea exactly when the 300 series is out from AMD, but probably around then) and parts in general can change builds drastically over time. Generally, since new parts are out all the time, it's best not to wait for them, but if you're going to be waiting anyway, then make a parts list when you have the money and are looking to buy.

[Vek1313]

First of all, welcome to the forums! It helps us a ton if we can get the information included here.

The build doesn't seem to be particularly bad (depends on what you need it for), but if you're going to pay that much, I'd say go for an i5 (4460 or 4690k are the most popular models right now).

Also, however good it is to plan in advance, different GPUs (I have no idea exactly when the 300 series is out from AMD, but probably around then) and parts in general can change builds drastically over time. Generally, since new parts are out all the time, it's best not to wait for them, but if you're going to be waiting anyway, then make a parts list when you have the money and are looking to buy.

I prefer not to go with the intel when I can get more cores and the same clock speed cheaper as well as the FX-8350 that has more cores and faster speed but still cheaper. And I have a friend really good with computers and I asked him and he said to wait too, I'm just interested in this so much and like to know a little bit of what to expect. The GPU is the one I worry about most because those prices change so much.

[Justin Meyer]

Please go with the first 2 guys builds as they have intel CPU's which are 10x more reliable. Also they have a lot better motherboards haswell...haha get it, like as well...haswell...anyone?...no...ok...well i tried.

[Justin Meyer]

I prefer not to go with the intel when I can get more cores and the same clock speed cheaper as well as the FX-8350 that has more cores and faster speed but still cheaper. And I have a friend really good with computers and I asked him and he said to wait too, I'm just interested in this so much and like to know a little bit of what to expect. The GPU is the one I worry about most because those prices change so much.

You dont have to go with intel, however it is highly recommended as they last a lot longer and have a very stable clock rates. However thats up to you. Also the gpu should be fine and i dont think it should change a whole lot as it isnt like a 290x or a 980. If anythink the card will get cheaper

[Vek1313]

one moment

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.98 @ NCIX US)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.75 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($116.88 @ OutletPC)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($91.66 @ Newegg)

Total: $1000.24

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-30 13:12 EST-0500

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: ASRock H97 PERFORMANCE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($77.98 @ Newegg)

Total: $1000.81

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-03 00:48 EST-0500

just add a case

Thanks for replying to help, but these builds are worthless to me because I need the case, keyboard and mouse in there and you left me $100 for your builds, as well as I really want the SSD for Windows for quicker boot speeds.

[thekeemo]

Thanks for replying to help, but these builds are worthless to me because I need the case, keyboard and mouse in there and you left me $100 for your builds, as well as I really want the SSD for Windows for quicker boot speeds.

I left 100 for the case

 

I though you didnt want them including in the periphrals

[Justin Meyer]

I prefer not to go with the intel when I can get more cores and the same clock speed cheaper as well as the FX-8350 that has more cores and faster speed but still cheaper. And I have a friend really good with computers and I asked him and he said to wait too, I'm just interested in this so much and like to know a little bit of what to expect. The GPU is the one I worry about most because those prices change so much.

Also, expect to be playing games on medium-high-ultra-max setting depending on what game youre playing on 60+fps

[Vek1313]

What about this?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.75 @ OutletPC)

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

Motherboard: ASRock Z97 KILLER ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($106.98 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.98 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.98 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($259.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.79 @ OutletPC)

Keyboard: Rosewill Apollo RK-9100xRBR Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)

Mouse: Razer Razer Naga 2014 Wired Laser Mouse ($59.99 @ Amazon)

Total: $1097.40

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-04 19:11 EST-0500

Thank you, I like this build but as previously stated I would rather go for the cheaper CPU with more cores.

[Justin Meyer]

TBH i think almost eveything in this build is good except i dont know much about AMD cpu's or motherboards but everything else looks pretty good

[Vek1313]

I left 100 for the case

I though you didnt want them including in the periphrals

Oh I guess I should have made it more clear that the keyboard and mouse were apart of the $1100

[Vek1313]

You dont have to go with intel, however it is highly recommended as they last a lot longer and have a very stable clock rates. However thats up to you. Also the gpu should be fine and i dont think it should change a whole lot as it isnt like a 290x or a 980. If anythink the card will get cheaper

  

Also, expect to be playing games on medium-high-ultra-max setting depending on what game youre playing on 60+fps

  

TBH i think almost eveything in this build is good except i dont know much about AMD cpu's or motherboards but everything else looks pretty good

TBH i think almost eveything in this build is good except i dont know much about AMD cpu's or motherboards but everything else looks pretty good

AMD cpu's are good. The intel lasting longer idc about. I will have upgraded either one before it would have to in 4-5 years I would hope the build lasts that long. And the 60+ fps, I have a friend in Canada who spent $677 USD on his build with the AMD FX-8320 and he gets 350 fps without overclocking in the games I play and like to play, so I think I'm good sticking with AMD for the more cores and same clock speed.

[Exp]

AMD cpu's are good. The intel lasting longer idc about. I will have upgraded either one before it would have to in 4-5 years I would hope the build lasts that long. And the 60+ fps, I have a friend in Canada who spent $677 USD on his build with the AMD FX-8320 and he gets 350 fps without overclocking in the games I play and like to play, so I think I'm good sticking with AMD for the more cores and same clock speed.

Comparing clock speed across different architectures (The FX-8350 and i5 4690k, for example, are really different architectures) is not going to give you an accurate comparison at all. More cores are good for some instances, but many/most games and common applications use only one core. I've seen Pentiums beat the AMD FX-8350 in single core performance. So more cores isn't always going to get you better performance. Also, FPS should largely due to the GPU performance, not the CPU. Although the CPU definitely plays a role, I believe the GPU does a lot of the work that brings good FPS. Here's something I said about AMD cpus in another thread (edited a little bit).

 

In terms of AMD processors, they definitely have a place. The two problems I find that prevent me from recommending them in many instances are lack of high-end upgradability, and single-core performance.

 

Say, you get a Z97 motherboard. You have many options in this case. On the low end, you have Pentiums or i3s as options. Mid to high range, you have an i5. High range, you have i7s or Xeons. Past that, you can overclock many i7s.

 

Now say you have an AMD 990FX motherboard. You can get some good low-end deals like the AMD FX-6300. You can even overclock it to get some good value, but what happens after that? You need a better CPU, of course. Your options can be the AMD FX-8350 in the midrange, and the AMD FX-9590 on the higher end. After that, you could overclock them of course.

 

Now the difference is, the AMD FX-9590 can keep up with some lower end i7s on heavy workloads, which is great. But the problem comes in general purpose, single core usage. AMD processors generally struggle (by comparison) with these very common tasks. With the AMD scenario, you have no other option. Your best bet is to get the AMD FX-9590 and to overclock it as much as you can. You simply don't have the option for better performance without switching to Intel.  And if you switch to Intel, you need a whole new motherboard, adding to the cost. What would only be a $320 upgrade becomes a $450 upgrade (or more!). With the Intel scenario, you have much more overhead to upgrade as you please. I've never really heard of anyone that has a Z97 motherboard switching to AMD to get better performance.

 

Perhaps I made that issue out to be more than it needs to be. Or perhaps I'm completely wrong.

 

Moving on to the second issue, AMD processors generally lack great single core performance. For example, the AMD FX-8350 ($163) beats the Intel Pentium G3258 ($65), right? Not always, it seems. On single-core workloads, and even some multithreaded ones (some benchmarks here) the Pentium beats the FX-8350. Not saying that the Pentium is overall better than the AMD FX-8350, just saying that they do well at different things.

 

Again, if I haven't stated this enough, AMD processors have their place and I could also be completely wrong about everything I said. I was actually considering the AMD FX-6350 for a budget gaming build of mine. It seems though, that in this instance, going the Intel route will simply fit the purpose better than the AMD route. Different people will tell you different things and this is all my opinion, of course. We, as PC builders, can't be loyal to one brand all the time. As even Linus said in 

 video, we need to get what delivers the best performance, features, and quality for the money we're spending.

 

Is the AMD FX-8350 particularly bad? Absolutely not. But I think what the majority of people in this thread are saying is, you're going to get better value for the money you'd be spending if you go with one of the Intel builds in this thread.

[WereCat]

Thank you, I like this build but as previously stated I would rather go for the cheaper CPU with more cores.

You are welcome.

AMD FX 8350 is good CPU for its price but it really cant match i5 4690k in terms of performance. I know it has 4 more cores and higher clockspeed but you cant really compare their performance based on this as both CPUs are absolutely different architecture.

Right now the i5 4690k has almost twice the perfromance per core of the FX 8350 making it more usefull. Why? Because almost every application or game in existence benefits more from better per core performance than from more cores.

Another reason to go with i5 4690k is that it supports newer technologies so you have more features on your motherboard making it more usefull for future. I dont know if you will be overclocking and I suggested i5 4690k especialy because it is able to OC but if you really dont plan to do it you can go with Intel Xeon E3 1231 V3 which is basicaly an i7 4770 but a lot cheaper (but without integrated graphics) and pick cheaper motherboard that does not support OC. With that the FX 8350 will fall behind a lot and it really wont be able to match it in terms of performance.. basicaly never.

 

Here is the build with Intel Xeon (4 cores + Hyperthreading)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($242.95 @ SuperBiiz) 

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

Motherboard: ASRock H97 PERFORMANCE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($79.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($74.98 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($69.98 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($71.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card  ($259.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($54.99 @ NCIX US) 

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($19.79 @ OutletPC) 

Keyboard: Rosewill Apollo RK-9100xRBR Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($89.99 @ Amazon) 

Mouse: Razer Razer Naga 2014 Wired Laser Mouse  ($59.99 @ Amazon) 

Total: $1103.60

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-05 02:14 EST-0500

[Vek1313]

You are welcome.

AMD FX 8350 is good CPU for its price but it really cant match i5 4690k in terms of performance. I know it has 4 more cores and higher clockspeed but you cant really compare their performance based on this as both CPUs are absolutely different architecture.

Right now the i5 4690k has almost twice the perfromance per core of the FX 8350 making it more usefull. Why? Because almost every application or game in existence benefits more from better per core performance than from more cores.

Another reason to go with i5 4690k is that it supports newer technologies so you have more features on your motherboard making it more usefull for future. I dont know if you will be overclocking and I suggested i5 4690k especialy because it is able to OC but if you really dont plan to do it you can go with Intel Xeon E3 1231 V3 which is basicaly an i7 4770 but a lot cheaper (but without integrated graphics) and pick cheaper motherboard that does not support OC. With that the FX 8350 will fall behind a lot and it really wont be able to match it in terms of performance.. basicaly never.

Here is the build with Intel Xeon (4 cores + Hyperthreading)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($242.95 @ SuperBiiz)

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

Motherboard: ASRock H97 PERFORMANCE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($74.98 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.98 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.98 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($259.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.79 @ OutletPC)

Keyboard: Rosewill Apollo RK-9100xRBR Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)

Mouse: Razer Razer Naga 2014 Wired Laser Mouse ($59.99 @ Amazon)

Total: $1103.60

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-05 02:14 EST-0500

If i went with the Intel, I would go for the i5 because it is cheaper. thanks anyways