Pretty Serious Gaming/Workstation PC

[CNGaming38]

Hello, I'm here today to ask for yo input and build suggestions on a build made to play, record, and render footage of Arma III, among other games, but I figured i'd use that one due to it's heavy requirements, at 1440p 45-60+ fps. This build MUST include:

-An i7, doesn't really matter which kind, but more cores is better

-Watercooling, I intend to heavily overclock

-All peripherals, including a mechanical keyboard, and your choice of mouse, I'd prefer Cherry MX Blue switches, with Browns as an alternative, as well as 1 1440p, preferably 144hz monitor. I'd like a second one that's an IPS, 60 hz monitor that's rotatable, but i'd be willing to sacrifice it in exchange for better performance in games.

-Lastly, I need a pair of good headphones, preferably without a mic as i'll pick one up later on.

The only catch, it has to be under a budget of $2700 Canadian.

Do you think you're up to the challenge?

 

[Williamchan87]

Preferably I personally would go for a 6-8 core XEON, then again I was never a big gamer.

and a GTX 980

[Guest]

An i7 4790k has the same number of cores as an i5 4690k. The only difference is hyper threading, which will not provide the same benefit as more cores, but can increase efficiency in some workloads. You can't really go wrong with a corsair H100i GTX, this will provide a stable cooling platform for you to achieve pretty heavy overlocks. Corsair K70 would be my choice of keyboard also.

 

 

Preferably I personally would go for a 6-8 core XEON, then again I was never a big gamer.

and a GTX 980

 

 

A 6-8 core xeon will be better at video rendering as rendering can take advantage of many cores. 

[PLSZ]

I would also go with an i5 4690k....
 

 but if you REALLY need an i7 ..... 

 

CPU - i7 5930k ( 730ish$ compared to 290$ for the i5 with the same amount of core )
Board -asus z-97
GPU - gtx 980
PSU - Corsair HT 750w
RAM - your choosing depending on deals
cooling : id also go with the corsair H100i GTX

Edit : forgot the case ! : fractal design R5 

Keyboard : k70 is very nice or logitech g710+
Mouse : depends what you like... i suggest you shop for that on your own



Hope that helps 


 

[Lotus]

This is a build that meets your specific desires:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($416.98 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Nepton 240M 76.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($113.50 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-E ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($157.98 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($139.30 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($119.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($58.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($423.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($129.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($108.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Monitor: BenQ XL2730Z 144Hz 27.0" Monitor  ($799.99 @ NCIX)
Keyboard: Rosewill STRIKER RK-6000 Wired Standard Keyboard  ($77.05 @ Newegg Canada)
Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse  ($69.98 @ DirectCanada)
Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Headset  ($78.98 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $2695.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 20:13 EDT-0400

[Lotus]

and what I would personally get given your usage:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor  ($449.99 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Nepton 240M 76.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($113.50 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: MSI X99S SLI Plus ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($244.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($241.00 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($119.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($58.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($403.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($403.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($129.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($108.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Monitor: BenQ XL2411Z 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($289.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Keyboard: Rosewill RK-100 Wired Standard Keyboard  ($12.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse  ($69.98 @ DirectCanada)
Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Headset  ($78.98 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $2727.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 20:13 EDT-0400

 

If you're streaming, you really want to play in 1080p so there's no weird downscaling, and gaming keyboards are really kind of a non-issue. Gaming mice are super important, but gaming keyboards are just a feel kind of thing. I'd gladly do with a standard membrane keyboard if I could get a better rig.

[CNGaming38]

and what I would personally get given your usage:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor  ($449.99 @ Amazon Canada)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Nepton 240M 76.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($113.50 @ Vuugo)

Motherboard: MSI X99S SLI Plus ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($244.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($241.00 @ Vuugo)

Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($119.99 @ NCIX)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($58.98 @ DirectCanada)

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($403.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($403.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($129.99 @ NCIX)

Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($108.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Monitor: BenQ XL2411Z 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($289.99 @ Amazon Canada)

Keyboard: Rosewill RK-100 Wired Standard Keyboard  ($12.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse  ($69.98 @ DirectCanada)

Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Headset  ($78.98 @ DirectCanada)

Total: $2727.30

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 20:13 EDT-0400

 

If you're streaming, you really want to play in 1080p so there's no weird downscaling, and gaming keyboards are really kind of a non-issue. Gaming mice are super important, but gaming keyboards are just a feel kind of thing. I'd gladly do with a standard membrane keyboard if I could get a better rig.

I'm liking this build a lot actually, I think this might be what I go with, I could always include the Mech keyboard as an upgrade after, but will that build scale well should I decide to switch to 1440p later on? I'd imagine so, although I doubt I'd be able to go much higher than that with the whole 3.5 + 0.5 VRAM thing with the 970. Another option would be just to get 2 290x cards, or even just two 290s and overclock them to the same speeds.

[Lotus]

I'm liking this build a lot actually, I think this might be what I go with, I could always include the Mech keyboard as an upgrade after, but will that build scale well should I decide to switch to 1440p later on? I'd imagine so, although I doubt I'd be able to go much higher than that with the whole 3.5 + 0.5 VRAM thing with the 970. Another option would be just to get 2 290x cards, or even just two 290s and overclock them to the same speeds.

Yeah, it can handle 1440p just fine. If you switched to R9 290s or 290xs, then you'd want an 850 or even 1000W PSU depending on how far you overclock everything.

[CNGaming38]

Yeah, it can handle 1440p just fine. If you switched to R9 290s or 290xs, then you'd want an 850 or even 1000W PSU depending on how far you overclock everything.

Sounds good, I think i'll go with the 970's and just make the upgrade to a mech keyboard later, or just save up that extra like 100-200$

[Lotus]

Here is another option to consider if you really want 1440p 144hz, and don't need the extra 2 cores on your CPU. Remember, the 4790k is only an 80W CPU, and so can be overclocked very far even on a 212 Evo. It's not a 125W+ monster CPU, and so you hit diminishing returns fairly quickly on cooling.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($416.98 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($34.75 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 U3 Plus ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($129.95 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($139.30 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($119.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($58.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($339.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($339.99 @ NCIX)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($89.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.99 @ NCIX)
Monitor: BenQ XL2730Z 144Hz 27.0" Monitor  ($799.99 @ NCIX)
Keyboard: Rosewill RK-100 Wired Standard Keyboard  ($12.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse  ($69.98 @ DirectCanada)
Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Headset  ($78.98 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $2721.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 20:45 EDT-0400

[CNGaming38]

Here is another option to consider if you really want 1440p 144hz, and don't need the extra 2 cores on your CPU. Remember, the 4790k is only an 80W CPU, and so can be overclocked very far even on a 212 Evo. It's not a 125W+ monster CPU, and so you hit diminishing returns fairly quickly on cooling.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($416.98 @ DirectCanada)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($34.75 @ Vuugo)

Motherboard: MSI Z97 U3 Plus ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($129.95 @ Vuugo)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($139.30 @ DirectCanada)

Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($119.99 @ NCIX)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($58.98 @ DirectCanada)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($339.99 @ NCIX)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($339.99 @ NCIX)

Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($89.99 @ Memory Express)

Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.99 @ NCIX)

Monitor: BenQ XL2730Z 144Hz 27.0" Monitor  ($799.99 @ NCIX)

Keyboard: Rosewill RK-100 Wired Standard Keyboard  ($12.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Mouse: Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse  ($69.98 @ DirectCanada)

Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Headset  ($78.98 @ DirectCanada)

Total: $2721.84

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 20:45 EDT-0400

From your first build I modified a few things to better include what I want, I'm not doing super long, or particularly super high res rendering, so I switched back to the 4 core i7, and modified a few other things, such as adding a few fans that put me slightly over budget, but as it stands, this is my current build:

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/cV98vK

Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/cV98vK/by_merchant/

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($416.98 @ DirectCanada) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Nepton 240M 76.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($113.50 @ Vuugo) 

Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($174.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Memory: Mushkin Stealth 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($143.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($129.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($114.90 @ DirectCanada) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($403.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($403.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($108.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Case Fan: Noctua NF-F12 PWM 55.0 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($26.99 @ NCIX) 

Case Fan: Noctua NF-F12 PWM 55.0 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($26.99 @ NCIX) 

Case Fan: Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 64.9 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($14.99 @ NCIX) 

Case Fan: Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 64.9 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($14.99 @ NCIX) 

Monitor: BenQ XL2411Z 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($289.99 @ Amazon Canada) 

Keyboard: Rosewill Apollo RK-9100xR Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($107.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Mouse: ROCCAT Kone Pure Optical Wired Optical Mouse  ($69.99 @ Memory Express) 

Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Headset  ($78.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Total: $2742.14

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 21:01 EDT-0400

[Lotus]

The MoBo is unnecessarilly expensive. Just use the U3 plus I put or the Z97-E. Same with the memory. (whoops same price) Also, you really don't need additional case fans. The Enthoo Pro already has enough fans as does the 300R (okay, the 300R doesn't really have enough air flow for dual GPU setups, but with the additional 2 fans from the 240m it does), and then you're already adding 2 more with the 240m. The BX100 is cheaper and better than the MX100. These are just minor nit-picks though as the build you selected will work, it's just not optimal.

[CNGaming38]

The MoBo is unnecessarilly expensive. Just use the U3 plus I put or the Z97-E. Same with the memory. Also, you really don't need additional case fans. The Enthoo Pro already has enough fans as does the 300R, and then you're already adding 2 more with the 240m. The BX100 is cheaper and better than the MX100. These are just minor nit-picks though as the build you selected will work, it's just not optimal.

I appreciate your nitpicks, it's nice getting tips from someone that I consider an expert at this sort of thing, especially since this is my first time designing/building a computer. Also, I don't have many options for the ram, it's the second cheapest set as it is.

[CNGaming38]

**UPDATE**

My new, and like much improved, system build:

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/G6fmvK

Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/G6fmvK/by_merchant/

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($416.98 @ DirectCanada) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Nepton 240M 76.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($113.50 @ Vuugo) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($134.99 @ NCIX) 

Memory: Mushkin Stealth 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($143.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($119.99 @ NCIX) 

Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($114.90 @ DirectCanada) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($403.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($403.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($108.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Monitor: BenQ XL2411Z 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($289.99 @ Amazon Canada) 

Keyboard: Rosewill Apollo RK-9100xR Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($107.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Mouse: ROCCAT Kone Pure Optical Wired Optical Mouse  ($69.99 @ Memory Express) 

Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Headset  ($78.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Total: $2608.20

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 21:13 EDT-0400

[Lotus]

Oh! One more thing, WD Reds are usually more suited towards a RAID array. If you want just a single mass storage drive that isn't slow or super expensive, a Seagate Barracuda is the go-to drive. WD Reds and Greens are slow (5400 RPM or less), and WD Blacks are unreasonably expensive (2 read heads to improve random read/write times, but no difference in sequential), and WD Blues aren't made in capacities higher than 1TB.

[Williamchan87]

An i7 4790k has the same number of cores as an i5 4690k. The only difference is hyper threading, which will not provide the same benefit as more cores, but can increase efficiency in some workloads. You can't really go wrong with a corsair H100i GTX, this will provide a stable cooling platform for you to achieve pretty heavy overlocks. Corsair K70 would be my choice of keyboard also.

 

 

 

 

A 6-8 core xeon will be better at video rendering as rendering can take advantage of many cores. 

exactly thats why I said i would get a xeon instead

[CNGaming38]

Oh! One more thing, WD Reds are usually more suited towards a RAID array. If you want just a single mass storage drive that isn't slow or super expensive, a Seagate Barracuda is the go-to drive. WD Reds and Greens are slow (5400 RPM or less), and WD Blacks are unreasonably expensive (2 read heads to improve random read/write times, but no difference in sequential), and WD Blues aren't made in capacities higher than 1TB.

Sounds good to me, I genuinely appreciate all your help, i'll make that change, and who knows, maybe it'll put me within budget to get my second monitor!

And of course, where there's a will there's a way, I managed to do it!

Current Build: 

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/tmcMgs

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

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($416.98 @ DirectCanada) 

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($119.99 @ NCIX) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($134.99 @ NCIX) 

Memory: Mushkin Stealth 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($143.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($64.99 @ NCIX) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($89.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($403.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($403.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($108.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Monitor: Dell P2014H 60Hz 19.5" Monitor  ($149.99 @ Newegg Canada) 

Monitor: BenQ XL2411Z 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($289.99 @ Amazon Canada) 

Keyboard: Rosewill Apollo RK-9100xR Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($107.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Mouse: ROCCAT Kone Pure Optical Wired Optical Mouse  ($69.99 @ Memory Express) 

Headphones: Kingston HyperX Cloud Pro Headset  ($78.98 @ DirectCanada) 

Total: $2684.76

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-24 21:28 EDT-0400

[brob]

An i7 4790k has the same number of cores as an i5 4690k. The only difference is hyper threading, which will not provide the same benefit as more cores, but can increase efficiency in some workloads. ...

 

There is also a 500MHz base clock difference. That makes a significant difference.