~$1000 Intel overclocking build

[ZimFreak]

1. Budget & Location
My Initial budget was $1000 USD but it has now ballooned to $1100. I can make room for a little more in the budget if the performance benefit is really worth the cost.

 

2. Aim

Gaming - GTA V, Dark Souls 2, Diablo 3, Project CARS, etc. I also want to be able to run gamecube and PS2 emulators smoothly to play SSX Tricky and Burnout 3 (2 fairly intensive games). 1080p60 is a must of course. I'd like to me able to max all settings on as many games as possible. (I've heard GTA V can be tough for that.) I'm also very interested in VR, but I understand that will take quite a bit more power and I'll probably just upgrade for that in the future. And on that note, will

this build take kindly to upgrades?

 

3. Monitors
I already own one 1080p 60Hz monitor.

4. Peripherals
Nope. I will be getting a racing wheel setup eventually but that's on the backburner.

 

5. Why are you upgrading?
Haven't bought a new comp in about 10 years. It's time. 

 

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.99 @ Microcenter) 

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($89.88 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($100.00 @ Microcenter using CPU+Mobo combo $40 discount) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($63.89 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($110.49 @ Amazon) 

Storage: 750GB HDD being transferred from old comp

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($355.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: UNDECIDED  (~$100.00) 

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($61.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $1082.23

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-27 11:28 EDT-0400

 

I also have no idea what case I want. So recommendations on good mid-full ATX cases are welcome. I prefer red+black or just black. No blue fans please. Also, a side fan mount is a must after reading this: www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/02/10/the-big-cooling-investigation/1

 

Also, this is going to be my first foray into overclocking. I've already been reading dozens for forum posts but is there anything I should know or change about the build to make it more OC friendly?

 

Thanks in advance.

[zappian]

´~

 

No complaints here , the PSU is overkill but you probably want to SLI later dont you?

[improbablepants]

Downsize you PSU about 100w. A would recommend the Phanteks Enthoo Pro, and aside from that, i have no more criticism.

[The_Warbird]

the build is fine, as a case try the h440 from nzxt and if you can, swap out the air cooler for some aio like the ennermax liqech if you want beter temps under load. although the aircooler will do fine to.

[ZimFreak]

the build is fine, as a case try the h440 from nzxt and if you can, swap out the air cooler for some aio like the ennermax liqech if you want beter temps under load. although the aircooler will do fine to.

 

It's funny, the NZXT H440 was actually my first choice. But then I found out it doesn't have an external DVD drive slot and I do need that. Also, about the ennermax, are you familiar with the Noctua? Because even being an air cooler it's still the gold standard among CPU coolers. AIO's tend to be a bit louder too as they have more moving parts. I'm partially basing my preference from this test, where the Noctua D15 blew even the Corsair H100i out of the water.

[WoodenMarker]

It's funny, the NZXT H440 was actually my first choice. But then I found out it doesn't have an external DVD drive slot and I do need that.

What would you need an optical drive for?

The point about the side fan mount isn't always applicable. The reason why it was very effective in the tests were due to the proximity of the fan to the component and fresh air. This may vary depending on the case.