$1000 build, suggestions?

[Langdon]

A buddy of mine wants me to help her build a gaming desktop. Here's what I've picked out so far

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($309.66 @ DirectCanada) 

Motherboard: MSI H97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($128.78 @ Memory Express) 

Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($63.82 @ NCIX) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($67.18 @ Canada Computers) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($470.38 @ Memory Express) 

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($76.57 @ Newegg Canada) 

Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($89.57 @ DirectCanada) 

Total: $1205.96

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-07 16:56 EDT-0400

 

Was wondering if you guys have any suggestions to improve it or make it cheaper as I've been out of the game for a while.

We're not gonna overclock it or anything since she's not comfortable with that. Of course, I'm going to overclock her GPU without her permission.

 

edit: Notes to add: Cheaper is better, the price in the list above includes a 12% tax, and aesthetics don't matter. Also in Canada.

[don_svetlio]

i5 4460

EVGA G2 or GS

R9 390

Get an SSD

WOW - get a cheaper mobo - something for 80 bucks max.

EDIT: Noticed it's canada

[don_svetlio]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($226.75 @ shopRBC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($94.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($399.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($69.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.98 @ NCIX)
Total: $1008.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-07 17:06 EDT-0400

EDIT: 390 was 40$ more so I assumed you preferred the cheaper option and I left the 970.
 

[don_svetlio]

390 version - slightly faster GPU (about 5%) but a lot more VRAM

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($226.75 @ shopRBC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($94.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB PCS+ Video Card  ($421.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($69.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.98 @ NCIX)
Total: $1030.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-07 17:09 EDT-0400

[kameshss]

390 version - slightly faster GPU (about 5%) but a lot more VRAM

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($226.75 @ shopRBC)

Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($94.75 @ Vuugo)

Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ NCIX)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB PCS+ Video Card  ($421.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($69.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.98 @ NCIX)

Total: $1030.42

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-07 17:09 EDT-0400

This one looks good! ^^^^

[Langdon]

390 version - slightly faster GPU (about 5%) but a lot more VRAM

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($226.75 @ shopRBC)

Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($94.75 @ Vuugo)

Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ NCIX)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB PCS+ Video Card  ($421.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($69.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.98 @ NCIX)

Total: $1030.42

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-07 17:09 EDT-0400

 

Thanks for your suggestions! I'll adjust accordingly.

[don_svetlio]

Thanks for your suggestions! I'll adjust accordingly.

Alright man - happy I could help. Also - I think you might want to check this.

[Serpius]

 

A buddy of mine wants me to help her build a gaming desktop. Here's what I've picked out so far

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($309.66 @ DirectCanada) 

Motherboard: MSI H97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($128.78 @ Memory Express) 

Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($63.82 @ NCIX) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($67.18 @ Canada Computers) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($470.38 @ Memory Express) 

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($76.57 @ Newegg Canada) 

Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($89.57 @ DirectCanada) 

Total: $1205.96

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-07 16:56 EDT-0400

 

Was wondering if you guys have any suggestions to improve it or make it cheaper as I've been out of the game for a while.

We're not gonna overclock it or anything since she's not comfortable with that. Of course, I'm going to overclock her GPU without her permission.

 

edit: Notes to add: Cheaper is better, the price in the list above includes a 12% tax, and aesthetics don't matter. Also in Canada.

 

 

Langdon,

 

Here's my recommended computer build with better computer components.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($269.95 @ Vuugo) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($34.99 @ DirectCanada) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($129.49 @ DirectCanada) 

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($103.59 @ Amazon Canada) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Canada Computers) 

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 4GB Dual-X Video Card  ($244.50 @ Vuugo) 

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($69.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ Newegg Canada) 

Total: $997.48

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-07 17:40 EDT-0400

[Langdon]

 

 

Langdon,

 

Here's my recommended computer build with better computer components.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($269.95 @ Vuugo) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($34.99 @ DirectCanada) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($129.49 @ DirectCanada) 

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($103.59 @ Amazon Canada) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Canada Computers) 

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 4GB Dual-X Video Card  ($244.50 @ Vuugo) 

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($69.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ Newegg Canada) 

Total: $997.48

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-07 17:40 EDT-0400

 

 

Hmm I'd rather not downgrade to a 270x. Thank you for the suggestions though.

[Serpius]

Hmm I'd rather not downgrade to a 270x. Thank you for the suggestions though.

 

Ok, good luck keeping your computer build under $1,000 CAD.

[don_svetlio]

 

 

Langdon,

 

Here's my recommended computer build with better computer components.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($269.95 @ Vuugo) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($34.99 @ DirectCanada) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($129.49 @ DirectCanada) 

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($103.59 @ Amazon Canada) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Canada Computers) 

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 4GB Dual-X Video Card  ($244.50 @ Vuugo) 

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($69.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ Newegg Canada) 

Total: $997.48

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-07 17:40 EDT-0400

 

That's a pretty significant downgrade. The Z-board is pointless for a locked chip, the 16 GB of memory is pointless since even 4GB are enough for 1080p.

I already gave him a build with a 970 and one with a 390 - both @ 1k CAD

[Serpius]

That's a pretty significant downgrade. The Z-board is pointless for a locked chip, the 16 GB of memory is pointless since even 4GB are enough for 1080p.

I already gave him a build with a 970 and one with a 390 - both @ 1k CAD

 

4 GB of system RAM on a $1,000 computer build?

 

Ok... if that's what you want... go for it!

 

An Intel Z97 chipset based motherboard is not useless for either locked or unlocked processors.

When I do a computer build, I am always thinking of the possible upgrades in the future that the user might do. The Z97 chipset based motherboards give the user many options for upgrades.

 

Sure, you are able to do 2 computer builds with those super expensive high end graphics cards by sacrificing other computer components that ends up compromising the overall performance of the computer system. If that's what you want to do, no one is stopping you.

[don_svetlio]

4 GB of system RAM on a $1,000 computer build?

 

Ok... if that's what you want... go for it!

 

An Intel Z97 chipset based motherboard is not useless for either locked or unlocked processors.

When I do a computer build, I am always thinking of the possible upgrades in the future that the user might do. The Z97 chipset based motherboards give the user many options for upgrades.

 

Sure, you are able to do 2 computer builds with those super expensive high end graphics cards by sacrificing other computer components that ends up compromising the overall performance of the computer system. If that's what you want to do, no one is stopping you.

First of all - I suggested 8GB of System RAM

Second - Z97 is pointless unless you want to OC - which is not necessary by any means of the imagination. And in your case, it's even more pointless? Will he discard the 4690 and get a 4690K - essentially buying the same chip twice so that he can play with the clocks? Pointless. A 4790k? What for? Won't be a difference in game performance - it's the exact same chip as the 4690 but with some things disabled.

Third - I'm not sacrificing anything.

[Serpius]

First of all - I suggested 8GB of System RAM

Second - Z97 is pointless unless you want to OC - which is not necessary by any means of the imagination. And in your case, it's even more pointless? Will he discard the 4690 and get a 4690K - essentially buying the same chip twice so that he can play with the clocks? Pointless. A 4790k? What for? Won't be a difference in game performance - it's the exact same chip as the 4690 but with some things disabled.

Third - I'm not sacrificing anything.

 

Let's see... 

 

Both of your computer builds are using the i5-4460. Where does it say anything about an i5-4690?? I don't see it in either of your builds.

 

In my computer build, I purposely selected the locked i5-4690 for budget reasons. I wanted to avoid going over $1,000.

If Langdon was flexible enough to go over the $1,000 budget, then I would have included the unlocked i5-4690k in the computer build.

 

16 GB of system RAM is becoming the norm these days due to many programs demanding more and more of the system RAM. 16 GB of RAM will minimize the system lags. If you only had 8 GB of RAM, you will get more system lags.

[don_svetlio]

Let's see... 

 

Both of your computer builds are using the i5-4460. Where does it say anything about an i5-4690?? I don't see it in either of your builds.

 

In my computer build, I purposely selected the locked i5-4690 for budget reasons. I wanted to avoid going over $1,000.

If Langdon was flexible enough to go over the $1,000 budget, then I would have included the unlocked i5-4690k in the computer build.

 

16 GB of system RAM is becoming the norm these days due to many programs demanding more and more of the system RAM. 16 GB of RAM will minimize the system lags. If you only had 8 GB of RAM, you will get more system lags.

Wait what? Seriously? I tested with 4GB and nothing changed, I never even go past 60% usage on my rig. Where did you read that about the 16GB of memory? I really would like a source. Cause I can link you some articles on the subject depicting the exact opposite.

4690 makes no sense over the 4460 considering you are paying a premium for a 300 MHz OC which would yield minimal benefits. For i5 - 4460 or 4690K. Nothing else.

[Serpius]

Wait what? Seriously? I tested with 4GB and nothing changed, I never even go past 60% usage on my rig. Where did you read that about the 16GB of memory? I really would like a source. Cause I can link you some articles on the subject depicting the exact opposite.

4690 makes no sense over the 4460 considering you are paying a premium for a 300 MHz OC which would yield minimal benefits. For i5 - 4460 or 4690K. Nothing else.

 

Don,

 

For the RAM issue....

 

https://youtu.be/eJtrQ5CcCN0

 

View, listen and weep.

 

B.T.W., I still stand by my choice for the processor. Get over it.

[don_svetlio]

Don,

 

For the RAM issue....

 

https://youtu.be/eJtrQ5CcCN0

 

View, listen and weep.

 

B.T.W., I still stand by my choice for the processor. Get over it.

[don_svetlio]

[don_svetlio]