Need some help with build

[s_nemessys]

Hello LinusTechTips community!

I'm new on this forum, been watching the youtube channels for a long time now and it is time to build a decent pc now

 

1. Budget & Location
Around $485 and I live in Romania.

2. Aim
Mostly gaming, I wont need a PC to run the next generation games on ULTRA but I'd like to play some new ones on decent graphics, let's say for example GTA V or some other similar requirement games...

3. Monitors
I currently have a HP W2445l 1920x1200 and a Eizo FlexScan S1921 1280x1024(I believe it's the right res..), probably will change the Eizo in the next year with another HP since I got it and I can get it withing a decent price.
4. Peripherals
No, I've got the peripherals and I'll use my Windows 7 Ultimate...

5. Why are you upgrading?
My previous PC broke and it wasn't nearly as good as I wanted

 

Here are the components I've chosen:

Case: Zalman Z3 Plus - I like the design, nice airflow possibility, comes with 4 fans, dust filters, integrated fan controller (for 2 fans).

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-H97-HD3 - Since I will be able to afford a GPU within the next 2-3 months, I'll use integrated video beacuse it has the connectors I need, this MOBO also has the gigabit LAN that I need, 7.1 Audio integrated, SATA III, USB 3.0 etc.

CPU: Core i5 4460 3.2GHz - This is the best I can afford here, I'd say it's perfect for what I need.

RAM: ADATA XPG V2.0 8GB DDR3 1600MHz CL9 Dual Channel Kit Gold - I've picked those since they match  the MOBO's color theme, they have CL9 and 9-9-9-24 timings which I'd say it's ok.

PSU: I originally went for some Corsair NEW VS Series VS450, after which I found out that those PSU's have incompatibility issues with the CPU's sleep state when it's not fully used. Here I needs help into picking something.

 

I welcome all sugestions or changes in my build, also about the MOBO, I'm not sure if I should go for H97 or B85? In the near future I'd like to purchase a GTX 960 to add up to this build's performance.

 

Thanks in advance,

Sergiu

[AlTech]

Get 16GB RAM! You really need it with Windows + newer games.

[Hunched]

Get 16GB RAM! You really need it with Windows + newer games.

No, you don't.

Source: I have Windows and new games

[AlTech]

No, you don't.

Source: I have Windows and new games

Really? GTA + Windows + Steam + Chrome = 16GB required 

Ubisoft's games also kinda require loads of RAM. 

 

MY laptop has 8GB and I never game on it. It uses 4-6GB with windows, chrome and some other open programs.

I love have 16Gb because i have freedom to open any app instantly without worrying about ram.

 

Also Minecraft performance is a thing. Throw more RAM at it and it runs faster!

[RyanMacRocks]

Really? GTA + Windows + Steam + Chrome = 16GB required 

Ubisoft's games also kinda require loads of RAM. 

 

MY laptop has 8GB and I never game on it. It uses 4-6GB with windows, chrome and some other open programs.

I love have 16Gb because i have freedom to open any app instantly without worrying about ram.

 

Also Minecraft performance is a thing. Throw more RAM at it and it runs faster!

I have 8 GB of RAM and almost never use more than 6 GB of it, even while playing GTA V and with 10 tabs of Chrome in the background on Windows 10.

[Hunched]

MY laptop has 8GB and I never game on it. It uses 4-6GB with windows, chrome and some other open programs.

I'm sorry you have a shit ton of bloatware and performance hogging programs.

I have 5 chrome tabs open right now and not even a third of my 8gb is being used.

Also have MalwareBytes, SpeedFan, EVGA Precision X, Windows Defender, and more running too.

[AlTech]

I'm sorry you have a shit ton of bloatware and performance hogging programs.

I have 5 chrome tabs open right now and not even a third of my 8gb is being used.

Also have MalwareBytes, SpeedFan, EVGA Precision X, Windows Defender, and more running too.

Well I'm running Windows 10 instead of 7.  And I have no malware on my system. I download very little onto my laptop or desktop.

[Hunched]

Well I'm running Windows 10 instead of 7.  And I have no malware on my system. I download very little onto my laptop or desktop.

I'm also running Windows 10..

[RyanMacRocks]

With that kind of budget I might recommend building a PC with used parts (and some new, like PSU, HDD). You would get a lot more price to performance, although I have no idea what the used PC market is like in Romania. I am currently building a $400-$500 PC for my friend with these specs:

 

Note all prices could change at any time:

i5 2500k - $150 eBay

Intel Z68 Motherboard - $60 eBay

7950 - $130 eBay

4 GB RAM - $22 Amazon

EVGA 500W PSU - $40 Amazon

WD Blue 1 TB - $50 Amazon

212 EVO Cooler - $28 Amazon

Rosewill ATX Case - $45 Amazon

[AlTech]

With that kind of budget I might recommend building a PC with used parts (and some new, like PSU, HDD). You would get a lot more price to performance, although I have no idea what the used PC market is like in Romania. I am currently building a $400-$500 PC for my friend with these specs:

 

Note all prices could change at any time:

i5 2500k - $150 eBay

Intel Z68 Motherboard - $60 eBay

7950 - $130 eBay

4 GB RAM - $22 Amazon

EVGA 500W PSU - $40 Amazon

WD Blue 1 TB - $50 Amazon

212 EVO Cooler - $28 Amazon

Rosewill ATX Case - $45 Amazon

OMFG. 4GB RAM? WTF is this? Also Sandybridge? ew! 7950? Um ok?

[s_nemessys]

With that kind of budget I might recommend building a PC with used parts (and some new, like PSU, HDD). You would get a lot more price to performance, although I have no idea what the used PC market is like in Romania. I am currently building a $400-$500 PC for my friend with these specs:

 

Note all prices could change at any time:

i5 2500k - $150 eBay

Intel Z68 Motherboard - $60 eBay

7950 - $130 eBay

4 GB RAM - $22 Amazon

EVGA 500W PSU - $40 Amazon

WD Blue 1 TB - $50 Amazon

212 EVO Cooler - $28 Amazon

Rosewill ATX Case - $45 Amazon

Thanks for your response, the thing is I'd like to purchase them new because of the 2-3 years warranty. The used PC market (as in person-to-person) involves too many risks, no warranty or possibly super low warranty times etc. I also work at a IT store and we have furnizors which can bring me some brand PC's such as Dell, Hp, Lenovo etc, but they are not worth it since the CPU is old litography and so on for other parts.

Anyone else wanna help me in pro/con about my build, please?

[AlTech]

Thanks for your response, the thing is I'd like to purchase them new because of the 2-3 years warranty. The used PC market (as in person-to-person) involves too many risks, no warranty or possibly super low warranty times etc. I also work at a IT store and we have furnizors which can bring me some brand PC's such as Dell, Hp, Lenovo etc, but they are not worth it since the CPU is old litography and so on for other parts.

Anyone else wanna help me in pro/con about my build, please?

GPU suggestion - 390/970

Also 16GB RAM does help since GTA V uses 6GB RAM

IDK about B85. It's cheaper but might not have all that you want on it. I would go for it.

 

You'll appreciate the 970 instead of the 960 on GTA V.

I play GTA V with a 770 (performs close a 960) and I'm at high settings with 2xMSAA and the framerate leaves much to be desired.

[s_nemessys]

GPU suggestion - 390/970

Also 16GB RAM does help since GTA V uses 6GB RAM

IDK about B85. It's cheaper but might not have all that you want on it. I would go for it.

 

You'll appreciate the 970 instead of the 960 on GTA V.

I play GTA V with a 770 (performs close a 960) and I'm at high settings with 2xMSAA and the framerate leaves much to be desired.

Thanks Aluminium, you see... if on high with 8GB RAM and 960 the games wont run as smooth as I want, I'd just turn down the settings to medium instead of investing another $150 which I don't have. The allmost $500 I will soon invest in the PC without GPU is a damn lot for me, considering I earn close to $200/month. Now, the price difference between B85 and H97 is around $10 which makes the H97 better for me, not sure why.

Now, the difference between 8GB and CHEAPEST 16GB dual channel kit is $40 here, if I was to drag along the difference between GTX 960 and 970 that would add $150 also. Considering I'd like a SSD + Monitor in the future, I would have to say 8GB and 960 are good enough.

 

Any suggestions about the PSU I should get? Like brand, the necessary protections it should have, OEM etc?

[AlTech]

Thanks Aluminium, you see... if on high with 8GB RAM and 960 the games wont run as smooth as I want, I'd just turn down the settings to medium instead of investing another $150 which I don't have. The allmost $500 I will soon invest in the PC without GPU is a damn lot for me, considering I earn close to $200/month. Now, the price difference between B85 and H97 is around $10 which makes the H97 better for me, not sure why.

Now, the difference between 8GB and CHEAPEST 16GB dual channel kit is $40 here, if I was to drag along the difference between GTX 960 and 970 that would add $150 also. Considering I'd like a SSD + Monitor in the future, I would have to say 8GB and 960 are good enough.

Alright. Would love for you to tell me how it runs and what settings your using once you do get it.

[s_nemessys]

As soon as I decide on a PSU and have the rest of the money I need (gonna take like max 5 days) I'll place the order

The thing is, at first I'll only be able to tell performance-wise on f2p games

[RyanMacRocks]

OMFG. 4GB RAM? WTF is this? Also Sandybridge? ew! 7950? Um ok?

My friend just needs enough RAM to play Gmod and CS:GO for now, which is more than enough, and he will upgrade to 8 or 16 later. Also, I don't understand why you are hating on Sandy Bridge so much. A overclocked 2600k can still beat a 6700k or at least match it in most tasks. And the 7950 is equivalent to a 280 and maybe even a 380 when overclocked. I don't think you understand that OP's budget is only $485 so getting a 390/970 and 16 GB of RAM leaves him with practically no money for the CPU/storage/motherboard etc.

[s_nemessys]

My friend just needs enough RAM to play Gmod and CS:GO for now, which is more than enough, and he will upgrade to 8 or 16 later. Also, I don't understand why you are hating on Sandy Bridge so much. A overclocked 2600k can still beat a 6700k or at least match it in most tasks. And the 7950 is equivalent to a 280 and maybe even a 380 when overclocked. I don't think you understand that OP's budget is only $485 so getting a 390/970 and 16 GB of RAM leaves him with practically no money for the CPU/storage/motherboard etc.

Thank you !

I'm still thinking about that damn PSU, I don't know if I should look for more protections on it or a well known OEM.. Not sure how to pick a proper one