Project Halcyon | A Gaming PC Build/Upgrade Log

[StayFrostyy]

Hello.

 

Most of you are not familiar with me. My name is Jesse Tustin. I came to PC gaming for the first time. I built a computer I nicknamed "Project Forerunner" in early January of last year in order to take my first dive into the world of PC gaming.

 

To make a long story short, I fell in love with it.

 

This winter, I'm making the decision to permanently switch to PC gaming. I asked for computer parts for Christmas this year, and I'm taking whatever money I receive as a gift and investing it into my PC, my setup, or my games library.

 

The specs of last year's build are as follows;

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill NS Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 250X 1GB Video Card
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply

 

I'll be making some benchmarks of the games I own (which are few) and will be running it through 3DMark and Unigine soon, but I don't think I need to show you the benchmarks for you to know it sucks. So, I'll be upgrading my PC to these specs over the holiday season (note: most of the items I either already own or I am expecting to receive as a gift.

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Corsair H50 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill NS Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 480 4GB NITRO+ 4G Video Card
Case: NZXT S340 (Black/Blue) ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

 

Note that my budget is to be under $350 most likely, so the parts list is subject to change.

 

I'd like to ask for advice in all aspects; Should I pick a better/different graphics card? Or a different case? Or an SSD, should I have the money? Also, I'd like to expand my PC game library, so I'd appreciate any advice as to what games to pick up this holiday season. Also, I would like suggestions for things to make my setup better and cleaner. If you'd like a picture of my current setup, let me know and I'll take some pictures.

 

Thank you for any advice you may give me. The next major build update will be in a few days, where I'll benchmark my current system.

 

Happy holidays and a happy new year to all!

[StayFrostyy]

I feel this may need to be moved to "Build Logs". If someone feels the need to do that, please do so.

[Clanscorpia]

The GPU, and case are amazing. Also Id reccomend you switch to the skylake platform

[StayFrostyy]

Just now, Clanscorpia said:

 Also Id reccomend you switch to the skylake platform

The only reason I opted not to was due to the fact that I'd have to buy new RAM for it; something I don't think I'd be able to afford at this time.

[TubsAlwaysWins]

@W-L wanna move it?

[Jetfighter808]

4460 + 240gb SSD rather than 4690k?

[StayFrostyy]

1 minute ago, Jetfighter808 said:

4460 + 240gb SSD rather than 4690k?

I can't make any changes for the processor, motherboard, or cooler; they've been purchased and I'm getting them as a gift.

[MValuableP]

This'll be interesting to follow. I'd like to see some pictures of your setup

 

Also, SSD is really worth it when it comes to it. Installing windows and maybe a few games on it for faster load times will be really nice. Even just a small 120gb one is worth it in my opinion.

 

Also, depending on what games you play, you might want to look at getting 8 gigs of RAM more? I know it'll probably be quite expensive, but some of the new AAA titles need it to run. It depends on what you're doing with your build, though.

[Clanscorpia]

4 minutes ago, MValuableP said:

This'll be interesting to follow. I'd like to see some pictures of your setup

 

Also, SSD is really worth it when it comes to it. Installing windows and maybe a few games on it for faster load times will be really nice. Even just a small 120gb one is worth it in my opinion.

 

Also, depending on what games you play, you might want to look at getting 8 gigs of RAM more? I know it'll probably be quite expensive, but some of the new AAA titles need it to run. It depends on what you're doing with your build, though.

4690K > 4460 and SSD

 

[Clanscorpia]

4 minutes ago, MValuableP said:

 

Also, SSD is really worth it when it comes to it. Installing windows and maybe a few games on it for faster load times will be really nice. 

Its not nearly as big of a difference as a better CPU 

[MValuableP]

Just now, Clanscorpia said:

4690K > 4460 and SSD

 

That's not what I'm saying. I just told him that SSD is beneficial, IF he could/can afford it

[StayFrostyy]

@MValuableP I'm only looking to game on this computer, and do occasional schoolwork. I'll definitely throw in an SSD if I can afford one.

 

I'll go take some pictures of my setup now.

[MValuableP]

1 minute ago, StayFrostyy said:

@MValuableP I'm only looking to game on this computer, and do occasional schoolwork. I'll definitely throw in an SSD if I can afford one.

 

I'll go take some pictures of my setup now.

If that's the case, you could install Steam onto the SSD if you buy games through Steam

 

I'll look forward to seeing them!

[Clanscorpia]

3 minutes ago, MValuableP said:

That's not what I'm saying. I just told him that SSD is beneficial, IF he could/can afford it

Sorry wrong quote

[MValuableP]

Just now, Clanscorpia said:

Sorry wrong quote

No worries

[StayFrostyy]

@MValuableP Here are the photos; I couldn't get good lighting but I hope I did okay.

 

Spoiler

I'm sorry about the cable management; I know it's really, really bad, but the case didn't allow for much, if any.

 

[MValuableP]

4 minutes ago, StayFrostyy said:

@MValuableP Here are the photos; I couldn't get good lighting but I hope I did okay.

 

  Hide contents

I'm sorry about the cable management; I know it's really, really bad, but the case didn't allow for much, if any.

 

Really cool, nice setup! I can see why you'd want a computer as up-to-date as your other stuff

[StayFrostyy]

2 minutes ago, MValuableP said:

I can see why you'd want a computer as up-to-date as your other stuff

Exactly! That and my desk are the only two things that aren't up to date

[MValuableP]

Yeah you don't seem to have much room for other things

 

A question, how do you plan to get money for your build? Only through Christmas gifts?

[StayFrostyy]

5 minutes ago, MValuableP said:

Yeah you don't seem to have much room for other things

 

A question, how do you plan to get money for your build? Only through Christmas gifts?

I will also be trading in my old Xbox 360 and PS3; that should help, but other than that, I think that's the only way I'll be able to get the money to do this.

[MValuableP]

Alright, hope for the best in you presents

[Jetfighter808]

1 hour ago, Clanscorpia said:

4690K > 4460 and SSD

 

In games...yes. Completely agree, but personally I would trade a couple of FPS for a snappier system any day of the week. 

[StayFrostyy]

@Jetfighter808 @MValuableP @Clanscorpia So I've done some snooping on eBay and I've found several HD 7970s available for roughly $125. For the $85 I save, I can pick up a 240GB SSD from a reputable company. Of course, you lose a good 20-30 frames in demanding titles vs the 480. This doesn't seem like a great option, but I want your opinions on it.

 

Should I have some extra money to spend on a GPU ($260 instead of $210), should I swap the RX 480 out in exchange for a Sapphire R9 Fury I found on Amazon, or pick up a 64GB SSD?

 

Note that in addition to gaming, I want the best overall performance for my money. I'm perfectly fine with turning down a few graphics settings (e.g. very high instead of ultra, anti-aliasing off, etc.) in exchange for an overall faster system (16GB of RAM or an SSD).

 

I really need some advice on this so please help! Thank you.

[Clanscorpia]

34 minutes ago, StayFrostyy said:

@Jetfighter808 @MValuableP @Clanscorpia So I've done some snooping on eBay and I've found several HD 7970s available for roughly $125. For the $85 I save, I can pick up a 240GB SSD from a reputable company. Of course, you lose a good 20-30 frames in demanding titles vs the 480. This doesn't seem like a great option, but I want your opinions on it.

 

Should I have some extra money to spend on a GPU ($260 instead of $210), should I swap the RX 480 out in exchange for a Sapphire R9 Fury I found on Amazon, or pick up a 64GB SSD?

 

Note that in addition to gaming, I want the best overall performance for my money. I'm perfectly fine with turning down a few graphics settings (e.g. very high instead of ultra, anti-aliasing off, etc.) in exchange for an overall faster system (16GB of RAM or an SSD).

 

I really need some advice on this so please help! Thank you.

No, dont switch out the RX 480. It maxes out everything in every game except MSAA but thats past 8x. Its a great card. And Id put the 8GB one instead of the 4GB one. You dont really need an SSD as its an easy and cheap upgrade later

[StayFrostyy]

@Clanscorpia  Would an R9 Fury be the better buy at $260, or would you still go with the 8GB RX 480?