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$1300 Gaming build, need help!

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snowfinder

Registered
Joined
Nov 15, 2014
i got a budget of $1300 and this list total at $1600. i need help where i can save 300 somewhere ... i'm thinking there maybe 1 or few items that may be overpowered.. I currently have a 27" monitor with a hdmi hook up, would like to game at 1080p and at times switch over my 65" TV for streaming. Games that i would play be like battlefield4 at ultra/high. in addition, i will oc cpu and ram. plus a possible SLI in the future for a 2nd 27". that being said... areas for possible downgrades that won't sacrifice performance/quality..

1. motherboard. i can swap out for a asrock extreme4. not sure i'll benefit from 6 on the extra features
2. ram. maybe down them to 1800/2133 and oc them up. 2400 be too much?
3. hhd. switch to 1tb. add more later if needed.

aside from this, would i improve my ps with a EVGA 220-G2-0750-XR and support sli? :bang head
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usa...=220-G2-0750-XR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1269

any additional recommendations is highly encourage in terms of improvements whether reliability or performance. :D

i greatly appreciate your inputs! :thup:



PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/drxjbv
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/drxjbv/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($203.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($101.47 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($368.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1606.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-15 06:26 EST-0500
 
Last edited:
1. Agreed. Cheaper board is fine.
2. DrOp back to 2133 and perhaps 8gb.
3. There too.

Gaming rig you can drop down to the quad too.

750w psu, the evga is a great unit.
 
First and foremost, if you live near a Micro Center you can get the CPU for $ 40.00 less and get another $ 40.00 off the board.

Second I would look at a different board, that board bring nothing to the table as you have to look at the Formula to see any benefit if you like the ROG series.

3rd to save that much you will have to look at budget boards such as the AsRock Extreme 4, while affordable it is a decent board that will take you anywhere you are going using ambient solutions

4th Kill the Tredents, and the 16 GB's and grab 8 GB's of some cheaper ram, Team Xtreme 2400 Mhz can be for less than half

5th Look at the eVGA 750 G2, probably can find it on sale for a few bucks less

6th , look at the Strix 970

7th cheaper case

8th if you still can't get there consider a 4690K
 
Thanks for the inputs Earthdog and Witchdoctor.

Since I'm heading the gaming route, I switched to i5 4690k. I don't photoshop so no reason to get the i7. I don't think this will impact movies/stream quality?

Per you suggestions, downgraded my board and hdd; and upped my ps and swapped for the strix 970.

There not much a saving between gskills and team... so i stayed with gskill.

Got near my budget ... so I think i'm solid now? ::sly:


[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WmpvNG) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WmpvNG/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54690k) | $229.94 @ OutletPC
**CPU Cooler** | [Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-h110) | $99.99 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z97extreme4) | $123.79 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f317000cl9d8gbxm) | $75.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te250bw) | $119.99 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $51.99 @ Directron
**Video Card** | [Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-strixgtx970dc2oc4gd5) | $347.99 @ Directron
**Case** | [Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-cc9011049ww) | $109.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220g20750xr) | $79.99 @ NCIX US
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas) | $16.98 @ OutletPC
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $89.98 @ OutletPC
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1346.62
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-17 19:47 EST-0500 |

Thank you Earthdog and Witchdoctor for the inputs.

made a few adjustments based on your feedbacks.

- ram: didn't change since the prices are within the same range

unfortunately, microcenter closed in north cal... i was sad. :( lol

after rebates, i'm at 1350. i think i'm good to go or there's still improvements?

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WmpvNG) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WmpvNG/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54690k) | $229.94 @ OutletPC
**CPU Cooler** | [Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-h110) | $99.99 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z97extreme4) | $123.79 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f317000cl9d8gbxm) | $75.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te250bw) | $119.99 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $51.99 @ Directron
**Video Card** | [Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-strixgtx970dc2oc4gd5) | $347.99 @ Directron
**Case** | [Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-cc9011049ww) | $109.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220g20750xr) | $79.99 @ NCIX US
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas) | $16.98 @ OutletPC
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $89.98 @ OutletPC
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1346.62
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-17 21:16 EST-0500 |

Thank you Earthdog and Witchdoctor for the inputs.

made a few adjustments based on your feedbacks.

- ram: didn't change since the prices are within the same range

unfortunately, microcenter closed in north cal... i was sad. :( lol

after rebates, i'm at 1350. i think i'm good to go or there's still room for improvements?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WmpvNG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WmpvNG/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.94 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($123.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($75.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.99 @ Directron)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($347.99 @ Directron)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1346.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-17 21:18 EST-0500
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Good suggestions from ED and Witchy I like the build above, really nothing to change to save some money and it will be a really nice build.
 
Good suggestions from ED and Witchy I like the build above, really nothing to change to save some money and it will be a really nice build.

Thanks Mandrake.

Just waiting for Black Friday or Cyber Monday to come so I can execute! boom! :salute:
 
First and foremost, if you live near a Micro Center you can get the CPU for $ 40.00 less and get another $ 40.00 off the board.

Second I would look at a different board, that board bring nothing to the table as you have to look at the Formula to see any benefit if you like the ROG series.

3rd to save that much you will have to look at budget boards such as the AsRock Extreme 4, while affordable it is a decent board that will take you anywhere you are going using ambient solutions

4th Kill the Tredents, and the 16 GB's and grab 8 GB's of some cheaper ram, Team Xtreme 2400 Mhz can be for less than half

5th Look at the eVGA 750 G2, probably can find it on sale for a few bucks less

6th , look at the Strix 970

7th cheaper case

8th if you still can't get there consider a 4690K

Thank you Earthdog and Witchdoctor for the inputs.

made a few adjustments based on your feedbacks.

- ram: didn't change since the prices are within the same range

unfortunately, microcenter closed in north cal... i was sad. lol

after rebates, i'm at 1350. i think i'm good to go or there's still room for improvements?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WmpvNG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WmpvNG/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.94 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($123.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($75.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.99 @ Directron)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($347.99 @ Directron)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1346.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-17 21:18 EST-0500
 
Am I right in guessing this is a gamer rig? If so there is no need for a high end cooler. You will be fine with a hyper 212. No major gains in games beyond that.
 
Am I right in guessing this is a gamer rig? If so there is no need for a high end cooler. You will be fine with a hyper 212. No major gains in games beyond that.

you are correct.

i want to go fan-less and oc @ 4.7. will h80 do the job?
 
probably not for 4.7, but it depends on the chip and how much voltage it takes to get there

you will not know this until you are working on it as chips will vary on voltage requirements to hit said clocks
 
Fanless and overclocking? Nope. The heat still has to get out of the radiator... With no fans at all that won't happen fast enough on such a tiny rad. The loop with get heat soaked sooner than later and over beat the cpu.
 
Instead of fanless, go semi passive. Get semi passive parts. A big air cooler, an overpowered semi passive psu, and set fan curves so things only speed up when the system is hot. Browse and type in silence, but game with some noise.

Look up Tasty PC semi passive PC on youtube for a how-to.
 
Fanless and overclocking? Nope. The heat still has to get out of the radiator... With no fans at all that won't happen fast enough on such a tiny rad. The loop with get heat soaked sooner than later and over beat the cpu.

Correction. I don't mean complete fanless comp. what I meant was AIO rather air cpu cooler. my bad... :(

i plan to have 2-3 fans in the case that will provide good airflow.

Theocnoob had me thinking and after some intensive research, i may go air now... either evo 212 or noctua dh15. i'm lending toward evo. have a few more days to think about this... :bang head
 
Correction. I don't mean complete fanless comp. what I meant was AIO rather air cpu cooler. my bad... :(

i plan to have 2-3 fans in the case that will provide good airflow.

Theocnoob had me thinking and after some intensive research, i may go air now... either evo 212 or noctua dh15. i'm lending toward evo. have a few more days to think about this... :bang head

Don't go nuts dude. Extreme cooling is for extreme enthusiasts. It wins you little in the ways of visible gains. Get a Hyper 212 and be happy. Your games will run the SAME as with a D15. Why spend the money? Come on...
 
Don't go nuts dude. Extreme cooling is for extreme enthusiasts. It wins you little in the ways of visible gains. Get a Hyper 212 and be happy. Your games will run the SAME as with a D15. Why spend the money? Come on...

Right.

i guess i went big first, then trimmed as we go. definitely the feedbacks and inputs helped. thanks all! :thup:

here's my final build.. a mid range gaming with some room for possible expansion. i kept the i7 for other non-gaming apps i may run for work.

i believe the case should accommodate the evo size. :confused:


PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nvc8zy
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nvc8zy/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($314.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($119.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($356.13 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.89 @ Directron)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1310.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-21 04:54 EST-0500
 
yes, the Evo will fit in that case

Nice looking build, when you speak of expansion later if you are looking at a 2nd 970 the power supply will accommodate that however if really pushing the system it could run out of talent.

If it were me I would be looking at 850 watt units if SLI is a future concern

here is a nice one for $ 110.00 bucks after rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...8018&cm_re=evga_850_G2-_-17-438-018-_-Product

If SLI is not in future plans the 750 is rock solid :)
 
The 970 is a 150w card remember. Two of those is 300. Without bios mods they won't pull more than 340w... 750w is plenty to me with overclocking both 970s and the cpu.
 
True Dat, but when pushing big volts on two of them and the CPU it may be very close

Totally agree if the OP is only going to be shooting for moderate clocks
 
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