$1,300 Gaming and Streaming Build

[GiovanniDi]

I am building a $1,300 PC for gaming and streaming (I put in a monitor, so it is $1,500). I would like to know if there is anything I can do to improve it, or if it is good. I am going to be buying the parts within the next week or so.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DhnJHx

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($316.99 @ SuperBiiz)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.89 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.00 @ B&H)

Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: XFX TS 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ NCIX US)

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.49 @ OutletPC)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.98 @ OutletPC)

Total: $1354.29

 

[Phil923]

Looks good to me.

 

[sadams04]

MB - Changed to the ASUS Z97-E. Cheaper, still supports SLI, and is a good board as well.
MEM - The RipJaws modules have tall heat spreaders that will force you to move the fan up on the Hyper 212 EVO CPU cooler. While that is fine and all, just get modules without tall heat spreaders. The ones below have the same specs.
HD - No need for a performance drive when you have an SSD in the mix.
GPU - The ASUS has a more rigid backbone.
CASE - Great case, but changed to the R4 just for cost reasons.
MONITOR - Changed to a 2k display (2560x1440), but this put costs back up to be over $1500... Change this back to get back to your original budget.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($316.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-E ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.00 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($323.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($92.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX TS 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.49 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.69 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Acer K272HULbmiidp 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($304.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1558.48

 

[Phil923]

I am assuming OP wants a red color scheme and the Gaming 5 fits that well.

Only thing I would really agree with is changing the ram to a low profile one. Kingston Fury or GSkill Ares is good.

the R5 is better enough to justify a $10 premium over the R4 in my opinion.

I haven't seen any problem with the MSI 970s Rigidity, but the Strix is a good choice including the backplate, I like the aesthetic design of the Twin Frozr better though.

 

[timeconsumer]

I would spend less on the CPU for an i5-4690k and more on the monitor in order to get a 144Hz or a big 1440p. But either way it's a nice build. And a 550w XFX PSU is enough for that machine, unless you plan on doing SLI later on.

 

[GiovanniDi]

I would spend less on the CPU for an i5-4690k and more on the monitor in order to get a 144Hz or a big 1440p. But either way it's a nice build. And a 550w XFX PSU is enough for that machine, unless you plan on doing SLI later on.

I'll stick with the i7 and upgrade the monitor later

 

[GiovanniDi]

I am assuming OP wants a red color scheme and the Gaming 5 fits that well.

Only thing I would really agree with is changing the ram to a low profile one. Kingston Fury or GSkill Ares is good.

the R5 is better enough to justify a $10 premium over the R4 in my opinion.

I haven't seen any problem with the MSI 970s Rigidity, but the Strix is a good choice including the backplate, I like the aesthetic design of the Twin Frozr better though.

Is the ram that big of a deal? Would it cause issues that are difficult to deal with?

 

[Phil923]

I am assuming OP wants a red color scheme and the Gaming 5 fits that well.

Only thing I would really agree with is changing the ram to a low profile one. Kingston Fury or GSkill Ares is good.

the R5 is better enough to justify a $10 premium over the R4 in my opinion.

I haven't seen any problem with the MSI 970s Rigidity, but the Strix is a good choice including the backplate, I like the aesthetic design of the Twin Frozr better though.

Is the ram that big of a deal? Would it cause issues that are difficult to deal with?

Like sadams04 said, the ram you currently have listed may have issues with clearance with the 212 evo causing you to have to move the fan up a bit for it to fit. Won't really change much, but it's simply for better clearance.

 

[GiovanniDi]

I am assuming OP wants a red color scheme and the Gaming 5 fits that well.

Only thing I would really agree with is changing the ram to a low profile one. Kingston Fury or GSkill Ares is good.

the R5 is better enough to justify a $10 premium over the R4 in my opinion.

I haven't seen any problem with the MSI 970s Rigidity, but the Strix is a good choice including the backplate, I like the aesthetic design of the Twin Frozr better though.

Is the ram that big of a deal? Would it cause issues that are difficult to deal with?

Like sadams04 said, the ram you currently have listed may have issues with clearance with the 212 evo causing you to have to move the fan up a bit for it to fit. Won't really change much, but it's simply for better clearance.

Is that a big enough issue to consider changing it for? Because I really like the way the ripjaws look. And they fit the theme of my computer.

 

[sadams04]

Is that a big enough issue to consider changing it for? Because I really like the way the ripjaws look. And they fit the theme of my computer.

It would be best to change them, but just move the fan up on the 212 EVO about a half inch (or more) and you will be fine. The fan moving up on the heat sync isn't going to change the cooling efficiency enough to make much of a difference.

 

[GiovanniDi]

Is that a big enough issue to consider changing it for? Because I really like the way the ripjaws look. And they fit the theme of my computer.

It would be best to change them, but just move the fan up on the 212 EVO about a half inch (or more) and you will be fine. The fan moving up on the heat sync isn't going to change the cooling efficiency enough to make much of a difference.

Accidentally Selected as best answer.

Do you have any suggestions for other good 4x2 Red themed Ram's?

 

[sadams04]

Do you have any suggestions for other good 4x2 Red themed Ram's?

Note the filters on the left side...

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/memory/#m=12,17,28&s=301600,301866&C=19,56,57,58,59,60,61&sort=a10&page=1&V=1200,1500&Z=8192002&L=30,90

EDIT: Sorry... that includes ones with tall heat spreaders. For red modules, look toward the Mushkin Redline lineup.

 

[GiovanniDi]

Do you have any suggestions for other good 4x2 Red themed Ram's?

Note the filters on the left side...

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/memory/#m=12,17,28&s=301600,301866&C=19,56,57,58,59,60,61&sort=a10&page=1&V=1200,1500&Z=8192002&L=30,90

What do these mean?

DDR3-1600
DDR3-1866

And why wouldn't I want a higher number?
I'm guessing its for price purposes.

 

[sadams04]

You can't look at the speed without also looking at its respective latency. "Standard" modules scale as... DDR3-1600 CL9 => DDR3-1866 CL10 => DDR3-2100 CL11 => etc... notice how the latency goes up with the frequency (speed). These examples perform very very close to the same. Only by reducing the latency do you see performance gains. It is also work noting that above DDR3-1866 typically means voltage higher than 1.5v. On the Intel platform, while gaming, faster modules don't see FPS gains. Look toward DDR3-1600 CL9 or lower, or DDR3-1866 CL10 or lower. ..both at 1.5v. If you want performance modules then lower the latency. The Mushkin DDR3-1866 modules in that link are performance oriented being CL9. Change that filter on the left to include CL10 to see "standard" DDR3-1866 modules..

 

[GiovanniDi]

You can't look at the speed without also looking at its respective latency. "Standard" modules scale as... DDR3-1600 CL9 => DDR3-1866 CL10 => DDR3-2100 CL11 => etc... notice how the latency goes up with the frequency (speed). These examples perform very very close to the same. Only by reducing the latency do you see performance gains. It is also work noting that above DDR3-1866 typically means voltage higher than 1.5v. On the Intel platform, while gaming, faster modules don't see FPS gains. Look toward DDR3-1600 CL9 or lower, or DDR3-1866 CL10 or lower. ..both at 1.5v. If you want performance modules then lower the latency. The Mushkin DDR3-1866 modules in that link are performance oriented being CL9. Change that filter on the left to include CL10 to see "standard" DDR3-1866 modules..

What are your thoughts on these?

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-memory-hx318c10frk28
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f31600c9d8gao

 

[sadams04]

Those would both be fine. I would opt for the GSkill modules simply because I like them and have had nothing but good luck. They are orange though and you were after red. If you want to stick with the red theme, roll with the Kingston modules.

 

[GiovanniDi]

Those would both be fine. I would opt for the GSkill modules simply because I like them and have had nothing but good luck. They are orange though and you were after red. If you want to stick with the red theme, roll with the Kingston modules.

Thank you for all of the help. I actually think I'll go for the g.skill ones. They have red on them, so that'll be fine.

This is the final build.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zWDp4

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Micro Center)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.89 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($58.98 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.00 @ B&H)

Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.25 @ Newegg)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: XFX TS 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ NCIX US)

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.49 @ OutletPC)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.98 @ OutletPC)

Monitor: BenQ RL2455HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($199.00 @ Amazon)

Total: $1558.54

 

[Yusuf Il]

I will go with the sumsung 850 evo or pro over the crucial -mx100
http://ssd.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Samsung-850-Evo-120GB-vs-Crucial-MX100-128GB/m20032vs2618

 

[GiovanniDi]

I will go with the sumsung 850 evo or pro over the crucial -mx100
http://ssd.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Samsung-850-Evo-120GB-vs-Crucial-MX100-128GB/m20032vs2618

What is the difference?

 

[Yusuf Il]

according to this
http://ssd.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Samsung-850-Evo-120GB-vs-Crucial-MX100-128GB/m20032vs2618

the sumsung 850 evo is much faster than the crucial mx100

 

[Phil923]

I agree with switching to the 850 evo as well if you can, faster, newer, better software, and more reliable.

But a slight price premium.

 

[GiovanniDi]

I agree with switching to the 850 evo as well if you can, faster, newer, better software, and more reliable.

But a slight price premium.

Ok, I will be changing that then
But I can't seem to find it on pcpartpicker

 

[Yusuf Il]

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz75e120bam

 

[Phil923]

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz75e120bam

You could also consider the 250gb version if you have a certain game or app that you want to load more quickly