Advice on my First Build for Gaming. Two monitors? Overclocking?

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jojalis

jojalis

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Sep 14, 2012
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My son wants to build a gaming pc and sent me his parts list. Before buying, can anyone advise on the build? His goal is to play internet games while watching videos at the same time and for it to look good. My goal is to make sure he gets what he needs with an eye to the future, and not to waste money. Essentially, 6 months from now, I don't want to hear him tell me he needs a better 'whatever'. Also, I've been reading the forums and 'overclocking' gets mentioned frequently. I don't know if overclocking is a good or bad thing. I would like to become more knowledgeable about this if anyone has a link that would explain.
So here is the link for the build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YFBdGX
His budget is $1800. I admit I have no idea if these components are adequate. What is missing is an optical drive. There are two monitors in his build so he can multitask on different screens. Is that even possible? Can a pc run two tasks like that simultaneously? Would he need two keyboards? There are two memory cards listed, not sure if that's an error or not.
Thank you!
 
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EasyLover
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Made some changes. Now it is future proof having GTX 7880Ti in it. One keyboard is all that he needs. He can use two displays for his requirements. No issue in this regard.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.28 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB DirectCU II Video Card ($599.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 530 ATX Full Tower Case ($85.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1773.14
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-24 08:01 EDT-0400
 
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Some parts are good, and some are not.
1, 8-series boards need a BIOS update before you can use the 4690K, which can effectively be OCed to gain performance.
2, The 2 DIMMs are not an error, but you might want to go with a 8GBx2 kit for dual channel and 16 GB is overkill.
3, Corsair CX PSUs are crap.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GD65 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($69.30 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($209.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Dual Classified ACX Video Card ($408.50 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($87.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: LG 22M35D 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: LG 22M35D 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1492.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-24 08:02 EDT-0400
 
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780 Tis are overkill.
 
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And why are they overkill?
Your GTX 770 isn't as good as the 780 Ti or the 290.
 
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This is for his future proofing. Watch dogs is on list and games like watch dogs in future will be handled by current gen good GPUs like 780/780Ti or 290/290X in AMd. When he has budget and is building for coming times then it would be better to buy really good components at this time.
 
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Would it be better to choose Intel Core i7 instead of i5?
 
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No need, i5 will be plenty. Games use fewer but powerful cores, this is where Intel has advantage. In my humble opinion i5 is enough. If you still want to go for i7, please let me know, I'll post accordingly.
 
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If I went with the i7, would other things have to change? If so, could you tell me what they would need to be? Just so I can compare. Thanks
 
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Yes, to have i7, graphics card has been changed to GTX 780 from GTX 780Ti. Here is the build: -

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.28 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB DirectCU II Video Card ($429.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 530 ATX Full Tower Case ($85.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1717.14
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-24 12:20 EDT-0400

 
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Forgive my ignorance, is there something special I would do or need to overclock it?
 
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No, it's really easy, IMO. There are some mobos with software that auto-OCs for you, like the Asus Z97-A. Or, you could just do it the old-fashioned way and go into the BIOS.
 
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Ok, that's good to know. But easy for you to say to do it the old-fashioned way! Not to stereotype myself, but I'm just the proverbial 'soccer mom' who mainly uses computers for recipes and pinterest. 😉 To suggest I go into BIOS is like telling me to build a spaceship and fly to Jupiter! :pt1cable:
 
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Why are you considering overclocking? Factory locked processors will do the job for sure. if you are not comfortable with overclocking or have little knowledge of it better drop it and stick with non-k series CPU from Intel. You'll also end up saving bucks in doing so.

Overclocking for persons who are not fully aware of it may not be that easy.
 
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I agree. I was not considering overclocking, but it seemed that the general consensus is that the i5 would last just as long if it's overclocked as the i7 (see quote from Legend001523). Clearly I have to do some research on overclocking before attempting this build, I'd like to know exactly what I am dealing with.
 
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You don't need 2 monitors, unless there is serious graphical editing going on or you know for a fact your son will make a living from MLG one day. I'ts a want not a need, some people get that confused. I agree with the list set by easylover, but swap out the 24 for a 27in monitor. the trouble is deciding between TN or IPS panel. watch this link and get your son to choose what he likes best. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWXcNlh85Ps. One thing to remember IPS panels dont do well with games, since rapid image processing slows it down a little, but thats what I have read.
 
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Here is comparison between i5 and i7:
i5 has four cores with one thread per core without hyper threading.
i7 has four cores with two threads per core with hyper threading.

Current gen games tend to use fewer cores so Intel has the best solution in terms of fewer but powerful cores. AMD has more cores but they are not as much stronger in terms of performance as Intel's cores.

Un-clocked i5 will still do the job in a very satisfactory manner. With overclockable i5 you would also need aftermarket or dedicated cpu cooler because stock coolers from Intel won't be able to keep the temps under control.

If you want to avail i7 functionality without paying more price then Xeon E3 is a way to go, though I would only recommend i7/Xeon if you are building the PC graphics rendering/video editing plus gaming. Remember Xeon is basically not a consumer product but rather this product is for server lines particularly Xeon E5 series.

If you think you have the budget and want to remain future proof in any case then consider my this build: -

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-GAMING 3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($103.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.28 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB DirectCU II Video Card ($599.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 530 ATX Full Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1775.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-25 11:12 EDT-0400
 
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