AUD$1600 gaming system

JackAndrew

Reputable
Mar 19, 2014
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Hey y'all,

I was hoping somebody might be able to help me out with putting together some parts for a new gaming system that I've been wanting to build.

I'm hoping to be able to run upcoming titles like Watch Dogs and The Division on as close to the maximum settings as possible.

I won't be needing a monitor or any peripherals so I'm putting my budget around the AUD$1600 mark. I've been playing around with a few different ideas and what I've come up with so far is this:

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Intel CPU Core i5-4670K

http://www.centrecom.com.au/intel-cpu-core-i5-4670k-haswell-6mb-cache-34ghz-up-to-38ghz-lga-1150-bx80646i54670k-quad-core-processor

Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3U Intel Mainboard

http://www.centrecom.com.au/gigabyte-ga-z87x-d3h-intel-mainboard-lga-1150

16GB Crucial DDR3 RAM

http://www.centrecom.com.au/16gb-crucial-ddr3-pc12800-2x8gb-1600mhz-cl11-desktop-memory

Western Digital Green 2TB

http://www.centrecom.com.au/western-digital-wd-green-2tb-wd20ezrx-wd-green-sata-iii-intellipower-64mb

Thermaltake 750W Evo Blue

http://www.centrecom.com.au/thermaltake-750w-evo-blue-20

Pioneer DVR

http://www.centrecom.com.au/pioneer-dvr-221lbk-black-24x-dvdrw-oem-sata-with-cyberlink-dvd-suit-cd

Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX770 4GB Edition

http://www.centrecom.com.au/gigabyte-nvidia-geforce-gtx-770-4gb-edition-n770oc-4gd-windforce-3x-450w

Thermaltake Black Commander MS-II Case

http://www.centrecom.com.au/thermaltake-black-commander-ms-ii
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Overall, the build I've listed above puts me around AUD$1533.

I was hoping somebody might have some suggestions on how I could improve what I've put together so far.

Also - I'm considering overclocking (never done it before) but from what I've been able to research, the i5-4670k is a reasonable choice in that regard.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next month

Budget Range: <AUD$1600

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, internet, movies

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: http://www.centrecom.com.au/

Location: Melbourne, Vic, Australia

Parts Preferences: Would much rather an Intel CPU. Prefer nVidia GPU over ATI though not super important.

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe at some point in the future

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Because I'd like to experience the modding of some of my favourite games (Skyrim, Fallout etc.) that I haven't been able to due to having to get them on console.

Also to play upcoming titles at their best, as opposed to the poorer visuals afforded XB1 + PS4.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Jack. :)
 
Solution
That build looks solid, there's a couple of minor things I would change:

1. You don't need 16GB of RAM for gaming - drop that to 8GB and spend the money elsewhere.

2. With the money saved from RAM, upgrade your power supply. Thermaltake PSUs aren't exactly known for quality. Go for something like the Seasonic G series (works great with Haswell from what people tell me), or a Corsair HX/AX series (avoid the AXi) or anything made by Seasonic or Super Flower (XFX Pro Series, NZXT Hale 82/Hale 90, etc).

3. I might change the case too - go for something like a Fractal Design Define R4 or a Corsair Carbide series, or even a Cooler Master HAF 9XX series - much better cases.
That build looks solid, there's a couple of minor things I would change:

1. You don't need 16GB of RAM for gaming - drop that to 8GB and spend the money elsewhere.

2. With the money saved from RAM, upgrade your power supply. Thermaltake PSUs aren't exactly known for quality. Go for something like the Seasonic G series (works great with Haswell from what people tell me), or a Corsair HX/AX series (avoid the AXi) or anything made by Seasonic or Super Flower (XFX Pro Series, NZXT Hale 82/Hale 90, etc).

3. I might change the case too - go for something like a Fractal Design Define R4 or a Corsair Carbide series, or even a Cooler Master HAF 9XX series - much better cases.
 
Solution
Cheers for such a quick reply. :)

I've had a look and by dropping the RAM back to 8GB, I've put in Corsair AX760 PSU and Cooler Master HAF912 case. That's only added an extra $5 on to the total build price.

Out of curiosity, would a CPU cooler be needed for this build? Noticed them mentioned a lot when I read gaming build guides but wasn't sure.

Also, is there a noticeable difference between the GTX770 I have listed above and a Radeon R9 290X? Can get the Radeon for around $90 more but wasn't sure if it would be worth it.