Best Gaming Build for 2014-2015 .: Price Cap:$3,000

[MrMillz]

I'm looking to build a new Gaming PC and only have $3,000 in my pocket to do so. I'll be using it mainly only for gaming and want to play the newest one's without lagging out.

Anyone have any builds in mind? I play graphic and memory heavy games, I was also thinking of getting an external hard-drive to save all my games off of so it won't bog the system down. Anyone have any idea's?

Many Thanks

 

[frag06]

What resolution do you use?

1080p:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Swiftech H240-X 90.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($169.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1486.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-09 16:01 EST-0500

1440p:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Swiftech H240-X 90.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($169.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($185.56 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($134.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1947.44
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-09 15:07 EST-0500

The i7 isn't need for gaming, an i5 will give you the same performance. I added one though, since there is good deal right now.

The 850W PSU isn't needed for a non-SLI setup, but it is currently the same price as the 750W G2.

The H240X isn't needed unless you plan on overclocking. If you aren't overclocking, a 212 EVO would do good.

 

[bsod1]

What resolution do you use?

1080p:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1316.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-09 15:09 EST-0500

1440p:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Swiftech H240-X 90.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($169.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($185.56 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($134.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1947.44
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-09 15:07 EST-0500

The i7 isn't need for gaming, an i5 will give you the same performance. I added one though, since there is good deal right now.

The 850W PSU isn't needed for a non-SLI setup, but it is currently the same price as the 750W G2.

Great builds, why didn't you add a cooler to the first setup?

 

[frag06]

Oops, my bad. I'll throw one in there.