Building a gaming PC

[packerplass]

Approximate Purchase Date: sooner the better but can wait

Budget Range:1000-1500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming,streaming,youtube/twitch, surfing the web

Are you buying a monitor: No

Working on building a gaming PC, have some parts already and was wondering what you guys would recommend for the rest.

Thermaltake Toughpower TPD-0750M - SLI/ CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Gold Certification and Semi Modular Cables Black Active PFC Power Supply Intel Haswell Ready (PS-TPD-0750MPCGUS-1)

128 GB 2.5 SATA 6 GB/s Solid State Drive by Sandisk

3TB 7200 RPM 64 MB 6GB/s 3.5 Hard Drive

EVGA Geforce GTX 970

I was also wanting to purchase a intel i7-4790K Processor but haven't purchased quiet yet (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117369)

So as far as I know the remaining parts I will need will be:
Case
Motherboard
Processor
Graphics Card
RAM
Wireless Card

If I'm missing anything from this post I do apologize and will update as quick as you point it out. Thanks in advance!

 

[Cooper0408]

Here's what I would recommend for that budget http://pcpartpicker.com/p/fxH8kL Hope this helps, if you have any questions why I choose a part, just let me know!

 

[packerplass]

Here's what I would recommend for that budget http://pcpartpicker.com/p/fxH8kL Hope this helps, if you have any questions why I choose a part, just let me know!

So you would go with a six core processor over the four core processor? I also have a friend telling me that I should get ripjaws for my RAM, are these actually good or just a silly namebrand? Also what is behind the choice of 2666 ram?

 

[qwerty987123]

anything more than this really is wasted money if you like i could make you a more powerful build but the performance increase would be minimal except upgrading to a 980 or 970 sli

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

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($303.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1027.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-07 18:23 EDT-0400

 

[gerr]

Try this...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($125.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($319.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master N400 ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series SP120 High Performance Edition 62.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $851.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-07 18:24 EDT-0400

And if you have the budget and your monitor can take it, you can always get a 2nd 970 for SLI as your PSU can handle it. But if your monitor is only 1080p@60hz, no need.

 

[qwerty987123]

In terms of gaming the above build would perform equally well to mine above, I just added an i7 and 16gb of ram for the streaming.

 

[Cooper0408]

Here's what I would recommend for that budget http://pcpartpicker.com/p/fxH8kL Hope this helps, if you have any questions why I choose a part, just let me know!

So you would go with a six core processor over the four core processor? I also have a friend telling me that I should get ripjaws for my RAM, are these actually good or just a silly namebrand? Also what is behind the choice of 2666 ram?

I would go for the 6-core it will help in the future (when games use more than 4) and will help with multitasking.
The brand of RAM doesn't really matter, just go with whatever is cheap and looks good, also the speed of ddr4 is usually above 2,333, so that speed is like 1,600 speed ram.

 

[tiny voices]

Don't buy the 6 core. It is pointless and actually WORSE performing in games than the normal 4790k. There will be ZERO difference in multitasking as well.

It will not be any more futureproof. It simply won't be.

DDR4 offers nothing for gaming and normal DDR3 actually performs better again.

The x99 platform is for workstations, not gaming PCs.

 

[Cooper0408]

Don't buy the 6 core. It is pointless and actually WORSE performing in games than the normal 4790k. There will be ZERO difference in multitasking as well.

It will not be any more futureproof. It simply won't be.

DDR4 offers nothing for gaming and normal DDR3 actually performs better again.

The x99 platform is for workstations, not gaming PCs.

It won't preform worse than a i7 4790k it will preform better, (some games will preform the same as a 4 core) as for future proofing if he gets a i7 4790k it won't be future proofed either, due to skylake is coming out soon. Your right about the DDR4 ram it won't give you much of a performance boost, (or any) also X99 is for both gaming and workstation PCs.

 

[packerplass]

Would it be better to buy 4 4gb sticks of ram or 2 8gb sticks, I personally lean towards the 4 4gb sticks but is there any science to this or is it just preference?

 

[gerr]

Would it be better to buy 4 4gb sticks of ram or 2 8gb sticks, I personally lean towards the 4 4gb sticks but is there any science to this or is it just preference?

Since most modern motherboards max out at 32GB, go 2x8GB incase you ever want to upgrade to 32.

 

[gerr]

In terms of gaming the above build would perform equally well to mine above, I just added an i7 and 16gb of ram for the streaming.

For gaming, next to no difference between the i5 & i7 as well as 8GB vs 16GB. While I am not a streaming expert, I doubt they would have a big impact on that either. Just a waste of $$$ IMO, but if the OP has it to spend, go for it.

 

[gerr]

Don't buy the 6 core. It is pointless and actually WORSE performing in games than the normal 4790k. There will be ZERO difference in multitasking as well.

It will not be any more futureproof. It simply won't be.

DDR4 offers nothing for gaming and normal DDR3 actually performs better again.

The x99 platform is for workstations, not gaming PCs.

It won't preform worse than a i7 4790k it will preform better, (some games will preform the same as a 4 core) as for future proofing if he gets a i7 4790k it won't be future proofed either, due to skylake is coming out soon. Your right about the DDR4 ram it won't give you much of a performance boost, (or any) also X99 is for both gaming and workstation PCs.

By going the socket 1150/Z97 route, the OP would save enough money to get a 2nd 970 for SLI or upgrade something else.

Everyone always says "future proof", but you pay a price premium when you do. I just suggest getting the best parts you can for your specific need(s) and if you have to upgrade in 2-3 years, so be it.

 

[tiny voices]

Nope, the 5820k is NOT better. http://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/luke-hill/intel-core-i7-5820k-haswell-e-6-core-cpu-review/7/

The 4790k is 1000% the correct answer here. Unless you are doing heavy computational work, the x99 platform is pointless.

 

[tiny voices]

Would it be better to buy 4 4gb sticks of ram or 2 8gb sticks, I personally lean towards the 4 4gb sticks but is there any science to this or is it just preference?

Since most modern motherboards max out at 32GB, go 2x8GB incase you ever want to upgrade to 32.

OP will never require more than 16gb, and even that that is more than he will every use just gaming/streaming. Forget 32gb.

 

[gerr]

Would it be better to buy 4 4gb sticks of ram or 2 8gb sticks, I personally lean towards the 4 4gb sticks but is there any science to this or is it just preference?

Since most modern motherboards max out at 32GB, go 2x8GB incase you ever want to upgrade to 32.

OP will never require more than 16gb, and even that that is more than he will every use just gaming/streaming. Forget 32gb.

Many modern CPU coolers block some of the memory slots, so just needing 2 is better IMO. Plus 2x8 is around the same price as 4x4.

 

[tiny voices]

I agree. 2x8 is the way to go with a z97 board for sure.

 

[packerplass]

alrighty 2x8 it is, honestly I'm looking at the one qwerty posted and it looks very close to what i want, still want to look at cases a bit more. Any arguments against his configuration?

 

[tiny voices]

Nope, his build looks great!

 

[packerplass]

Thanks for all the help guys, I have one last question. What decides what speed I should get my Ram(not sure if im saying that right but the 1600, 2000, 1866)

 

[tiny voices]

1866 is the sweet spot for price/performance,but honestly there is no difference.

 

[qwerty987123]

For ram the main deciding factor is price as long as its from a reputable brand and 1600 or more. Obviously higher speed is better however if it costs more there's no point.