Building first gaming PC, need advice. ($900 cap)

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the Tom's Hardware community: where nearly two million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
S

ScubaDucki

Distinguished
Apr 15, 2014
83
0
18,630
Hi toms hardware members, i am looking for experienced individuals opinions on my build. There is only one computer part shop i know of in QLD, Australia that i have access to which is called Umart. If there are any cheaper alternatives please let me know. I will be linking the components i refer to in my thread. I would just like to mention that I have no intention of overclocking. The games that i intend to play are mainly League of Legends, Simcity 4, MMo's, and Minecraft. I would also like to be able to stream. My main goal is to have these games run completely smooth at the highest settings.

CPU
I have looked around and believe an intel i5-4690 seems to be a good processor. It costs $242 which seems a lot, it has good reviews, however i have been told that it is overkill for what i need. Is this true? Is there a cheaper alternative that will run everything fine?

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=13&bid=4&sid=134428

Motherboard
The 4670 runs in a 1150 socket. I am not overly sure what motherboard to get. However i do not need any overclocking capabilities at all. So i chose the MSI G43 Gaming motherboard, it seems to have high quality components from what i read. Yet again any reccomendations on if it is worth the money, or if i should settle for a cheaper one.

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=376&bid=4&sid=139088

Graphics Card
Overall i have found that the R9 270 and GTX 750/ti seem to be the best cards within my budget. I would like to know if these cards can run the aforementioned games at a smooth fps, i believe 60 is the optimal fps? Is the R9 270 worth the price difference? Below are 3 cards i selected. Please mention if there are any better cards for a similar price.

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10&bid=4&id2=248&sid=141286
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10&bid=4&id2=247&sid=189249
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10&bid=4&id2=247&sid=163878

SSD
For the SSD i have chosen the cheapest with the best reviews/feedback. I got the $88 Samsung 120GB, which is a good price from what i hear. If there are any cheaper for similar performance please let me know.

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=159&bid=2&sid=138029

RAM
I got a dual channel 8GB at 1.5v for $99. Is this a good price range for what i am getting? Is this product good?

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=153&bid=4&sid=106269

OS
Simply windows 8, i have read and pro seems to be non relevant to gaming.

My Case and PSU are already dealt with. Case support Micro-ATX and ATX.

Concluding my thread i would like any informational feedback i can get from anyone experienced in computer parts. If someone could also please confirm whether all of these parts are compatible would be helpful as i'm inexperienced and would like someone experienced's approval. All help is greatly appreciated.

Scubaducki


 
Solution
I
Yes it will handle most current mid level gpus eg up to gtx760. The 8 series gtx are supposed to be lower power consumption.
If you got a Seasonic 620 you could power any gpu eg gtx 780ti.

If you stick with the r9 270x, the seasonic 520 will handle it with ease.
Sort by date Sort by votes
It's definitely worth getting an aftermarket PSU, it'll save you from having an expensive brick. It might not be a fire, but a surge or any variation in voltage can overload a component.

If you think you might add a second 270x later, it might be worth getting a 750w. This psu is about $20 more expensive than the M12II 520W but is more efficient, so you'll get your money back through your power bill eventually. Jonnyguru gives it a pretty good review too.

SilverStone ST75F-P 750W Power Supply, 80Plus Silver AU$139
http://umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=140&bid=4&sid=65955

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=183
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


The seasonic is definitely a better quality PSU, no doubt about it. I was just trying to offer a budget upgrade path.

If he's pushing to get the initial capital to go higher than a 520w PSU now, then chances are things won't be much different if he wants add a second GPU in 12 months, and needing to get a new PSU and GPU just makes the barrier even higher.

I have the Silverstone myself, and i've yet to have any problems, but if i could have afforded a 750w Seasonic when i built my rig i would have gotten one. I did a ton of research on this PSU before buying it myself, which is why I feel comfortable recommending it.

Also he's not exaclty going for a high end build, his CPU isn't even unlocked, so while a tier 1 PSU is always nice, they are really only necessary for serious overclocking.

Update: Sorry if you're a girl ScubaDucki, just add an 's' to the front of all the "he's" if that is the case.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Thanks for the recommendations. firstly yes the processor is locked, I chose this purposely to save money as I have no experience in over clocking. I'm unsure on the psu, both of you male valid points. Considering I could save money in the future for 20 dollars more the Silverstone seems good. I don't feel I will oc in the future... I can't decide which to aim for just yet, but thanks for all of the help guys.

also what specs are you running on byza?

note: I am male
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor (4.5ghz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-GD80
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB WINDFORCE
Case: NZXT Phantom 630 Windowed Black ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Plus 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Optical Drive: Samsung SATA Black Internal DVD/RW Drive
Case Fan:NZXT FZ-200mm Blue LED 103.0 CFM 200mm
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Home (OEM) (64-bit)
Keyboard: Gigabyte GK-OSMIUM Mechanical Wired Gaming Keyboard - Cherry Red
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Wired Optical Mouse 2014
http://i.imgur.com/UXU5BPN.jpg
White internal LEDs and blue bitfenix cables to bling it up. Hoping to add a second 770, then a larger PSU will be on the list after that.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
If your not sure about the Silverstone, stick with the Seasonic. It's more important to be happy with the build you have now, then the build you might have later, otherwise you'll just feel unsatisfied.
Also if your thinking of adding a second screen or moving to a higher res screen than your going to need more vram than the 270x's provide, in which case you'll need a higher calibre card, rather than a second 270x.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Most likely ordering all of my parts next week. World of Tanks, i would like to know if it can be run at ultra with 60 fps. I may have spare money and am wondering if getting a R9 280 will make a SIGNIFICANT difference. Please would someone knowledgeable reply, your help is greatly appreciated! ALSO, quite important, will the SeaSonic M12II 520W be able to hand one of the below R9 280's?


The ASUS card is $16 less, but i hear that Sapphire make the best.

Here are the cards.

http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10&bid=4&id2=248&sid=186126

http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=248&bid=4&sid=48760



CPU
i5-4690 ALREADY PURCHASED

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=1...

Motherboard
MSI G43 Gaming motherboard.

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=1...

Graphics Card
R9 270x Sapphire Radeon

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10...

IF RECCOMENDED
Sapphire R9 280

http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10&bid=4&id2=248&sid=186126

SSD
$88 Samsung 120GB

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=1...

RAM
Kingmax 8G Dual channel

http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=153&bid=4&sid=131419

PSU
Seasonic M12II

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10...

Case
Thermaltake Versa I ALREADY PURCHASED

OS
Windows 8 64-bit $112 ALREADY PURCHASED
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom