Critique / Optimize My Gaming Build (Please)

michaelnrn

Honorable
Apr 17, 2013
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10,640
Hey everyone, I would really appreciate some insight on my build. I'm definitely open to suggestions:

Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor

Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler

ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard

G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory

Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB ITX Video Card

Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case

SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply


http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qPJf23


I plan to primarily game on this rig with Civ 5 / Civ Beyond Earth my primary games. I dabble in all kinds of strategy games and other stuff, but don't do anything else - might run a VM here and there.

Thank you all in advance!
 
Solution
1. CPU. an I5 (or equivalent Xeon WIHTOUT Hyperthreading would save you some unnecessary cost), since you will not benefit from Hyperthreading.

2. Cooler : HORRIBLY overpriced. A smaller air cooler would be more than good enough and much cheaper, since you will not be overclocking. Hell even Intel stock cooling would be fine.

3. RAM : 8GB would be more than enough, unless you run A LOT of RAM intense VMs, which I doubt. You can always add another 8GB later if you feel you need it, which you don't :)

4. With the above mentioned saving, you can get a better GPU, like the very good price/performance GTX970 and/or a decent 120GB SSD.

Here are the changes implemented. Made some tweaks here and there.

PCPartPicker part list /...


how much are you willing to spend (comfortable and stretching it)?

also, how important is the VM part?
 
1. CPU. an I5 (or equivalent Xeon WIHTOUT Hyperthreading would save you some unnecessary cost), since you will not benefit from Hyperthreading.

2. Cooler : HORRIBLY overpriced. A smaller air cooler would be more than good enough and much cheaper, since you will not be overclocking. Hell even Intel stock cooling would be fine.

3. RAM : 8GB would be more than enough, unless you run A LOT of RAM intense VMs, which I doubt. You can always add another 8GB later if you feel you need it, which you don't :)

4. With the above mentioned saving, you can get a better GPU, like the very good price/performance GTX970 and/or a decent 120GB SSD.

Here are the changes implemented. Made some tweaks here and there.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($177.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($329.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($68.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $891.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 09:37 EDT-0400

And yes, the GTX970 will fit. Its a short version 8inches, the Elite supports 8.3Inch GPU.
 
Solution


The VM stuff isn't super important, but I am trying to keep the price down. I really want to have fun with a mini ITX build, but I am done with overclocking, just want a solid gaming rig, and I don't play a lot of the intense ones.
 


I like the adjustments, you made some very valid points. I actually have a 256GB M4 SSD, so I should be good there!

The only question I have is regarding the cooler. Unfortunately, my house gets very warm, so we're dealing with some high ambient temperatures here. Do you have any suggestions? I'm all ears.
 


What kind of ambient temps? Because South Africa(especially in eastern parts) is pretty hot and Intel coolers do the job just fine, albeit a bit loudly.

But lets assume you do think a cooler is necessary and you can drop the SSD.

This would be priced better and do the job just fine :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($177.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($329.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($68.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $858.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 10:03 EDT-0400


The Noctua NH-L9i is a little overpriced, but due to the limited space you have, its the best bet for decent cooling and lower noise levels.
Here are some numbers :

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/noctua_nhl9i/4.htm
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2730&page=3
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/5135/noctua_nh_l9i_low_profile_cpu_cooler_review/index8.html
 


I do not think the EVO will fit in the CM Elite 110... :) I wanted to suggest it but could not find any reliable proof it would fit.

 


Thank you! Definitely some great info. I'll see how the stock cooler performs.

I marked your previous response as the solution just before you sent this one out. It's hot, but not South Africa hot.
 


Thought so. :)

You can always add a cooler later if you feel the need.

Well enjoy, glad to be of help!