First gaming build after eight years.

[etekiller]

Hi!

I am building my custom gaming rig for the first time since eight years ago. I finally managed to save enough cash for a semi-decent PC. I used to build a lot of PCs "back in the days" but now things have changed a bit and I am no longer sure about my "abilities".

This is why I am posting here with the parts I have in mind for my next rig. It's going to be used for games and game development (3D models and short animations, 2D graphics, coding and debugging games). Please remember that I can't afford anything from a higher price point, I barely saved enough money for this set, so if you have any recommendations for my parts please keep it on a +/- $80 price range.

These are the parts:
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690k 3.5GHz 6MB cache socket 1150 BOX
MOBO: Asus Z97-P socket 1150
RAM: G.Skill RipjawsX DDR3 2x4GB 2133MHz CL9 F3-17000CL
GPU: ASUS GeForce GTX 960 2048MB DDR5/128bit DVI/HDMI/D
PSU: CHIEFTEC CTG-750C (750W) MODULAR 80+BR

I'd be grateful for any help, for telling me what to be careful about when building such a PC.

Thank you.

 

[turbopiki]

For thing you will use your PC i would change :

CPU to: XEON E3 1231 v3
Mobo: cheaper H97 chipset
RAM: maybe get a cheaper one
Better GPU: GTX 960->r9 280X->r9 290->9 290X->GTY 970
PSU: Better qualtiy one, the one you picked is low quality (Get one from Tier 1 or 2) http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html
For the PSU wattage check this - http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

 

[etekiller]

For thing you will use your PC i would change :

CPU to: XEON E3 1231 v3
Mobo: cheaper H97 chipset
RAM: maybe get a cheaper one
Better GPU: GTX 960->r9 280X->r9 290->9 290X->GTY 970
PSU: Better qualtiy one, the one you picked is low quality (Get one from Tier 1 or 2) http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html
For the PSU wattage check this - http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

Thank you for the recommendation, I've got a few questions. Is the Xeon CPU more powerful than the i5 I chose? Is it more suitable for playing games? I've heard thaat Xeons are not really optimized for gaming.

Secondly, aren't those RAM sticks I chose a minimum for best performance? In my country they sell for $71, so I thought that these are pretty medium quality.

I am confused about the GPU, R9 280X is at a very similar price point to the GTX 960 having much lower clock speed but much more shading units. I am not sure which one I should prefer.

My priority when it comes to the tasks this PC should be able to perform is:
1. Gaming
2. Live game debugging (Unity3D for example) and programming
3. 3D Modeling and 3D animations.

The higher a task is on this list the more important it is for me.

 

[turbopiki]

Xeon perfroms about the same as i7 4770, the only difference is that it doesnt have IGPU

You wont see any differene in gaming with higher frequency RAM

r9 280X is better but it uses more power. http://www.techspot.com/review/946-nvidia-geforce-gtx-960/

 

[etekiller]

Xeon perfroms about the same as i7 4770, the only difference is that it doesnt have IGPU

You wont see any differene in gaming with higher frequency RAM

r9 280X is better but it uses more power. http://www.techspot.com/review/946-nvidia-geforce-gtx-960/

Thanks, I've got a two more questions:
Does IGPU make a difference?
Is Gigabyte GF GTX970 4GB 256Bit PCI-E GV-N970IXOC-4GD better than the 960 or the Radeon you suggested? I know the model is newer, but it doesn't have to mean that the performence is higher too.

 

[SamiSC]

what is you budget and country. can you use pcpartpicker, amazon or ebay?!!
someone might be able to find better parts for cheaper.

As recommended, the xeon will do you a better job for 3d editing.

 

[turbopiki]

Xeon perfroms about the same as i7 4770, the only difference is that it doesnt have IGPU

You wont see any differene in gaming with higher frequency RAM

r9 280X is better but it uses more power. http://www.techspot.com/review/946-nvidia-geforce-gtx-960/

Thanks, I've got a two more questions:
Does IGPU make a difference?
Is Gigabyte GF GTX970 4GB 256Bit PCI-E GV-N970IXOC-4GD better than the 960 or the Radeon you suggested? I know the model is newer, but it doesn't have to mean that the performence is higher too.

IGPU is integrated graphics so if you dont have dedicated card like gtx 960 you can use PC because there is a little graphics chip in CPU

GTX 970 is better than GTX 960 and other AMD cards

 

[etekiller]

Xeon perfroms about the same as i7 4770, the only difference is that it doesnt have IGPU

You wont see any differene in gaming with higher frequency RAM

r9 280X is better but it uses more power. http://www.techspot.com/review/946-nvidia-geforce-gtx-960/

Thanks, I've got a two more questions:
Does IGPU make a difference?
Is Gigabyte GF GTX970 4GB 256Bit PCI-E GV-N970IXOC-4GD better than the 960 or the Radeon you suggested? I know the model is newer, but it doesn't have to mean that the performence is higher too.

IGPU is integrated graphics so if you dont have dedicated card like gtx 960 you can use PC because there is a little graphics chip in CPU

GTX 970 is better than GTX 960 and other AMD cards

Thank you very much for help. You helped me a lot.

what is you budget and country. can you use pcpartpicker, amazon or ebay?!!
someone might be able to find better parts for cheaper.

As recommended, the xeon will do you a better job for 3d editing.

I am from Poland, but I won't be able to order parts from abroad, sadly. My budget is $795 to $875. If choosing Xeon over i5 means absolutely no sacrifice of gaming quality then I will gladly switch.