Gaming Rig Build Advice - First time builder

[frusciante]

I'm looking to build my PC by EOY. Hoping to see some deals around Black Friday/Cyber Monday. The main use will be gaming, no video editing. Most play will be WoW, but I'll pick up the occasional big release (FC4, Diablo, etc).

My main concerns: upgrade-ability, performance, easy to maintain (cable management, runs cool, easy to clean).

Is this overkill? Would I be better going down to an i5 4690-k and an overclocked GTX 970?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/s4xRCJ

Thanks in advance

 

[frag06]

The i5 will give you the same performance as an i7 when it comes to gaming.

I would also go for the 970, it's the best for 1080p IMO. While neither the 970 nor the 980 will give you 144 FPS in most games, the 980 isn't worth the extra $250 IMO, it will give you just ~10 frames more than the 970 on average.

The rest of the build looks good.

 

[frusciante]

The i5 will give you the same performance as an i7 when it comes to gaming.

I would also go for the 970, it's the best for 1080p IMO. While neither the 970 nor the 980 will give you 144 FPS in most games, the 980 isn't worth the extra $250 IMO, it will give you just ~10 frames more than the 970 on average.

The rest of the build looks good.

Thanks for the feedback. If I can save some money and get virtually the same performance, I certainly won't complain. My understanding is just about no-one can run WoW on ultra in a large raid, but I imagine the gtx 970 should ultra just about every other aspect. Good assumption?

 

[frag06]

Yes, you should be able to run practically any current games on ultra.

I don't play WoW, but from what I've seen, high settings look almost the same as ultra settings (at 1080p it's the same with most games). I haven't really seen any issues with the game though, at least not when you're running capable hardware such as an i5.

 

[frusciante]

Yes, you should be able to run practically any current games on ultra.

I don't play WoW, but from what I've seen, high settings look almost the same as ultra settings (at 1080p it's the same with most games). I haven't really seen any issues with the game though, at least not when you're running capable hardware such as an i5.

Badass...thank you very much, sir. One last question if you don't mind. The GPU is overclocked at purchase. Should I worry about water cooling?

Updated build based on advice:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VqYmQ7

 

[frag06]

Temps will be fine with air cooling. You would only want to water cool if you plan on doing some serious overclocking.

I don't recommend the EVGA 970's, they have some issues (Misaligned heatpipes, poor overclocking, locked voltage, louder cooler than competing cards ect.) and overall, there are better cards. I recommend the MSI Gaming and Gigabyte G1.

 

[frusciante]

Temps will be fine with air cooling. You would only want to water cool if you plan on doing some serious overclocking.

I don't recommend the EVGA 970's, they have some issues (Misaligned heatpipes, poor overclocking, locked voltage, louder cooler than competing cards ect.) and overall, there are better cards. I recommend the MSI Gaming and Gigabyte G1.

Good to know. Appreciate the help. You saved me about $500.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bkvdvK

 

[frag06]

Glad to help

The build looks good. The only other thing I would change is the RAM. I would change it to G.Skill Sniper Series 1866MHz, that Corsair GT is way overpriced.

 

[frusciante]

And more money saved.

"May your first child be a masculine child."

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JWDQhM

 

[frag06]

Looks good to me. Have fun with the build!