Gaming system setup under 1300$

[Sanic]

Hello everyone,

I was hoping someone more tech savvy could take a look at my build for a gaming desktop. Please offer me advise of what I should add or scale down as well as conpadablity and optimal functionality.

Part picker: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ZhJdkL

I am trying to play heavy graphics games on max setting and keep 60+ fps like skrim, X-rebirth, half life 3 (ha) Xcom 2, eve online, stream on twitch, upload u tube videos, fraps game recording, sim city, bio shock infin, gta 5, FFXV, sniper elite etc

Does the CPU come with everything I need or do I need to buy thermal paste, CPU fan, etc?

I have bright house networks 30down 5 up.

Thank you so much!

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

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1241 V3 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($263.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($76.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($79.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($87.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card ($309.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Apevia X-HERMES-BL ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: CoolMax 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($33.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($89.88 @ OutletPC)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DG 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Monitor: AOC e2752Vh 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($175.99 @ Best Buy)
Keyboard: Thermaltake Commander Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Headphones: Logitech G430 7.1 Channel Headset ($54.49 @ Amazon)

Total: $1272.15

 

[RCFProd]

Looking at the build, some very poor choices made I have to point out. Did you put it together yourself or did you ask for advice?

Don't need the sound card, audio on the motherboard will be good enough. Actually adding the cost of the sound card for a better motherboard will be a better option.

Power supply is quite bad. Not to mention a 620w+ is recommended with that AMD GPU.

Case can be improved. The Hermes one doesn't look to me like a properly built case but maybe I'm wrong on that one.

I would change the Logitech G430 for the HyperX Cloud Pro. Big difference in build quality and audio quality.

You are talking about a lot of games, but all there is in that build is a 250GB SSD. Need a 1TB HDD I think.

 

[Phil923]

Yeah I agree with RCFProd that you could make better choices on some parts.

I would choose the 1231v3 Xeon over the 1241 just for the fact that there will be little to no performance difference for $20 less. Also yes, these CPUs come with the stock intel fan which is more than adequate.

The Z97 motherboard is a waste on a Xeon because you can't overclock the Xeon anyways so an H97 board is more than enough especially since you are going with AMD so it still has Xfire capabilities. Also you save some money going H97.

Just dropped some less expensive, faster memory in the build.

Also changed the 390 to a different powercolor one that is on sale, but you can change it back, I just like more consistent color schemes.

For the case, I don't like the overbuilt plasticky LED covered cases, they just look cheap to me and probably do have lower quality materials. I would go with a Corsair case in this budget, the 200R is a solid choice.

Also agree with RCFProd on the power supply, the one you listed is pretty low quality and I wouldn't trust any of my systems with it. Definitely go for a higher quality supply made by EVGA/Seasonic. Most computer savvy people will tell you that the PSU is one of, if not the most important component in the system.

All your peripherals are up to you so no comment on those.

Here is my recommended parts list.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($242.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($87.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB PCS+ Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($89.88 @ OutletPC)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DG 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Monitor: AOC e2752Vh 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($175.99 @ Best Buy)
Keyboard: Thermaltake Commander Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($29.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Headphones: Logitech G430 7.1 Channel Headset ($54.49 @ Amazon)
Total: $1252.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-03 16:36 EST-0500

 

[Sanic]

Looking at the build, some very poor choices made I have to point out. Did you put it together yourself or did you ask for advice?

Don't need the sound card, audio on the motherboard will be good enough. Actually adding the cost of the sound card for a better motherboard will be a better option.

Power supply is quite bad. Not to mention a 620w+ is recommended with that AMD GPU.

Case can be improved. The Hermes one doesn't look to me like a properly built case but maybe I'm wrong on that one.

I would change the Logitech G430 for the HyperX Cloud Pro. Big difference in build quality and audio quality.

You are talking about a lot of games, but all there is in that build is a 250GB SSD. Need a 1TB HDD I think.

I had a little help from someone on Toms, I picked everything but the CPU and GPU. Thank you for all your input, I just used options available on part picker that I thought would be good enough and affordable so I will switch those around. I do have a 1TB HD from my older comp Ill put in.

Did you have any recommendations?

 

[Sanic]

Yeah I agree with RCFProd that you could make better choices on some parts.

I would choose the 1231v3 Xeon over the 1241 just for the fact that there will be little to no performance difference for $20 less. Also yes, these CPUs come with the stock intel fan which is more than adequate.

The Z97 motherboard is a waste on a Xeon because you can't overclock the Xeon anyways so an H97 board is more than enough especially since you are going with AMD so it still has Xfire capabilities. Also you save some money going H97.

Just dropped some less expensive, faster memory in the build.

Also changed the 390 to a different powercolor one that is on sale, but you can change it back, I just like more consistent color schemes.

For the case, I don't like the overbuilt plasticky LED covered cases, they just look cheap to me and probably do have lower quality materials. I would go with a Corsair case in this budget, the 200R is a solid choice.

Also agree with RCFProd on the power supply, the one you listed is pretty low quality and I wouldn't trust any of my systems with it. Definitely go for a higher quality supply made by EVGA/Seasonic. Most computer savvy people will tell you that the PSU is one of, if not the most important component in the system.

All your peripherals are up to you so no comment on those.

Here is my recommended parts list.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($242.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($87.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB PCS+ Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($89.88 @ OutletPC)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DG 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Monitor: AOC e2752Vh 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($175.99 @ Best Buy)
Keyboard: Thermaltake Commander Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($29.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Headphones: Logitech G430 7.1 Channel Headset ($54.49 @ Amazon)
Total: $1252.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-03 16:36 EST-0500

Should I be concerned with your Part picker compatibility note of:

-The Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case supports video cards up to 430mm long, but video cards over 300mm may block drive bays. Since the PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB PCS+ Video Card is 305mm long, some drive bays may not be usable.

-The G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory operating voltage of 1.65V exceeds the Intel Haswell Refresh CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum.

?

 

[Sanic]

What is better:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/powercolor-video-card-axr93908gbd5ppdhe

OR

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003618gvxsr

???

 

[RCFProd]

The R9 390 will fit the R200 no problem, I would however suggest a case with better air flow, dust filtering and cable management. If you can afford it, the Enthoo Pro M.

Also take the R9 390 instead of the 290X.

 

[RCFProd]

I suggest this build for the best gaming performance under 1000 dollars without pheriperals and OS (So if you add Windows, monitor etc. it will be around 1350 dollars like your build). It will also handle editing etc. well. This is the newest Z170 chipset with DDR4-3000 RAM.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($254.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK THEMIS 65.7 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card ($299.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $994.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-04 16:09 EST-0500

 

[Sanic]

Whats better:

8gb of DDR4-3000 RAM

or

16gb of DDR3-2400 RAM?

 

[RCFProd]

Typically 8GB is cheaper. 16GB is twice as much, It's much better than the difference of RAM speed.

 

[Phil923]

Because you are going to be streaming and making videos, the extra threads will help over the stronger 6600k cores, and having 16gb ram will be a big improvement over 8gb, and DDR4 isn't really must faster in real world uses. I agree with upgrading the case to the Enthoo Pro M as well.