TheMast3r :
I'm planning on making a 1000$ (CAD) Gaming PC.
I would like help choosing between these two options:
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/nrV4Q7
or
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/JgtCnQ
What you've come up are decent builds. But I would suggest you stick with Intel i5 build and avoid the already aging 4 year old AM3+ socket based FX 6300 processor.
First thing I notice in both the Intel and AMD builds are that the motherboards are not compatible right out of the box. All H/Z87 chipset based motherboards need a BIOS update even for them to recognize the i5 4590 processor, which is a Haswell Refresh. Same story with AMD build, FX 6300 is Vishera processor. The AMD 970 chipset based boards need a BIOS update for them to recognize any FX series processors.
So consider this value oriented build for solid 1080p gaming:
PCPartPicker part list /
Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($218.25 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.98 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($238.98 @ DirectCanada)
Case: Corsair 100R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($45.78 @ DirectCanada)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N10 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($26.74 @ shopRBC)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($179.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($35.50 @ Vuugo)
Total: $1028.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-14 18:17 EDT-0400
- Swapped i5 4590 4.3Ghz with i5 4460 4.2Ghz, as the performance difference between these two is zero, as they are only separated by just 0.1Ghz.
- Also for a Non-K processor, Z87/97 chipset based motherboard is unnecessary, as they can't be overclocked. Hence replaced it with a solid, durable and performance oriented H97 chipset based Gigabyte motherboard.
- So the money saved in these two components has been used in getting a better graphics card MSI GTX 960 2GB.
Why GTX 960 instead of R9 280?
The GTX 960 manages to outclass the AMD budget heavy weight R9 280. Check the following benchmark videos:
The Witcher 3 GTX 960 vs R9 280/285/280X Benchmark Frame-Rate Test
Grand Theft Auto 5 PC: GTX 960 vs R9 280/R9 285/R9 280X 1440p Benchmarks
GTX 960 vs R9 285/ R9 280/ GTX 760 1080p Benchmarks
GTX 960 vs R9 285/ R9 280/ GTX 760 1440p Benchmarks
Not only the GTX 960 is better than R9 280 in terms of performance but also in power consumption. It only require 430W PSU that can deliver 20Amps or more on its +12V rail. The EVGA 80+ 500W PSU that can deliver a solid 40Amps on its +12V rail, which is more than enough to power this rig. Apart from that this card is DirectX12 ready (DirectX12 comes with Windows 10 releasing on July 29, 2015), which will further improve the performance of this already amazing mid-range card.
- Replaced the Acer 22 Inch 5ms response time 1080p monitor with BenQ 24 Inch 2ms response time Full HD 1080p monitor. Its a stellar budget based 24 Inch monitor ideal for great gaming experience. Its also a Flicker-Free monitor, that reduces eye fatigue during long gaming sessions. No other 24 Inch monitor can come close to this monitor in terms of performance and quality at this price point.
This solid build costs at little $13 extra but offers great value for the money you're willing to invest.
Cheers!
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