Is this a good budget Gaming PC build?

[PuddingFace]

I'm pretty clueless about this kind of stuff, but I want it get a gaming PC. I've heard that it's much more worth it yo build your own PC than to buy Alienware alpha or x51 so I searched around online and this build seemed great. Any opinions?
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/B9rsBm

 

[learningbitbybit]

What is your budget? If you can afford it, maybe you can purchase the GTX 970 instead of the GTX 750 ti. And you can switch the Z97 to an H97 instead since Z boards are used to overclock and your CPU wont allow for much overclocking since it is locked.

 

[digitaldoc]

Your build looks ok.

Yes, should definitely build your own.

I would consider adding an SSD for the OS.

No need for a Bluray drive, and can save some money getting a DVDRW. I like the Liteon one.

Get 2 x 4 GB RAM so you can have dual channel for a little extra speed rather than the one stick you selected.

 

[PuddingFace]

Im actually strongly considering the Alienware alpha. The i5 version is cheaper than that build, has quite better specs, and comes with a bundled OS and controller. Plus it's prebuilt! Honestly to me it seems like the obvious choice when I think of it. What's the argument against the Alienware alpha?

 

[digitaldoc]

You can certainly get an Alienware Alpha, but realize it is only for gaming, and is not a real computer. You will also not be able to upgrade it down the road, and it is more like a console, like the PS4 or Xbox.

Just me, but I derive a lot more satisfaction from the pc's I have built, and know that in many cases I have been able to update them to keep them more up to date.

 

[PuddingFace]

You can certainly get an Alienware Alpha, but realize it is only for gaming, and is not a real computer. You will also not be able to upgrade it down the road, and it is more like a console, like the PS4 or Xbox.

Just me, but I derive a lot more satisfaction from the pc's I have built, and know that in many cases I have been able to update them to keep them more up to date.

Doesn't it have a windows mode? It can be used like a desktop right?

 

[digitaldoc]

"On the positive side, we were able to navigate to the Windows 8 desktop and install and run Photoshop, iTunes and our other benchmark apps without a problem, so the Alpha can be used as an everyday PC in a pinch, even if the performance is weak."

http://www.cnet.com/products/alienware-alpha/2/

Yes, it can be used as a PC, but I would not want this as my main machine.

 

[PuddingFace]

"On the positive side, we were able to navigate to the Windows 8 desktop and install and run Photoshop, iTunes and our other benchmark apps without a problem, so the Alpha can be used as an everyday PC in a pinch, even if the performance is weak."

http://www.cnet.com/products/alienware-alpha/2/

Yes, it can be used as a PC, but I would not want this as my main machine.

Ok cool. I'm fine with weak performance. I already have a desktop I just want this for gaming. My only concern would be non steam games. Will a game such as smite be able to run ok?

 

[Pc6777]

for the gpu at least get a gtx 960... gtx 750 ti is ok but gtx 960 is much better...