Is this a good gaming rig, nice for the next few years?

Page 18 - Seeking answers? Join the Tom's Hardware community: where nearly two million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
spyguy001

spyguy001

Honorable
Apr 14, 2013
472
0
10,810
I would like to know if these specs can be good for a gaming pc. I am really new at this and i want to build a good gaming pc that is preferably better than the ps4 specs and will last me a few years without upgrading anything. Also, the link is here:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7782889&sku=B69-1560

I am grateful for any additional info you guys could provide, for ex, how much will a pc cost minimally that will beat the ps4 or xbox720 specs and last about 1-3 years more with any new games on at least medium-high settings.
 
Solution
ballerslife
Hey, you could always start. 2 months ago, I didn't know a thing about computers. Now I'm a forum regular here. Buying my own build in 3 weeks, so I had to tweak to perfectness. Anyway, here's the final build, nothing changed.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung...
Sort by date Sort by votes
I know i don't, but as much as i am preparing for the future with the 780, Blu-Ray and SLI, it is a viable option to have and is affordable too. Now that i think about it, having a new architecture might be part of future-preparation too... Ugh, i can't choose. Hey, Manofchalk, what's your opinion on this. Not only you, anyone besides SamGriffiths and 8350Rocks that has an opinion to share about this please help me choose between Ivy Bridge and Haswell...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


For future proofing a Blu-Ray drive isn't really necessary unless you really like HD movies that you buy from a shop, but 99.999% of the time you will be able to download the movie at a cheaper price and not take up room in your house. Or you could maybe even *cough* get it other ways from the internet *cough*.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
My opinion on Haswell vs Ivy...
Not that big of an improvement, for the desktop Haswell isn't anything special over Ivy. If you have the choice between the two, might as well go Haswell since its the newest bunch of chips with the latest chipset/mobo's available. If your overclocking ambitions are high (say above 4.5Ghz) then it may be worth sticking with Ivy as its generally considered the better overclocker.
Though remember that everyone was saying the same of Sandy vs Ivy, eventually it will get to the point where you simply wont be able to buy an Ivy chip.



...
:pfff:
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


I was talking about Netflix and Hulu ;P Really if you want good overclocking you should go with a 2500k, they overlcock better than a 3570k.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I'm not planning to overclock really high or anything. Even 4.0Ghz would be an accomplishment. My aim is 4.2-4.3Ghz for the overclock once i do it. My question now, is that would it be worth it to remove the Blu-ray for Haswell? I have two build planned. One with Haswell and a lower-level speaker and the other with Ivy and a better speaker. I need to choose which one to go for.

Here are the two builds:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($31.05 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: Patriot G2 Series Division 4 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($83.00 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.50 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($643.65 @ DirectCanada)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($10.05 @ DirectCanada)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($68.81 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.88 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHBS112-04 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($44.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($144.99 @ Canada Computers)
Keyboard: Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Wired Gaming Keyboard ($74.99 @ NCIX)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Wired Laser Mouse ($49.99 @ NCIX)
Speakers: Logitech LS21 7W 2.1ch Speakers ($31.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Other: eForCity Headset ($11.00)
Total: $1803.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-30 09:34 EDT-0400)

OR

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ NCIX)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($31.05 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Patriot G2 Series Division 4 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($83.00 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.50 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($643.65 @ DirectCanada)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($10.05 @ DirectCanada)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($68.81 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.88 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHBS112-04 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($44.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($144.99 @ Canada Computers)
Keyboard: Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Wired Gaming Keyboard ($74.99 @ NCIX)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Wired Laser Mouse ($49.99 @ NCIX)
Speakers: Logitech LS11 3W 2ch Speakers ($14.99 @ Memory Express)
Other: eForCity Headset ($11.00)
Total: $1801.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-30 09:37 EDT-0400)

I can take off the Blu-Ray drive for more stuff but i don't think i have to. Which one do you vote for?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
2nd one, remove the Blu-ray, drop to 8 GB of RAM, but get a higher performing, quieter CPU cooler and a faster, quieter GTX 780.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Be Quiet DARK ROCK 2 57.9 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($142.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($75.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($675.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($9.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($137.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Wired Gaming Keyboard ($90.00 @ Mechanical Keyboards)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Wired Laser Mouse ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Speakers: Logitech LS11 3W 2ch Speakers ($18.99 @ Expansys US)
Other: eForCity Headset
Total: $1756.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-30 10:40 EDT-0400)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
i can take off the Blu-Ray but the 8GB RAM is only $5 cheaper and i can get the 16GB easily. As for the Asus GTX 780, it is almost $720 and i am not too keen on getting it especially as i will SLi later on and i am not sure of the airflow of the fans on it. It has generally been said that the stock version is better for SLI than the aftermartket cooler ones. As for the CPU cooler, that is fully up to debate. I am not too keen on an air cooler at that price level. If i should get a better cooler, then i am thinking of the CM Seidon that sells for about $50. Though, given what i have heard of about the things that could happen to CL cooler, i am not too keen on risking those. I might as well go with an EVO. What are your thoughts on that?

P.S. I live in Canada

For the ssd, i will keep the extreme I. it has been recommended as a budget ssd by many people. If i am to spend that much on an ssd, i might as well get the samsung 840 PRO. So, yeah. I think i am good with the Extreme I.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Build #1, though I would go with 1600 MHz Ram, even if it meant going to 8-12 GB over 16 GB. Unless you do some large rendering projects, you won't feel the benefit of more RAM, though you will feel the difference of faster RAM.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Really? I thought more ram was better than RAM at higher frequencies... I'll check to see more memory kits then
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Hmm, how about this?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($100.47 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.50 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($643.65 @ DirectCanada)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($10.05 @ DirectCanada)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($68.81 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.88 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHBS112-04 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($44.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($144.99 @ Canada Computers)
Keyboard: Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Wired Gaming Keyboard ($74.99 @ NCIX)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Wired Laser Mouse ($49.99 @ NCIX)
Speakers: Logitech LS11 3W 2ch Speakers ($14.99 @ Memory Express)
Other: eForCity Headset ($11.00)
Total: $1803.26
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-30 15:49 EDT-0400)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I can't find any flaws in that build...

EDIT: More RAM is good until you have as much as your system will need for your tasks, beyond that, you see no benefit. Though faster RAM is always better until your system's memory controller can't use any faster.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


It is in no way flawless, unless you're editing videos or 3D rendering you don't need 16 GB of RAM, 8 GB is by all means enough and if you were to get something like 2133 RAM which I'm quite sure a 3570k can handle you will notice the difference over 1333 RAM, that case isn't really very good, it's not bad, it's just not awesome, and I know I personally would want a really nice case for all these super high speed parts, don't get a USB 2.0 Wifi adapter due to the low data transfer rate of USB 2.0 compared to something like PCIe x1 or USB 3.0, so you will get lag.

The Asus 780 has a new design that has what they call a "hybrid" fan which is basically a cross between a normal fan and a "blower" type fan (pushing air from right to left like you have on the reference cards) and it has another normal fan pushing air up into the heat sink, it performs really well, runs cooler and quieter even in SLI.

If your case has really bad airflow you want to get reference cards because they push something like 80% of the heat out the back of your rig, but if you have a few good fans in the front that wont be a problem for you.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
It is nice getting 16GB of RAM, especially when programs start to use something near that level. Also, they will help my ssd last longer. Getting 1600Mhz is okay, right? As for the case, the Corsair 300r is certainly a good choice over the Bitfenix Shinobi and has a lot of features that will help a first time builder like me. As for the Wi-fi adapter, it is the cheapest i could find. I only included it in case i cannot connect with Ethernet and am not left helpless without internet. it is a sort of a backup. Who cares if it's flawless, i still like it.

I can't get that 780. Even with taking out the 16G of RAM, it is out of budget. I will get that one when i SLI though, as it will be quite useful and affordable than.

I am not really sure what kind of airflow the Corsair 300R has. Some people say that it is good, but others say that it is not. Same with reviews. it only has two fans.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Yeah 1600 MHz RAM is fine but any programs you're going to be using wont use 16 GB, the 300r has good airflow but I would add a fan at the front.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Your RAM capacity doesn't affect performance until you run out of it. Speeds do, but not enough that spending more for speeds above 1600Mhz CL9 is worth it IMO.

Personally dont like Razer keyboards, I recommend if you want a mechanical you find another manufacturer that gives you a choice when it comes to switch types (differentiated by colour, and they have different properties. The Blackwidow uses Blue's I believe) and backlighting.
For your budget, look into the Coolermaster boards.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Airflow in the Corsair case you picked is about average. You can add a case fan or 2 if I am not mistaken though...I think you have the capability to add up to 2 more fans (could be just 1 but I haven't looked at that case in a while). Either way, you can add a case fan later for $9 to help keep your airflow high.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Yeah that's what I was trying to get at with the RAM =P



You can add five 140mm fans in the 300r, it has a maximum of 6x140mm and 1x120mm.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Welp, i am glad to say that i will never run out of that 16GB of RAM and with 1600Mhz, it is going to be a smooth sailing. Keyboards... Well... I like the Razer. It has a blue backlight, matching the Deathadder's blue backlight, it looks awesome, it's mechanical, MX blue, and has everything i want in a keyboard. I could get the TK but i don't like it's key layout.

I will add the fans when i SLI. I think it will need it most then
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


If you're going SLI in the future, you might as well go 770 SLI.

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_770/images/perfdollar_1920.gif

As you can see, the price/performance ratio of the 770 is 100%, whereas with the 780 it's a mere 71%. Especially since you only have 1 monitor, the difference isn't going to be huge. With the saved money, you can beef up on parts you skimped, especially your case. And invest in a water-cooler.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Really the 760 SLI is a lot faster than the 780.

The pirce to performance of the 760 being 100% the 770 is 76%
http://tpucdn.com/reviews/ASUS/GeForce_GTX_760_Direct_Cu_II_OC/images/perfdollar_1920.gif

So he could go with a GTX 760 and then SLI when needed. To be honest right now it's 1080p performance is good enough for me and it will run a LOT cooler and quieter.

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/ASUS/GeForce_GTX_760_Direct_Cu_II_OC/images/perfrel_1920.gif
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I am going with a 780 SLI when i need it. I probably won't SLI for about 4-5 years from now. It will be a very, very easy upgrade for me to do. Just pop off the case cover, connect the SLI bridge, add a few fans if need be, and enable SLI in nVidia Control Panel. Done. And the power will last me for the next few years.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom