My First Build ($1500 PC)

[andrewp__]

This is my first PC build and I want something that can sustain medium to max settings out most games in 1440p. I'd prefer to go under budget as much as possible but I will not go above $1500. BTW I'm going for a Black/Blue color scheme. I've already purchased the m50x and I have a Logitech Proteus Core mouse. Do you guys have any idea on how I can improve this build?

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($176.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Cooling MX4 4g Thermal Paste ($6.25 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($120.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($95.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.67 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($199.00 @ NCIX US)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-B123L Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($69.99)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional (32/64-bit) ($174.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Cooler Master JetFlo 95.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.39 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer G257HU smidpx 60Hz 25.0" Monitor ($254.08 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Headphones: Audio-Technica M50x Headphones (Purchased For $160.00)
Total: $1582.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-25 21:47 EDT-0400

Pretend the Headphones aren't a cost of the PC
(So the PC costs $1422.68)

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[IntelTurtleFan]

Got it down a bunch more. I would add a GTX970 instead of the 960. And drop the RAM to 8gb as it is not really needed (I also made the 8gb of RAM faster).
The better GPU aka the 970 will run higher resolutions better. It is worth the extra cash in my opinion.
Parts are in blue design that would allow
Click spoiler to show the part lists.
Wait a few more weeks and the GTX980 will drop in price and be the same as the 970 is now. (due to the release of the 980ti)

What I did to the build:
Found a cheaper version of the same Windows 8 Pro OS
Upgraded the CPU Fan (Blue)
Decreased the amount of RAM to 8GB
Found Blue RAM that was faster
Changed the CPU to allow overclocking (on a few of the configs)
Doubled the Storage amount for 30 dollars more.
Made the SSD Faster and More reliable (for 3 dollars more)
Decreased the size of the SSD on a build
Changed the GPU to be better for cost/performance and better performance overall
Changed the mobo on the non OC version to cut costs (Still blue)
Removed the thermal paste as it is not needed
Upgraded the monitor to allow higher refresh rate
Upgraded the low quality PSU

With overclocking:

Spoiler

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BL 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($120.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($70.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($97.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.88 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($199.00 @ NCIX US)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-B123L Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($69.99)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($131.65 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Cooler Master JetFlo 95.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.39 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer GN246HL 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($222.43 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Headphones: Audio-Technica M50x Headphones (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $1466.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-25 22:19 EDT-0400

Without overclocking and a better GPU:

Spoiler

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($176.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BL 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($81.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($70.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($97.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.88 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($326.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-B123L Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($69.99)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($131.65 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Cooler Master JetFlo 95.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.39 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer GN246HL 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($222.43 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Headphones: Audio-Technica M50x Headphones (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $1502.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-25 22:25 EDT-0400

With overclocking and a better GPU:

Spoiler

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BL 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($120.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($70.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($97.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.88 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($326.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-B123L Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($69.99)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($131.65 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Cooler Master JetFlo 95.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.39 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer GN246HL 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($222.43 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Headphones: Audio-Technica M50x Headphones (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $1594.74

Smaller SSD with overclocking and a better GPU:

Spoiler

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-25 22:30 EDT-0400

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BL 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($120.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($70.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($68.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.88 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($326.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-B123L Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($69.99)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($131.65 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Cooler Master JetFlo 95.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.39 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer GN246HL 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($222.43 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Headphones: Audio-Technica M50x Headphones (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $1565.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-25 22:31 EDT-0400

 

[PCBuilderProbs]

don't spend $1500 on a build with a gtx 960, you should at least go GTX 970. Skip the thermal paste, the Hyper212 Evo will come with good thermal paste so it's a waste.

 

[gwiddle]

You would never max out games on a 1440p monitor with a 960. Here is one with a 980:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($241.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($97.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.88 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card ($544.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer G257HU smidpx 60Hz 25.0" Monitor ($254.08 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Headphones: Audio-Technica M50x Headphones (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $1627.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-25 22:14 EDT-0400

I dropped the RAM to 8GB, went with a Xeon processor. But yeah fit in a 980, you'll need it. Also you will not need Windows 8.1 Pro for gaming.

 

[PCBuilderProbs]

I feel as if this build is spending money where isn't needed and isn't spending enough money where needed.

For example, you don't necessarily need a 250gb SSD with a 1tb secondary drive. You can cut down a bit to 128gb and keep that as a boot drive. Also, you can buy the Windows 8.1 OS off of newegg for a solid $100. Yes, its not the pro edition but that saves you $75. Also, you most definitely don't need to spend $75 on a single keyboard. A bluray writer is also unneccessary altogether (but I see why you might want one lol I'm not evil).

My point is that you can cut unnecessary spending like that in favor for a more powerful system in the end.

 

[Bezzell]

Yes, you're better off putting your initial investment strictly into hardware that will give you the highest FPS and visual performance. You can always pick up an extra SSD, burner or an aftermarket cpu cooler later.

 

[PCBuilderProbs]

I feel as if this build is spending money where isn't needed and isn't spending enough money where needed.

For example, you don't necessarily need a 250gb SSD with a 1tb secondary drive. You can cut down a bit to 128gb and keep that as a boot drive. Also, you can buy the Windows 8.1 OS off of newegg for a solid $100. Yes, its not the pro edition but that saves you $75. Also, you most definitely don't need to spend $75 on a single keyboard. A bluray writer is also unneccessary altogether (but I see why you might want one lol I'm not evil).

My point is that you can cut unnecessary spending like that in favor for a more powerful system in the end.

This is true but there is no way I would go from a cheap solid 256 SSD to something half the size for gaming.
Some new games need 20 gig now.
I would buy a storage drive later to be honest and live within 256..
Cheaper bigger drives are as fast as higher end smaller SSD'S,generally.
It is looking like they are more reliable as well.

there is no reason any game should be run off an SSD. An SSD is most useful when it's running an operating system. Yes, it may improve game load times (EA's dreaded 2 minute loadscreen on Battlefield 4) but there won't be any performance boost in fps or graphic capabilities when a game is run off an SSD vs HDD. Therefore, an SSD should pretty much be only for the OS and programs.

 

[Bezzell]

I would do something like this. Should be enough wiggle room left in your budget to pick out some peripherals and OS. Also, don't buy Windows 8.1 pro. Get the cheapest Windows 8 you can find and upgrade to Windows 10 in July for free.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($91.55 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.67 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Acer G257HU smidpx 60Hz 25.0" Monitor ($254.08 @ B&H)
Total: $1202.24
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-25 22:38 EDT-0400


I agree with the above poster. 120gb SSD boot drive and room left to install programs and a few games. Use the spindle drive for games rarely played and random storage.

Also, a GTX 970 or R9 290 would be the minimum horsepower needed to drive a 1440p monitor at acceptable framerates imho. 960 is a great 1080p card, but struggles at higher resolutions.

 

[andrewp__]

First of all you guys are awesome. I didn't think I would get so many responses in a little over a day. I think I'm going to go with the turtle for most of my build but I'm going to keep the 1440p monitor I previously had and change a few more things to lower price. I'll post it when I'm finished.

 

[IntelTurtleFan]

Sure thing. If you have questions feel free to ask.

 

[andrewp__]

So I finished the build... Any more suggestions? I took in everyone's inputs and decided the parts to go in the PC (Most of it was IntelTurtleFan's idea). Thanks for all of your guys' help!!!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BL 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($120.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($70.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($68.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.88 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($326.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer G257HU smidpx 60Hz 25.0" Monitor ($254.08 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Audio-Technica M50x Headphones (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $1511.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-27 20:49 EDT-0400

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[IntelTurtleFan]

Everything looks really good

 

[Bezzell]

Looks great! Should serve you well. I think you made some good decisions based on advice and your own instinct. Great way to go.