My pc build, any suggestions on a budget.

[Dhm8484]

CPU

Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card
Rosewill Challenger-U3 ATX Mid Tower Case
EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply
Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer
Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)....comes in around $725, want to run rfactor, and I know the 4 gig is small might up it to 6. Please let me know your thoughts thanks.

 

[cbrunnem]

4gb.... will be a huge hindrance.

 

[BrandonYoung]

if you must only have 4gb of ram, get 2x2gb sticks to utilize dual channel transfers.

 

[Dhm8484]

Okay so everything else looks good besides the 4 gig. Just want to run rfactor at a decent fps, and should I invest in a cpublic cooler or not I know the tower has fans. It's going to be more casual gaming not everyday hardcore

 

[BrandonYoung]

Stock cooler will be fine, if down the road you don't like the noise or temperatures during gaming, you could easily replace it.

 

[Dhm8484]

Any ideas what fps this would do on typical games and rfactor just wondering

 

[BrandonYoung]

It really depends on the video quality, resolution, and game. You would blow minecraft away at max settings.

 

[Dhm8484]

Okay cool deal I might just go with this build but update the gig to at least 6

 

[BrandonYoung]

6 is a weird number for ram, generally you want to keep your ram in matching pairs to fully utilize dual channel ram speed. 8 would be a much friendly number (2x4gb).

If you absolutely cant do this, consider 1x4gb now, and plan on getting another exactly matching stick asap!

 

[Dhm8484]

Yea thanks for clearing that up for me I might do that and get one down the road

 

[BrandonYoung]

Or, kinda best of both works (more/less) would be to get 2x2gb now, and another 2x2gb later (just make sure they all match!).
Edit: it just makes the move to 16gig slightly inadequate as you would have to replace your existing sets. But if this is not a problem, it should work just fine I think!

 

[Dhm8484]

Hey Brandon I was reading that AMD cards like to flicker once in awhile, is there a nvidia card that is similar for my build that would fit do you know off.

 

[BrandonYoung]

I didn't have issues with my dual AMD 5850's, other then microstuttering, how much is your GPU budget?

 

[BrandonYoung]

The GTX 760 has better performance, for around $200 you could be the proud owner of a:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125556&cm_re=gtx_760-_-14-125-556-_-Product
(I haven't price matched other retailers)...

 

[BrandonYoung]

for $179 you could get a GTX 660 Ti:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125605&cm_re=gtx_660_ti-_-14-125-605-_-Product
not as good as the 760, but still better then the 270x

 

[BrandonYoung]

Hmm, at $155, GTX 660 (non Ti):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125507&cm_re=gtx_660-_-14-125-507-_-Product
This is slightly slower then the 270x

As a mild comparison between these 4 cards, on Battlefield 3 1920x1080 4xAA
GTX 660: 56.9fps ($155 newegg)
R9 270X: 63.4fps ($179 newegg)
GTX 660 Ti: 67.1fps ($179 newegg)
GTX 760: 71.2fps ($199 newegg)

 

[Dhm8484]

Would that still work with the MOBO, and all switching to the 660gtx I think that it shouldn't be a problem

 

[BrandonYoung]

Should work just the same, and its about 26 watts lower usage compared to the 270x!
(this is for the GTX 660) NOT 660Ti (which is still less then 270x haha but only by 17 watts)

 

[BrandonYoung]

It will fit in your case, and on your motherboard, just checked!

 

[BrandonYoung]

Hey, just a heads up and something to keep in mind during your install, someone with your motherboard (on a newegg review) was having lockups with the GTX 660, the solution was to choose PCIe v2.0 instead of 3.0 in the BIOS. Just something to keep in mind incase you have this issue down the road.

 

[Dhm8484]

Okay cool thanks for heads up, I'm still trying to determine to stay with R9 270 or go with a gtx model

 

[cbrunnem]

I have had an amd gpu since the 5xxx till the most recent. In no way have I ever had what you describe Nor Have I ever even heard of it. I think you might be basing your decision off horrible info.