Need Gaming Rig Build: $1500 Budget

MisterTuggles

Honorable
Jul 12, 2013
5
0
10,510
Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: this week (the closer the better)


Budget Range: $1500 is my top range.


System Usage from Most to Least Important: I will mainly be using this as a gaming rig. I want to be able to run 2-3 clients of Eve Online with no problems, and decent FPS at high/max settings.


Are you buying a monitor: No



Parts to Upgrade: I need a complete build. Case, psu, cpu, gpu, ssd, etc, etc.


Do you need to buy OS: No


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I prefer NewEgg or TigerDirect, but I really am not too concerned what site you pull from.

Location: Ohio, United States

Parts Preferences: Intel/Nvidia/Best avaialble

Overclocking: Probably not needed

SLI or Crossfire: No


Your Monitor Resolution: Best available.


Additional Comments: I would like a quiet/cool running PC that can handle 2-3 clients of Eve Online with decent FPS and video quality. I would also like a rig that will be able to last me for a few years. Again, $1500 is the max of my budget (don't include shipping on that) so I would like to get the best bang for my buck.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My old computer finally died on me after 4 years. I am now needing to assemble a computer ASAP to get back into Eve. Hard to run an alliance from a microphone.


As always, thanks very much in advance for any help you can give me.
 
Solution
If i were you mate, i would do this build. And I'll explain a few reasons why.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fT8Z
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fT8Z/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fT8Z/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($92.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard...
Here my suggestion. [PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fPOT) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fPOT/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fPOT/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54670k) | $229.99 @ Newegg
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr1) | $29.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z87pro) | $184.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cml8gx3m1a1600c10b) | $69.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7pd256bw) | $239.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st2000dm001) | $99.99 @ Newegg
**Video Card** | [Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx770dc2oc2gd5) | $415.91 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcadefr4blw) | $122.98 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [SeaSonic M12II 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ss650am) | $97.98 @ Newegg
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas) | $24.98 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1496.79
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-12 05:23 EDT-0400 |
 
Here's a better build -
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.13 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($665.91 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black/Orange) ATX Full Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1487.95
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-12 05:55 EDT-0400)
 

Sackboy

Honorable
May 26, 2013
103
0
10,710
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.13 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($85.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($659.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($43.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1468.04
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-12 09:53 EDT-0400)
Hope this helps.The EVGA GTX 780 with the ACX cooler is a great graphics and it comes factory overclocked and the ACX cooler is very good. If you are not going to sli,600 watts is more than enough for your build and gives you that extra headroom if you want to overclock and speaking of overclocking,that corsair H60 should give you the potential for a good overclock while keeping good temperatures.
 


Almost my suggested build , but why are you adding a CX600 ? The XFX 750W is really a great deal for the money. And it leaves headroom for OCing + Multi GPU. Also the 2TB Barracuda was a great deal , missed it , but anyways the Black beats the Barracuda on performance.
 

Sackboy

Honorable
May 26, 2013
103
0
10,710

Yes the XFX 750 is a great deal but OP said he's not going to SLI and 600 watts is more than enough to power that build and do overclocking but I guess if the OP wants to reconsider sli he should go with the XFX 750W.As for the Black beating the Barracuda,yea it may have a better performance but for the capacity and price the Barracuda is a better deal.
 

opponentmule2

Honorable
Jun 7, 2013
333
0
10,810
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fT1H
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fT1H/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fT1H/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($92.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($403.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($403.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1548.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-12 11:04 EDT-0400)

If you're willing to SLI and OC, you should really really go for this build mate. This is the best performance BY FAR you can get for this money.

I don't really see any reason you should not OC or SLI. Really, it's just a better PC for you. You're getting a great CPU with a good fan that can OC up to 4.5-4.6Ghz with good temp. Also, your GPUs are INSANE!!! 40% more powerful than a titan, able to run any modern game at 100+ FPS on a single monitor.

What i would suggest is just to get the A-tuning tool for the Asrock board. One click tuning, and you're running at 4.3-4.5Ghz with good temp. Easy and done.

Also, SLI is nothing more than to install another GPU. Not really that hard to do bro, you'll get twice the computing power of an already great GPU
 

MisterTuggles

Honorable
Jul 12, 2013
5
0
10,510


Not going to lie, I don't ever see myself needing THAT much gaming power. I had SLI once, and it ended up causing a lot more problems than benifit. Granted this was right when SLI was the "new" thing to do.

I should also have mentioned that at some point down the road I will most likely be doing a dual monitor set up. As I haven't really been paying much attention to hardware in the past years I am not sure if there is something that would need to be changed about any of the builds you guys have suggested to me.



As for the parts you guys have suggested to me, here are my thoughts/concerns. Any response to help with the decisions would be much appreciated.


Case: Fractor. I have heard/read/seen great things about it in a lot of different places. It is a little more expensive, but it does offer a lot for the cost.

CPU: More than likely going to go with the i5-4670k as you guys have suggested.
My only question would be can it be downgraded a bit to give a little more money to improve on something else? I have really never had any problems with my CPU bottle necking, and as I am honestly only going to be playing 2-3 clients of Eve for gaming I don't see where having a super powerful CPU will do all tha tmuch for me. Especially since, as suggested, I can overclock just about any CPU to get a lot better performance.

Storage: Pretty much everyone has suggested the same SSD which is good. What I am seeing I won't really need is the other 2tb drive. I don't download movies, music, porn, etc. I have honestly never had more than 200gigs on ANY HD I've ever owned. Would it be wise to maybe drop the mechanical HD completely and get a second SSD, OR would it be better to purchase a much larger SSD?

Memory: Here is where I am at a bit of a loss. Everyone suggested getting 2x4gb, but I have read that you get a minimal (3-4%) boost in performance with splitting it up. Would it be better to get 2x8gb, or is the 8gb total going to be enough to do just about anything? **I really know nothing about ram at all**

Motherboard: Here is another thing I have really not been keeping up on. If someone would be kind enough to give me some selling points on the boards they suggested that would be greatly appreciated. I know of some boards that come with that "killer" gaming network installed on it. Does anyone know if those are worth the cost, or if it is just like glitter on a stripper, aka useless?

CPU Cooler: I am leaning towards the liquid cooling. I have not had any experience with it to be honest, but I have read that they do a much better job of cooling while also being much quieter. Any more insight on this would be greatly appreciated.

Power Supply: Yet another thing I am ignorant with. It seems everyone is leaning towards a 600-700W power supply. I will probably just pick up one that you guys have suggested that fits in the budget with everything else.

Video Card: Ah yes, the bread and butter of a gaming rig. I am leaning hard towards the GTX 780, but do I really NEED that much card for my purposes? Would it be wiser to downgrade to a 770, or even a 760 and put the money elsewhere, or should I stick with the 780 from the get go?

Again, I thank everyone for their help with this. It is greatly appreciated.
 

opponentmule2

Honorable
Jun 7, 2013
333
0
10,810
well if you want the best build for money, i think the SLI will be good. It'll just give you so much more performance, it'll not just be about getting standard 60 FPS anymore. But getting a silky smooth 120 FPS+. It's not like you're paying anymore money for MUCH better performance. That's my logic.

Also, the 500 R is a VERY good case. But if you want a fractor, they're pretty decent as well.

You'll only need 2x4 GB for a dual channel connection. You'll only ever need 8 GB for gaming.

I still stand by my build to give you the best gaming performance. However, it is overkill for just eve? I would say so. But it's the best value for money by far, and will max everything even on 3 1080p monitor.

By the way, you'll need the SLI if you plan on using more than one monitor. Or you won't be able to max the new modern games.
 

MisterTuggles

Honorable
Jul 12, 2013
5
0
10,510


Heh heh, I am thinking I may need to reconsider my price point since everything seems to be a bit overkill for just playing a few clients of Eve (not blob warfare either). How would this build do:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1g1wu

Would that fit my needs while also giving me the option of upgrading the GPU or going SLI later on down the road if needed?
 

opponentmule2

Honorable
Jun 7, 2013
333
0
10,810
If i were you mate, i would do this build. And I'll explain a few reasons why.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fT8Z
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fT8Z/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fT8Z/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($92.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($403.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1144.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-12 20:09 EDT-0400)

1. a 760 is just a little bit stronger than a 660 Ti, which is around a 250$ GPU. However, a 770 is stronger than a 680, which used to cost over 450$. You're getting A LOT more in terms of performance. Now, the 760 may be enough for Eve. However, if you plan on playing any future modern games with at least 60 FPS, you'll need the 770's power. Also, it leaves more room for future proofing because 770 SLI will be infinitely better than a 760 SLI.

2. I choose the Asrock Extreme 6 board because of the tons of features it comes with, also because of that VERY tempting 80$ off deal. You're paying more for the G45 board, when there's that better Extreme 6 board for cheaper due to that sale right now.

3. G.Skills is a very good RAM company. It's 10$ cheaper than the ram you picked as well. Really you only need 1600mz as you can OC the RAM, but hey, 1866hm for the similar price? Heck yea, take the 1866hm.

4. Reason i advice the SSD + HDD combo is because the SSD will have more than enough room for your OS + games. That's the setup i've right now. I use the SSD for OS for fast booting and a few games that i play frequently. I store everything else onto the HDD, which is also a very good HDD that's having a sale. With just simple clicks of transferring files, you're saving 100-200$ of buying another SSD. You won't need the 840 pro, it's just a slight increase in performance.
 
Solution

MisterTuggles

Honorable
Jul 12, 2013
5
0
10,510


I do believe this is going to be the build I am going with. Thanks very much for your help. It was much appreciated.