My computer is starting to really show its age and run rather slow/having performance issues running the latest software so I am thinking about putting together a new system but not sure where to even start with the components. I put this together 7 years ago and never updated it other than adding RAM so I think I have gotten a damn good run out of it but I just have not been paying enough attention to where hardware has been going since then.
Just to start off what I currently have is:
MB: MSI Z97-GD65 Gaming LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K Devil's Canyon Quad-Core 4.0 GHz LGA 1150 88W BX80646I74790K Desktop
Processor Intel HD Graphics 4600
Ram: Patriot 16GB(2x8GB) Viper III DDR3 1600MHz (PC3 12800) CL9 Desktop Memory (bought a year ago)
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2)
Video Card: GIGABYTE Radeon R9 290 DirectX 11.2 GV-R929OC-4GD 4GB 512-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 HDCP Ready Video Card
HDD: Seagate Desktop HDD ST3000DM001 3TB 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive + 2 other storage HDDs
PSU: Corsair CX Series 750 Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified Non-Modular Power Supply
Case: Graphite Series™ 760T Full-Tower Windowed Case
Monitor: HP Pavilion 27xi 27-Inch Screen LED-lit Monitor
I really like my case so I would certainly prefer reusing it rather than dropping cash on another one as they are pricey as heck for that particular style. I do need new case fans across the system. They are beginning to fail, starting with the fans on my graphics card unfortunately. The PSU is still running strong so I plan on reusing it as it should have enough power in addition to the HDDs. I do not find the performance differences in SDD drives to really be worth it and my HDDs are not experiencing any issues at all. There is noting to serious saved on them either so even a catastrophic failure would not be particularly difficult to restore should the absolute worst occur. Loading times are not really a concern for me as much as performance. Don't think I need monitor, keyboard, mouse and other misc items either unless there is some reason that a monitor will make a huge difference from what I am getting now. I don't think anything else can be salvaged.
The primary use for the computer is gaming of all types. Typically I try and stay around the 1200 price range unless there is significant gains beyond that or significant savings below without to much loss in performance. That usually includes case/psu/hdd so I was hoping I could come out a little under that anyway. I also have an optical drive on my current machine but really do not have any plans of porting that over considering I have not used it in something like 5 years. I also need a windows key but do not include that in the price of the build itself.
Finally, the last 3 builds have proven to me that I am highly unlikely to overclock my system. I guess I technically overclocked this one because my motherboard does it for me with a single button but it certainly did not overclock past the most basics. If it were that simple to do again I would do it but I just know that once I have it up and running I am very unlikely to go through the rigamarole that a true overclock would require.
Of note, I mostly use Amazon and Newegg for my PC purchases but have no particular angst against using other vendors and normally go with whoever PC Part Picker tells me has the best price atm. Located in Washington State, Seattle area.
Does anyone have any ideas on a solid gaming rig with the above considerations? Should I even bother with an after market cooler considering I do not seem to overclock like I plan on anyway or is there a worthwhile solution like I have now where my MB simply does the heavy lifting for me and all I have to do is tell it to overclock my system? As always, I thank anyone for any input they may have.
Edit: also timing is not a huge issue. If I should wait because the current issues with graphics cards then I will but am unsure how much or even if the market is still rather poor for purchasing them: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/terrible-time-to-buy-gpu-late-2020
Just to start off what I currently have is:
MB: MSI Z97-GD65 Gaming LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K Devil's Canyon Quad-Core 4.0 GHz LGA 1150 88W BX80646I74790K Desktop
Processor Intel HD Graphics 4600
Ram: Patriot 16GB(2x8GB) Viper III DDR3 1600MHz (PC3 12800) CL9 Desktop Memory (bought a year ago)
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2)
Video Card: GIGABYTE Radeon R9 290 DirectX 11.2 GV-R929OC-4GD 4GB 512-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 HDCP Ready Video Card
HDD: Seagate Desktop HDD ST3000DM001 3TB 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive + 2 other storage HDDs
PSU: Corsair CX Series 750 Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified Non-Modular Power Supply
Case: Graphite Series™ 760T Full-Tower Windowed Case
Monitor: HP Pavilion 27xi 27-Inch Screen LED-lit Monitor
I really like my case so I would certainly prefer reusing it rather than dropping cash on another one as they are pricey as heck for that particular style. I do need new case fans across the system. They are beginning to fail, starting with the fans on my graphics card unfortunately. The PSU is still running strong so I plan on reusing it as it should have enough power in addition to the HDDs. I do not find the performance differences in SDD drives to really be worth it and my HDDs are not experiencing any issues at all. There is noting to serious saved on them either so even a catastrophic failure would not be particularly difficult to restore should the absolute worst occur. Loading times are not really a concern for me as much as performance. Don't think I need monitor, keyboard, mouse and other misc items either unless there is some reason that a monitor will make a huge difference from what I am getting now. I don't think anything else can be salvaged.
The primary use for the computer is gaming of all types. Typically I try and stay around the 1200 price range unless there is significant gains beyond that or significant savings below without to much loss in performance. That usually includes case/psu/hdd so I was hoping I could come out a little under that anyway. I also have an optical drive on my current machine but really do not have any plans of porting that over considering I have not used it in something like 5 years. I also need a windows key but do not include that in the price of the build itself.
Finally, the last 3 builds have proven to me that I am highly unlikely to overclock my system. I guess I technically overclocked this one because my motherboard does it for me with a single button but it certainly did not overclock past the most basics. If it were that simple to do again I would do it but I just know that once I have it up and running I am very unlikely to go through the rigamarole that a true overclock would require.
Of note, I mostly use Amazon and Newegg for my PC purchases but have no particular angst against using other vendors and normally go with whoever PC Part Picker tells me has the best price atm. Located in Washington State, Seattle area.
Does anyone have any ideas on a solid gaming rig with the above considerations? Should I even bother with an after market cooler considering I do not seem to overclock like I plan on anyway or is there a worthwhile solution like I have now where my MB simply does the heavy lifting for me and all I have to do is tell it to overclock my system? As always, I thank anyone for any input they may have.
Edit: also timing is not a huge issue. If I should wait because the current issues with graphics cards then I will but am unsure how much or even if the market is still rather poor for purchasing them: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/terrible-time-to-buy-gpu-late-2020
Last edited: