Opinions and Advice on My First Gaming Build!

[josh21]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some advice and opinions about the components I've put together for my gaming computer this fall. Some of the games I am going to be playing are: Skyrim + Mods, The Witcher 3 + Mods, Battlefield 4 at 60fps, and possible Rome 2, plus older games I have now that I know will work fine with this build.

My budget is $1600 before shipping/Tax.

I'm keeping the current chosen Computer case.

The I plan to add a second GPU and Custom Liquid Loop to the system some time next year so I need to make sure the PSU has juice for that and extra as buffer.

Thanks in advance!

My Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($305.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($10.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Mouse: Logitech G600 MMO Gaming Mouse Wired Laser Mouse ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1523.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-13 10:02 EDT-0400

 

[maddogfargo]

Unless you plan to crossfire, you do not need a 990FX board. PSU is overkill, CPU cooler is not very good.

For a single GPU setup...I've tweaked your list to be a much better selection for just a few dollars more overall. *** The CPU + Motherboard are on sale as a Combo, and I can tell you from personal experience thay work GREAT together. (* Points at Sig)

This board and CPU cooler will also support an 8-core AMD as well, so an FX 8320 or 8350 will work nicely if you have the room in your budget.

You probably don't need the Megaflow 100mm fan, but I'll leave that up to you.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3MkjRB

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6350 3.9GHz 6-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Glacer 240L 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($305.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($10.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Mouse: Logitech G600 MMO Gaming Mouse Wired Laser Mouse ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1571.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-13 10:49 EDT-0400

 

[gizzard1987]

That's kind of creepy. I was getting ready to post almost the exact same build except with the h100i AIO.
To the OP, the reason for changing the cooler is the AIO that you picked is not even as good as the Hyper 212 EVO air cooler, and it only costs 30 bucks.

The only thing I disagree on is the change of the PSU. The 1000w PSU does have far more power than he "needs". But there are 3 reasons that I would keep it. The price point for one. The 10 year warranty, XFX only offers 5. Third reason is, PSUs are most efficient when they are only at 50% draw. At peak this build will surpass the 50% mark, but he will enjoy nice efficiency, and extend the life of the PSU in the long run.

 

[legend001523]

For a 1600 dollar build a intel i5 and 780 is very achievable and parts built around these 2 will perform better than the above build.

 

[gizzard1987]

The i5 would be a lovely option, especially considering the main titles listed are going to run better on an i3 over a 6300.

I hate to disagree though, for 1600 bucks with all the accessories and OS, you're going to be hard pressed to do that well.

 

[legend001523]

There is 1350 dollara left ater all that, a 780 is 500 dollars and a i54690k is 250 roughly, so more than enough money left for the rest

 

[gizzard1987]

Since I'm assuming he's going to be playing at 1080p, the 290 would actually be a more viable option in this situation since it performs better at 1080p than the 780. But I see what you're saying.

 

[josh21]

Unless you plan to crossfire, you do not need a 990FX board. PSU is overkill, CPU cooler is not very good.

For a single GPU setup...I've tweaked your list to be a much better selection for just a few dollars more overall. *** The CPU + Motherboard are on sale as a Combo, and I can tell you from personal experience thay work GREAT together. (* Points at Sig)

This board and CPU cooler will also support an 8-core AMD as well, so an FX 8320 or 8350 will work nicely if you have the room in your budget.

You probably don't need the Megaflow 100mm fan, but I'll leave that up to you.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3MkjRB

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6350 3.9GHz 6-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Glacer 240L 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($305.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($10.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Mouse: Logitech G600 MMO Gaming Mouse Wired Laser Mouse ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1571.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-13 10:49 EDT-0400

Didn't know what were some good closed loops CPU coolers so went for one that had good reviews. The PSU was mostly because some time within a year of building this rig i plan to add a second GPU and Custom Liquid Loop.

 

[josh21]

For a 1600 dollar build a intel i5 and 780 is very achievable and parts built around these 2 will perform better than the above build.

I like Intel & the GTX 780 but I thought BF 4 was supposed to run some what better on an AMD system. If you can come up with a build using those two parts plus staying cool then I'm up for any ideas or opinions.
Thanks for the answers and tips to everyone.

 

[legend001523]

For a 1600 dollar build a intel i5 and 780 is very achievable and parts built around these 2 will perform better than the above build.

I like Intel & the GTX 780 but I thought BF 4 was supposed to run some what better on an AMD system. If you can come up with a build using those two parts plus staying cool then I'm up for any ideas or opinions.
Thanks for the answers and tips to everyone.

They do with it being mantle supported but I'll try to find a build

 

[legend001523]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jBzFmG

 

[josh21]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jBzFmG

Thanks for the fast response. Question though, how come you chose 4x2GB RAM instead of 2x4GB RAM? I will add those parts and squeeze in the other parts to see where it ends up costing.

 

[legend001523]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jBzFmG

Thanks for the fast response. Question though, how come you chose 4x2GB RAM instead of 2x4GB RAM? I will add those parts and squeeze in the other parts to see where it ends up costing.

oops that was a mistake on my part, sorry, go for 2 x 4gb

 

[josh21]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jBzFmG

Thanks for the fast response. Question though, how come you chose 4x2GB RAM instead of 2x4GB RAM? I will add those parts and squeeze in the other parts to see where it ends up costing.

oops that was a mistake on my part, sorry, go for 2 x 4gb

No problem Thanks for the build, though I'm going to see if I can tweak just a little.
I'll post it once I got all the parts swapped and picked out


For PSU should I go for the one I originally posted or the one Maddogfargo suggested?

 

[legend001523]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jBzFmG

Thanks for the fast response. Question though, how come you chose 4x2GB RAM instead of 2x4GB RAM? I will add those parts and squeeze in the other parts to see where it ends up costing.

oops that was a mistake on my part, sorry, go for 2 x 4gb

No problem Thanks for the build, though I'm going to see if I can tweak just a little.
I'll post it once I got all the parts swapped and picked out

sure

 

[josh21]

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/josh21/saved/dTPQzy Possible Build

Though I will have to push building the Rig at least 2 - 3 weeks.

Advice?

 

[legend001523]

looks fine, is the 1000w for sli in future?

 

[josh21]

looks fine, is the 1000w for sli in future?

Yes. Also hoping that will be enough to support a custom Liquid Loop to in the future.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and opinions.