Revised $800 gaming build

[CgoRacer84]

Hi again guys. I tweaked my build based on some advice on here. I am trying to stay at $800 and just want to be able to max out settings in 1080p for rFactor, iRacing, and Flight Sim X while ensuring I won't need to upgrade components for a while.

My concerns with this build are cooling and power supply. Do you think the parts below are enough? Do you see any problems or areas of improvement? Also, for GPU, I was originally going to go with the GTX 960 but now am between the R9 280X and 290. Any advice there is appreciated too. I don't really think I can afford anything better (GTX 970 or R9 290X) and am not sure it would be worth it anyway.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($78.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-402WB ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $806.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-07 11:43 EDT-0400

Thanks for the help.
Ben

 

[timeconsumer]

I think it's pretty good. You could afford a GTX 970 if you step down from the overclocking build to a stock clock build like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($167.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($303.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-402WB ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $787.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-07 11:56 EDT-0400

However with the games you're playing it may not make a huge difference. I'm not very familiar with how they perform so I'm uncertain. Also, you may or may not get a ton of extra speed out of the processor with that board, it's decent, but still tier 3. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2383187/motherboard-tier-list-z97-chipset.html

 

[1hga1]

are you sure that the gpu and cpu cooler can fit in that case?
if not I would go with the rosewill challenger U3

 

[Pilotso]

Simulator games are mostly CPU based so go with the 4690k instead of the 4460.

 

[CgoRacer84]

Thanks Pilotso. If I stick with that CPU, what is everyone's opinion on my build above? How can I improve it and not spend more money, or does it look good as is? Is the power supply sufficient? Do I have enough cooling?

Again, I appreciate all the help. This is my first build and I want to make sure it lasts a long time and everything works great together.

 

[timeconsumer]

Simulator games are mostly CPU based so go with the 4690k instead of the 4460.

Then in that case, you could also do a Xeon + 290, depends if they are optimized for hyperthreading or not.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($241.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-402WB ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $797.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-07 12:21 EDT-0400

But either way, these are all just 3 or 4 different ways to skin a cat. Between the OPs build and the other 2 I showed, gaming will still be great.

 

[CgoRacer84]

Simulator games are mostly CPU based so go with the 4690k instead of the 4460.

Then in that case, you could also do a Xeon + 290, depends if they are optimized for hyperthreading or not.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($241.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-402WB ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $797.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-07 12:21 EDT-0400

But either way, these are all just 3 or 4 different ways to skin a cat. Between the OPs build and the other 2 I showed, gaming will still be great.

Thanks timeconsumer. This is very helpful and reassuring. No concern on the PSU or cooling on my build? I would take advantage of overclocking if necessary or beneficial.

I just looked everywhere and am unsure if those games would use hyperthreading so I think I'll just stick with my original CPU.

 

[timeconsumer]

Thanks timeconsumer. This is very helpful and reassuring. No concern on the PSU or cooling on my build? I would take advantage of overclocking if necessary or beneficial.

I just looked everywhere and am unsure if those games would use hyperthreading so I think I'll just stick with my original CPU.

Nope, your PSU is good. Your build is pretty power hungry, especially if overclocking. But that XFX unit has 45 amps, that's more than many 600w PSUs.

 

[CgoRacer84]

Nope, your PSU is good. Your build is pretty power hungry, especially if overclocking. But that XFX unit has 45 amps, that's more than many 600w PSUs.

Thanks so much for your help! I am confident in my build now. Just have to pull the trigger

 

[Pilotso]

Good luck!