Some help with my new gaming build

[Tom Henry]

Hi guys,

I've prepared this build for a mate with an absolute budget of 1k AUD.
I've gone with pccasegear because they have a great RMA system that I have unfortunately needed to use in the past. This was a balance between bang for buck and aesthetics (White & Black with white LEDs) which hopefully looks solid. ANyway let me know your thoughts:


PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/vqTVZL
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/vqTVZL/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($249.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-D2V Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($95.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($259.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: BitFenix Comrade ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($79.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Other: Aerocool Air Force 120mm White LED Fan ($19.00)
Total: $978.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-28 16:17 EST+1100


Cheers

 

[mrminivee]

I would suggest installing at least a 1TB HDD to install games. that 256GB SSD will fill up fast if it's your only drive.

 

[Tom Henry]

I would suggest installing at least a 1TB HDD to install games. that 256GB SSD will fill up fast if it's your only drive.

Yeah I fully agree but it will get my mate started for now and as he saves a few more dollars he can grab one then. Everything else look alright to you - any quality/price issues?

 

[rockie_]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($249.00 @ CPL Online)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.00 @ CPL Online)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($101.00 @ IJK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.00 @ Centre Com)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($319.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: BitFenix Merc Alpha (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($55.00 @ CPL Online)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($101.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Total: $995.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-28 16:31 EST+1100

 

[mrminivee]

I would suggest installing at least a 1TB HDD to install games. that 256GB SSD will fill up fast if it's your only drive.

Yeah I fully agree but it will get my mate started for now and as he saves a few more dollars he can grab one then. Everything else look alright to you - any quality/price issues?

I would try get an 80+ Gold PSU rather than bronze. You could get an MicroATX case due to you getting a micro atx motherboard. Other than that it should run things fine.

 

[Justin Millard]

If you're not planning to build right away word on the street is the nvidia 960 will be out by the end of January.
Also if they can spring a bit more cash for a 500GB SSD I honestly believe its worth it. More speed, reliability and storage.

 

[Tom Henry]

Cheers for the help guys

 

[rockie_]

i5 4590 and R9 280X can run any game . 2x4GB is faster due to dual channel .also 1600MHz RAM is better

 

[Justin Millard]

I don't think RAM makes a huge difference. Better off grabbing a single stick of 8GB RAM so his mate can upgrade to 16 GB later if needed. If there's not much price difference may as well grab low CL 1600MHZ RAM, but I've seen some epic gaming builds cope fine with 1333MHZ.