This Computer or This Computer?

[Delicious_Soups]

So, I have to decide between building computer A, ( http://pcpartpicker.com/p/TFJ6WZ )

and computer B. ( http://pcpartpicker.com/p/m9hhzy )

which of these two computers will deliver better power for gaming? I have a price range of about $1300.

 

[Karadjgne]

Gaming is all about the gpu as supported by a capable cpu. The gtx970 in build #1 is considerably more powerful than the gtx960 in build #2. The i5 in build #1 is equitable to the i7 in #2 in most games, the exceptions being games like BF4 that take full advantage of multi-core optimization.

So build #1 is the better for gaming. However it needs some fixing. You don't want or need the extra 4Gb of ram, mixing kits is no guarantee that they'll work together, 8Gb is more than enough for the vast majority of games. Unless you are some sort of audiophile, you won't need the sound card either. The mobo sound ports are more than sufficient for gaming purposes with anything upto 8:1 surround sound. So this would be build #3.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($317.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG R1 Ultimate 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Directron)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($333.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander G42 ATX Mid Tower Case ($60.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Fan Controller: NZXT SENTRY 3 Fan Controller ($29.88 @ OutletPC)
Other: NZXT 5.25-Inch Hue RGB LED Color Changing Controller (AA-HUE30-01) ($40.00)
Total: $1306.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-29 22:24 EDT-0400
For the $40 extra over build #1 you get the i7 instead of the i5, Cryorig R1 instead of the NH-D14, 16Gb of better ram, the gtx970 and a 250Gb SSD for OS +extras, which will easily outperform either build #1 or build #2 in any scenario.

As a side bonus, the red/black color scheme is fully intact, down to the psu.

 

[Delicious_Soups]

Gaming is all about the gpu as supported by a capable cpu. The gtx970 in build #1 is considerably more powerful than the gtx960 in build #2. The i5 in build #1 is equitable to the i7 in #2 in most games, the exceptions being games like BF4 that take full advantage of multi-core optimization.

So build #1 is the better for gaming. However it needs some fixing. You don't want or need the extra 4Gb of ram, mixing kits is no guarantee that they'll work together, 8Gb is more than enough for the vast majority of games. Unless you are some sort of audiophile, you won't need the sound card either. The mobo sound ports are more than sufficient for gaming purposes with anything upto 8:1 surround sound. So this would be build #3.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($317.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG R1 Ultimate 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Directron)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($333.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander G42 ATX Mid Tower Case ($60.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Fan Controller: NZXT SENTRY 3 Fan Controller ($29.88 @ OutletPC)
Other: NZXT 5.25-Inch Hue RGB LED Color Changing Controller (AA-HUE30-01) ($40.00)
Total: $1306.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-29 22:24 EDT-0400
For the $40 extra over build #1 you get the i7 instead of the i5, Cryorig R1 instead of the NH-D14, 16Gb of better ram, the gtx970 and a 250Gb SSD for OS +extras, which will easily outperform either build #1 or build #2 in any scenario.

As a side bonus, the red/black color scheme is fully intact, down to the psu.

Thank you so much! 😀