Thoughts on 700-750 USD build

[AndrewBlake]

So I made a thread before asking about a computer build I made HERE and ended up settling with the intel build recommended by logainofhades but stated modifying it over time. This is what I currently have:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB PCS+ Video Card ($274.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $736.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-20 11:50 EST-0500

Motherboard has good reviews and the PSU is a tier 2.

I am wondering, however, if I should get a Z97 MOBO instead and get some overclockable CPU, such as the i5-4690K instead, replacing the R9 390 with a 380 instead. However I am leaning towards my current build because it has a stronger graphics card.

General suggestions would be helpful.

 

[Seamz]

Is this build for gaming primarily?

 

[bliq]

if gaming is the main purpose, I think dropping to a 380 and overclocked proc would result in similar framerates than just sticking with the 390- the 390 alone might even be better. And you have to deal with added power consumption, heat and noise.

I think you could also do better on the PSU. This guy for example
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220gs0550v1
would be considered Tier 1. Also this one:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fsp-group-power-supply-aurums600w

 

[geofelt]

Your build will work as is.
I think you are correct in that a stronger graphics card is better for gaming, particularly if your games are fast action shooters.

But, today, I see no reason why a new build should not be skylake based.

A i3-6300 @3.8 will be cheaper $157)and game better.
Do you live near a microcenter? They have some great prices if you walk in.
Most games depend on a single fast master core.
I would pay a bit extra up front for a Z170 based motherboard to allow for a future K upgrade. $100 should do it.

You would need DDR4 ram which is about $5 more:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231964

The R9 graphics cards are highly overclocked and require extra power. 600w is recommended for the R9-390:
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

This chart suggests that the psu is a tier 3 unit:
https://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx?Redirected=true

I think I would pick a less power hungry GTX970 which sells for $300.
Here is a great deal on a XFX 550w psu for $37 after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

FWIW.
I will never again build without a ssd for the "C" drive. It makes everything you do much quicker.
120gb is minimum, it will hold the os and a handful of games. If you can go 240gb, you may never need a hard drive.

I would defer on the hard drive unless you need to store large files such as video's.
It is easy to add a hard drive later.
Samsung EVO is a good choice.
Intel 730 is OK too.

 

[AndrewBlake]

-snip-

Sorry I didn't reply, was busy. So I revised the design a bit. I was going to go with DDR4 for upgrading but decided to check to see if this build would be fine. Here is the current design:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3P ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($35.99)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB PCS+ Video Card ($274.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($36.99)
Total: $730.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-21 19:37 EST-0500

The hard drive I will be getting refurbished and PCPartPicker didn't have the PSU you listed so I picked a similar one and just edited the price. I will get the one you recommended however.

 

[bliq]

-snip-

Sorry I didn't reply, was busy. So I revised the design a bit. I was going to go with DDR4 for upgrading but decided to check to see if this build would be fine. Here is the current design:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3P ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($35.99)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB PCS+ Video Card ($274.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($36.99)
Total: $730.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-21 19:37 EST-0500

The hard drive I will be getting refurbished and PCPartPicker didn't have the PSU you listed so I picked a similar one and just edited the price. I will get the one you recommended however.

seems ok. Me personally, I'd drop down to 8GB of RAM and get rid of the HDD in favor of a 256GB SSD. Add a storage drive later.

 

[AndrewBlake]

seems ok. Me personally, I'd drop down to 8GB of RAM and get rid of the HDD in favor of a 256GB SSD. Add a storage drive later.

It is going to be used for video editing. A SSD isn't really an option.

 

[AndrewBlake]

Would it be better to put two EVGA GTX 670 FTWs in SLI for only 200 (100 per)? If what I have seen from other sites is correct, it would yield almost the exact same performance.

 

[geofelt]

You will win synthetic fps benchmarks, but your gameplay is likely to be less good.
You will also need about a 750w psu for sli GTX670 cards.
Some games will not support sli, and you will be more prone to stuttering and screen tearing.

At 1080P, I would simply opt for a factory overclocked GTX970.