Jump to content

Looking to Build a New Desktop, PartPicker Build Advice?


Budi

Recommended Posts

Here is the background story. 

 

I haven't built a computer since 2002, back when I was in college. Since then, I've purchased pretty state of the art Toshiba (2007) and HP Pavilion (2009) laptops that have served me well over the last several years. But at this point, the Toshiba is pretty much toast and the HP runs well, but not up to par for decent gaming. 

 

Being 32, I don't have time to game very much anymore, but when I do, I play TF2, L4D2, and want to at least have the possibility of playing newer games that need better computers. I also do a lot of recording of music with my band and multi-task a ton while I'm working. 

 

So I've been lurking while reading some advice from some people on here on their desktop preferences for parts and build ideas. I've decided I'm going to build a desktop. Money really isn't something that will get in the way of my build, but I'd like to keep it to near or under $1000 if possible. I want to build something that is powerful and can handle games at high FPS, is good for multi-tasking, and can handle my recording, editing, and compiling of large music files. 

 

I've posted below two different PartPicker builds, both with parts that I researched some and generally liked. I would be fine with mixing and matching parts from either build or open to suggestions for alternative parts people would feel are a better value/fit. 

 

Thanks in advance for your help and input. 

 

 

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/z8PbD3
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/z8PbD3/by_merchant/
 
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.99 @ Micro Center) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($69.99 @ NCIX US) 
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($139.89 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 290X 4GB LIGHTNING Video Card  ($388.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Deepcool TESSERACT SW ATX Mid Tower Case  ($48.98 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ NCIX US) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Case Fan: Deepcool WIND BLADE 120 53.6 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($6.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $1128.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-10 01:51 EDT-0400

 

 

 

 

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GKRfjX
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GKRfjX/by_merchant/
 
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.99 @ Micro Center) 
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.98 @ NCIX US) 
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($139.89 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($44.99 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card  ($332.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Deepcool TESSERACT SW ATX Mid Tower Case  ($48.98 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.99 @ NCIX US) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Case Fan: Deepcool WIND BLADE 120 53.6 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($6.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $987.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-10 01:50 EDT-0400

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I opt'd for an 850w psu leaving you room to throw in a second 290x, but if you're confident you won't throw in a second gpu, then you could go with something like an EVGA B600/Corsair CX600 on the budget, otherwise, I'd just assume go with an 850w G2 as it's pretty much the best psu you can get for the money.

 

For the motherboard, I personally prefer the look of it to the Gaming 5, but for all intents and purposes, the motherboard doesn't affect performance -- so if you're confident you won't get a second gpu, then you can save some money by getting a cheaper board. Or, what I would personally do is get an MSI Z97 Krait and get a sexy black/white board -- but you could also go with something like a Gigabyte Z97x SLI and save $30 and still maintain support for XFIRE/SLI. 

 

For the CPU cooler, you could save some money by going with a Cooler Master Hyper 212, which would still be fine for most overclocks; however, what I would probably do is go with a Hyper 212 and a 4790k since the extra threads will be beneficial for editing now, and possibly for gaming in the future (we're already seeing some games start to take advantage of the extra threads, although the performance gain isn't stellar). 

 

For the GPU, while the Lightning is pretty much the best 290x, it's not really worth the extra $90 price premium that it carries. 

 

Lastly, for the case, I went with something that's nice and classy, while still offering solid performance and is priced pretty well -- although you can go for a more budget case and save some more money there. 

 


 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.99 @ Micro Center) 

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($69.99 @ NCIX US) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($129.99 @ NCIX US) 



Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 4GB Tr-X OC Video Card  ($299.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($64.99 @ Micro Center) 

Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($128.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)  (Purchased For $0.00) 

Total: $1100.45

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-10 02:33 EDT-0400

 

 

 

What I would personally do (because I really like the black/white theme): http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jHZnrH

 

Something a bit more wallet friendly: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MTxh8d

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...