Need advice on Build for gaming PC

[mindsnare]

Hi,

This is my first build and I would like some expert advice on the build that I have put together. The aim is to play most games at 1080p@60fps. I have pretty much maxed out my budget so swapping out components would be more feasible rather than adding anything.

CPU :: Intel i5 4690K - (4 x 3.5 GHZ) - Haswell
Cooler :: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo - Low Noise
Memory :: Corsair Vengeance Pro Red 8GB PC3-19200 2400 MHz (2x4GB) - Lifetime Warranty (DDR3)
Graphics Card :: AMD Radeon R9 280X OC VAPOR-X - 3 GB - (SAPPHIRE) - (PCI-E)
Motherboard :: Gigabyte GA-Z97P-D3 (Intel Z97)
Power Supply :: XFX 750W (Modular) PSU - Low Noise
Hard Drive :: 250GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD SATA-III, Read 540MB/s, Write 520MB/s - Silent

I read that the 4690k supports memory upto 1600mhz so is there any benefit in using a 2400Mhz memory i.e will there be an issue if i crank up the voltage to 1.65v from the bios to make the memory run to its full capacity?

I plan to OC the cpu to 4.4 in future...will the mobo support it?

Is the build above sufficient to meet my requirement of holding stable 60FPS at max settings?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Hi,

This is my first build and I would like some expert advice on the build that I have put together. The aim is to play most games at 1080p@60fps. I have pretty much maxed out my budget so swapping out components would be more feasible rather than adding anything.

CPU :: Intel i5 4690K - (4 x 3.5 GHZ) - Haswell
Cooler :: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo - Low Noise
Memory :: Corsair Vengeance Pro Red 8GB PC3-19200 2400 MHz (2x4GB) - Lifetime Warranty (DDR3)
Graphics Card :: AMD Radeon R9 280X OC VAPOR-X - 3 GB - (SAPPHIRE) - (PCI-E)
Motherboard :: Gigabyte GA-Z97P-D3 (Intel Z97)
Power Supply :: XFX 750W (Modular) PSU - Low Noise
Hard Drive :: 250GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD SATA-III, Read 540MB/s, Write 520MB/s - Silent

I read that the 4690k supports memory upto 1600mhz so is there any benefit in using a 2400Mhz memory i.e will there be an issue if i crank up the voltage to 1.65v from the bios to make the memory run to its full capacity?

I plan to OC the cpu to 4.4 in future...will the mobo support it?

Is the build above sufficient to meet my requirement of holding stable 60FPS at max settings?

Well, son . . . You're on the bleedin' edge at the moment. Those chips were only released a couple months ago, so the fat lady hasn't really sung yet. On the RAM -- you apparently won't gain that much from the high-end modules. Maybe others have opinions, but I'm pretty sure . .

Gigabyte makes good boards. I myself would look at the ASUS boards first, only because those seem to have been my majority choice after looking at all the rest for several year.

Also, I looked up the model you cite at the Egg, and Giga has all sorts of Z97 boards -- but none with that model-code.

My guess is -- you "need" to build this computer now -- not next year, not after Broadwell or Skylake. So scour the web for good lab-test reviews of the board(s) and other parts (especially if you're new to this).

 

[mindsnare]

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestions.

I do intend to buy this rig in the next few weeks. Also, here is the link to the giga board

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4958#ov

I have researched 4690k quite a bit before deciding on it. After OC its almost comparable to its elder brothers.

Thanks again

 

[CropDuster]

If it were me I'd go with some normal 1600mhz ram and throw the savings at a better GPU like the new GTX 970.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Looks to have about the same quality as an ASUS Z77-A board I picked up.

If this is a first-time thing, and you have a limited budget, I'm pretty sure you'll have some fun with this. But -- yeah -- as CropDuster says -- you can even get 1866 RAM for that thing which will run at 1.5V.

I'd get quality components where it counts. For the board, the price reflects features more than quality. I'd be inclined to say you can spend your money on RAM of a lesser spec and still come out ahead. I've used Corsair, and the Vengeance model-line is well-established. Me? I'd just get a set of 1600 or 1866 RipJaws -- they even have a 2x4 set of 2400's for maybe $7 more. But that's me. . . . Likely my own choices wouldn't cost any less than yours.

 

[mindsnare]

thanks everyone...looking towards gtx970 now. The efficiency increase is too good to pass. I'm guessing the rest of my config is ok for this gpu i.e there will be no bottlenecks anywhere.

 

[Yuriman]

It's fine, but as others have said you're going to see diminishing returns above DDR3-1600, I wouldn't buy more than 1866 unless it cost the same. Also, 750w gives you a lot of extra room, probably enough for a 2nd video card. If you're not interested in Crossfire down the road you might be able to save a little by dropping the wattage down to 550-650. The system in my signature ran happily on a 430w (with overclocks) when I was troubleshooting.

 

[Braxos]

The 1600 ram is OK for the money. You could buy a better GPU.
And buy a 970 or a used 780ti since ppl will jump the upgrade train and try to sell them.

 

[Jacky60]

I wouldn't skimp on the PSU, your 750w choice seems good but going SLI further down the road would be a cheap future upgrade. Repeatedly upgrading PSUs is a false economy and I wouldn't get a lower wattage PSU than your choice as this time next year another 970 will cost around $100 and you'll be able to nearly double you GPU power which is the main constraint on your current build.

 

[GreenChile]

If you're not interested in Crossfire down the road you might be able to save a little by dropping the wattage down to 550-650. The system in my signature ran happily on a 430w (with overclocks) when I was troubleshooting.

That's not really how power supplies work. A higher wattage PS does not in general use more power than a lower wattage PS with a given load. What matters most is the efficiency of the PS.

 

[Yuriman]

That's not really how power supplies work. A higher wattage PS does not in general use more power than a lower wattage PS with a given load. What matters most is the efficiency of the PS.

A lower wattage power supply is often cheaper initially, is what I meant, though efficiency is a curve that often peaks closer to a power supply's maximum capacity.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

A lower wattage power supply is often cheaper initially, is what I meant, though efficiency is a curve that often peaks closer to a power supply's maximum capacity.

I thought it was optimum toward the mid-range of capacity; low at the bottom. In my case, I've probably chosen PSUs in excess of power consumption. But efficiency is one thing; voltage stability is another, so . . .