Complete my new gaming rig please!

[aardlak]

Hi bros, after much browsing and research I have a decent idea of how to build my new rig, but I would greatly appreciate if expert bros here can help me to complete my setup.

G.Skill DDR3-1600MHz 8GB (2X4GB) - 115
Crucial mx100 256GB - 160
Zotac gtx970 - $409 (Lazada MasterCard 10% discount)
SUPERFLOWER HX 600M GOLD MODULAR - 109

Questions:

- I have not decided on my mobo+cpu and casing. Instead of recommending just one option, perhaps give me 2-3 choices and explain the pros/cons?

- I am also opting to go without a HDD and DVD-RW. My disk usage on my current computer has never exceeded 150GB. Is this advisable?

- Win 7 or Win 8.1? pros and cons?


I thank you all in advance. The people in this forum are amazing.

 

[Alternative X]

1) Name all programs that you are using.

2) If you think that you will never need a HDD, then whatever. Just do not fill the SSD to almost its maximum capacity, it will adversely affect its performance.

3) -Windows 7 can only use up to 16GB RAMs.
-Windows 8 has a rather different GUI that may be very hard to adapt to.

 

[aardlak]

Thanks for your response.

1. The system should be decently future-proofed to run new graphic intensive games at high settings (don't need ultra or max settings). Not sure which games I will play yet. Not much other use other than gaming. No OC / hyperthreading required

2. Will go without one then.

3. I've used Win 8 on a laptop and hated the interface. Guess I'll stick with Win 7. This may be a stupid question but can I re-use the Win7 software on my current rig or need to buy new one?

Hope I can get more feedback from other bros too.

 

[Alternative X]

1) In the fast changing techonological enviroment of today, true futureproofing is impossible. It is possible for the best of hardware to be obsolete overnight if more poorly optimised games like NOT!Crysis, NOT!Watchdogs or even NOT!Assassin Creed: Unity were to come out in the future. Any current games that you have in mind?

2) If your Windows 7 license is the retail version, then it is reusable. Only OEM system licenses are non-reusable. (By right, that is.)

 

[aardlak]

1. Lets say I want to run Dragon Age: Inquisition at high settings smoothly.

2. That's great news. Pardon my ignorance again but how can I transfer my license onto the new system?

 

[Alternative X]

1. Lets say I want to run Dragon Age: Inquisition at high settings smoothly.

2. That's great news. Pardon my ignorance again but how can I transfer my license onto the new system?

1) Then get an i5 4460 and a B85 mobo of your choice. A GTX 970 would be capable of playing Dragon Age: Inquisition smoothly at max settings.

2) Just install in new system.

 

[aardlak]

1. Great. I shall research more on B85 mobos. Any personal recommendation based on your knowledge/experience?

2. I may have lost my installation CD. any alternative method?

 

[Alternative X]

1. Great. I shall research more on B85 mobos. Any personal recommendation based on your knowledge/experience?

2. I may have lost my installation CD. any alternative method?

1) A basic, no frills mobo like the B85-G41 PC Mate will do. Of course, it is still your choice whether you want a cheap basic mobo or a expensive, feature packed mobo.

Do also take note of mobo sizes as it will also affect the size of the casing that you will get. An ATX sized mobo is not going to fit into a M-ATX sized case but an M-ATX sized mobo can go into an ATX sized case.

Do also take note of the number of PCI-E/PCI slots if you intend to install wifi cards or sound cards or various devices in the future.

2) Got the license key? Download a copy of the Windows 7 .iso direct from Microsoft's website. Lost your license key? There are plenty of keyfinders online. Find one that you can trust and use it to extract your license key.

 

[and_who]

If you still have the license key, call microsoft, tell them you changed your motherboard recently and am being asked for activation. Have not had any issues using this path, and I have changed several motherboards in 3 years

 

[and_who]

Also, better get the 970 while you can- we don't know how long lazada will hold their prices or keep the promotion live. The zotac was listed at 500 recently and only reduced to 448 a few days ago. If the price goes up, even if the 10% is still available you will still end up paying more

 

[aardlak]

you are right.. it is $509 now

I was waiting for today to buy it.. looks like I have to pay $50 more.

Or are there better choices now that the zotac is no longer a clear winner?

 

[and_who]

The zotac is still listed at 448. Dl the app and use the coupon code to get it at slightly above 400.

 

[aardlak]

hmm I see it as $509 on the app as well