Gaming rig. Budget 2k

[Hidetoshi]

Hi all,

As above. Don't need screen or windows. And also, will i need to get a wifi card?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hi all,

As above. Don't need screen or windows. And also, will i need to get a wifi card?

You don't necessary need one WiFi card.

Do you wish to have some overclocking capability? And also colour theme for this build?

 

[Hidetoshi]

Hi moneyface, thank you for dropping by.

If no wifi card, can i still connect to wifi? Always thought i needed one... And any need for sound cards?

I am not rly overclocking but i see many streamers use 4790k and use the msi gtx970 gaming card, which allows overclocking. What is your advice? No color theme required just wan a really good rig that max out my budget and last me 3-4 years

 

[halnala]

Hi moneyface, thank you for dropping by.

If no wifi card, can i still connect to wifi? Always thought i needed one... And any need for sound cards?

I am not rly overclocking but i see many streamers use 4790k and use the msi gtx970 gaming card, which allows overclocking. What is your advice? No color theme required just wan a really good rig that max out my budget and last me 3-4 years

Wifi can connect using USB dongle also. Sound cards are very dependent on what kind of sound output are you trying to achieve. For 2.1 speakers, just stick to onboard sound.

Are you intending to stream live gaming? Most people use ShadowPlay software included with Nvidia GPUs for gameplay recording then uploading to the various video channels.

Maybe you can be more specific like the monitor resolution you intend to run games at. Also given that game engines are actually picking up in details, you may only be able to run high or even maximum medium settings in maybe 3 years time with current generation GPUs. Would you be able to accept that?

 

[Hidetoshi]

Halnala, thanks for your advice.

I am using benq 2420z monitor. As for ur point on gpu, perhaps i can settle on msi gtx979 for now and upgrade in 2 years.

Will wifi card be more convenient than a usb dongle? My room has no plug and the router is quite far away so definitely depending on wifi

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hi moneyface, thank you for dropping by.

If no wifi card, can i still connect to wifi? Always thought i needed one... And any need for sound cards?

I am not rly overclocking but i see many streamers use 4790k and use the msi gtx970 gaming card, which allows overclocking. What is your advice? No color theme required just wan a really good rig that max out my budget and last me 3-4 years

A lil'bit of military ruggedness....

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-4690K + ASUS B85 Vanguard @ $445
5 years warranty for this military-grade motherboard.
RAM: Crucial DDR3-1600 CL11 8GB @ $86
GPU: Sapphire R9-290X 4GB Tri-X OC @ $410* (Lazada Singapore)
Top of the class performing card just under GTX 980.
SSD: Lite-On S900 256GB @ $140
HDD: Western Digital Blue 1TB @ $70
ODD: Samsung 24X CD/DVD Writer [OEM] @ $21
PSU: Seasonic X 650W [80 Plus Gold] @ $170
7 years warranty, top of the class quality, quiet-running PSU.
CASE: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 @ $139
PWL: Sineoji PL1800E AV2 MIMO 1800 Mbps Kit @ $119^ (IT Show 2015)
Use this over wireless for best gaming experience.
This connects through your home power grid.

Total: $1600

Buy and Build at Tradepac, #05-18.

^Price after CITIbank 10% discount
*Price estimation based on SITEX 2014 price

 

[Hidetoshi]

Moneyface:

Would you recommend me going i7?
For gpu, what are your thoughts on msi gtx970 gaming instead of r9?
Ssd wise, any reason why this brand instead of the usual samsung evo or crucial mx100?
Case: what are your thoughts on fractal r5?
What is pwl?
Can i buy from pc themes instead? Heard some bros here warn about tradepac.


Sorry for the multiple qns! Really wanna learn more. Thanks!

 

[halnala]

Halnala, thanks for your advice.

I am using benq 2420z monitor. As for ur point on gpu, perhaps i can settle on msi gtx979 for now and upgrade in 2 years.

Will wifi card be more convenient than a usb dongle? My room has no plug and the router is quite far away so definitely depending on wifi

You are welcome. Just trying to help.

Yeah, regarding the GPU can look to upgrade down the line so no need to expend all the budget.

The performance results of PCIe wifi card and USB dongle seems to be quite close depending the layout of your house. However, Moneyface's suggestion to use a Homeplug is also very feasible and convenient. Homeplugs basically utilise your powerline in the flat as an electrical LAN cable.

I have tested them in my 40+ year old flat and they do work. Just one thing to note, your homeplugs must be used within the same circuit loop and for best results, use them directly to wall sockets and not along your powercord extensions.

 

[monikernemo]

Moneyface:

Would you recommend me going i7?
For gpu, what are your thoughts on msi gtx970 gaming instead of r9?
Ssd wise, any reason why this brand instead of the usual samsung evo or crucial mx100?
Case: what are your thoughts on fractal r5?
What is pwl?
Can i buy from pc themes instead? Heard some bros here warn about tradepac.


Sorry for the multiple qns! Really wanna learn more. Thanks!

i7 no point, higher clockspeed and hyperthreading which you wont really use.

970 is more power efficient. But 290X has more raw power and performs better albeit marginal.

MX 100 might be oos. Samsung Evo 850 is too expensive. Evo 840 has alot of problems. Real world usage negligible in difference for SSDs,

Case usually for preference. If you want R5 just go get R 5

PWL means Power Line adapter. Sort of transmit internet via your house electric grid.

PCT is more expensive, Tradepac is Cheaper. But if you are adamant on know what you want, can go Tradepac.

 

[royfrosty]

To answer all your question. Best is to google it. But i will digest everything.

An i5 and i7. This 2 differences are mainly the slight base clock speed, cache memory and hyper threading capabilities.

Similarities are that they are both quad cores CPU.

However in terms of gaming, this 2 CPU offers very negligible performance differences. There is not much gains in performance if you gonna spend the extra $1XX more for an i7. In gaming, the main horsepower is the GPU. Spend more on a GPU rather than a CPU.

Theres pros and cons on the r9 290x provided. Pros is that this card is on promo, and also one of the best AMD graphics card ever made. But however, in the expense of high heat output and high power consumption. But if i were to go for R9 290x, i would go for MSI r9 290x Gaming Edition instead. Reason being, it has a proper backplate support, and also a much quieter cooler and comes with a 3 years warranty. And going for $449 or less in SLS now. Too bad you have missed the r9 290x Lightning edition. But if there is in SLS please grab it. Its one of the best r9 290x custom made by MSI.

On the other hand GTX970 is a much more cooler and much lesser power consumption card. Its temp never breached 70deg (on major brands cooler) other than r9 290x going over 84deg. Performance is slightly tiny bit behind r9 290x in certain games. But however its a bit pricely if you going for major brands such as ASUS MSI and Gigabyte.

MSI GTX970 is a bit pricey. But however you get what you paid for.

1. All new Twin Frozr 5 technology cooler. Its quiet at 100% fan load, it brings in more air with their new large Torx Fan blade.

2. It has soldered SuperPipe configs. The S Shape Heatpipe drawing the most amount of heat out and away from the GPU core. The U shape works on the lesser heat area of the GPU core transferring to the outer portion of the heatsink.

3. With SuperPipe configs, its cooler than lesser known brands. Not just that, Twin Frozr 5 fans wont turn on till it reaches 50degs and above. This allows your fan to so call technically speaking "last longer".

Fractal r5 is a very clean and unique look case. Its one of the best chassis i ever worked with. But theres always a problem in minimal looks chassis. They usually have bad airflow as their front always blocks out air intake.

Powerline. Its different from direct wifi. This allows you to have a 3 pin plug with wireless features connecting to your router, and use in conjunction with a RJ45 cable out to your desktop. I wouldnt say its more reliable than wifi. Cause its technically still wifi, and worse is that it increases your ping rate. Only use a PWL if there is a super weak signal across the desktop and router. Using this PWL at a certain line of sight with your router and using the RJ45 cable to your desktop will work properly.

 

[Hidetoshi]

Thanks for the replies...

I am currently already using aztech homeplug but the second plug is for the router on the second floor main hall... Will it be ok for me to just add another homeplug to my room?

For mobo wise, is the asus one the best? Saw some people recommend msi gaming mobos

 

[trento]

Sandisk ssd is quite cheap now. Used for few months n it's ok

 

[Hidetoshi]

Thanks roy for ur replies!

Will you recommend a wifi card then? Seems like most ppl are recommending that i dont add in a wifi card

 

[royfrosty]

How far is your router away from your PC?

 

[Hidetoshi]

It's quite a fair distance... About one room away... My mum probably will kb if the wire just cuts through the whole main hall into my room haha

 

[royfrosty]

One room is still fine. You can just use the router and connect straight via wifi.

Not unless may various walls and 2 3 rooms away.

 

[Hidetoshi]

Ya but that's my query... Will i need a wifi card to connect to wifi? Sorry i not sure about wifi cards...

 

[royfrosty]

Ya but that's my query... Will i need a wifi card to connect to wifi? Sorry i not sure about wifi cards...

Yes if your mum doesnt allow to have a cable pull from the router to your pc.

You can go for intel ac7250 dual band wifi card.

It also has a bluetooth build in. Its $7x at laser distribution in sls.

 

[Hidetoshi]

Ok thanks so much bro... You have been a great help..

One last question, which mobo u recommend? I saw someone recommend msi h97 gaming3, another forum recommend msi z97 gaming 5 and asrock b85, what is your fav?

 

[monikernemo]

Ok thanks so much bro... You have been a great help..

One last question, which mobo u recommend? I saw someone recommend msi h97 gaming3, another forum recommend msi z97 gaming 5 and asrock b85, what is your fav?

Z chipsets allows for oc with k processors and most allows sli.
H and B chipsets no of though. Difference between h and b chipsets is that h supports onboard raid, xfire and should be more feature rich than B chipsets. Of course h and z chip set boards are more expensive than B chipsets boards.

Also, Intel 9-series boards have support for broadwell, m.2 sata and sata express. But don't think anyone using haswell currently will upgrade to broadwell and there has been quite a delay for data express drives...