Need help on $1.3k gaming rig

[Methical]

Hi guys, I'm an absolute IT noob here trying to seek help on a gaming rig. My budget is estimated to be around $1.3, but may be able to increase it just a little bit. The main purpose of this rig is for playing games, followed by watching videos and surfing the net. The games I would like to play are BF3, COD, D3 and CSGO. I want to play the games smoothly on mid-high setting. This is my current proposed setup that I have gathered from reading other people's threads, and obviously it has exceeded my budget. Much appreciated if you could help me modify the build!


CPU & Mobo: i5-4460 & Asrock B85 Gaming
Ram: Crucial 1600mhz value ram 8GB
ODD: Samsung 24X CD/DVD Writer
HDD: WD Blue 1TB
SSD: Crucial MX100 256GB
GPU: ZOTAC GTX 970 4GB TWIN FAN
PSU: Superflower HX500 500w 80+ Gold Semi Modular PSU
OS: Windows 7 Home 64bit
Case: Xigmatek Recon

Things that I don't need are the peripherals (i.e keyboard, monitor, speaker)

do tell me if there are any parts that may be incompatible with another, and a preferred location to get those parts. Thanks!

 

[Alternative X]

CPU & Mobo: i5-4460 + Asrock B85 Killer (377)
Ram: G.Skill 1600Mhz ValueRAM 8GB (102)
ODD: Samsung 24X CD/DVD Writer (25)
HDD: WD Blue 1TB (72)
SSD: Crucial MX100 256GB (160)
GPU: Powercolor R9 280 Turboduo (285)
PSU: Superflower HX 600M Gold Modular (109)
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium (125)
Case: CM K282 / K350 / K380 (55)

Total: $1310

Buy at PC Themes, #04-15, and ask for discounts. DIY yourself. If you can't into DIY, get PC Themes to assemble for you for a fee.

Notes:

1) This build is modified based on the parts PC Themes are likely to have in stock.

2) The Powercolor R9 280 is powerful enough to run BF3, COD: Ghosts, D3 and CSGO smoothly at maximum settings. However, if you wish to play COD: Advanced Warfare, you are likely to be able to play the game smoothly only at High settings on 1080p.

3) Due to the relatively high power consumption of the R9 280, a 600W PSU is chosen to give the PSU sufficient wattage headroom for good PSU durability.

 

[royfrosty]

Just a quick scouting, most of the stores no longer bringing in B85 mobos.

Mostly move to H97.

 

[Alternative X]

Just a quick scouting, most of the stores no longer bringing in B85 mobos.

Mostly move to H97.

How come? Is it because everyone actually only cared about the H/Z-mobos (because 'superior mobo quality' ) and the B85 mobos ended up mostly being poor sellers?

Any H87 mobos left? I am not sure how having a M2 SSD slot is going to be advantageous when considering the relatively high prices of M2 SSDs. I would rather have more PCI-E X1 slots for me to put stuff in, have more flexibility in placement of cards.

 

[royfrosty]

How come? Is it because everyone actually only cared about the H/Z-mobos (because 'superior mobo quality' ) and the B85 mobos ended up mostly being poor sellers?

Any H87 mobos left? I am not sure how having a M2 SSD slot is going to be advantageous when considering the relatively high prices of M2 SSDs. I would rather have more PCI-E X1 slots for me to put stuff in, have more flexibility in placement of cards.

Its on its way to remove from shelves soon. Leaving behind only H81 and H87 or H97 the minimum.

m.2 ssd it has it avantages. But yes the price is on a high side due to it being new. Let it mature in market, and it will become SSD pricings. It doesn't kills to have an aditional slot of m.2, besides the cost is few single digits away from the H87.

 

[Methical]

Thanks Alternate X for the suggestion. So what should I do if B85 mobo ran out of stock, what is a good alternative? and are there anyone else that could offer another build for me to refer? thanks to everyone who try to help me. Much appreciated!

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hi guys, I'm an absolute IT noob here trying to seek help on a gaming rig. My budget is estimated to be around $1.3, but may be able to increase it just a little bit. The main purpose of this rig is for playing games, followed by watching videos and surfing the net. The games I would like to play are BF3, COD, D3 and CSGO. I want to play the games smoothly on mid-high setting. This is my current proposed setup that I have gathered from reading other people's threads, and obviously it has exceeded my budget. Much appreciated if you could help me modify the build!


CPU & Mobo: i5-4460 & Asrock B85 Gaming
Ram: Crucial 1600mhz value ram 8GB
ODD: Samsung 24X CD/DVD Writer
HDD: WD Blue 1TB
SSD: Crucial MX100 256GB
GPU: ZOTAC GTX 970 4GB TWIN FAN
PSU: Superflower HX500 500w 80+ Gold Semi Modular PSU
OS: Windows 7 Home 64bit
Case: Xigmatek Recon

Things that I don't need are the peripherals (i.e keyboard, monitor, speaker)

do tell me if there are any parts that may be incompatible with another, and a preferred location to get those parts. Thanks!

Thanks Alternate X for the suggestion. So what should I do if B85 mobo ran out of stock, what is a good alternative? and are there anyone else that could offer another build for me to refer? thanks to everyone who try to help me. Much appreciated!

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-4460 + ASRock H81M-HDS @ $299
RAM: Crucial DDR3-1600 CL11 8GB @ $96
GPU: Zotac GTX 770 2GB AMP! Edition @ $398
SSD: Crucial MX100 256GB @ $154
HDD: Western Digital Blue 1TB @ $68
ODD: Samsung 24X CD/DVD Writer [OEM] @ $21
PSU: Super Flower Golden Green HX 600W [80 Plus Gold] @ $108
CASE: Xigmatek Recon @ $45
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $115

Total: $1304

Buy from Tradepac, #05-19. Haggle for discounts.

 

[Alternative X]

Thanks Alternate X for the suggestion. So what should I do if B85 mobo ran out of stock, what is a good alternative? and are there anyone else that could offer another build for me to refer? thanks to everyone who try to help me. Much appreciated!

If you are willing to pay relatively similar or slightly higher prices for a similar/better alternative, consider these motherboards (prices are the cost of the mobo+ i5 4460):

ATX mobos
MSI B85-G41 PC Mate (355)
MSI H97 PC Mate (363)
Asrock H87 Performance (399)

M-ATX mobos:
Asrock B85M Pro 4 (362)
Asrock H87M Pro 4 (371)
MSI B85M-G43 (363)
Gigabyte B85M-D3H (378)
Asrock H97M Pro 4 (384)
Gigabyte H97M-D3H (395)

You may wish to do some research on these boards before picking an alternative.

For example:
- Intel's H87/97 series differs from the B85 and H81 in that they support RAID arrays.
- H97 mobos usually have a M2 SSD slot and H87 mobos do not have this slot.

 

[Methical]

Thanks both for your suggestions. One question, what if I decide to get GX 970 instead because I want to be able to run future graphic-intensive games smoothly at max settings, but yet still want to keep to my budget, is it worth getting it but having to cut cost for other parts of the build instead? If so, what should I change? Or is the Zotac GTX 770 2GB AMP! Edition good enough?

 

[muddle]

If you are willing to pay relatively similar or slightly higher prices for a similar/better alternative, consider these motherboards (prices are the cost of the mobo+ i5 4460):

ATX mobos
MSI B85-G41 PC Mate (355)
MSI H97 PC Mate (363)
Asrock H87 Performance (399)

M-ATX mobos:
Asrock B85M Pro 4 (362)
Asrock H87M Pro 4 (371)
MSI B85M-G43 (363)
Gigabyte B85M-D3H (378)
Asrock H97M Pro 4 (384)
Gigabyte H97M-D3H (395)

You may wish to do some research on these boards before picking an alternative.

For example:
- Intel's H87/97 series differs from the B85 and H81 in that they support RAID arrays.
- H97 mobos usually have a M2 SSD slot and H87 mobos do not have this slot.

The msi h97 pc mate doesn't have m2 slot

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Thanks both for your suggestions. One question, what if I decide to get GX 970 instead because I want to be able to run future graphic-intensive games smoothly at max settings, but yet still want to keep to my budget, is it worth getting it but having to cut cost for other parts of the build instead? If so, what should I change? Or is the Zotac GTX 770 2GB AMP! Edition good enough?

GTX 770 is good enough. Palit GTX 970 4GB OC @ $457 after Lazada MasterCard Monday also fine.

 

[Methical]

GTX 770 is good enough. Palit GTX 970 4GB OC @ $457 after Lazada MasterCard Monday also fine.

Thanks bro MoneyFace. however does it mean that GTX 770 might have to be replaced in the near future since it's only 2GB?

 

[shadow84]

Thanks bro MoneyFace. however does it mean that GTX 770 might have to be replaced in the near future since it's only 2GB?

Your gpu will run out of juice before it hits the 2GB VRAM limit...

 

[Methical]

Your gpu will run out of juice before it hits the 2GB VRAM limit...

Thanks bro shadow84 for quick reply.

 

[Butthead]

Thanks bro MoneyFace. however does it mean that GTX 770 might have to be replaced in the near future since it's only 2GB?

Why 770?
Top up a bit for Palit 970 for its non brainer pricing.

 

[Methical]

Why 770?
Top up a bit for Palit 970 for its non brainer pricing.

Yeah but it kinda exceeds my budget atm :/