The PC Build Thread

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I planning a to build a gaming rig in the coming months. I've been out of the game for a while and not up to date with whats best at the moment, this coupled with the fact that I'm switching from AMD to Intel and wish to switch to Nvidia as well.

So far I've identified:
CPU - i5-4690K
Mobo - Asus H97-Pro
Cooling - Corsair H100i (planning on OC)

That's as far as I got. How am doing so far?

Could you guys please recommend the GPU, RAM, PSU, SSD, Monitor? For the case I have something in mind, but will first see how much of the budget is left still.

Budget R14K - R16K
 
Gunner182 said:
I planning a to build a gaming rig in the coming months. I've been out of the game for a while and not up to date with whats best at the moment, this coupled with the fact that I'm switching from AMD to Intel and wish to switch to Nvidia as well.

So far I've identified:
CPU - i5-4690K
Mobo - Asus H97-Pro
Cooling - Corsair H100i (planning on OC)

That's as far as I got. How am doing so far?

Could you guys please recommend the GPU, RAM, PSU, SSD, Monitor? For the case I have something in mind, but will first see how much of the budget is left still.

Budget R14K - R16K
Click to expand...

Would be a waste not to go a GTX970 with that budget. But that'll suck R5k right out of the budget. If you find yourself at any point having to remove it to stick to your budget your doing it wrong.

Since you gonna OC a little, I suggest getting the sea-sonic.
http://www.rebeltech.co.za/7424-sea...23-80-plus-bronze-certified-active-pfc-6.html

Should add a lot of room for "extras".

Don't know which RAM exactly but suggest only getting 8 gig for now, since that's all you gonna ever need for gaming. Also getting 16 would only mean R1000 less to spend on Monitor/SSD.
 
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HideInLight said:
Would be a waste not to go a GTX970 with that budget. But that'll suck R5k right out of the budget. If you find yourself at any point having to remove it to stick to your budget your doing it wrong.

Since you gonna OC a little, I suggest getting the sea-sonic.
http://www.rebeltech.co.za/7424-sea...23-80-plus-bronze-certified-active-pfc-6.html

Should add a lot of room for "extras".

Don't know which RAM exactly but suggest only getting 8 gig for now, since that's all you gonna ever need for gaming. Also getting 16 would only mean R1000 less to spend on Monitor/SSD.
Click to expand...
Don't think I'm ready to spend R5k on a gpu. I was thinking around R4k at most. If it means staying on the red team then I'm willing to do that. Are there any cheaper cards out there that can play for eg BF4, Watchdogs on ultra at 1080p with decent FPS?

I think the monitor will take a huge chunk out of the budget, so I'm gonna have to save and sacrifice where I can.

Edit: I think I'll use the memory that I currently have. It's Adata gaming memory 8gb running at 1866mhz. So that's saves another R1k, so maybe I can go for that 970...
 
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Gunner182 said:
Don't think I'm ready to spend R5k on a gpu. I was thinking around R4k at most. If it means staying on the red team then I'm willing to do that. Are there any cheaper cards out there that can play for eg BF4, Watchdogs on ultra at 1080p with decent FPS?

I think the monitor will take a huge chunk out of the budget, so I'm gonna have to save and sacrifice where I can.

Edit: I think I'll use the memory that I currently have. It's Adata gaming memory 8gb running at 1866mhz. So that's saves another R1k, so maybe I can go for that 970...
Click to expand...

The only other option would be the Galax GTX960 @R3000 which is a tiny bit slower than the R9 280x.
But the main advantage Nvidia currently has is the power usage.

For instance the R9 290 should be around the R4k mark but then you'll have to throw in some extra cash for a PSU that can actually handle it.

That's why the best options currently is GTX960 and GTX970 for R3000-R5000 range.
It's Nvidia's mainstream so expect a lot of support for a very long time.

But you also need to take into account the "premium" your paying for the CPU OC.
If that premium gives you a OC'ed CPU and GTX960, instead of stock CPU and GTX970 it's no longer worth it.

But with that budget you might get away with it.
Your existing RAM should do nicely.
 
btw if someone looking for a tight budget i5 build:
http://carbonite.co.za/f39/2-intel-...ore-i5-3330s-1-intel-core-i5-3470-cpus-94099/

That's a really good deal at R1200 if someone hasn't taken it yet.
By tight budget I mean R500-R600 motherboard and the cheapest 4Gig 1333/1600 Ram you can find.

It's possible to do a capable i5 mobo for under R2500 that does just enough.
That's the direction I went with my build, I then spend most of the leftover cash on the GPU.

Here's what my PC upgrade cost me.
i5 3470 -> R1300
Motherboard -> R550
4Gig Ram -> R400 (Voucher)
Powercolor R9 270x -> R1800

Total: R4050
 
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This is what I intend to build, ignore the prices was just easier to use pcpartpicker, the gpu I want to get is the vapor-x not tri-x, the m.2 will be the OS the fans are purely aesthetics, lemme know what you think.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RYjxP6
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RYjxP6/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H105 73.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($109.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($113.75 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow M.2 120GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($86.29 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 4GB Tri-X Video Card ($303.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master 690 III ATX Mid Tower Case ($256.76 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition 39.9 CFM 120mm Fan ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series SP120 High Performance Edition (2-Pack) 62.7 CFM 120mm Fans ($27.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 67.8 CFM 140mm Fan ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 67.8 CFM 140mm Fan ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Corsair Raptor K40 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.85 @ Directron)
Mouse: Mad Catz R.A.T. 7 Wired Laser Mouse ($94.95 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Corsair Vengeance 2100 7.1 Channel Headset ($99.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1742.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-17 15:18 EST-0500
 
Hey guys!

I'm helping a friend build a super budget build (<R7500) and was wondering if you guys can rate it.

R877.00 CX500 PSU: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/corsair-cx500-500w-power-supply-p-5642.html

R473.00 Coolermaster K280 ATX: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/cooler-master-rck280kkn1-k280-black-chassis-p-12906.html

R997.00 MSI B85M E33 Mobo: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/b85me33-intel-chipset-microatx-motherboard-p-11738.html

R1,499.00 Intel i3 4160: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/i...0-36ghz-dual-core-processor-with-p-13077.html

R699.00 Western Digital Blue 1TB: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/western-digital-blue-sata-desktop-hard-drive-p-9066.html

R634.00 Corsair Vengeance 4GB: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/c...in-sdram-ddr3-1600-desktop-memory-p-6071.html

R2,399.00 Powercolor R9 270x: http://www.wootware.co.za/powercolo...dr5-pci-express-3-0-256bit-graphics-card.html

Total cost: R7,578.00

Any changes I should make? Let me know your thoughts.
 
jackshiels said:
Hey guys!

I'm helping a friend build a super budget build (<R7500) and was wondering if you guys can rate it.

R877.00 CX500 PSU: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/corsair-cx500-500w-power-supply-p-5642.html

R473.00 Coolermaster K280 ATX: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/cooler-master-rck280kkn1-k280-black-chassis-p-12906.html

R997.00 MSI B85M E33 Mobo: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/b85me33-intel-chipset-microatx-motherboard-p-11738.html

R1,499.00 Intel i3 4160: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/i...0-36ghz-dual-core-processor-with-p-13077.html

R699.00 Western Digital Blue 1TB: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/western-digital-blue-sata-desktop-hard-drive-p-9066.html

R634.00 Corsair Vengeance 4GB: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/c...in-sdram-ddr3-1600-desktop-memory-p-6071.html

R2,399.00 Powercolor R9 270x: http://www.wootware.co.za/powercolo...dr5-pci-express-3-0-256bit-graphics-card.html

Total cost: R7,578.00

Any changes I should make? Let me know your thoughts.
Click to expand...
I would advise comparing prices with Rebeltech and Takealot as well. Save a buck or 2.
 
jackshiels said:
Hey guys!

I'm helping a friend build a super budget build (<R7500) and was wondering if you guys can rate it.

R877.00 CX500 PSU: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/corsair-cx500-500w-power-supply-p-5642.html

R473.00 Coolermaster K280 ATX: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/cooler-master-rck280kkn1-k280-black-chassis-p-12906.html

R997.00 MSI B85M E33 Mobo: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/b85me33-intel-chipset-microatx-motherboard-p-11738.html

R1,499.00 Intel i3 4160: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/i...0-36ghz-dual-core-processor-with-p-13077.html

R699.00 Western Digital Blue 1TB: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/western-digital-blue-sata-desktop-hard-drive-p-9066.html

R634.00 Corsair Vengeance 4GB: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/c...in-sdram-ddr3-1600-desktop-memory-p-6071.html

R2,399.00 Powercolor R9 270x: http://www.wootware.co.za/powercolo...dr5-pci-express-3-0-256bit-graphics-card.html

Total cost: R7,578.00

Any changes I should make? Let me know your thoughts.
Click to expand...

R619 Super Flower SF-450P14XE(HX) PSU: http://www.wootware.co.za/super-flo...plus-gold-certified-desktop-power-supply.html

R625 MSI Intel H81M-P33 Mobo: http://aperturepc.co.za/msir-intel-h81m-p33-h87-chipset

R480 Corsair Value Select 4GB RAM: http://aperturepc.co.za/corsair-value-select-4gb-ddr3-1600

R1470 Intel Core i3 4160 CPU: http://www.takealot.com/intel-core-i3-4160-3-60ghz-socket-1150-processor/PLID32852952

The above will save you R813 which you could put to a better GPU,
R2999 Galax 96NPH8DVD9XX GeForce GTX 960 EXOC GPU: http://www.wootware.co.za/galax-96n...it-pci-express-3-0-desktop-graphics-card.html
http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/kfa2-geforce-gtx-960-exoc-review,1.html

Which still leaves you with a R213 saving over your original build which you could spend on a nicer case like a Corsair Carbide 200R (R600) or a Coolermaster Silencio 352 (R640) etc.

I used the above MB, PSU, RAM, GPU, Chassis in my i5-4690 build I did last week. I ordered everything from Aperture except for the PSU & GPU which I got from Wootware. If Aperture does not have something you need listed on their site call or email Theuns and he'll add it for you.

I see you are in CT so you could go and pick up all the stuff from wootware & aperture in somerset west and avoid any shipping charges.
 
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i5 3470 -> R1300
Motherboard -> R550
4Gig Ram -> R400 (Voucher)
4Gig Ram -> R400
Powercolor R9 270x -> R1800
Raidmax Cobra case -> R550
Radimax 730w PSU -> R700
1 TB WD blue -> 600
Click to expand...

Inherited a few parts from another build basically.
My total PC cost me R6300

Was a combination of secondhand, vouchers and of course black Friday.
 
Hi

With my birthday bonus is coming up its time for a new build. What do you guys think?


Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-Gaming 5, LGA1150, Intel Z97 Chipset, ATX R 2,420

Case: Fractal-Design DEFINE R5, Midi Tower, Black, ATX R 1,259
looking for something inconspicuous & quiet

HDD: Transcend SSD370, 256GB, 2.5", SATA6G, Read/Write: 560/300MB/s: R 1,468
Cheapest ssd

CPU: Intel Devil's Canyon Core i7-4790K, 4.00GHz, Quad Core, LGA1150: R 4,836
Might as well

RAM: Kingston Hyper-X Savage, 16GB Kit, DDR3-2400, CL11, Red: R 2,338
Should be enough for now

Cooling: DeepCool MAELSTROM 120K, with 1x 120mm Fan: R 647
Not so sure about this

PSU: RAIDMAX Thunder Pro, 1000w, 80 PLUS Gold, Modular: R 1 663
Might want to add more gpus later on

GPU: GALAX GeForce GTX 970 EXOC, 4GB, DDR3, PCI-Express 3.0 + The Witcher 3: R 4,899
Will add another one later on when it becomes necessary

Other: Building Fee (PC): R 100
as much as I`d like to build it myself, I don`t want to send parts back for not working.


Total: R19 630

I`m a little concerned about whether the motherboard and cooling will be enough.
 
Do you really need a new PC or just want to get something for your birthday? Personally, I would stick the money into savings for 6 months or so and get onto Skylake when it comes out.
 
Neoprod said:
Do you really need a new PC or just want to get something for your birthday? Personally, I would stick the money into savings for 6 months or so and get onto Skylake when it comes out.
Click to expand...

I`ve been using my current pc now for 7 years.
its a core 2 duo with a gts 8800 and hard drives that sounds like a malfunctioning but never stopping lister engine

Honestly don`t know if skylake is worth the wait.
 
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