Building a PC

[reepicheep]

So it's about time. My goal, mainly, is to build a gaming PC that will last me for as long as possible within the 12-1300 range. I also need a new monitor, so if anybody has any recommendations they're very welcome. (I'm thinking 1920x1080 or possible 2560x1600, but I think the former will be fine). Based off http://www.logicalincrements.com, I put together this: http://de.pcpartpicker.com/p/2uyGu. You'll see that quite a few things aren't linked, that's because I've replaced the price by the cheapest price I can get here.

 

I honestly have no idea about either the RAM or the HDD (and generally the specific manufacturer of the cards and CPU, etc), not at all knowledgeable about those. I've also currently got the dual 280x's, but I'm worried about: 1) the fact that they are overclocked out of the box, it seems to me like that would reduce how long it'll last and 2) the fact that they are in crossfire, because I've heard about problems. Would it be advantageous to go for one really good card over the two in crossfire, and would it be much better to pay the extra money to get dual 770s?

 

If anyone has an entirely different build to suggest, I'd be fine with that as well. Thanks guys!

[Conspicuous]

If you're spending that much get an SSD and do what you can in getting those dual 770s.

[reepicheep]

If you're spending that much get an SSD and do what you can in getting those dual 770s.

I have a 40 gig SSD which is plenty for my OS and the occasional program. I'd get an SSD but I think I'd be better off sticking to this one and getting a new one.

 

I've updated and: removed the fan because I'm not going to be OC'ing (should it be fine with the stock fan?); changed to 2x4GB because 16GB of RAM is a bit excessive; went with a very cheap CD drive because I'm only going to use it to install my OS anyway.

 

Another question: is a clockspeed of 1600 for RAM good enough, or should I shell out for higher clockspeeds?

 

http://de.pcpartpicker.com/p/2uzJC

[O hai im KAMIL]

I'd go with a single stick of 8GB RAM for now. Not only is that enough for games currently, but it'll be cheaper in the long run considering memory prices are at an extremely high level right now.

 

It'd be better to get a single, stronger graphics card right now than immediately going for a dual-card solution. Also if you're only going to play on a single 1080p monitor then going for such powerful cards is kinda overkill, a single R9 280X or GTX 770 or HD 7970 would do you fine for now. Use the money saved to get an SSD, at least 128GB in size (though I'd go for 256GB since this is a gaming build).

[reepicheep]

I'd go with a single stick of 8GB RAM for now. Not only is that enough for games currently, but it'll be cheaper in the long run considering memory prices are at an extremely high level right now.

 

It'd be better to get a single, stronger graphics card right now than immediately going for a dual-card solution. Also if you're only going to play on a single 1080p monitor then going for such powerful cards is kinda overkill, a single R9 280X or GTX 770 or HD 7970 would do you fine for now. Use the money saved to get an SSD, at least 128GB in size (though I'd go for 256GB since this is a gaming build).

Why a single stick of 8GB rather than 2 of 4GB? They're pretty much the same price. And I'm fine with getting a single, I suppose, but I'd like to be more or less done with this computer for the next two years. (I'd say four, but that might be a bit too hopeful). Either way, based on that, I've gotten this:

 

http://de.pcpartpicker.com/p/2uAPl

 

I also exchanged the 850W supply for a 550W (given that I've lost the dual cards). It's 150 euros, is there anything cheaper that anybody would recommend?

 

EDIT: Is the 4GB version of the GTX 770 also worth another 50 euros over the 2GB?

Edited January 3, 2014 by reepicheep

[O hai im KAMIL]

I'd go with a single stick of 8GB RAM for now. Not only is that enough for games currently, but it'll be cheaper in the long run considering memory prices are at an extremely high level right now.

 

It'd be better to get a single, stronger graphics card right now than immediately going for a dual-card solution. Also if you're only going to play on a single 1080p monitor then going for such powerful cards is kinda overkill, a single R9 280X or GTX 770 or HD 7970 would do you fine for now. Use the money saved to get an SSD, at least 128GB in size (though I'd go for 256GB since this is a gaming build).

Why a single stick of 8GB rather than 2 of 4GB? They're pretty much the same price. And I'm fine with getting a single, I suppose, but I'd like to be more or less done with this computer for the next two years. (I'd say four, but that might be a bit too hopeful). Either way, based on that, I've gotten this:

 

http://de.pcpartpicker.com/p/2uAPl

 

I also exchanged the 850W supply for a 550W (given that I've lost the dual cards). It's 150 euros, is there anything cheaper that anybody would recommend?

 

EDIT: Is the 4GB version of the GTX 770 also worth another 50 euros over the 2GB?

 

Reason for the single stick is because I thought you would have wanted 16GB total memory, if you're content with 8GB then grab a 2x4GB kit.

 

For the power supply, the XFX 550W is a quality unit (SeaSonic made) for pretty cheap.

 

As for 4GB vs 2GB VRAM then I'd stick with 2GB unless you're planning on gaming with multiple monitors.

[reepicheep]

I'd go with a single stick of 8GB RAM for now. Not only is that enough for games currently, but it'll be cheaper in the long run considering memory prices are at an extremely high level right now.

 

It'd be better to get a single, stronger graphics card right now than immediately going for a dual-card solution. Also if you're only going to play on a single 1080p monitor then going for such powerful cards is kinda overkill, a single R9 280X or GTX 770 or HD 7970 would do you fine for now. Use the money saved to get an SSD, at least 128GB in size (though I'd go for 256GB since this is a gaming build).

Why a single stick of 8GB rather than 2 of 4GB? They're pretty much the same price. And I'm fine with getting a single, I suppose, but I'd like to be more or less done with this computer for the next two years. (I'd say four, but that might be a bit too hopeful). Either way, based on that, I've gotten this:

 

http://de.pcpartpicker.com/p/2uAPl

 

I also exchanged the 850W supply for a 550W (given that I've lost the dual cards). It's 150 euros, is there anything cheaper that anybody would recommend?

 

EDIT: Is the 4GB version of the GTX 770 also worth another 50 euros over the 2GB?

 

Reason for the single stick is because I thought you would have wanted 16GB total memory, if you're content with 8GB then grab a 2x4GB kit.

 

For the power supply, the XFX 550W is a quality unit (SeaSonic made) for pretty cheap.

 

As for 4GB vs 2GB VRAM then I'd stick with 2GB unless you're planning on gaming with multiple monitors.

Ah, yeah, sorry. Like I said, I was originally going off that link I posted which suggested 16GB. But in a chat with MFI (as in the Sal's member), I was reminded that 8GB is plenty for a gaming PC and so then I might as well go with the dual rather than the single.

[Bob-sama]

Few things... you say you want it to last as long as possible, and then you drop RAM. Yes, you can find it cheaper in the more distant future. DDR4 is coming soon, so it won't be long until DDR3 does drop in price but then prices will rise as DDR4 takes over. Grab the RAM now. I'd say a 2x8GB kit would be plenty for today and adequate in, say, 3 years. Or just go for 8GB and upgrade--I don't really care.

 

Second, you have no need for a £200 motherboard. Least of all with a non-overclocking Core i5. You'd be much better off grabbing an H87 motherboard and a Core i7-4771 instead. Likewise, as you already heard, no need for upgraded cooling when you're not OCing.

 

Here's my suggestion: http://de.pcpartpicker.com/p/2vd1O

[reepicheep]

Few things... you say you want it to last as long as possible, and then you drop RAM. Yes, you can find it cheaper in the more distant future. DDR4 is coming soon, so it won't be long until DDR3 does drop in price but then prices will rise as DDR4 takes over. Grab the RAM now. I'd say a 2x8GB kit would be plenty for today and adequate in, say, 3 years. Or just go for 8GB and upgrade--I don't really care.

 

Second, you have no need for a £200 motherboard. Least of all with a non-overclocking Core i5. You'd be much better off grabbing an H87 motherboard and a Core i7-4771 instead. Likewise, as you already heard, no need for upgraded cooling when you're not OCing.

 

Here's my suggestion: http://de.pcpartpicker.com/p/2vd1O

I went with half the RAM and a cheaper motherboard, and dropped the aftermarket CPU fan, as you and Kamil suggested. I'll double RAM later if ever necessary.