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Question

I need some advice for a new gaming PC

Mar 5, 2015 12:50PM PST

Hi,
I'm looking to upgrade to a newer gaming PC. However, I'm useless at understanding hardware. I'm not against spending a little bit of money upfront so the components last a bit longer. I'm looking at around the NZ$2000-3000 range.

I'm currently running:
CPU: i5-2500K
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 570
Motherboard: Z68MA-D2h-B3
RAM: 8GB

I've recently gotten some quotes and I wanted to get some advice on what has been quoted.

Build 1 - NZ$2699.00
- Intel Haswell Core i7 5820K 6 Core 3.3Ghz
- Gigabyte GA-X99-UD4 Intel X99 Socket LGA2011-3
- Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (4GBx4) DDR4 2400M
- Crucial M550 512GB SATA3 2.5" SSD
- Galax GF GTX 970-4GD5-V2 Black Edition PCI-E3.0 4GB
- Deepcool Maelstrom 120k Liquid Cooling System
- Thermaltake Chaser A31 Mid Tower Black NO PSU
- Antec VP-700P 700W 88% Efficiency MEPS Approved

Build 2 - NZ$2200
- Intel Haswel Unlocked Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz
- Asus Z97-A Intel Z97 ATX Haswell Socket 1150
- EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB
- Crucial M550 512GB SATA3 2.5" SSD
- Antec KUHLER H2O 650 Performance Series Extra Large Water Pump
- 2x Kingston 8GB 1600MHz DDR3
- Raidmax Cobra 600W 80 PLUS GOLD Power Supply
- Thermaltake Versa H24 Mid Tower

Build 3 - NZ$3349.55
- ASUS X99-A Intel X99
- Intel Haswell-E Core i7 5820K 6 Core 12
- Corsair Hydro Series H110 Extreme
- Corsair Vengeance LPX (4x4GB) DDR4-2800 RAM
- Samsung 850 EVO Series 500GB 2.5" SATA3 SSD
- EVGA GeForce GTX970 FTW
- Fractal Define R5 Titanium with Window
- Seasonic Platinum 660W Modular PSU

Build 4 (Uses older PSU, case and HDD) - NZ$2,006.75
- Intel Haswel Unlocked Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz
- Gigabyte GA-Z97M-D3H Socket 150EVGA
- GeForce GTX980 4GB SC Version
- COOLER MASTER Seidon 120V Watercoling kit
- Crucial 8GB DESKTOP DDR3 160Mhz DIM

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Opinion
Mar 6, 2015 1:10AM PST

Since there is nothing wrong with you cpu and mobo....I'd get a quote on this.

Gpu....gtx 970
Ram...4X4GB@1333

Add a 500GB ssd for the OS.
Keep your existing hdd for storage.

Should give a nice bump.

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Answer
My thought.
Mar 6, 2015 1:29AM PST

Toss out the high and low price models and what I see is a very high end gamer. However you seem to list what folk overclock then crash and flame everyone for the cranky machine. Why not drop the K CPU since it's not where the GAMING NUMBERS come from. That is, I'm sure you've read this from Toms:

"Our tests demonstrate fairly little difference between a $225 LGA 1155 Core i5-2500K and a $1000 LGA 2011 Core i7-3960X, even when three-way graphics card configurations are involved. It turns out that memory bandwidth and PCIe throughput don't hold back the performance of existing Sandy Bridge-based machines. "
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-4.html

I'm not writing to go back to the i5, but there's so little to be gained from the K model that I wouldn't pay for it.
Bob

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Clarification
Mar 6, 2015 4:07AM PST

So I was trying to put something together that would last and wouldn't need to be upgraded for a while.
I based it off this post on Rock Paper Shotgun, but you think it's too much? http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/10/16/custom-built-pc-or-diy-pc-2/

Furthermore, I've had these components since about 2011. I figured the computer was getting a bit old and maybe it was time to get something new, preventing any issues, worn fans, etc.
You guys think I should keep the old stuff in a gaming PC?

I have to admit, I like running graphics, etc at max, but I'm not an overclocker (terrified of breaking things) and I don't care about bells and whistles (I like things kept simple). I just like playing things that'll run smoothly at a good framerate.

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Then it's not to be.
Mar 6, 2015 4:20AM PST

Current gen systems don't game at 4K, That's the next thing and it's again, not a CPU issue. It's the GPU.

The 2 remaining systems will be in the top 1% of what folk own today so that's good for gaming.
Bob

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Save a buck
Mar 6, 2015 10:35AM PST

Seems a shame to toss a nice machine when all it needs is a few upgrades.

Gpu...yes
Ram...maybe...depends what you have now...speed/size/sticks
Ssd...yes

Give the innards a good cleaning
Refresh the thermal paste on the cpu.

Good to go.
Unless you 'want' a new machine.....then 'want' vs 'need' has a fight.

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Answer
I'm with the others ....but start with just the GPU.
Mar 7, 2015 2:57AM PST

That should give a performance boost and cost peanuts compared to an entire new system. Then decide if you really need more ....you can explore the options and add/swap out appropriate. No sense spending $2K or $3K if you can get the same performance boost for say under $500.

VAPCMD