Another "What gaming PC?" thread

[Rowey]

I'm looking for a new gaming machine, as my gaming laptop is now not able to play newer games at the native 1080p resolution on lowest settings. Luckily I now have the luxury of a desk that I can have a full desktop set up on.

My budget is £1000 for the system, not including peripherals. I want to play Battlefield 4 at 1080p on ultra settings.
I'm looking at:
Intel i5 4690K (I wont need the extra threads of an i7)
Nvidia GTX970 (money saved on an i7 on the GPU)
16GB RAM
I have a 250GB SSD in my laptop that I'll use as the boot drive, with a 1TB spinner for media.

A look at some pre built systems I've found:
https://cdn.bikechatforums.com/files/ocuk_titan_tanto_dc.jpg

and

https://cdn.bikechatforums.com/files/scan_3xs_nanu_ultimate.jpg

The Scan 3XS is a little more expensive and over my budget. I am leaning towards it though. I like the idea of the smaller form factor, as well as the H80 water cooler. The Scan PC comes with a 700w PSU too.

As there are a lot of experienced PC builders on here, I thought I'd ask. If anyone knows of any better specs for the same money or the same specs for less I'd appreciate it. I've also built systems before, so wouldn't mind doing it again if it saves money.

Thanks in advance.
____________________
ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[CaNsA]

You want to be looking at the GTX 970 Ti graphics, the Ti bit makes things alot better and shizzle.

Ditch the Corsair cooler and get an Antec Kuhler 650.

There have been a few threads on BCF alone about the Corsair shitting it's self and opting for early retirement.

Kudos for the Fractal Design case. They make some shit hot cases, just ask me and Phil (lihp on here).
Build quality and customer service is excellent.

[temeluchus]

The cooler says "customised", so I don't know if the antec will fit the mini itx case.

the 950 certainly wouldn't fit mine.
____________________
Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[CaNsA]

[Razzy]

Previous post mentions a 970 ti. ....no such thing only 970 exists, there was a 780ti before but it's still more expensive and overkill for bf 1080p unless your going for lots of frames and your monitor is a 144hz . 2 your power supply at 700w is overkill for it even with gpu and cpu overclocked a 500 psu is more than enough and has a little room with overclocking in mind unless you are planning to sli at later date which then it's fine.
You could save further dosh with going with a 280x amd card which should save you another 50 - 100 quid depending on where you get it from and it will play bf at ultra no worries.
____________________
GSX 1400 K5 SOLD
Tiger 955i SOLD
R.I.P Aprilia RSV 1000r 9/2/09

[Razzy]

Could also change down ram to 1600 has 2133 isn't going to actually benefit your gaming.
____________________
GSX 1400 K5 SOLD
Tiger 955i SOLD
R.I.P Aprilia RSV 1000r 9/2/09

[UrbanRacer]

Forget the Small 3XS system, it will severely limit your upgrade path in the future.

If you can build the PC yourself you will have a far higher spec machine, is it something you would consider doing?

[lihp]

No need for 16gb of RAM in a gaming system, drop to 8gb, spend more on the graphics card.

Oh, Fractcal cases are absolutely epic!
____________________
covent.gardens: lihp is my most favourite member ever

[CaNsA]

[CaNsA]

[lihp]

[Razzy]

At 40 frames it's not going to make a difference from 60 really and it's trying to save some money for him. Myself I would go for the 970 and wait till the black friday cyber monday sales for further savings.
____________________
GSX 1400 K5 SOLD
Tiger 955i SOLD
R.I.P Aprilia RSV 1000r 9/2/09

[CaNsA]

[lihp]

[Rowey]

I've made up a few baskets. Building the system myself is definately the way to go. I can get a much better spec machine.

So I've tweaked a few things. I've gone to a Midi tower. I can accomodate it, and save money on the case and motherboard if I do. I've also gone down to 8GB RAM, as your advice, it's all you need for gaming. I've kept it as 2133Mhz as it should help with overclocking. I've gone with a 550W gold PSU. I found a Mobo/CPU bundle saving a little more cash.

I've stuck with the Corsair H80i water cooler, but I'm considering changing it for an Antec Kuhler 950 as it is cheaper and it was mentioned the Corsair isn't reliable.

So now I have another conundrum. All this money saving has given me two options. Take the money and run, or put it towards a GTX980. The only question I have is, I am going to be playing at 1080p, would the GTX980 be worth it?

Here's the baskets:

GTX980
https://cdn.bikechatforums.com/files/ocuk_basket_gtx980.jpg

GTX970
https://cdn.bikechatforums.com/files/ocuk_basket_gtx970.jpg
____________________
ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[P.addy]

Windows 8.1

I know of a way to save £77

[UrbanRacer]

[Rowey]

[lihp]

[Rowey]

[Dalemac]

Be careful with the Z97-K - it supports crossfire but not SLI.
Z97-A
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97a

Z97-K
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97kcsm

EDIT:
the kuhler 1250 might be worth an extra tenner?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Antec-Kuhler-1250-Cooling-Radiator/dp/B00F2WOQHY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415895168&sr=8-1&keywords=Kuhler+1250
____________________
YBR125 -> GPZ500S -> SL1000

[CaNsA]

[Rowey]

[CaNsA]

Get the 1250, it will run quieter, and stop spunking over corsair.
Stick with Fractal Design cases.

OCUK don't stock them though because OCUK got all pissy with Fractal Design over something trivial.

[UrbanRacer]