WoW/WoD specific PC build

[Gloriandus]

It's been a long time since I've built a PC; I've been using laptop with janky graphics for 4 years now, but I need to upgrade. I thought about getting a gaming-specific laptop, but I'd prefer a desktop PC. Also, please keep in mind that the only PC games I play are WoW and Hearthstone. Trying to keep things under $1,500, and I've no interest in overclocking.

Here's the short list of hardware I've compiled so far:

Core i5 4690
H97 mobo
16 GB RAM
760 GTX 2 GB
128-256 GB SSD (I don't have much personal data)
Corsair 750 watt PSU
1080p LCD

I know WoW has never been particularly taxing, but I'd like to run it as close to ultra as possible in WoD while still getting good framerates, say, 60-80? I can live without high shadows or SSAO but I want textures, view/object distance, and effects at max.

Is there a weak link in my list?

TIA

[Deleted]

Looks good, drop the PSU to 600W, even that is an overkill but lower output units aren't that much cheaper. This unit is a killer deal if the mail in rebate doesn't bother you: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-po...ly-100b10600kr

Just know that Windows + WoW + HS will grab about 50-60GB of space.

[Ghâzh]

If you are building a MMO specific PC you will really miss out on a lot of performance by choosing not to overclock.

If you are absolutely sure that you don't want to do it I'd at least consider picking up the new i7 4790k which has higher turbo boost then the i5 equilevant (turbos up to 4.4ghz out of box). You could run that with cheaper h97 board and stock cooler too so you are "only" looking at about $120 price increase. Then again if you go down that route it'd probably be better to buy z97 board as well so you could potentially overclock in the future if the need arises.

Or the other option (and this is what I strongly recommend); Go with z97+i5 4690k and a cheap aftermarket cooler. You can start by keeping the CPU on stock and see what kind of performance you are getting. If you are unsatisfied it's easy to do a really basic overclock and get about 5 to 15 extra FPS.

Other then this I'd drop to 8gb memory if you don't have some specific need for more and 500 to 600 watts quality PSU to save some money (possibly towards better cpu/cooler?).

[Faithh]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-249B (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $750.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Don't really see the point of a gtx 760 for WoW, a 750ti is plenty for ultra & 60 fps. Just for a locked i5, no reason to get anything better than a H81 and motherboards dont do anything to your performance. Case I chose is quite cheap, but anything more expensive doesn't do much besides looking better or a bit more airflow but this build doesnt even need airflow. 8GB is enough for gaming.

[Deleted]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-249B (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $750.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Don't really see the point of a gtx 760 for WoW, a 750ti is plenty for ultra & 60 fps. Just for a locked i5, no reason to get anything better than a H81 and motherboards dont do anything to your performance. Case I chose is quite cheap, but anything more expensive doesn't do much besides looking better or a bit more airflow but this build doesnt even need airflow. 8GB is enough for gaming.

Isn't GTX 750 Ti a bit pushing it? If the budget is up to $1500 why go for "barely enough" when you could spend a tad more and it'll be sure to run very well, probably can handle the next expansion after WoD fine too.

I couldn't really recommend building a system intended to be used for several years around the cheapest possible motherboard if budget allows for better. I just don't trust the caps in the cheapest boards.

[Scrotie]

Isn't GTX 750 Ti a bit pushing it? If the budget is up to $1500 why go for "barely enough" when you could spend a tad more and it'll be sure to run very well, probably can handle the next expansion after WoD fine too.

I couldn't really recommend building a system intended to be used for several years around the cheapest possible motherboard if budget allows for better. I just don't trust the caps in the cheapest boards.

Im with samthing on this one. $750.88 is under his budget alot, upgrade the motherboard to a pro series at least. It will serve better in the long run.

[Faithh]

Isn't GTX 750 Ti a bit pushing it? If the budget is up to $1500 why go for "barely enough" when you could spend a tad more and it'll be sure to run very well, probably can handle the next expansion after WoD fine too.

I couldn't really recommend building a system intended to be used for several years around the cheapest possible motherboard if budget allows for better. I just don't trust the caps in the cheapest boards.

WoW isn't a graphically intensive game at all, a 750ti is plenty for Ultra settings & 60 fps.

Im with samthing on this one. $750.88 is under his budget alot, upgrade the motherboard to a pro series at least. It will serve better in the long run.

It won't. Doesn't really add anything special to the H81 besides expandability but he's not much with 4 dimm slots and a bunch of sata ports

[Gloriandus]

First, thanks to everyone who has replied.

Money's not really a problem, but I set a maximum budget of $1,500 because it seemed silly to spend any more than that just for two games (Hearthstone, of course, can run acceptably even on my janky Intel HD 3000 graphics). I probably should have said, "the only PC games I play right now are WoW and Hearthstone". I would like the ability to play other, more graphically intensive games in the future at decent settings, and I do plan on using the PC on days when I'm working at home (office jazz, some HTML coding, light-to-medium Photoshop editing).

I'll take all of the recommendations here into consideration.

Thanks again!

[Deleted]

This is probably the best gaming machine you can have under 1500 bucks if i take into account what you said. That wow and hs now but more for later...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 93.3 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston Fury Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($459.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($83.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($95.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1463.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

[CandyFresh]

It's been a long time since I've built a PC; I've been using laptop with janky graphics for 4 years now, but I need to upgrade. I thought about getting a gaming-specific laptop, but I'd prefer a desktop PC. Also, please keep in mind that the only PC games I play are WoW and Hearthstone. Trying to keep things under $1,500, and I've no interest in overclocking.

Here's the short list of hardware I've compiled so far:

Core i5 4690
H97 mobo
16 GB RAM
760 GTX 2 GB
128-256 GB SSD (I don't have much personal data)
Corsair 750 watt PSU
1080p LCD

I know WoW has never been particularly taxing, but I'd like to run it as close to ultra as possible in WoD while still getting good framerates, say, 60-80? I can live without high shadows or SSAO but I want textures, view/object distance, and effects at max.

Is there a weak link in my list?

TIA

You really should get a CPU capable of overclocking. A lot of games mostly depend on your GPU performance...but WoW and other MMO's in particular are quite CPU dependent. For them (WoW) an amazing GPU but non-overclocking CPU isn't gonna give the kinda performance you're after. You really do need an overclocking CPU, especially given your decent budget.

Post #9 (Kostatto) build is really great! That's an awesome build...couldn't do better myself...but if you wanna cut costs, you could get a lower spec graphics card (280X or 290)...the R9-290X could be said to be a bit overkill...unless you got the money to spare.

May I ask why you've got no interest in overclocking? Bad past experience? Don't know how?

If you don't know how...don't worry! It's totes easy! Plenty of motherboards even come with software that will overclock it for you...automatically, with a single button press!...if you don't want to do it yourself manually (e.g. ASUS AI suite, MSI OC Genie, Gigabyte App center)!

[Ghâzh]

This is probably the best gaming machine you can have under 1500 bucks if i take into account what you said. That wow and hs now but more for later...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 93.3 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston Fury Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($459.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($83.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($95.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1463.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Yeah I'd go with something like that however if you are totally sure you aren't gonna overclock you can drop the CPU cooler. I'd also probably downgrade to GTX 770 or even 760 if the build was solely for WoW and HS. Spending more on the graphics card is gonna give you literally nothing. If you must spend more buying higher binned memory would be better or spending a little extra for nicer case, PSU or bigger SSD.

[CandyFresh]

I've put together a build for you...I think in your post you also want a 1080p monitor in the $1500 price (if I'm understanding things correct). I think this looks pretty good...good CPU & graphics, MSI MB so 1-touch overclock, 8GB RAM, SSD + HDD, Windows 8.1 + the Dell U2414H monitor which has a good reputation:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-Gaming 3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($137.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.94 @ Amazon)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 290 4GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($369.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Dell U2414H 60Hz 23.8" Monitor ($259.00 @ Adorama)
Total: $1391.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-21 17:45 EDT-0400

It's $1392.83 BUT no case in that price...so you got $100 to get a case you like the look of (aesthetics a very personal thing)!

[Faithh]

I've put together a build for you...I think in your post you also want a 1080p monitor in the $1500 price (if I'm understanding things correct). I think this looks pretty good...good CPU & graphics, MSI MB so 1-touch overclock, 8GB RAM, SSD + HDD, Windows 8.1 + the Dell U2414H monitor which has a good reputation:

It's $1392.83 BUT no case in that price...so you got $100 to get a case you like the look of (aesthetics a very personal thing)!

Well he has no interest in overclocking so there's no need for a z97 board/aftermarket cooler/unlocked cpu. A 290 is kinda extremely overkill for WoW/HS

[Ghâzh]

Well he has no interest in overclocking so there's no need for a z97 board/aftermarket cooler/unlocked cpu. A 290 is kinda extremely overkill for WoW/HS

i7 4790k has higher turbo.

[Faithh]

i7 4790k has higher turbo.

That's not the extra 120$ worth it

[Ghâzh]

Depends. That's the best performing CPU you can get for "WoW specific build". If it means downgrading to cheaper GPU I'd do it tbh.