The Gaming PC I Would Build in 2015
Published:
If I were building a gaming PC on July 1, 2015, this is the machine I would actually want. I am not simply choosing the most expensive part in every category. The priority is gaming performance, then reliability, cooling and enough headroom to keep the system useful for years.
The build
- CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6 GB
- Motherboard: ASUS Maximus VII Hero
- Memory: 16 GB DDR3-2133
- Storage: Samsung 850 Pro 512 GB SSD + 2 TB WD Black
- Power supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2
- Case: Fractal Design Define R5
- CPU cooling: Noctua NH-D15
- Gaming target: 1440p high refresh, with practical entry into 4K
Why this CPU?
Skylake had not launched by July 1, so I would keep the mature 4790K rather than buy into Intel’s expensive X99 platform. Its high clocks still made it an excellent gaming CPU.
Why this GPU?
The GTX 980 Ti had arrived on June 1 at $649. With 6 GB of memory and performance close to the Titan X for much less money, it was exactly the kind of flagship gamers had been waiting for.
What I would pay
A complete build would be roughly $1,900–2,200 in the U.S. market of the period. This is an approximate enthusiast-system total, not a claim that every retailer sold every part at MSRP on July 1.
The weak point
The platform is near the end of its life: DDR4 and Skylake are around the corner. The GPU, however, is strong enough that I would accept that trade.
My verdict
If I had to spend my own money on July 1, 2015, most of the excitement would be in the 980 Ti. The rest of the machine exists to keep it fed and quiet.
The date matters. I am judging only hardware that was available by July 1, not products announced or released later in the year. That makes each build a snapshot of what I could realistically have assembled at that moment.