Alright...Tear it apart make it cheaper/better (Luxe Edition)

[ddbtkd456]

Name: The Luxe Edition of Gaming
User: My Fiance
Primary Uses: Very light CPU load (ex. browsing the internet, youtube, iTunes, that sort of thing daily stuff) & Heavy Gaming (Both online & offline)
Budget: 2k +/- 300 dollars (I want it cheaper then it is but still very reliable) or less (United States)
Requirements: Must have a 24" screen that is tilt/height adjustable. Must have 1 Hard drive (I don't want her to have to learn 2). Must have wireless keyboard. Must have a 2.0/2.1 setup for speakers. And finally it must have purple lighting with a gold setup when its off (which is why I chose the Luxe).

Ignoring this requirements is not optional. This is her first computer so I want it to be perfect.

Games That will Be Played (That I know of):

• Skyrim (Probably plus mods she'll make me install them)
• Sims 1-4 (All Expansions)
• Call of Duty (Probably All of Them)
• Nancy Drew (All of Them)
• Roller-coaster Tycoon (All of Them)
• Runescape
• Grand Theft Auto (All of Them)
• Tomb Raider
• Wii & Gamecube Eliminator

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($213.98 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($136.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-PRO(Wi-Fi ac) ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($209.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($96.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($419.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($389.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($104.20 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($259.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Logitech K800 Wireless Slim Keyboard ($62.00 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Rosewill RHTS-8206 5.1 Channel Headset ($49.96 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Logitech Z623 200W 2.1ch Speakers ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe ($149.99)
Other: Custom Cables ($89.99)
Total: $2430.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-31 15:54 EDT-0400

Update List (Correction Set 1.0):

• Took away the fan controller
• Changed the PSU
• Dropped the second graphics card (kept the same cause of core speed)
• Updated The Speakers
• Dropped the 1 TB SSD for a 500 Gb SSD with a 1 TB Storage (Scrape) Drive.

Update List (Correction Set 2.0):

1. Took away dual drives and swapped it for a 1TB SSD (Original Plan)
2. Changed the AIO water cooling unit from H110 to Kraken x61 (because of the variable speed pump)

[Askew]

For a start get rid of the fan controller, Fan Xpert 3 on the board you picked does the job just as well.

[Bagmup]

Does she need Xfire 290's for those games? Fair overkill.

[ddbtkd456]

For a start get rid of the fan controller, Fan Xpert 3 on the board you picked does the job just as well.

 

Alright...anything else?

[it24]

If the monitor is only 1080p you do not need two R9 290's. And if you only use one you can spend less on a power supply, say a 750w

[ddbtkd456]

Does she need Xfire 290's for those games? Fair overkill.

 

Nope that's what you guys are for...1080p for single 24" monitor.

[ddbtkd456]

If the monitor is only 1080p you do not need two R9 290's. And if you only use one you can spend less on a power supply, say a 750w

 

I could look into that...however It has to be a P2/G2 from EVGA for there custom sleeving...its too expensive for me to buy all the tools for sleeving.

[Guest]

Isn't that PSU a bit overkill?

Anyways, 1 r9 290 will be enough, Tri X of course.

[it24]

I could look into that...however It has to be a P2/G2 from EVGA for there custom sleeving...its too expensive for me to buy all the tools for sleeving.

Will fan extensions not work, from bitfenix or from others?

[menendez1293]

Isn't that PSU a bit overkill?

Anyways, 1 r9 290 will be enough, Tri X of course.

For one 290, yes. 

[it24]

Also, from what I know, the windforce coolers are not particularly good on the 290's. I personally have the Msi twin frozer and its great, also the Trix is good too. Unless its for the looks, I would look into a different brand of 290.

[KPZ211997]

1 290 will be enough for 1 1080p monitor, btw do you really that expensive mobo?

[it24]

1 290 will be enough for 1 1080p monitor, btw do you really that expensive mobo?

He wants the colours of it.

[ddbtkd456]

Will fan extensions not work, from bitfenix or from others?

 

Fan extensions = mess.

[ddbtkd456]

He wants the colours of it.

 

Correction...she wants the colors of it unless there is a gold/black on that is less expensive.

[it24]

Fan extensions = mess.

 I have them and like them, no mess. It was just an idea.

[ddbtkd456]

Updated

[ddbtkd456]

 I have them and like them, no mess. It was just an idea.

 

I know just a silly preference for me.

[it24]

I know just a silly preference for me.

Good luck with the build, hope she likes it!

[Guest]

But with 2 of those cards.... Just get a higher resolution monitor?... 1440P?

[ddbtkd456]

But with 2 of those cards.... Just get a higher resolution monitor?... 1440P?

 

I would..but she doesn't want anything bigger then a 24" monitor...we went out to best buy and she said a 27" was and I quote "its just too big" and I was like :blink:  (is using triple 23" monitors on my setup)

[Guest]

I would..but she doesn't want anything bigger then a 24" monitor...we went out to best buy and she said a 27" was and I quote "its just too big" and I was like :blink:  (is using triple 23" monitors on my setup)

Wait aren't there 1440P monitors at 24 inch? idk

[ddbtkd456]

Wait aren't there 1440P monitors at 24 inch? idk

 

Nope....just 27" monitors are.

[MrTiC]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($234.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Swiftech H220 55.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($128.76 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD5H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Black2 1TB 2.5" 5400RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive  ($194.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB LIGHTNING Video Card  ($529.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 760T Black ATX Full Tower Case  ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: BitFenix Fury 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer  ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($93.95 @ B&H)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($259.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre PWM 56.1 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($15.59 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre PWM 56.1 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($15.59 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre PWM 56.1 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($15.59 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech K800 Wireless Slim Keyboard  ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Creative Labs GigaWorks T20 Series II 28W 2ch Speakers  ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2135.37
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-30 23:14 EDT-0400

 

 

Gold/yellowish build

For the PSU you can get custom cable from bitfenix and look at their alchemy led strips too (psu is ok if you want to add a 2nd gpu)

And took the WD black for cheapness / storage! 120GB SSD cache and 1T drive in 1

[ddbtkd456]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($234.99 @ NCIX US)

CPU Cooler: Swiftech H220 55.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($128.76 @ NCIX US)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD5H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($159.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($86.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Western Digital Black2 1TB 2.5" 5400RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive  ($194.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB LIGHTNING Video Card  ($529.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Corsair 760T Black ATX Full Tower Case  ($129.99 @ Micro Center)

Power Supply: BitFenix Fury 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($119.99 @ NCIX US)

Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer  ($13.99 @ Newegg)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($93.95 @ B&H)

Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($259.99 @ NCIX US)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre PWM 56.1 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($15.59 @ Newegg)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre PWM 56.1 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($15.59 @ Newegg)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre PWM 56.1 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($15.59 @ Newegg)

Keyboard: Logitech K800 Wireless Slim Keyboard  ($64.99 @ Amazon)

Speakers: Creative Labs GigaWorks T20 Series II 28W 2ch Speakers  ($69.99 @ Amazon)

Total: $2135.37

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-30 23:14 EDT-0400

 

 

Gold/yellowish build

For the PSU you can get custom cable from bitfenix and look at their alchemy led strips too (psu is ok if you want to add a 2nd gpu)

And took the WD black for cheapness / storage! 120GB SSD cache and 1T drive in 1

 

It's good however here is my reasoning for not using it:

1. Questionable Powersupply
2. I have a flex drive in my laptop its nothing like using a real ssd, and they are questionable for reliability which is why it is in my laptop, plus 5400 rpm for gaming? Forget it I would rather use a 7,200 rpm if I had to use a HDD...sims & skyrim are 60 gb games....screw the HDD for that loading time.
3. The speakers are 28 watts compared to 200 watts that my current speakers are putting out.
4. I can't illuminate purple lights in a Corsair 760T case without the NZXT Hue...for the cheaper price I can get the Luxe (149.99 USD) instead of 129.99 + 29.99 dollars USD, though admittedly this was my first choice.
5. I know Swiftech is better for AIO water cooling but they don't sell them in the US from factory...meaning if I somehow have a problem with it I would have to ship it out of the country to get it fixed if NCIX doesn't want to deal with it.