First Build

[ShepardvasSerenity]

   Hey all!  This is a from scratch build designed for gaming (going from an out of date and barely functioning laptop), with a budget around 1500 before peripherals.  Will overclock some but not a top priority.

   This is likely to be a single monitor system for the foreseeable future, and I might do SLI at some point if it becomes viable for my needs.  Haven't made up my mind between Windows 7 and 8 yet.  Wireless isn't a concern for the moment because the system is going right next to the router.  Have some peripherals already but need to pick a monitor still.

   I'd like a system that I can use for a good long while without having to do too many upgrades.  I have the basic system pretty much picked out, but would love some feedback:

• Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K
  
• Video Card: Gigabyte nVidia GTX 770 with 4GB RAM
  
• Motherboard: MSI Z97-Gaming 7 
  
• Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600
  
• SSD: SAMSUNG 840 EVO 512 MB
  
• HD: Western Digital WD Blue 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s
  
• Disc Drive: LG Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive
  
• CPU Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
  
• Case:Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
  
• Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 750 Watts
  

All details with links can be found here: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2NFyHx  Thanks in advance!

[Shroomster]

You propably could go with a i5 if gaming mostly and buy a better gpu. Like 780 or r9 290

[Shroomster]

Otherwise it is pretty good.

[Clyne]

a i5 would be enough for gaming

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  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($139.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Mushkin Essentials 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($72.98 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($105.67 @ NCIX US) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Diamond Radeon R9 290X 4GB Video Card  ($449.99 @ Micro Center) 

Case: Corsair 330R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ Amazon) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg) 

Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer  ($57.31 @ OutletPC) 

Total: $1257.88

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-21 03:58 EDT-0400

[JohnTevor]

I came up with this. Do you like it?

 

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  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($139.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Kingston Fury Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($92.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($87.98 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Dual Classified ACX Video Card  ($409.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case  ($89.99 @ Amazon) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Newegg) 

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($19.98 @ OutletPC) 

Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer  ($34.99 @ Newegg) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($84.99 @ NCIX US) 

Monitor: BenQ XL2411Z 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($239.35 @ TigerDirect) 

Total: $1552.20

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-21 04:23 EDT-0400

 

Note :

You can install Windows 7 Home Premium x64 from USB and download it aswell from Microsoft. You can use trial for 30 days  then upgrade later.

The monitur i included is epic for gaming. 144Hz refresh rate and reduced blur tech is gonna make your senses sharp in fps shooting. Otherwise if you are not playing as much games i recommend you going with an IPS-AH LED monitor wich has better looking colors.

There is no need for a Blu-Ray DVD RW drive unless you are gonna read/burn Blu-Ray discs.

I'm sure 120GB SSD will be enough as you Boot Drive and most important games.

All you need now is just a pair of Mouse/Keyboard/Headphones and you are good to go.

[ShepardvasSerenity]

Thank you everyone so much for your help!  I really appreciate it.  I should mention I made a mistake when posting this last night: I meant to put 256 gig for my SSD.  It's been a long few days, sorry.  I'm not sure about going down to 120 though, since it's only about a 20-30 dollar price difference and some games can be real space hogs.  

 

I did decide to go up to the R9 290.  From what I've read, it's head and shoulders above the GTX 770 for not that big a difference in pricing right now.

 

Thanks for the heads up on IPS-AH LED monitors, JohnTrevor.  I'm not typically a competitive gamer (more RPG than FPS), and I'll probably end up using this for watching videos at least occasionally so nice looking colors would be really great.

 

I have another question though: how much wattage do I actually need in my power supply?  I know my graphics card recommends at least 600, but how far above that is a good idea for things like future proofing and overclocking?

[Guest]

Thank you everyone so much for your help!  I really appreciate it.  I should mention I made a mistake when posting this last night: I meant to put 256 gig for my SSD.  It's been a long few days, sorry.  I'm not sure about going down to 120 though, since it's only about a 20-30 dollar price difference and some games can be real space hogs.  

 

I did decide to go up to the R9 290.  From what I've read, it's head and shoulders above the GTX 770 for not that big a difference in pricing right now.

 

Thanks for the heads up on IPS-AH LED monitors, JohnTrevor.  I'm not typically a competitive gamer (more RPG than FPS), and I'll probably end up using this for watching videos at least occasionally so nice looking colors would be really great.

 

I have another question though: how much wattage do I actually need in my power supply?  I know my graphics card recommends at least 600, but how far above that is a good idea for things like future proofing and overclocking?

For a single gpu then a 550W/650W is plenty. I would say that 850W will cover any dual card setup i.e 290/x crossfire or 780/ti sli.

[Guest]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($209.99 @ Amazon) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.98 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-G1.SNIPER Z97 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($160.91 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Kingston Fury Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($92.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($209.99 @ Micro Center) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($55.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($349.99 @ NCIX US) 

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($117.98 @ Newegg) 

Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer  ($34.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1362.79

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-22 08:59 EDT-0400