First PC build advice and OS help

MajicMan · October 31, 2014

1. Budget & Location
$1,700 (US dollars)

2. Aim
Photoshop editing, work and gaming.

3. Monitors
Run two monitors.

4. Peripherals
In need of OS. Can anybody tell me about Windows 7 OEM as the retail version has become extremely expensive and I would like to buy this tonight or Halloween. I completely HATE Windows 8/8.1.

5. Why are you upgrading?
My current systems is ancient and can no longer do what is necessary.

I am wondering what to do about a cooling system I am thinking of a fan as liquid CLC

coolers worry me for leaks and I am not sure they give more benefit than some fan coolers>

I will gladly take suggestions for the cooler and any modifications along with whether the OEM version of Win7 can be placed on more than one machine (Please note, I will not be running the same license on multiple systems at the same time, I just want to know if I can move the OS to a different PC in the future if necessary).

My build so far.

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.98, SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($154.99 Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.97 SuperBiiz)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($102.99 Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($363.02 Amazon)

Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 - $20 mail-in rebate $79.99 Newegg)

Power supply:EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (109.99 - $20 mail-in rebate NCIX US)

Optical drive:LG BH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($89.90 B&H)
Total: $1475.82

Thanks for the help>

Tagiau · October 31, 2014

Windows 8 will give you better performance though... And once you install a start menu and disable charms, you won't notice a huge difference.

Mistersprinkles · October 31, 2014

My current systems is ancient and can no longer do what is necessary.

Bummer. Time to upgrade.
I am wondering what to do about a cooling system I am thinking of a fan as liquid CLC

coolers worry me for leaks and I am not sure they give more benefit than some fan coolers>
I've yet to hear of an AiO closed loop liquid cooler leaking. Noctua's NHD14/15 are great alternatives if you prefer air.
I will gladly take suggestions for the cooler and any modifications along with whether the OEM version of Win7 can be placed on more than one machine (Please note, I will not be running the same license on multiple systems at the same time, I just want to know if I can move the OS to a different PC in the future if necessary).

Yes, technically, you can move an OEM to another machine if you have the install ISO and key. However, it's not legal. It's just doable. Usually the OS will refuse to authenticate but you can call MS and do it over the phone.

My build so far.

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.98, SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($154.99 Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.97 SuperBiiz)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($102.99 Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($363.02 Amazon)

Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 - $20 mail-in rebate $79.99 Newegg)

Power supply:EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (109.99 - $20 mail-in rebate NCIX US)

Optical drive:LG BH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($89.90 B&H)
Total: $1475.82
Nice build. Rather than the XR look at the Supernova G2/P2 they are newer and much better. P2 got an amazing score at Jonnyguru.

Enderman · October 31, 2014

Why do you hate windows 8.1?
Its great...

Clyne · October 31, 2014

Why do you hate windows 8.1?

Its great...

OP probably hates the Start Menu.

MajicMan · October 31, 2014

The EVGA 220-PS-1000-XR is an additional $70 and 1000 Watts may be overkill.

mosin40 · October 31, 2014

OP probably hates the Start Menu.

But you can intall start8 or StartIsBack plus and you can have windows 7 start menu again

Here is a pic of StartIsBack plus in windows 8.1

Edited October 31, 2014 by mosin40

MajicMan · October 31, 2014

Beyond the Start menu, treating everything as an app is counterproductive to me. Also, a touchscreen interface has no redeeming value for me at all.Tiles are just an idiotic way of displaying anything. I want functionality, I'm not 3, slapping and rubbing a screen will not keep me quiet and entertained for hours.

GangstaRas · October 31, 2014

Beyond the Start menu, treating everything as an app is counterproductive to me. Also, a touchscreen interface has no redeeming value for me at all.Tiles are just an idiotic way of displaying anything. I want functionality, I'm not 3, slapping and rubbing a screen will not keep me quiet and entertained for hours.

i can understand where your coming from when windows 8, i too was just searching for windows 7 to buy instead of that when it just came out but honestly, even without the installment of a win7 start menu, with the update of windows 8.1, it satisfied me enough to where I didnt feel the urge to have windows 7 as a better solution to productivity. I dont feel hindered anymore so im going to say to this is try it out and get use to it before u cast judgement cuz what you're saying no longer applies practically. it just takes one initial patience to set it all up. that's the only difference