Naplam

Vessel user: NaplamWC https://www.vessel.com/videos/JYZEYDYx0(Build log) https://www.vessel.com/videos/DkWN4qqW1(Gigabyte review)

Love the power efficiency of the new 900s, so jelly of my friend's 970.

Just wanted to give a big thanks to everyone that contributed to my first build, I placed the order a couple hours ago and I'm very excited to get this going! You folks rock. <3 Once I actually get it built, is there a list of things I should be doing before getting comfortable? So far I've got... 1. Windows Updates 2. Classic Shell (personal obv) 3. Latest MB BIOS, GPU Driver, SSD...(do I need to get updated software for SSDs, or just roll with what they come with?) 4. Programs & Games 5. Overclock and Stress Testing? Like I said before, this is my first build and I want to do it right. I picked up a cheap $30 one with a backlight & ergonomic shiz for now, that should tide me over until I can pick up a Ducky in a couple months.

Thanks for your input, but I'm honestly finding it a little hard to swallow a +$170 increase for little-to-no actual performance increase. I'm really trying to keep it under $2200, as much as I would like the MSI board and such. I don't even use the paltry 500GB HDD that I'm running now, so I think my storage will be okay and my workspace is rather limited, so I'm taking the safe route in getting a smaller monitor instead of overshooting by a couple inches. Updated OP with latest build parts. (RAM change)

Updated the OP with the most recent build. (SSD swap, added shipping & insurance buffer)

Thanks for your reply, and I got really excited until I saw that your build was in USD, I'm ordering from Ontario, Canada.

Any alternatives you know of around the same price? Also was recommended to swap the Dark Rock Pro 3 for a http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/thermaltake-cpu-cooler-clw0224 in this. Any second thoughts on that?

Thanks for the reply, brob. Updated build to reflect change in monitor to the VS229H. Would like some opinions on keyboards, have only heard one negative regarding the Sidewinder. Keep in mind that it's likely temporary until late September or so (hopefully) so I'm not looking to break the bank on it. Headed off now, will visit thread later tomorrow. Thanks for everyone's help so far!

Just got a Windows 8.1 key for $20 on G2A, OS no longer part of the budget. Seems like everything's legit, lets hope it holds up in a few months haha. Updated the link.

Thanks for all the replies so far, is repasting the CPU & GPU right off the bat for optimal performance? I know I don't have to, but I've heard terrible stories of Haswell being bad, in terms of the TIM. The Canadian PCPartPicker doesn't have the Dark Rock Pro 3 listed, which is why it's in the custom section. My current workspace is limited, which is the reasoning for the choice in monitor. I don't fully know how everything will fit right now, so I'm taking the safe route and can change out later down the line. The keyboard is hopefully very temporary thing, I might be able to get a Ducky Shine in late-ish September. Is there anything around that $40-60 that's better? Don't need macro keys or anything, just a decent backlight and good responsiveness.

Good day folks, I made a thread a little while ago requesting help from you fine peoples regarding an upcoming build, and I'm very close to purchasing. I've put together something that I think will work, and would like some final opinions from some of the more experienced builders out there. Recap: Budget: $2200 CAD (Must include shipping & taxes) Location: Ontario, Canada Purpose: Mainly gaming, and modding/level design in games like Skyrim, GTA:V, Witcher 3, on a fairly high level. (Is an i7/16GB ram needed for this?) Other: OS, Monitor and Keyboard are needed, and must fit in the budget as well. Shipping is around $50, Insurance is $35 and Taxes are a steep 13%. A few more notes, my workspace is fairly limited, which is the reasoning for the smaller than usual monitor, and a mid tower or smaller is needed. Quietness and cooling are of utmost importance, as everything is in a rather close proximity and I'd rather not hear a car engine 2ft from my face when gaming. The case also needs to be black...because reasons. Am I missing anything? Is anything terribly wrong or disastrous? Will be buying in the next couple DAYS. I prefer nV over AMD, but would rather not argue here about it. As usual, thanks for the help. Updated build. PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/6wqyt6 Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/6wqyt6/by_merchant/ CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($364.63 @ DirectCanada) Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX) Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($169.98 @ Newegg Canada) Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon Canada) Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.95 @ Vuugo) Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($519.98 @ Newegg Canada) Case: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout with Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($123.25 @ Vuugo) Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX) Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.79 @ DirectCanada) Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($144.98 @ Newegg Canada) Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($57.98 @ Newegg Canada) Other: Dark Rock Pro 3 ($69.99) Other: Shipping and Insurance ($85.00) Total: $1927.50 Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-22 13:25 EDT-0400

Favourite thing? The sigs, obv!

Thanks to Darrin Lynch for joining us today

I'd really prefer NCIX, just based on past experiences unless the difference was a good bit more.

Hey all, long time lurker/first time poster looking for assistance in building a new rig. Obligatory infos in the code block. 1. Budget & LocationOntario, Canada. ($CAD)2. AimMainly heavy gaming, I've got a huge back catalog at the moment, so it would be impossible to list em all here. Ranges from World of Warcraft raiding to Watch_Dogs and many future titles like Dragon Age: Inquisition, Far Cry 4, Arkham Knight etc. I'd like to play most on Ultra settings, and understand I'll likely have to tone it down as time passes. Will also be doing some level/game design/modding using programs like Unity, UDK, and various game-specific modding tools. 3. MonitorsWill start with one, and eventually upgrade to two/three. Will also be occasionally plugging into a 40" TV via HDMI for some movies and would like that to work without distortions (Chromecast as well if that makes a difference). A 1080p resolution will suffice for my current needs, and a very low response time is a must. I imagine a 24-26" would be fine. 4. PeripheralsWill need a keyboard, do NOT need a mouse and as mentioned before, a monitor with a low response time/good display. 5. Why are you upgrading?I'm currently on an Alienware m17x r1 (Duo Core P8700/260m) received as a gift a few years ago and while it's been chugging along, I feel like it's time to step up. I'd prefer to purchase everything from NCIX.com, and would like the option to upgrade in the future without too much hassle. Would prefer an Intel/nVidia setup as well. I'd be purchasing in the next ~2 weeks (just in time for Devil's Canyon, yay!). I think I covered everything? If there's anything I missed, feel free to let me know. Appreciate the help!