Need help deciding between a few different systems..

Luxor · June 1, 2013

PCPartPicker Links:

BUILD 1: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/11Jze

BUILD 2: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/11VOY

BUILD 3: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/11WW9

BUILD 4: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/11WXW

BUILD 5: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/11WV2

BUILD 6: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/11WYP

INTRODUCTION:

I'm buying parts for my new computer next week and I've been putting together what I think is the perfect system for my needs and price range. Some things I should let you know are..

1. I already have a 256GB SSD, so that'll hold me over until I can afford a larger HDD at the end of the summer for mass storage.
2. I already have mouse, keyboard, and a 19020x1080 monitor.
3. Memory stays Not best priced but great aesthetically and great performance.
4. MSI GTX 770 stays. It fits all build with colour scheme, great build quality, I get to say I have the latest GPU on the market, and it's solid nonetheless. (I know I can get an older GPU for near same performance and for less money)
5. EVGA SuperNOVA 650w stays. It's gold efficiency will be great for over clocking, and It's very aesthetically pleasing.
6. Optical drive stays. I play a lot of old games.

7. Please don't recommend anything that won't look well in the system.
8. I'm using this build mostly for playing Arma, and Battlefield.

BUILD 1:

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg Canada)

CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Water 2.0 Performer 81.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($44.08 @ DirectCanada)

Motherboard: Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($228.38 @ DirectCanada)

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.16 @ DirectCanada)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg Canada)

Case: NZXT Phantom (White/Red) ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($119.99 @ Memory Express)

Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.68 @ DirectCanada)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($104.93 @ DirectCanada)

Total: $1304.19

This is the first build I came up with. I like the FX-8350 over the i5-3570K because it's price enables me to be able to get a Asus Crosshair Formula-Z. I like this motherboard because it'll be great in combination with the FX-8350 for OC-ing, it fits looks amazing, fits the colour scheme greatly, and it's kind of like the 770 where I get to say I have the newest thing out there. In this case it's of corse I can say it's the "best" thing out there. I'll explain this here but it'll also apply to the other builds with a Thermaltake Water 2.0 Performer/NZXT Phantom Whit/Red combo, I'm not sure which liquid cooler for around this price is the best I just like it because it seems solid, and it goes perfectly with the NZXT Phantom White/Red. I expect you'll to be able to determine which ones.

BUILD 2:

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg Canada)

CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Water 2.0 Performer 81.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($44.08 @ DirectCanada)

Motherboard: Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($228.38 @ DirectCanada)

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.16 @ DirectCanada)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg Canada)

Case: Corsair 650D ATX Mid Tower Case ($151.78 @ DirectCanada)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($119.99 @ Memory Express)

Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.68 @ DirectCanada)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($104.93 @ DirectCanada)

Total: $1335.98

As you can tell this build is exactly the same as BUILD 1, I just switched the case from an NZXT Phantom White/Red to a Corsair 650D. They're basically the same price if you include shipping and handling. For this build my concern is the CPU cooler. It wouldn't really fit in well with the colour scheme of the case so I'd like to know what other liquid cooler I should get for this build with this case. There will be another couple builds that encounter this issue as well so the same thing will apply. I expect you to be able to determine which ones.

BUILD 3:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon Canada)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($105.00 @ Newegg Canada)

Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($142.94 @ DirectCanada)

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.16 @ DirectCanada)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg Canada)

Case: NZXT Phantom (White/Red) ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($119.99 @ Memory Express)

Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.68 @ DirectCanada)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($104.93 @ DirectCanada)

Total: $1309.67

Now this build of corse features an i5-3570K with an MSI Z77A-G45 Gaming edition. This is kinda the opposite of BUILD 1 as it features a more expensive CPU with a cheaper motherboard. I'm choosing a MSI Z77A-G45 Gaming edition due mostly to its colour scheme as it fits the build perfectly, and it's a good motherboard nonetheless. The price of the motherboard also gives me the ability to upgrade to a Corsair 100i Liquid cooler. It's no question that i'll choose this cooler from its price range.

BUILD 4: