2000 USD$~ rig

[Steelvan]

1. Budget & Location

Budget is around 1500-2000 USD. I live in Singapore and so will buy most of my hardware there. I'll be ordering my graphic card, RAM and HSU from Amazon though to save a few bucks.

 

2. Aim

I am going to mainly use it for gaming. I play all sorts of games: Farcry 3, Crysis, Dota 2, CS:GO, L4D, Evolve, Dragon Age: Origins/Inquisition, The Witcher 2, Skyrim and so on (Mainly FPS and RPG). I do video edit and 3D rendering as well from time to time. So would like a well-rounded pc which leans the best towards gaming.

3. Monitors

One monitor for now. I am planning to add more far in the future. For now, I would like to use a 1080p monitor that does 144hz.

4. Peripherals

Going for 8.1 Windows. I considered the keyboard as the least important thing, but if you guys can recommend me a basic cheap (but well made) mechanical keyboard, then I'll hunt for it. I have a Razer Deathadder and a mousepad. Have an antlion mic and DT 770 PRO 80 ohm headphone.

5. Why are you upgrading?

I've only been using laptops for a long while. This is going to be my first pc build, and I would like to future proof it as much as possible while opening some space for improvements. Not really good with all the terms for the PC hardware, so I am basically a newb and need as much help as possible.

 

I've used PCPartPicker website as my starting ground. So I picked out ones I "think" are the best, so not really sure if I am overkilling some parts and underkilling some other parts. Since I am planning to buy a GTX 980 MSI TWIN FROZR V, I would like a recommendation on the motherboard that is also MSI since I heard they work well together, but I am so bad understanding motherboards. I also would like to overclock in the future.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($321.98 @ NCIX US) 

CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H-BK ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($121.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($129.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($197.89 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card  ($544.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case: Cooler Master Storm Stryker (White) ATX Full Tower Case  ($144.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($74.99 @ Micro Center) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($89.75 @ OutletPC) 

Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($264.99 @ Adorama) 

Total: $1985.54

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 08:51 EST-0500

 

 

Like I said, I will buy my graphics card, HSU and RAM from Amazon and I would also like to order a SSD online as well. If you want to look at the price of the parts from my local shop that I am planning to buy, here it is (http://www.fuwell.com.sg/uploads/misc/Fuwell070215.pdf) NOTE: It's priced in Singaporean Dollars aka sgd. They do sell in bundles for mother board and CPU.

 

This list is a WIP. So help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for reading.

[JoaoPRSousa]

Your partslist is fine. Go for it

Though, I would get a 80+ Gold rated PSU

[Imakuni]

I know I went a bit overbudget, but IF you can afford it, this build will just crush yours. And it has a blue theme build.

 

It has a watercooler with customizable color, dual gtx 970, and a 1440p monitor. I know you wanted a 1080p 144hz, but I feel that a 1440p is MUCH better. That's your choice, though. What do you think?

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($321.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK TRITON 100.5 CFM Sleeve Bearing Liquid CPU Cooler  ($70.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($111.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($116.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial V4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($89.95 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($326.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($326.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Commander G42 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($52.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($92.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: BenQ GW2765HT 60Hz 27.0" Monitor  ($388.98 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2016.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 09:20 EST-0500

[Steelvan]

Your partslist is fine. Go for it

Though, I would get a 80+ Gold rated PSU

Thanks will do!

 

-snip-

 

Thanks for replying. Not sure about the watercooler since this is my first build. I don't know anything about it. I might have to research more on it then. Do I have to change the water every month or so (really noob lol)

 

Will switch my power supply part and SSD.

 

As for the 970 sli, with all the recent news about it, I would like to stick with the 980 instead and get another one in the far future when the prices drop. I don't mind being a little bit less powerful than the sli 970. I can wait a bit.

 

As for the monitor, I will consider them once I go shopping.

 

Could you tell me more about the choice of your motherboard and RAM? Love to learn more about them. Would prefer a MSI one to go with my MSI 980. But if your motherboard is better, then I will take it! If there is a better 980 brand than MSI please do tell!

 

As for the case, I was thinking of a case that is easy to carry around. Can your suggested one work like that?

 

Thanks!

[Imakuni]

Thanks will do!

 

 

Thanks for replying. Not sure about the watercooler since this is my first build. I don't know anything about it. I might have to research more on it then. Do I have to change the water every month or so (really noob lol)

 

Will switch my power supply part and SSD.

 

As for the 970 sli, with all the recent news about it, I would like to stick with the 980 instead and get another one in the far future when the prices drop. I don't mind being a little bit less powerful than the sli 970. I can wait a bit.

 

As for the monitor, I will consider them once I go shopping.

 

Could you tell me more about the choice of your motherboard and RAM? Love to learn more about them. Would prefer a MSI one to go with my MSI 980. But if your motherboard is better, then I will take it! If there is a better 980 brand than MSI please do tell!

 

As for the case, I was thinking of a case that is easy to carry around. Can your suggested one work like that?

 

Thanks!

OK, let's start with the watercooler. This is a semi-All in one cooler. It is completely built for you, BUT, you can open the reservoir and change the water. With the pre filled water, you'd only need to change it after 2 years or more, if ever. If you don't like the design, you could also get a completely sealed kit, and never worry about it.

 

No point in changing PSU, unless you want to go for a XF of AMD cards. Also, no need to change SSD, unless you want a bigger one (although I think that's stupid...).

 

Suit yourself with the 980.

 

Now, RAM and Mobo:

1. Let's start with the mobo. First, I knew I needed a Z97 mobo, as I was going for a LGA-1150 CPU that could OC. So z97 was a requirement. Next, I filtered for mobos that could SLI. After that, I just grabbed one of the cheapest available, as they all perform the same. I could have paid a bit more for a different coloration, but that would just be a cosmetic change (more on that later).
2. Next, I went after the RAM. Normally, a 2x4gb kit is fine. However, since you also do video edit and 3D render, I went with 16gb, as it will help in those tasks. So I went after a 2x8gb kit. The RAM speed doesn't mater, so again, I got one of the cheapest ones available. I could have gone with a red Ripjaws, but the blue one was only 2$ more expensive, while matching our mobo choice and being faster. I know I said speeds don't mater, but if there's virtually no difference in price, get a faster one, just for the sake of future proof.
3. At this point, we could tweak our choices for a themed build. I already KNEW I was getting a black GPU (asus strix), so I could go with any color I wanted. But, if I had gone for, say, MSI Gaming 4G, I could just pay a bit more/less for a mobo and ram that had the red color. Still, getting the cheapest stuff that I could, because it wouldn't really affect performance in any way. Alternatively, if I was sure I was going to get a window-less case, I would just get the cheapest parts and call it a day, without any more consideration.

As for the case... well, I find that WAY too personal. Follow this link: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/case/#s=1&p=0&sort=a8. It's already sorted for cases with a windows (for you to see the awesome hardware). Go looking for one that's within budget, and that you like. Make sure it has support for a 240mm radiator on the top, or else you'll have incompatibility with the cooler. Ofc, you could also go with a case that has no window, if you don't mind not being able to see your hardware.