Build help/advice

[Rollo]

My older brother (retired US Marine) wants me to build him a new gaming PC.  I'm more than happy to do it, lots of experience and it's fun for me.  He's got $1500 to spend on it.  I've more or less pieced out what I have in mind, but second, third, fourth etc opinions are always nice to have. 

 

i7-4790 - He uses Photoshop and Illustrator quite a bit, so the i7 is necessary, but he isn't into overclocking so non-K.

16GB of memory - I usually use G-Skill, personally

Asus Strix 970 (possibly 980 depending on how much the rest costs)

SSD - I've used Intel SSDs in my own builds, but I've read a lot of good stuff about Samsung's 850 series.

HDD- 2TB Western Digital Caviar Black for mass storage. 

PSU - Usually go with Corsair as they've never let me down.  I'd think a 650W would cover it.

 

My main sticking point in the motherboard.  Since he won't be overclocking, a Z97 board wouldn't be necessary.  But looking through H87 boards hasn't been great.  I know they're "budget" but eesh...  Any thought would be appreciated.  Not just about the motherboard, but anything at all. 

[Tedster]

Please make a list on http://pcpartpicker.com

[SeanAngelo]

please do it on http://pcpartpicker.com

[Aniallation]

i7-4790 - He uses Photoshop and Illustrator quite a bit, so the i7 is necessary, but he isn't into overclocking so non-K.

 

Asus Strix 970 (possibly 980 depending on how much the rest costs)

 

SSD - I've used Intel SSDs in my own builds, but I've read a lot of good stuff about Samsung's 850 series.

 

PSU - Usually go with Corsair as they've never let me down.  I'd think a 650W would cover it.

 

- If you're using a dedicated GPU then save some bucks and get the Xeon E3-1231 V3. Basically an i7-4790 without integrated graphics for cheaper.

 

- Don't get the STRIX cards, get the Gigabyte G1.

 

- Intel doesn't have anything new in the bang-for-the-buck SSD section, and the 850 EVO is still TLC so I wouldn't get it, get the ADATA SP900

 

- Corsair doesn't make any good PSUs for the money. Take a look at Seasonic/XFX or the EVGA G2.

[Aniallation]

@Rollo this should have everything that you'd need

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($242.95 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($119.99 @ Micro Center) 

Memory: Kingston Fury Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($127.99 @ Directron) 

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($124.89 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($349.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: NZXT H440 (Blue/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($119.99 @ NZXT) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($109.99 @ Newegg) 

Monitor: AOC i2367Fh 60Hz 23.0" Monitor  ($148.62 @ TigerDirect) 

Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($27.85 @ OutletPC) 

Speakers: Cyber Acoustics CA3001RB 14W 2.1ch Speakers  ($21.99 @ Best Buy) 

Total: $1494.24

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-08 18:55 EDT-0400

[Rollo]

Appreciate all of the responses.  @Aniallation Won't need the monitor, keyboard and speakers, but the rest of that will help.  Many thanks.

[Aniallation]

Appreciate all of the responses.  @Aniallation Won't need the monitor, keyboard and speakers, but the rest of that will help.  Many thanks.

In that case, check out this build. 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($242.95 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97 PERFORMANCE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($79.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($107.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($124.89 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 290 4GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($272.98 @ Newegg) 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 290 4GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($272.98 @ Newegg) 

Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($115.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($109.99 @ Newegg) 

Case Fan: Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 64.9 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($19.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1447.74

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-08 19:31 EDT-0400