Finalized build and a Query

[JebKerman]

So after about a month of adjustments and decisions, I've come up with this, which should be purchased and obtained in 3 days time:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($329.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

CPU Cooler: CRYORIG R1 Ultimate 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($99.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Motherboard: Asus GRYPHON Z97 ARMOR EDITION Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($219.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($195.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($169.00) 

Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($105.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card  ($799.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Case: Thermaltake Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($85.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Power Supply: Corsair RM 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($219.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($135.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Case Fan: NZXT Air Flow Series 83.6 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($19.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Case Fan: NZXT FZ-200mm LED 103.0 CFM 200mm  Fan  ($29.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Case Fan: CRYORIG XF140 76.0 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($19.00 @ PCCaseGear) 

Other: 3 Way PWM Splitter ($5.00)

Other: External Optical Drive ($29.00)

Total: $2455.00

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-08 20:57 EST+1000

 

There are admittedly a few premiums being paid here:

PSU: Thinking of SLI in the future, (and the EVGA equivalent isn't in stock)

MB: I like the look, and it has ASUS's fantastic BIOS

HDD: It's still going to be used primarily for gaming, as well as general storage.

RAM: Future proofing.

CPU cooler: Future proofing and allowing sizable overclocks, while still being cheaper than similarly performing AIOs.

Case fans: Appearance

 

As for the query:

I'm thinking of upgrading my peripherals at some point soon-ish (well, over the next month or two), and am not really sure what sort of monitor(s) to get. Should I go for refresh rate over size or visa versa? And what is sort of the limit of a single 980 with regards to FPS at certain resolutions for some of the more intensive games?

[SkywardKkalox]

i would get 2-way SLI 970's instead of an 980 or a r9 295x2 for even better performance.

[JebKerman]

i would get 2-way SLI 970's instead of an 980 or a r9 295x2 for even better performance.

Might've considered the 970s if i didn't only have 2 PCI slots to play with, this means i can get another 980 further down the line, like in 6 months or so.

[techguru]

any reason going with a micro atx?

[Imakuni]

Here are my opinions:

1. PSU: Shjt. For starters, the RM series is subpar. Second 850w is a pure overkill. 650w is more appropriate FOR SLI, WITH OCs. Yup, that's right. 650w is already including some extra fat to burn.
2. RAM: Future proofing RAM is the most stupid thing you can do. For starters, 8gbs should remain all you need for a long time. Second, even IF you need more, you can always add it later. Just save the money and invest it towards the 980 SLI in the future...
3. Speaking of which, for just a few extra hundred dollars, you could have gotten the r9 295x2. That would have raped the single 980, with a very high price / performance. Ofc, if you go that route, you'll need the beefy PSUs. Or, you could go 2x 970 for more performance now.

[Demons Wrath]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($328.00 @ IJK) 

CPU Cooler: Enermax ETS-T40-TA 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($52.00 @ IJK) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($189.00 @ Umart) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($175.00 @ IJK) 

Storage: OCZ ARC 100 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($125.00 @ Centre Com) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($70.00 @ IJK) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card  ($479.00 @ Centre Com) 

Case: Zalman Z3 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.00 @ Mwave Australia) 

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($139.00 @ Umart) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($125.00 @ Mwave Australia) 

Other: External Optical Drive ($29.00)

Total: $1770.00

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-08 23:04 EST+1000

 

Get this instead, far more sensible and far more cost effective. I've knocked off about $600 off the total, which was mostly bullshit to be honest. The PSU is amazing. Case is sufficient and comes with 4 fans out of the box, quiet too. CPU cooler is great, and for a 4690k it's plenty. Changed the mobo for something a bit more sensible for SLI being ATX as it is, don't go SLI on mATX unless you're planning a full water cooled system. Changed up the storage too for something more economical. 970 instead of 980, and grab another when you grab yourself a very nice gaming monitor, such as the Acer XB270HU, or if you cannot get that, the Asus ROG Swift.