$2500 gaming build

[ferico87]

Hi, I just put together a new build. I haven't upgraded for over 5 years so I wanted to go all out this time. The budget is around $2500. What do you guys think? What will you change/improve. Haswell build is not possible because I already ordered the i7 3770k before haswell came out. I know the mouse is not a gaming mouse but I happen to like it.

i7 3770k CPU $169
Zalman CNPS9900Max-B $57
Seasonic X-750W PSU $149.99
RZR Sphex Mousepad $14.99
Dell 2412M Monitor $279.98
ASUS DVDR $19.99
ASUS Maximus V Formula $289.99
G.Skill Sniper 1600MHZ 16GB RAM $132
BOSE Speaker $99.99
RZR Deathstalker KB $79.99
Logitech M510 Mouse $24.99
Intel 520 240GB SSD $169.99
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM $75
MSI GTX780 $649
Corsair 550D Case $132
Total 2368.89

 

[Norlag]

If it's only for gaming, 8gb of ram would be plenty, so you could put some more cash into the case (the one you listed is great, but there are others), or the cpu cooler. For that I would recommend either the noctua nh-d14 or a high end closed loop liquid cooler like the corsair h100i.

The 4770k isn't really too much of a step up, and the extra heat haswell produces is a pain, so the 3770k should be quite fine. Chances are that you would upgrade the mobo anyways if you decided to go for the next gen cpu to take advantage of the newest chipsets, so you really aren't missing out on anything.

I would bump up the hdd to a western digital caviar black drive to improve quality and reliability. You certainly have the budget to warrant it.

Other than that, it looks great.

 

[ferico87]

I actually looked at a bunch of cases. I want one that is simple and elegant looking and doesn't look like a tank. It was between the corsair 550d or the fractal design define R4. A square side (not oddly shaped) window would be nice but I don't see any case that looks like these 2 but have a nice side window.

If it's only for gaming, 8gb of ram would be plenty, so you could put some more cash into the case (the one you listed is great, but there are others), or the cpu cooler. For that I would recommend either the noctua nh-d14 or a high end closed loop liquid cooler like the corsair h100i.

The 4770k isn't really too much of a step up, and the extra heat haswell produces is a pain, so the 3770k should be quite fine. Chances are that you would upgrade the mobo anyways if you decided to go for the next gen cpu to take advantage of the newest chipsets, so you really aren't missing out on anything.

I would bump up the hdd to a western digital caviar black drive to improve quality and reliability. You certainly have the budget to warrant it.

Other than that, it looks great.

 

[Norlag]

There are windowed versions for all of the define r4's. The windows are fairly square and have a bit of a tint, I think.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352025 - white w/ window
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352021 - black w/ window
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352023 - titanium w/ window (my favorite)