Build - $1500 gaming pc

[StarkeBlade]

My old computer decided to melt so it's time to get a new one. This is my first time building so I have a few questions.

For graphics card, GXT 970 seems to be the ideal choice since I'm not going near 4k. I read good things about both the MSI and the Gigabyte, but from what I can see, the gigabyte might be a little better especially since I'm paranoid about heat right now.

Most of what I've read so far suggests that the i5 cores are ideal, is there no reason to get the i7 because the 970 can't handle it?

The computer is going to be used almost entirely for gaming, I want to run the Witcher 3 on high settings and have some minor future proofing in there.

Is it really worth it to get a SSD drive for the OS only? Faster loading times only seems like a bit of a waste of money.


Approximate Purchase Date: This week, or sooner.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Parts to Upgrade: Everything

Do you need to buy OS: No

Overclocking: Maybe, honestly, probably not because I tend to laziness, but I would like the option for performance down the line.

I do have all the peripherals, so no need for keyboard/mouse etc.

Thanks in advance, I might have a few more questions later on.

 

[MasterDell]

Will you be gaming at 1440p or 1080p? My guess is 1080p. The 4790k will gain you about 12FPS over the i5 when playing witcher. I would say completely avoid the i5 and get the 4790k or the Xeon 1231 V3. The Xeon is like an i7 but without an integrated GPU. (Which you don't need).

I recommend getting a 1440p monitor.

The SSD will give you a lot faster boot times, and overall a snappier OS. Also, I would never keep my OS in the same place I keep my files.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($323.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-E/USB3.1 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($123.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked Video Card ($634.39 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair SPEC-03 White ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($150.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1488.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-06 19:37 EDT-0400

I'm not sure if you wanted the monitor included in the budget. If you didn't want to go 1440p. I would recommend getting atleast a nice, 24" 1ms 144Hz monitor.

 

[Archaic59]

-Cooling and power supply is ready for overclock and SLI at anytime.
-144Hz. G-sync monitor.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($67.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($353.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($116.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: AOC G2460PG 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($399.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1516.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-06 19:44 EDT-0400