Building a High Performance PC 2014-2015

[CoasterGuy]

I'm about to build my first PC in the coming weeks. It's been a long path for myself settling on what parts to use, but I finally have a list I'm satisfied with. Are there any suggestions for improvement or places where I can economize? Keep in mind, this PC will not be for strictly gaming. Yes, I realize I could have gone with an i5 and 8 gigs of RAM.

CPU: i7 4790k
Mobo: ASUS z97 PRO w/ WiFi AC
GPU: ASUS STRIX GTX 970
RAM: G-Skill Ares 2x8 gb 1600mhz
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/window
Cooler: Hyper 212 EVO
PSU: Seasonic X-Series 850watt
SSD: Samsung 850 Pro Series for boot drive, few apps and few games
HDD: WD Caviar Blue 1TB 7200 rpm
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K70 Blue Cherry MX
Mouse: Corsair m65
Monitor: ASUS VS229H-P 1080p
Thermal paste: Arctic MX-4

 

[viewtyjoe]

What's your use case that you're justifying the i7? Just curious. I'm also not a fan of onboard wifi, but that's a personal preference, since I prefer being wired. Also, you could probably drop 100w easy off your power supply with no ill effects, if not more.

 

[Joseph DeGarmo]

Fantastic setup! Everything looks to be in order. What operating system will you use?

 

[filippi]

You could economize: 600W psu is enough, Samsung 840 EVO SSD.
For gaming go Cherry MX Red.

 

[TomThePotato]

Keyboards are preferential.. I like Cherry MX Browns because Blues are too loud. Also, heard that reds are too easily pressed, but that was their opinion.

 

[chris_shadez]

Assuming i got this right, here is your stated build;

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor (£257.94 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£24.19 @ CCL Computers)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Cooling MX4 4g Thermal Paste (£3.99 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-PRO(Wi-Fi ac) ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£139.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£130.10 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£139.98 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£39.96 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (£299.96 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case (£84.98 @ Novatech)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (£143.78 @ CCL Computers)
Monitor: Asus VX229H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor (£127.45 @ Scan.co.uk)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K70 Wired Gaming Keyboard (£248.00 @ Amazon UK)
Mouse: Corsair Vengeance M65 Wired Laser Mouse (£52.32 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £1692.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-05 20:45 BST+0100

Some changes i'd make, keeping some core components of choice;

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor (£249.95 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£24.19 @ CCL Computers)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Cooling MX4 4g Thermal Paste (£3.99 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-PRO(Wi-Fi ac) ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£139.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory (£129.99 @ Ebuyer)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£91.50 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£37.50 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card (£297.99 @ Ebuyer)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case (£84.98 @ Novatech)
Power Supply: Super Flower Leadex Gold 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (£78.01 @ Amazon UK)
Monitor: ViewSonic VA2349S 60Hz 23.0" Monitor (£111.95 @ CCL Computers)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K70 Wired Gaming Keyboard (£248.00 @ Amazon UK)
Mouse: Corsair Vengeance M65 Wired Laser Mouse (£52.32 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £1550.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-05 21:04 BST+0100

Delete "uk." from beginning of web url if you are in usa

4790K... don't yet know why you want that in a purely gaming pc but changed parts according to its quality =) maybe cost savings could go to getting better parts but don't know the systems uses or budget etc so have not gone further on that

RAM - why go 1600 when you can go 2133mhz for near same price
SSD - 850 pro? 840 EVO is more than enough ssd performance
GPU - the windforce cools better and has a higher stock clock
PSU - unless you plan to SLI, you really don't need an 850W, this psu is also a Tier 1
Monitor - IPS helps with wider viewing angles/distance and richer colors