Building my first gaming computer, around 2500$, need lots of help

[nukesrntbad]

So I've been reading around this site for a few days and have decided to ask for help with this. I know almost nothing about computer hardware so I need a lot of help. What I want out of this computer is to be able to play any game on ultra settings with at least 60 fps on 1080p. I want a durable build, because I may end up having to move this computer from house to house every week(Parents are divorced). I intend on only playing on a single monitor. I also want to be able to record game play and edit it for youtube videos, so if someone could point me towards good recording and editing software, that would be helpful. The cost is flexible, so if an extra few hundred dollars would make a significant difference please tell me. I may upgrade in a few years, but I really need to get the parts and build the computer as soon as possible, so waiting for some of the new hardware ive heard about isn't a viable option. So yeah that's all I could really think of. If here are any key components that are necessary for you all to help please tell me and ill add them in.
Sorry if this was long but as I said, im pretty clueless when it comes to this stuff.

Edit: I would like a monitor and a decent keyboard. Again, I don't want to be cheap and sacrifice quality, so I don't mind if it ends up being closer to 3000$

 

[James Mason]

A noctua should be a fine replacement:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($71.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Crucial M500 480GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($219.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($515.19 @ B&H)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($515.19 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT Source 530 ATX Full Tower Case ($99.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($68.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($197.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech G510s Wired Gaming Keyboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G602 Wireless Optical Mouse ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2644.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-28 15:57 EDT-0400)

 

[logainofhades]

You do not clean out the all in one coolers, to my knowledge, they are sealed and not to be messed with.

 

[nukesrntbad]

and also how is having the crucial m500 and the barracuda helpful for the rig. I don't really understand why both storage locations are necessary

 

[James Mason]

and also how is having the crucial m500 and the barracuda helpful for the rig. I don't really understand why both storage locations are necessary

They aren't they just speed up your boot times and loading times by maybe 20-30 seconds or so.
That's why I didn't recommend them in my builds.

 

[nukesrntbad]

hmm well considering how many times i start and restart my tasks, i think that will pay off in the long run

 

[logainofhades]

SSD for your OS and most commonly used programs. The other drive is for storage purposes.

 

[4cloud]

I would have to probably say that is a supply and demand inflated price.

Probs could be or would be but then again the clock speeds and quality of parts could be different have a look around.

 

[nukesrntbad]

Alright so i think im gonna go with this

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jc30
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jc30/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jc30/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Crucial M500 480GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($227.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($515.19 @ B&H)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($515.19 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (Red) ATX Full Tower Case ($139.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($177.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G602 Wireless Optical Mouse ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2671.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 16:20 EDT-0400)


Any last fixes/suggestions?

 

[4cloud]

Alright so i think im gonna go with this

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jc30
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jc30/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jc30/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Crucial M500 480GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($227.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($515.19 @ B&H)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($515.19 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (Red) ATX Full Tower Case ($139.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($177.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G602 Wireless Optical Mouse ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2671.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 16:20 EDT-0400)


Any last fixes/suggestions?

In my opinion go with the Asus GX 950 mouse and a Samsung EVO SSD otherwise looks good also i thought you wanted a compact cabinet no? And you seriously don't need a Blu Ray DVD Reader and writer (only for burning blu ray movies does it come into use. i suggest go with a normal LG or SONY DVD writer. Also Please either go with a G.Skill memory or a Corsair Vengeance RAM by removing the Blu ray dvd writer and reader I wouldnt go with A-data however. My suggestion for parts cpu: intel GPU: Either asus or EVGA or gigabyte mobo: Asus, Asrock, gigabyte SSD: Samsung Ram: Corsair only PSU: Seasonic or corsair but they are practically the same.

 

[nukesrntbad]

My bad, I forgot to change the cooler on the last one. Here is the final. Any last minute recommendations / changes?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3kiRn
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3kiRn/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3kiRn/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($71.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Crucial M500 480GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($227.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($515.19 @ B&H)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($515.19 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (Red) ATX Full Tower Case ($139.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($177.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($129.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Mouse: Logitech G602 Wireless Optical Mouse ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2693.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-01 15:42 EDT-0400)

 

[nukesrntbad]

Alright so i think im gonna go with this

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jc30
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jc30/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jc30/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Crucial M500 480GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($227.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($515.19 @ B&H)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($515.19 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (Red) ATX Full Tower Case ($139.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($177.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G602 Wireless Optical Mouse ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2671.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 16:20 EDT-0400)


Any last fixes/suggestions?

In my opinion go with the Asus GX 950 mouse and a Samsung EVO SSD otherwise looks good also i thought you wanted a compact cabinet no? And you seriously don't need a Blu Ray DVD Reader and writer (only for burning blu ray movies does it come into use. i suggest go with a normal LG or SONY DVD writer. Also Please either go with a G.Skill memory or a Corsair Vengeance RAM by removing the Blu ray dvd writer and reader I wouldnt go with A-data however. My suggestion for parts cpu: intel GPU: Either asus or EVGA or gigabyte mobo: Asus, Asrock, gigabyte SSD: Samsung Ram: Corsair only PSU: Seasonic or corsair but they are practically the same.

whats wrong with the a-data and if it Is truly bad what should I change it to

 

[logainofhades]

There is nothing wrong with A-data ram. I generally use Gskill, but have used A-data before and no issues.

 

[4cloud]

Alright so i think im gonna go with this

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jc30
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jc30/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jc30/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Crucial M500 480GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($227.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($515.19 @ B&H)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($515.19 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (Red) ATX Full Tower Case ($139.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($177.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G602 Wireless Optical Mouse ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2671.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-30 16:20 EDT-0400)


Any last fixes/suggestions?

In my opinion go with the Asus GX 950 mouse and a Samsung EVO SSD otherwise looks good also i thought you wanted a compact cabinet no? And you seriously don't need a Blu Ray DVD Reader and writer (only for burning blu ray movies does it come into use. i suggest go with a normal LG or SONY DVD writer. Also Please either go with a G.Skill memory or a Corsair Vengeance RAM by removing the Blu ray dvd writer and reader I wouldnt go with A-data however. My suggestion for parts cpu: intel GPU: Either asus or EVGA or gigabyte mobo: Asus, Asrock, gigabyte SSD: Samsung Ram: Corsair only PSU: Seasonic or corsair but they are practically the same.

whats wrong with the a-data and if it Is truly bad what should I change it to

It's purely a matter of preference i usually stick to parts that have the same branding so that it is more likely to get the most out of it but thats my opinion.

 

[che0063]

Honestly, Why not just buy a new gaming laptop?

 

[logainofhades]

I still think, two very capable desktops are the way to go. Trust me, moving a PC around is a pain. I used to do it for awhile with a Micro ATX rig.

 

[nukesrntbad]

So I ordered the parts on Wednesday. heres the build

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3kiRn
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3kiRn/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3kiRn/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($71.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Crucial M500 480GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($234.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($514.69 @ B&H)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($514.69 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (Red) ATX Full Tower Case ($139.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($66.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($197.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($129.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Mouse: Logitech G602 Wireless Optical Mouse ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2715.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-05 15:40 EDT-0400)

only problem was when I ordered the cpu and the optical drive( at the time, it had suggested buying the cpu and the optical drive on newegg) but the cpu was 20$ more expensive than it would have been on amazon, and the optical drive was sold out. so I made a second order from amazon and accidentally selected an expired credit card, so I had to reorder them today. So far, the case, the barracuda, both gpus, the monitor, and the mobo have arrived. I have began to put it together, but am unaware of whether or not any thing has to go behind the mobo. So basically, if I put the mobo in now, will I have to remove it later to put something behind it? If so I will stop and wait for the other parts to arrive, but I just don't want to backtrack. Ill post pictures when its finished, and thanks for the help everyone!

 

[logainofhades]

You will have to install the CPU cooler with the motherboard out of the case, unless you have access to the back of the CPU socket with that case. Even then, it is easier to do the cooler before you install the board.

 

[nukesrntbad]

Im not sure if I will be able to access it. I can send pictures if that help

 

[4cloud]

Im not sure if I will be able to access it. I can send pictures if that help

First put in your CPU then your CPU cooler then the RAM on the motherboard then put it in the cabinet or chassis then screw it in but before all that put your motherboard socket cover on the cabinet.

 

[EPIC OREOz]

How did that rig eventually turn out? Pretty decent?