First Build $1300, USA, Gaming Rig

[aries20912]

Hey folks. This is a first gaming machine build. The budget is $1300 solid. I need an OS but I have monitors. You expert opinions are most appreciated:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/30spw
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/30spw/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/30spw/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($113.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($499.99 @ Amazon)
Wired Network Adapter: StarTech ST1000BT32 10/100/1000 Mbps PCI Network Adapter ($13.34 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($134.95 @ B&H)
Total: $1282.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-26 12:19 EST-0500)

 

[aries20912]

I am trying to decide whether to build or buy a complete system. The other two choices are between:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103854&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Desktop%20PC-_-Acer%20America-_-83103854&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=7260568&SID=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103854&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Desktop%20PC-_-Acer%20America-_-83103854&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=7260568&SID=

 

[EasyLover]

It is good option to build your computer and use components that you want the most.

In your selection above, RAM is expensive, change it to G.Skill and save some bucks. Windows 7 is expensive. Buy $99 one (It is available) and save some bucks. Rest your build is good to go.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

You don't need the separate network card since the motherboard has an integrated gigabit network card. I switched up a few components and this is what I came up with for your budget.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($113.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($499.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($93.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1268.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-26 12:41 EST-0500)

I would consider getting an SSD for the system drive if there's any wiggle room in the budget.

 

[EasyLover]

+1

 

[aries20912]

Thanks Easy and Short...great suggestions.

I thought about the cpu cooler. I was thinking that I wouldn't have to overclock and the stock cooler would be ok, but you are right. The one you chose maxed out at 36 db which may be a little loud for the case. Finding one that does make the living room sound like a data center can be a beesh. But the cooler is not to expensive and it has variable rpm--good suggestion.

Ram can be bought for less cash, but everybody I've read on blogs and in reviews rave about crucial. It's only a couple bucks more. Probably not a terrible buy.

I wanted a Z87 motherboard with the capacity for crossfire, in case I got a real bug up my ass and decided to add another videocard at a later date. The GT780 draws 250w, so it would be cramp the PSU capability--its doable within the power budget, but would probably have to be upgraded as well.

Good eyes on the network adapter and the OS.

I am manic in my fear of Win 8--every time I have to support somebody on it, I can't find a damn thing. I think the win 7 premium maxes at 16 Mg ram so I went with professional to have the option to go to 32 mg at a later date. Does anybody know if I'm just blowing smoke out my ass on this little win 7 tidbit?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/30vdg
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/30vdg/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/30vdg/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($113.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($499.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($134.95 @ B&H)
Total: $1297.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-26 14:08 EST-0500)

 

[EasyLover]

If you want crossfire then don't buy gtx 780 because it nvidia card which supports sli. For cross fire get AMD card like in your case it would be R9 290.
You are still buying expensive windows version.

If you are not going to overclock then don't buy any cpu cooler

Regards,

Easy

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The Corsair CX power supplies are their budget line and cheap out on some components. 750W is an odd size for your system too since it's overkill with one GPU but not enough for SLI. I would stick with either a higher quality 650W PSU like the one I suggested in my build or an 850W PSU if you're serious about SLI in the future.

As far as the OS goes, it really blows me away that anyone would want to go with an OS as old as Windows 7 on a new build. You said you have used Windows 8, but have you used Windows 8.1? There are some subtle, but very nice changes in 8.1. The ability to boot straight to the desktop is great. You can also use a program like Start8 if you really can't get over the learning curve of the start screen. I was very hesitant to upgrade from Windows 7, but I haven't missed it for a second. As strange as it might sound, I really like Windows 8.1. You just get used to using a couple keyboard shortcuts and it's really not bad at all.

 

[EasyLover]

Corsair CX series is third tier product. Still, there should not be any problem with this series. For crossfire/sli 850W is more than plenty.

OP can have Windows 7 or 8 in $80-99 easily.

OP needs to understand that Crossfire is for AMD graphics cards and SLI is for nVIDIA graphics cards.