Gaming Rig, Final Thoughts?

[Ashrael]

Hey guys, thought I would put this up here before I go through the build. I will be using this mainly for gaming (d3, skyrim, wow, lol, farcry, assassins creed etc.), for entertainment (movies, streaming, music etc.). This is my first build and I was hoping to get as much performance available for the money i'm putting on it. I'll be adding a second monitor in the future. I hope to be Oc'ing in the future aswell, then I'll be adding water cooling on it then. Please feel free to critique and any suggestions for improvement is very welcome .

P.S. I would like to keep the price the same ($4,200 NZD) so if there are better components for around the same price, please let me know. Thank you for time

PCPartPicker part list: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/HLqWP6
Price breakdown by merchant: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/HLqWP6/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.00 @ PC Force)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($174.99 @ Mighty Ape)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($335.00 @ PC Force)
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($389.85 @ PB Technologies)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($298.99 @ PB Technologies)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($199.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($633.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($633.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair 860W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($365.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12D2HT ($107.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($149.00 @ PC Force)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($556.14 @ Aquila Technology)
Total: $4160.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-02 19:19 NZDT+1300

 

[jimmysmitty]

Besides the HAF case (I just have never been a fan of them) the build looks solid. I do however think that two GTX 970s are overkill for a single 1080P monitor. Why not up it to a 4K monitor?

 

[raze_rob]

1] I'm not sure why the Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card at costing you $680 a piece...they were ~$350 earlier. You should buy them from somewhere else or get 2 MSI gpus.
2] Do you need that specific mobo for something? is very expensive and you could get a z97 for much cheaper and still overclock.
3] Also consider some memory with smaller to just give you more space to work with when doing cable management.

 

[TomThePotato]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.00 @ PC Force)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($143.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($247.00 @ PC Force)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($260.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($165.00 @ PC Force)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($199.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($633.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($633.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($279.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12D2HT ($107.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($149.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($556.14 @ Aquila Technology)
Total: $3692.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-02 19:30 NZDT+1300

Noctua cools about the same as the 80i and is also silent. Cheaper motherboard. Cheaper ram that's still fast. (Cas7) Cheaper SSD. Cheaper, but awesome power supply. Changed to 8.1 so you don't have to upgrade through store. (Cost a couple cents extra)

Also, with the money saved, you can get an I7.. but you'll see a small increase in FPS for gaming. However, you'll see much more performance in multi-tasking/Video editing/ Streaming on twitch.. etc

 

[jimmysmitty]

1] I'm not sure why the Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card at costing you $680 a piece...they were ~$350 earlier. You should buy them from somewhere else or get 2 MSI gpus.
2] Do you need that specific mobo for something? is very expensive and you could get a z97 for much cheaper and still overclock.
3] Also consider some memory with smaller to just give you more space to work with when doing cable management.

1. He is in New Zealand, not the US. They get price gouged like crazy. I paid $189 for my Corsair 860i PSU, his is $365.

2. Sometimes it is good to spoil yourself with a $300 dollar mobo. I did on my last build and it is just sexy.

3. Room for what? The H80i wont need the same room as a air cooler so the RAM should be fine.

 

[mniasfreemag]

You can save a few bucks buy getting the seasonic X-850 Gold PSU or the Silverstone ST85F-GS.
Get the Corsair CMZ16GX3M2A1866C9, there is no difference between this and the platinum $70 cheaper.
For the Case you can go for this Corsair 760T White ATX Full Tower Case

 

[Ashrael]

Besides the HAF case (I just have never been a fan of them) the build looks solid. I do however think that two GTX 970s are overkill for a single 1080P monitor. Why not up it to a 4K monitor?

lol yea, i've just had an empty Haf X, just thought it would be good to use rather than buying a new case. Yea, might have to look at 4k monitors, theyre just really expensive here in NZ ($1k + i think)

 

[Ashrael]

You can save a few bucks buy getting the seasonic X-850 Gold PSU or the Silverstone ST85F-GS.
Get the Corsair CMZ16GX3M2A1866C9, there is no difference between this and the platinum $70 cheaper.
For the Case you can go for this Corsair 760T White ATX Full Tower Case

Cool, thank you, I'll check those PSU out as the PSU that i got on the list has been suggested by the dude at the store and it was 1 of the expensive 1's hehe

 

[EasyLover]

Made some changes in the build. Changes are: -

1. Change the Cooler from H80 to H100i.
2. Change the RAM from CD to G.Skill RipJaw X 1866MHz with CAS 9 in Red color to give more harmony in color theme.
3. Change the SSD from 850 Pro to Cruicial MX 100 250GB. This is best value for money and performance.
4. Change the Case to Corsair 760T black color. I'm using white edition of 760T and it is beautiful case to have with loads of water cooling supports and XL-ATX mobo support with modular HDD cages and enough room clearance from PSU to the lower end or bottom of the Mobo.
5. Change the PSU to corsair AX760. It is platinum series PSU with enough watts to support this rig. Save some bucks here as well.
6. Unless you have a good reason to stick with Asus optical drive, I've changed it with LG one.

Here is the build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.00 @ PC Force)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($212.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($335.00 @ PC Force)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($139.00 @ PC Force)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($165.00 @ PC Force)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($199.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($633.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($633.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Case: Corsair 760T Black ATX Full Tower Case ($279.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Power Supply: Corsair 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($298.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($42.84 @ Ascent Technology)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($149.00 @ PC Force)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($556.14 @ Aquila Technology)
Total: $3961.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-02 19:48 NZDT+1300

 

[Ashrael]

Made some changes in the build. Changes are: -

1. Change the Cooler from H80 to H100i.
2. Change the RAM from CD to G.Skill RipJaw X 1866MHz with CAS 9 in Red color to give more harmony in color theme.
3. Change the SSD from 850 Pro to Cruicial MX 100 250GB. This is best value for money and performance.
4. Change the Case to Corsair 760T black color. I'm using white edition of 760T and it is beautiful case to have with loads of water cooling supports and XL-ATX mobo support with modular HDD cages and enough room clearance from PSU to the lower end or bottom of the Mobo.
5. Change the PSU to corsair AX760. It is platinum series PSU with enough watts to support this rig. Save some bucks here as well.
6. Unless you have a good reason to stick with Asus optical drive, I've changed it with LG one.

Here is the build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.00 @ PC Force)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($212.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($335.00 @ PC Force)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($139.00 @ PC Force)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($165.00 @ PC Force)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($199.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($633.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($633.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Case: Corsair 760T Black ATX Full Tower Case ($279.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Power Supply: Corsair 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($298.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($42.84 @ Ascent Technology)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($149.00 @ PC Force)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($556.14 @ Aquila Technology)
Total: $3961.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-02 19:48 NZDT+1300

awww man legit build. The money i save in this build, i could put it on something else, thank you