Getting a $Bonus i5 Gaming Rig - Advice Please

[Luther Bird]

I originally set out to build a budget i3 but since I'm getting a little work bonus I am now looking toward an i5 setup.

With a monitor included, my budget is around $1800.

Primary use will be gaming and some audio recording.

My thinking was to slant my funds toward the GPU. I'm not sure if I need a stronger PSU and whether the MB choice is OK. I have never overclocked but may want to in the future.

I would appreciate any feedback.

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($101.48 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($101.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($344.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq Plus 550W 80+ Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.79 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.75 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($264.99 @ Adorama)
Total: $1351.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-12 20:44 EST-0500

 

[bcalvert]

Looks good. With that budget you could even bump up to an i7, 16 gigs ram, and gtx 980

 

[Knicks2012]

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

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($101.48 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($155.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($101.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($75.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($549.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.79 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.75 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($264.99 @ Adorama)
Total: $1800.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-12 22:08 EST-0500

CPU must be PICKED UP at MicroCenter

Bumped you up to a i7, 980, added 1 TB HDD, 16 GB RAM, 750w PSU

I have the same monitor since it first came out and Im loving it, great choice

 

[Luther Bird]

Thanks guys!