Help with $1400 Gaming PC Build

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bigolcrittys

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Mar 17, 2015
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Hello,

I'm looking for advice on parts for my upcoming gaming rig.

Approximate Purchase Date: Will be purchasing parts from now until June
Budget Range: $1200-1500 US (willing to do more if necessary)
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (WoW) and Streaming on Twitch
Are you buying a monitor: Yes
Do you need to buy OS: No
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Anywhere, and I do live near a Microcenter
Location: Virginia, US
Overclocking: Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe eventually
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080p
Why Are You Upgrading: I'm currently gaming on a Macbook :pfff:

Current build idea:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! PURE ROCK 87.0 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($120.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.79 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VN248H-P 23.8" Monitor ($167.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $1432.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-17 16:35 EDT-0400

Thanks!
 
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Here are the changes, that I would make. I wouldn't go with that case, but that is a matter of personal taste, not due any quality concern.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright TRUE Spirit 140 POWER 73.6 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($104.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($339.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($120.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($105.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($13.50 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VN248H-P 23.8" Monitor ($187.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $1462.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-17 16:56 EDT-0400

 
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Switch to the G2 like what logainofhades did. Less expensive without the rebates and it is technically better.
 
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What CPU cooler would you suggest? A buddy of mine suggested the H100i. And the card is supposed to be G1 Gaming it just isn't in the name properly.

Also, I like the changes you've made logainofhades. Might I ask why you suggest the MSI card?

And thoughts on the mobo? Microcenter has a solid deal when you buy the processor you get a solid discount off a mobo of choice.
 
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Do you care About looks? I would always go air over water, so d14/d14 or bequiet make some good stuff if you want it to be atleast black. IF you want water, Antec and Fractal make some good coolers, but h105 is ok too..

Also, it a G1 card. Just doesnt fit in name
 
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Depending on how much you would like to OC. Avoid the H100i. Huge amounts of noise that is completely unbearable. As for the motherboard, The UD5H is nice and if you can get a good deal on it, the ASUS Maximus Hero VII is my favorite and I personally have it.

So for the cooler ill list some good choices both air and not.

CM EVO 212 (Meh)
H220x
Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 (Love this one)
Noctua NH-D14
Noctua NH-D15
Enermax White Cluster
Enermax Black Twister (Both of these are decent. I have the White Cluster and in a white case, it looks amazing.
 
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Are you sure? It is only a single rad vs the dual rads that the Noctuca, Be Quiet!, and Phanteks have. They also have one more fan.
 
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That's pretty cool. Imagine that thing in a dual rad like the D14. :O
 
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Dual rad, like the D14, and it would probably walk all over the competition.
 
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Sorry guys, been busy with exams. I think I'll end up going with the Dark Rock 3 or NH-D14. The NH-D15 seems rather expensive at the moment and I wish there were more reviews about the True Spirit 140 Power.

Thoughts on the Gaming 7 mobo and the G1 Gaming 970? I plan on having this rig for quite a few years with minimal upgrading so I want to get it right the first time
 
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Just really depends whether you want the black or the beige/maroon looking cooler XD

Id personally get an Asus Maximus Ranger over the Gigabyte Gaming 7. Only downside is that the ranger doesn't have sata xpress. based on some friends that own a Gigabyte, UEFI is quite confusing in regards to their layout but really not that bad. Asus on the other hand has a pretty good UEFI, very easy to navigate.

gtx 970 g1 gaming is a good card, cools well but quite noisy compared to other brands, pretty long too,it does overclock fairly good. some says its fans tends to wear out faster since it doesn't have the stop feature others have. another suggestion would be an MSI twin frozr 970. nonetheless still a very good choice for a 970 card.
 
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The UEFI on Gigabyte boards is very easy to follow. Every motherboard manufactuer has made their UEFIs easy to follow because it is a cost-free feature that could make or break a board. As for the Ranger, they don't sell them in North America that is a European board. I have never known for there to be a downside to a card being long. The fans definitely do not wear out faster.

Under load, the STRIX, G1, and Frozr all run at 39 DBa. They are all the same
 
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As i mentioned, it is based from a friend's opinion which of course a matter of their perspective, i never said they are hard to follow, of course upon learning you'd get the hang of it. Don't know why you're saying ROG board is European when they do in fact even sell here in Asia.

Never said being long is a downside, just plainly stated it. Comparing fans that are constantly running vs fans that stop/idle shutoff, of course you get more wear and tear to fans that continuously run. So underload, yes they do have same noise level, but do you use GPU underload 100% of the time? i think not, so if you have an idle shutoff fan compared to continuously spinning fans, definitely you hear less noise. Don't get me wrong here, I am simply suggesting other options which OP might consider, Gigabyte G1 is definitely a good card performance/overclocking wise, but not all cards are perfect and there might be other factors he is considering.
 
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You stated the Ranger and not ROG board in general. I own the hero I think would know it is solid in NA. The ranger is not sold in NA and that is a simple fact. Yeah that is the link on Amazon, for nearly $300. That is a horrible price and Amazon is riddled with people like that. The hero is far beyond necassary for OP. If OP would like to spend upwards up $150-$180 then getting the UD5H would be my descision. Even the BK version would be a good choice.
 
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it really depends on the features you need, also varies from people's preference. what may be worth your extra $ might not be worth to somebody else's in such a case wherein he has different needs than yours.

basically it boils down if you are willing to spend more or spend less. only event you'd spend more is if the feature of a certain board is essential to your needs or essential to the compatibility of your other components
 
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