high end gaming PC spec 2013 - opinions

[Omer Abramovici]

Hi Guys,
My upcoming purchase is budgeted at ~2.5K, and the below spec is inspired by a mix of tom's recommendations and reviews for a high-end gaming PC. I would like to hear your opinions on the spec and I'm open for any downgrade/upgrade recommendation.

Specifications:

CPU: CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 CPU Cooler ($81.07 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($192.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($174.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($648.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 600T Silver ATX Mid Tower Case ($159.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: BenQ XL2420T 120Hz 24.0" Monitor ($409.53 @ TigerDirect)

you are all awesome.
I appreciate your response.

Thanks,
Omer.

 

[toddybody]

Sick build, though Im curious why you're going for the 3870 and 2011 socket? IMO, your money would be better spent on a 4670K and 1150 rig...given your "gaming" usage. Good Luck!

 

[Omer Abramovici]

Sick build, though Im curious why you're going for the 3870 and 2011 socket? IMO, your money would be better spent on a 4570K and 1150 rig...given your "gaming" usage. Good Luck!

hmm, well I couldn't find much (or any) official site for the 4570K.. but i get your point, as for today, 2011 socket won't contribute much for gaming experience, the reason I took both 2011 socket with the 3820 was only to be future proof in terms of expansion, also, the 3820 is ranked #3 at CPUboss gaming CPU rating while the next i5 ranked somewhere at #30. do you trust CPUBoss benchmark ? would you rather go with Sabertooth Z87+i5-4670K (or any other similar config) ?

 

[toddybody]

Sick build, though Im curious why you're going for the 3870 and 2011 socket? IMO, your money would be better spent on a 4570K and 1150 rig...given your "gaming" usage. Good Luck!

hmm, well I couldn't find much (or any) official site for the 4570K.. but i get your point, as for today, 2011 socket won't contribute much for gaming experience, the reason I took both 2011 socket with the 3820 was only to be future proof in terms of expansion, also, the 3820 is ranked #3 at CPUboss gaming CPU rating while the next i5 ranked somewhere at #30. do you trust CPUBoss benchmark ? would you rather go with Sabertooth Z87+i5-4670K (or any other similar config) ?

*Yeah, I miss typed 4570K (as you noted should be 4670K)

I read some more and Im waffling on my previous sentiment. My hesitation for recommending the 3820 was cost and worse gaming performance than a 4670K.

That said, 2011 Socket does have the best upgrade path of the intel chips right now..AND I saw that the 3820 is 179.99 on MicroCenter:http://www.microcenter.com/product/383144/Core_i7_3820_36GHz_LGA_2011_Boxed_Processor

You're still going to have a better CPU for gaming (clock for clock faster, unlocked multiplier, lower power draw) with a 4670K...but thinking forward, maybe a 2011 board is right for you. Since you like CPU Boss: http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i7-3820-vs-Intel-Core-i5-4670K

PS: Why not SLI 760's instead of one 780? Is it cause you want to SLI 780s in the future?

 

[Omer Abramovici]

Sick build, though Im curious why you're going for the 3870 and 2011 socket? IMO, your money would be better spent on a 4570K and 1150 rig...given your "gaming" usage. Good Luck!

hmm, well I couldn't find much (or any) official site for the 4570K.. but i get your point, as for today, 2011 socket won't contribute much for gaming experience, the reason I took both 2011 socket with the 3820 was only to be future proof in terms of expansion, also, the 3820 is ranked #3 at CPUboss gaming CPU rating while the next i5 ranked somewhere at #30. do you trust CPUBoss benchmark ? would you rather go with Sabertooth Z87+i5-4670K (or any other similar config) ?

*Yeah, I miss typed 4570K (as you noted should be 4670K)

I read some more and Im waffling on my previous sentiment. My hesitation for recommending the 3820 was cost and worse gaming performance than a 4670K.

That said, 2011 Socket does have the best upgrade path of the intel chips right now..AND I saw that the 3820 is 179.99 on MicroCenter:http://www.microcenter.com/product/383144/Core_i7_3820_36GHz_LGA_2011_Boxed_Processor

You're still going to have a better CPU for gaming (clock for clock faster, unlocked multiplier, lower power draw) with a 4670K...but thinking forward, maybe a 2011 board is right for you. Since you like CPU Boss: http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i7-3820-vs-Intel-Core-i5-4670K

PS: Why not SLI 760's instead of one 780? Is it cause you want to SLI 780s in the future?

Probably,... but also because it performs way better than the 760 (or the 770).

I did some more research per your advise and changed my mobo and CPU to:

- Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
- Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor

the original post changed accordignly.