Need Advice for $1800 build

[cleanshot911]

So next month I am building my first gaming pc, and I need some help prioritizing pars and figuring out where to double down, whether that be GPU, CPU, or other generally less expensive parts of the build. To be clear I have done a lot of research on all of the different parts for the past few months and have been paying attention to news on AMD 3xx rumors, as well as Intel's coming Skylake chips. So I am wondering if, with the $1800 I should have for my build, I should go with the gtx 970 vs 980, i7 4690k vs i7 4790k, considering the potential need for hyperthreading in the future, or if I should REALLY wait for AMD and Intel to release their respective upcoming, supposedly groundbreaking, products. I have two mocked up builds for a pc that will be used primarily for gaming, but not really all that much else, below. I don't think I'll be doing anything other than gaming that's too intensive, but I do hope to play at 4k someday soon, although I do understand today's current hardware limitations. Unfortunately, since I'm new to pc, I also need to buy a monitor, os (preferably windows), mouse, and keyboard, so those have to be considered in the price as well. If anybody is an expert on any of those things, advice would be much appreciated. So considering all of the above stated facts, and the lists below, the real question is "WHAT DO I DO?".

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/g86yTW
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/g86yTW/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i GTX 70.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($199.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ Adorama)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.79 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor ($157.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Best Buy)
Mouse: Logitech G402 Wired Optical Mouse ($41.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1802.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-19 14:50 EDT-0400

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gdsj7P
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gdsj7P/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston Fury Red Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($67.99 @ Mac Mall)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($559.99 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.79 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor ($157.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Best Buy)
Mouse: Logitech G402 Wired Optical Mouse ($41.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1795.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-19 14:51 EDT-0400

 

[TheNewGeek420]

So next month I am building my first gaming pc, and I need some help prioritizing pars and figuring out where to double down, whether that be GPU, CPU, or other generally less expensive parts of the build. To be clear I have done a lot of research on all of the different parts for the past few months and have been paying attention to news on AMD 3xx rumors, as well as Intel's coming Skylake chips. So I am wondering if, with the $1800 I should have for my build, I should go with the gtx 970 vs 980, i7 4690k vs i7 4790k, considering the potential need for hyperthreading in the future, or if I should REALLY wait for AMD and Intel to release their respective upcoming, supposedly groundbreaking, products. I have two mocked up builds for a pc that will be used primarily for gaming, but not really all that much else, below. I don't think I'll be doing anything other than gaming that's too intensive, but I do hope to play at 4k someday soon, although I do understand today's current hardware limitations. Unfortunately, since I'm new to pc, I also need to buy a monitor, os (preferably windows), mouse, and keyboard, so those have to be considered in the price as well. If anybody is an expert on any of those things, advice would be much appreciated. So considering all of the above stated facts, and the lists below, the real question is "WHAT DO I DO?".

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/g86yTW
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/g86yTW/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i GTX 70.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($199.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ Adorama)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.79 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor ($157.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Best Buy)
Mouse: Logitech G402 Wired Optical Mouse ($41.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1802.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-19 14:50 EDT-0400

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gdsj7P
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gdsj7P/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston Fury Red Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($67.99 @ Mac Mall)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($559.99 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.79 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor ($157.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.99 @ Best Buy)
Mouse: Logitech G402 Wired Optical Mouse ($41.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1795.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-19 14:51 EDT-0400

I don't have any major edits to this build, but if you are only going to game, then an i5 4690k is the better choice for you. However if you have been keeping up with the tech news, you might have other purposes for this build and that's why you are going for a i7-4790k. So my first question is: What are you going to do with this PC?

Next up: With the money saved from switching to an i5-4690k, you can invest in a better mobo, mainly for the second build you mentioned. The asus maximus vii hero is a great mobo. MSI has bad QC (quality control) so I generally stay away from them. With the saved money, you could get the vii hero, possibly a more expensive board which you probably won't need, and if you think about the maximus vii formula, it's mainly for looks and it's overpriced for being the "step up" from the hero. So stick with the hero. also check out this link if you want some pointers for mobos.http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2383187/motherboard-tier-list-z97-chipset.html

Here you'll find the maximus hero in the tier 1b, and another board such as the gigabyte gaming gt in tier 1, meaning it is better. The gigabyte board comes about 40 - 50$ less than the hero, so maybe that's a good choice. But yah, just don't get an MSI.

As for the other saved money if you go for the gigabyte which is only 20 bucks more than the MSI gaming 5, is a western digital black 2TB or maybe a seagate 2TB. Honestly though, I think this build is on the right track.

Hope this helped!

-TheNewGeek

 

[Archgaull]

.

 

[cleanshot911]

I don't have any major edits to this build, but if you are only going to game, then an i5 4690k is the better choice for you. However if you have been keeping up with the tech news, you might have other purposes for this build and that's why you are going for a i7-4790k. So my first question is: What are you going to do with this PC?

Next up: With the money saved from switching to an i5-4690k, you can invest in a better mobo, mainly for the second build you mentioned. The asus maximus vii hero is a great mobo. MSI has bad QC (quality control) so I generally stay away from them. With the saved money, you could get the vii hero, possibly a more expensive board which you probably won't need, and if you think about the maximus vii formula, it's mainly for looks and it's overpriced for being the "step up" from the hero. So stick with the hero. also check out this link if you want some pointers for mobos.http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2383187/motherboard-tier-list-z97-chipset.html

Here you'll find the maximus hero in the tier 1b, and another board such as the gigabyte gaming gt in tier 1, meaning it is better. The gigabyte board comes about 40 - 50$ less than the hero, so maybe that's a good choice. But yah, just don't get an MSI.

As for the other saved money if you go for the gigabyte which is only 20 bucks more than the MSI gaming 5, is a western digital black 2TB or maybe a seagate 2TB. Honestly though, I think this build is on the right track.

Hope this helped!

-TheNewGeek

Thanks man, I really do appreciate the advice. Honestly I'm was a little torn on which way to go with the processor, but you also seem fairly knowledgeable, and I really was looking for a second opinion on that subject so if you think that I'll be just fine with the i5, then I believe you, and I'll happily invest that $100 in something else, or maybe save it for the Steam Summer Sale, maybe grab myself a copy of The Witcher 3 to break in my new glorious pc. Thanks for the MSI comment too, I'd heard stuff like that in the past but wasn't really sure, but I think sticking with Asus will be the right way to go. Again thanks for the advice, you gave me just the solution I was looking for to make a magnificent little gaming monster.

 

[TheNewGeek420]

I don't have any major edits to this build, but if you are only going to game, then an i5 4690k is the better choice for you. However if you have been keeping up with the tech news, you might have other purposes for this build and that's why you are going for a i7-4790k. So my first question is: What are you going to do with this PC?

Next up: With the money saved from switching to an i5-4690k, you can invest in a better mobo, mainly for the second build you mentioned. The asus maximus vii hero is a great mobo. MSI has bad QC (quality control) so I generally stay away from them. With the saved money, you could get the vii hero, possibly a more expensive board which you probably won't need, and if you think about the maximus vii formula, it's mainly for looks and it's overpriced for being the "step up" from the hero. So stick with the hero. also check out this link if you want some pointers for mobos.http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2383187/motherboard-tier-list-z97-chipset.html

Here you'll find the maximus hero in the tier 1b, and another board such as the gigabyte gaming gt in tier 1, meaning it is better. The gigabyte board comes about 40 - 50$ less than the hero, so maybe that's a good choice. But yah, just don't get an MSI.

As for the other saved money if you go for the gigabyte which is only 20 bucks more than the MSI gaming 5, is a western digital black 2TB or maybe a seagate 2TB. Honestly though, I think this build is on the right track.

Hope this helped!

-TheNewGeek

Thanks man, I really do appreciate the advice. Honestly I'm was a little torn on which way to go with the processor, but you also seem fairly knowledgeable, and I really was looking for a second opinion on that subject so if you think that I'll be just fine with the i5, then I believe you, and I'll happily invest that $100 in something else, or maybe save it for the Steam Summer Sale, maybe grab myself a copy of The Witcher 3 to break in my new glorious pc. Thanks for the MSI comment too, I'd heard stuff like that in the past but wasn't really sure, but I think sticking with Asus will be the right way to go. Again thanks for the advice, you gave me just the solution I was looking for to make a magnificent little gaming monster.

Ok then, glad to help! tell us how it goes!