Need help building a PC

[WanderingStranger]

Hey all!! I have been around here lurking for a while now, and I have been looking at building a PC. I have a list of components that I would like to use to build a gaming PC and I wanted to know if the hardware is both compatible and up to spec in terms of not being excessive or under powered. I really appreciate any wisdom you all could lend me. (this is made to support 3-4 monitors for both gaming and work).

Also, I would like opinions on a case, I would like a full tower, i am not looking to over clock, so I am not sure if I would need liquid cooling or if that was over kill? Thanks again!

Case: Azza Genesis 9000B Full Tower Case, Black (CSAZ-9000B)

CPU:Intel Core i7-4770K Quad-Core Desktop Processor (3.5 GHz, 8 MB Cache, Intel HD graphics, BX80646I74770K)

Motherboard: MSI ATX DDR3 2600 LGA 1150 Motherboards Z97 MPOWER MAX AC

Memory:G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory F3-12800CL10D-16GBXL

Videocard: 2 x Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB GDDR5 DVI-I/DVI-D/HDMI/DP Dual-X OC Version (UEFI) PCI-Express Graphics Card 11221-00-20G

Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 1050W TPG-1050M SLI & CrossFire X Ready ATX12V 80PLUS Gold Active PFC ATX 1150 Power Supply TPG-1050M

SSD: Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Notebook Kit Version Internal Solid State Drive MZ-7TE250LW

HDD: WD Velociraptor WD1000DHTZ 1TB 3.5" SATA Hard Drive

Optical: Asus Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-Ray Drive (BC-12B1ST)

Screen: 3 x Samsung 27-Inch Wide Viewing Angle LED Monitor (S27D390H)


Edit: Budget of 2,000-2,500 would prefer closer to 2,000 otherwise the wife may disown me

 

[esco_sid]

give us your budget so we know how to optimize your build don't include peripherals or monitors in the budget just for computer itself. Some things are complete overkill in your build.

 

[FistsOfFury]

We need your budget first though
If you're not planning on Overclocking just get a normal 4770. The ones with K mean it's overclockable. That's just a simple statement of the K.

 

[WanderingStranger]

I would say somewhere in the $2,000-2,500 range, I figure its going to be expensive, and with what I speced out I am at around 3,000 with monitors and peripherals. I'd like to make it as efficient as possible in terms of cost, like I said, its a project, but if I go to far over budget the wife will be angry

edit: what do you think about over clocking? is it worth pushing that envelope or giving myself the option to do so later?

 

[esco_sid]

Here do this and save yourself some $ it will run anything you throw at it and can add 2nd 780Ti down the road for SLI with your budget always get best single card you can get because you will have less issues with just 1 card rather than having 2 weaker ones working together. And yes i put in parts that can be overclocked as price difference in this budget range is not that much.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($333.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z97 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($82.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.43 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($679.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 760T Black ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1918.31
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-03 22:42 EDT-0400)

 

[WanderingStranger]

Will just one video card be enough to support 3 monitors though? and also is windows 8 worth it? I have a windows 7 professional laying around that I would be able to load on initially, so I wasn't sure if I should upgrade to 8 or not?

 

[FistsOfFury]

I would say somewhere in the $2,000-2,500 range, I figure its going to be expensive, and with what I speced out I am at around 3,000 with monitors and peripherals. I'd like to make it as efficient as possible in terms of cost, like I said, its a project, but if I go to far over budget the wife will be angry

edit: what do you think about over clocking? is it worth pushing that envelope or giving myself the option to do so later?

Well I personally think overclocking is great and it's worth it. Just aslong as you've got a nice CPU cooler, everything will be perfect.

 

[FistsOfFury]

Will just one video card be enough to support 3 monitors though? and also is windows 8 worth it? I have a windows 7 professional laying around that I would be able to load on initially, so I wasn't sure if I should upgrade to 8 or not?

I would, Because windows 8 is newer and faster. And in my opinion easier to use. But if you've got a spare windows. I wouldn't waste the money for a new OS.

 

[esco_sid]

Will just one video card be enough to support 3 monitors though? and also is windows 8 worth it? I have a windows 7 professional laying around that I would be able to load on initially, so I wasn't sure if I should upgrade to 8 or not?

780TI is pretty much the most powerful video card you can buy it can easily run 3 monitors as far as windows well if you have win7 just laying around yes you can use it actually most people prefer7 over8. (even $50 video card can run 3 monitors by the way only difference is if you run a game on all 3 monitors at once then $50 one cant)

 

[WanderingStranger]

Will just one video card be enough to support 3 monitors though? and also is windows 8 worth it? I have a windows 7 professional laying around that I would be able to load on initially, so I wasn't sure if I should upgrade to 8 or not?

780TI is pretty much the most powerful video card you can buy it can easily run 3 monitors as far as windows well if you have win7 just laying around yes you can use it actually most people prefer7 over8.

Also, you have a CPU fan in there, should I replace the factory one on the cpu with this one for better cooling? also what is your opinion on Liquid cooling? To me its always been sort of an ify thing because one leak could fry everything (imo).

 

[esco_sid]

Will just one video card be enough to support 3 monitors though? and also is windows 8 worth it? I have a windows 7 professional laying around that I would be able to load on initially, so I wasn't sure if I should upgrade to 8 or not?

780TI is pretty much the most powerful video card you can buy it can easily run 3 monitors as far as windows well if you have win7 just laying around yes you can use it actually most people prefer7 over8.

Also, you have a CPU fan in there, should I replace the factory one on the cpu with this one for better cooling? also what is your opinion on Liquid cooling? To me its always been sort of an ify thing because one leak could fry everything (imo).

I have cpu heatsink in there just incase you want to overclock and it will run silent compared to stock one as far as liquid cooling i would not bother with it that Noctua cooler will be 5-7 Celsius higher temperature when compared to liquid all in one systems that cost 2-3x more only reason to even consider liquid cooling is for very high overclocks. Another thing of note is that 4770k CPu will be replaced this month with 4790k one so you might consider waiting a bit.

 

[WanderingStranger]

Will just one video card be enough to support 3 monitors though? and also is windows 8 worth it? I have a windows 7 professional laying around that I would be able to load on initially, so I wasn't sure if I should upgrade to 8 or not?

780TI is pretty much the most powerful video card you can buy it can easily run 3 monitors as far as windows well if you have win7 just laying around yes you can use it actually most people prefer7 over8.

Also, you have a CPU fan in there, should I replace the factory one on the cpu with this one for better cooling? also what is your opinion on Liquid cooling? To me its always been sort of an ify thing because one leak could fry everything (imo).

I have cpu heatsink in there just incase you want to overclock and it will run silent compared to stock one as far as liquid cooling i would not bother with it that Noctua cooler will be 5-7 Celsius higher temperature when compared to liquid all in one systems that cost 2-3x more only reason to even consider liquid cooling is for very high overclocks. Another thing of note is that 4770k CPu will be replaced this month with 4790k one so you might consider waiting a bit.

Thank you! I really appreciate it, I wondered about the reduced memory? I was initially looking at tossing a minimum of 16gb in as opposed to 8gb.

 

[esco_sid]

Will just one video card be enough to support 3 monitors though? and also is windows 8 worth it? I have a windows 7 professional laying around that I would be able to load on initially, so I wasn't sure if I should upgrade to 8 or not?

780TI is pretty much the most powerful video card you can buy it can easily run 3 monitors as far as windows well if you have win7 just laying around yes you can use it actually most people prefer7 over8.

Also, you have a CPU fan in there, should I replace the factory one on the cpu with this one for better cooling? also what is your opinion on Liquid cooling? To me its always been sort of an ify thing because one leak could fry everything (imo).

I have cpu heatsink in there just incase you want to overclock and it will run silent compared to stock one as far as liquid cooling i would not bother with it that Noctua cooler will be 5-7 Celsius higher temperature when compared to liquid all in one systems that cost 2-3x more only reason to even consider liquid cooling is for very high overclocks. Another thing of note is that 4770k CPu will be replaced this month with 4790k one so you might consider waiting a bit.

Thank you! I really appreciate it, I wondered about the reduced memory? I was initially looking at tossing a minimum of 16gb in as opposed to 8gb.

There is no reason currently to have more than 8 Gb as far as gaming goes no game uses that much I actually made the same mistake 2 years ago to get 16GB and its always just empty.

 

[WanderingStranger]

Excellent, well I really do appreciate the help, I am going to go with what you had said, though I do wonder if my original case would still fit everything? I know, its likely a bit pricey, but I guess I like the aesthetic.

I am glad to see I can use a smaller power supply as well, I wasn't sure what would be way over or not, though if I do upgrade later and add another video card, should I upgrade my power supply as well?

 

[sora]

Will just one video card be enough to support 3 monitors though? and also is windows 8 worth it? I have a windows 7 professional laying around that I would be able to load on initially, so I wasn't sure if I should upgrade to 8 or not?

780TI is pretty much the most powerful video card you can buy it can easily run 3 monitors as far as windows well if you have win7 just laying around yes you can use it actually most people prefer7 over8.

Also, you have a CPU fan in there, should I replace the factory one on the cpu with this one for better cooling? also what is your opinion on Liquid cooling? To me its always been sort of an ify thing because one leak could fry everything (imo).

I have cpu heatsink in there just incase you want to overclock and it will run silent compared to stock one as far as liquid cooling i would not bother with it that Noctua cooler will be 5-7 Celsius higher temperature when compared to liquid all in one systems that cost 2-3x more only reason to even consider liquid cooling is for very high overclocks. Another thing of note is that 4770k CPu will be replaced this month with 4790k one so you might consider waiting a bit.

Thank you! I really appreciate it, I wondered about the reduced memory? I was initially looking at tossing a minimum of 16gb in as opposed to 8gb.

If you plan on doing some heavy multitasking it may show some performance changes.

 

[WanderingStranger]

Will just one video card be enough to support 3 monitors though? and also is windows 8 worth it? I have a windows 7 professional laying around that I would be able to load on initially, so I wasn't sure if I should upgrade to 8 or not?

780TI is pretty much the most powerful video card you can buy it can easily run 3 monitors as far as windows well if you have win7 just laying around yes you can use it actually most people prefer7 over8.

Also, you have a CPU fan in there, should I replace the factory one on the cpu with this one for better cooling? also what is your opinion on Liquid cooling? To me its always been sort of an ify thing because one leak could fry everything (imo).

I have cpu heatsink in there just incase you want to overclock and it will run silent compared to stock one as far as liquid cooling i would not bother with it that Noctua cooler will be 5-7 Celsius higher temperature when compared to liquid all in one systems that cost 2-3x more only reason to even consider liquid cooling is for very high overclocks. Another thing of note is that 4770k CPu will be replaced this month with 4790k one so you might consider waiting a bit.

Thank you! I really appreciate it, I wondered about the reduced memory? I was initially looking at tossing a minimum of 16gb in as opposed to 8gb.

If you plan on doing some heavy multitasking it may show some performance changes.

I think I may toss 16GB in there so the wife can do any heavy graphic design work she would have to do on my PC. Its not to often she brings it home, but lord knows the laptop they give her to work with sounds like death when shes trying to get things done.

 

[Bigfootmandude]

Here do this and save yourself some $ it will run anything you throw at it and can add 2nd 780Ti down the road for SLI with your budget always get best single card you can get because you will have less issues with just 1 card rather than having 2 weaker ones working together. And yes i put in parts that can be overclocked as price difference in this budget range is not that much.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($333.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z97 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($82.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.43 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($679.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 760T Black ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1918.31
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-03 22:42 EDT-0400)

This is a really good build. Only thing I would suggest is that the new i7 4790k will arrive in a couple weeks and is the same price as the i7 4770k. It has a much higher clock speed so it should last longer.

Secondly I would highly recommend at least 500 gb of SSD storage. If you can squeeze out another hundred $200 you can afford the 500 gb version of the SSD. Games really take up space.

One last thing I think that in a year you will not be able to run all games comfortably on a tri-monitor set up. Be prepared to either lower settings or add a second 780ti. .

But yeah, this is a rock solid build with excellent components. Just really smart and well rounded.

Enjoy this you lucky goose!

 

[WanderingStranger]

Here do this and save yourself some $ it will run anything you throw at it and can add 2nd 780Ti down the road for SLI with your budget always get best single card you can get because you will have less issues with just 1 card rather than having 2 weaker ones working together. And yes i put in parts that can be overclocked as price difference in this budget range is not that much.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($333.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z97 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($82.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.43 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($679.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 760T Black ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1918.31
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-03 22:42 EDT-0400)

This is a really good build. Only thing I would suggest is that the new i7 4790k will arrive in a couple weeks and is the same price as the i7 4770k. It has a much higher clock speed so it should last longer.

Secondly I would highly recommend at least 500 gb of SSD storage. If you can squeeze out another hundred $200 you can afford the 500 gb version of the SSD. Games really take up space.

One last thing I think that in a year you will not be able to run all games comfortably on a tri-monitor set up. Be prepared to either lower settings or add a second 780ti. .

But yeah, this is a rock solid build with excellent components. Just really smart and well rounded.

Enjoy this you lucky goose!

Sounds fantastic, I assume in about a year or so I will add another video card, the price will likely come down and all will be right with the world I will look into the other CPU as well, if the price point is pretty much the same, I can wait, I am likely waiting until July right now, due to relocation, though once I arrive I will have nothing but time until work starts up again ! I wasn't sure about the 500gb, maybe that will be something I do, I am well within my budget so shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[esco_sid]

Also if you want to get more fans get Noctua they are the best these will be released soon in BLack http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=84&lng=en and make sure to connect them to motherboard for PWM control as at 3000rpm they will be too loud set em at like 1500rpm (thats what their retail brown ones run at).