New Builder Needs Help!

[spanopm]

Hey everyone,

I am new to the PC building world and could really use some help and guidance. My budget is ~$1200. I am planning on using my PC mostly for gaming. I attempted to make a parts list:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/37s6zy

I know right now it is a little over my budget but that's why I really need some guidance! A buddy of mine is giving me his CPU for $200 and that's why I am doing an LGA1150 build.

Any recommendations and advice you can give me is really really appreciated! Thanks so much!

-Phil

 

[Outlander_04]

You can save $75 on the mb . That one is excellent but unless you want to set an overclocking record it is not needed

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4771 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($115.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.78 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($333.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Titanium) ATX Mid Tower Case ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($51.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($93.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1168.22
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-23 22:31 EDT-0400

Personally I would change the case too . Its a great case , but oif you spent less you could afford an SSD which will make the whole build so much snappier

 

[noobgamer40]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Directron)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Blue 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($42.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.78 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card ($678.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($73.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1058.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-23 22:36 EDT-0400

 

[envy14tpe]

Better CPU cooling and gotta get a SSD too.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($327.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.78 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (Titanium) ATX Mid Tower Case ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($51.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($86.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1285.83

 

[hdmark]

Also, if you want to SLI , the PSU maybe a little too weak. not sure though. may need to bump it up to a 750w

 

[spanopm]

Ok, so here is my updated build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BX23pg

I upped the power supply because at some point I think I will want to SLI and I also changed the mother board.
My friend is lending me his optical drive so I don't need one for this build.
I love the look of that case and really have my heart set on that one!

Right now, with my friends discounted CPU, I'm sitting at a total: $1156.40.

Any thoughts on the update? Anything I can change out or replace to make it better?
I am really excited about this build and really appreciate all the great advice and help!

 

[envy14tpe]

The updated build looks great. I'm gonna suggest 2x8gb RAM. I know it is overkill, but given how much the price of RAM has fallen I feel like...why not? 2x4gb was selling for around $65 for a long time, but now that has dropped and you can get an extra 8gb for $10 more for $75.
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($77.99 @ Newegg)

And I like good case cooling. You could add a second front fan and a top rear one.
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Purple 66.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($14.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Purple 66.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($14.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $29.78