New Gaming Build

[GrandHunterMan]

Is this a good deal? I put it together on Pcpartpicker

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kXgN
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kXgN/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kXgN/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3550 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII M4 58.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ OutletPC)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver Arctic Alumina Premium Ceramic Polysynthetic 1.75g Thermal Paste ($4.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.27 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Aerocool StrikeX-GT Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: BitFenix BFF-BLF-12025O-RP 43.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($7.98 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - OEM (64-bit) ($137.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1186.12
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-15 20:17 EST-0500)

 

[smorizio]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kXBa
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kXBa/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2kXBa/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver Arctic Alumina Premium Ceramic Polysynthetic 1.75g Thermal Paste ($4.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($329.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Silver Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - OEM (64-bit) ($137.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1180.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-15 20:29 EST-0500)

 

[smorizio]

used combo deals and parts that were on sale. the power supply is a relabled seasonic unit. was able with savings put in a faster gpu.

 

[bigshootr8]

I would skip on the thermal paste. Stick to the paste that comes with the CPU cooler. Sure you can save a few degrees with premium thermal paste but artic silver isn't the best stuff out there right now anyway. I like smorizio's build more. However, I would side with windows 7 over windows 8 I don't like modern ui and that may be somethign that bugs you as well, that and some things have a hard time with windows 8 I prefer a more trusted platform. If you get a blu ray player that is fine however in order to playback blu ray you will need software to do that so I would suggest something like cyberlinks power dvd if you can find it on sale.

 

[GrandHunterMan]

With windows 8 you can go back to the classic UI somehow. Never owned it, but my friend has it and told me.

 

[smorizio]

8.1 that out now has a small home button now. most people use classic shell or other 3 party software to get the windows 7 feel back.

 

[bigshootr8]

8.1 that out now has a small home button now. most people use classic shell or other 3 party software to get the windows 7 feel back.

Still doesn't account for a lot hardware/software driver issues. And games have had issues with it I don't know I feel safer with a more mature platform.

 

[GrandHunterMan]

Games have had trouble with 8? Hmm. Old ones or new ones?

 

[bigshootr8]

Games have had trouble with 8? Hmm. Old ones or new ones?

Older games. I know that some developers have still refused to work with windows 8 while it may work it isn't supported. I just feel that as a whole that windows 7 home or windows 7 pro is the stronger and better option at this point. I've personally avoided windows 8 as I avoided windows 2000, and Vista. Overall I feel you would be happier with windows 7 my personal opinion of course.

 

[GrandHunterMan]

I'm running Home Premium now, I'm quite satisfied with it. Should I change from Home premium to Ultimate just for those few extra features?

 

[GrandHunterMan]

I'm running Home Premium now, I'm quite satisfied with it. Should I change from Home premium to Ultimate just for those few extra features?

 

[bigshootr8]

I'm running Home Premium now, I'm quite satisfied with it. Should I change from Home premium to Ultimate just for those few extra features?

Home premium is fine. I wouldn't move to ultimate or pro unless you intend in the future to go beyond 16 GB of ram.

 

[GrandHunterMan]

16 would be the max. Besides, I'd be updating my Mother Board before I put 32 gb in. With OEM, I'd have to get windows again anyways.

 

[GrandHunterMan]

And what kind of graphics would I get on the 770 one?

 

[bigshootr8]

And what kind of graphics would I get on the 770 one?

At this current point in time with a 1080p panel just about maxed out in everything with exceptions I'm sure in some games

 

[GrandHunterMan]

Sweet. Thanks guys, this really helps.