Upgradeable Gaming Build i7-4770K with EVGA GTX770 4GB

[BigPaws]

Hi,
I have been a typical non-informed PC buyer. My typical pattern has been: buy, plug in, wait for it to die or break, then replace and repeat. The last computers I bought were HP laptops. They have died and I am tired of not knowing what I am really getting. Now I am trying to build my first machine.

I have decided on:
Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
and
EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card

I am wanting the ability to have the later possible addition of another Video Card after prices drop. Then I will get into SLI and things then.

Using these 2 items as my starting component pieces I hope to build a gaming and video editing machine that runs multiple monitors at a high fps. I am looking for advice on the other components.

I am hoping to do this as a first build with my nephew. He likes to do video on his school computers. I thought a PC build would be a cool way to spend time with him.

My budget constraint is around $2,000. I am looking for not only the parts but the reason why I should get the parts over another so comparisons would help: such as go with X over Y because of ABC. I am a little over my head in reading all the articles and lost in what is fluff and what is actual info that translates into performance.

Thanks for the advice

 

[Tradesman1]

With your CPU choice, I'd go the Asus Hero mobo, best I've found in 1150 with about 40 Haswell builds in, add 16 GB DRAM in 2x8GB 1866-2133 (CL9 (Haswell likes fast DRAM and the 16GB will help with video and should cover anything that comes up in next year or 2, with your GPU selection look at a Seasonic 620 or better PSU, if not looking for extreme OC say up to 4.4 or 4.5 a Hyper 212 EVO would be a good CPU cooler choice - if plans for a higher OC look to Phantek, Would look at a min of a 128GB EVO SSD (256GB preferable) and add a WD Blue platter drive to hold data, cache, temp, etc

 

[BigPaws]

With your CPU choice, I'd go the Asus Hero mobo, best I've found in 1150 with about 40 Haswell builds in, add 16 GB DRAM in 2x8GB 1866-2133 (CL9 (Haswell likes fast DRAM and the 16GB will help with video and should cover anything that comes up in next year or 2, with your GPU selection look at a Seasonic 620 or better PSU, if not looking for extreme OC say up to 4.4 or 4.5 a Hyper 212 EVO would be a good CPU cooler choice - if plans for a higher OC look to Phantek, Would look at a min of a 128GB EVO SSD (256GB preferable) and add a WD Blue platter drive to hold data, cache, temp, etc

I have done some more research and thinking about the below build using some of your suggestions:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2gkUK

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-OC Force ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($299.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 500GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($349.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($439.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($439.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.26 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2444.66
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-07 14:12 EST-0500)

Vs the below build:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2gzwM

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VI FORMULA ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($298.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($208.23 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($439.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($439.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.26 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2232.40
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-07 14:46 EST-0500)

 

[Tradesman1]

Of those two I'd go the Asus Formula build, but would up the PSU to an 850 for the SLI and to have a little extra

 

[BigPaws]

Of those two I'd go the Asus Formula build, but would up the PSU to an 850 for the SLI and to have a little extra

Here is my (hopefully) final tweaked set up with how I understand your suggestions. It is close to my original price target. This shows more because it has both cards and a new monitor. My nephew can add the other card once he has the money.

1) if I order these parts will I need anything else for my build? Please keep in mind this will be our first build and wouldn't want it held up because I forgot to order something.

2) Would you recommend any changes?

3) There was a comment on the voltage with the memory on the PC Part Picker setup. Is this something I should worry about or how should I change this?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VI FORMULA ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($298.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($439.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($439.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional (32/64-bit) ($182.64 @ B&H)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($266.99 @ B&H)
Total: $2686.53
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-07 22:55 EST-0500)

Thanks for the assistance

 

[Tradesman1]

No, part picker has a few problems, it bases DRAM on the Intel's reccommendation of 1600 DRAM with 1.5-1.55 DRAM or whatever - in other words at Stock,,,,I suggest 1.5 for DRAM 1866 and under, and for 2133 and above 1.6-1.65 is perfectly fine - the higher freqs need the voltage - the lower freqs - if they call for 1.65 it's often indicative of just plain weak memory chips

 

[BigPaws]

No, part picker has a few problems, it bases DRAM on the Intel's reccommendation of 1600 DRAM with 1.5-1.55 DRAM or whatever - in other words at Stock,,,,I suggest 1.5 for DRAM 1866 and under, and for 2133 and above 1.6-1.65 is perfectly fine - the higher freqs need the voltage - the lower freqs - if they call for 1.65 it's often indicative of just plain weak memory chips

Ok thanks for the explanation. So if I get the above listed items then I should be good to go? Do you see anything that I am missing?

 

[Tradesman1]

Should be good to go 😉