Haswell-Based Build Request

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Cybernetic

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Hello again Tom's Hardware Community, I would like some recommendations for a computer build. I've tried reading through the forums to gauge what parts I should look at, but am still having issues deciding.

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Next 1-2 Months

Budget Range: $900 - $1200 USD (Shipping Included)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming Primarily, Home Entertainment Secondary

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference

Location: Nevada, USA

Parts Preferences: Haswell-Based, but if AMD can offer something truly competitive in the CPU arena I am open to the option.

Overclocking: Maybe (Haswell doesn't OC well? Ivy is better?)

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe in the future (Perhaps when the card gets outdated and SLI/Cross would help)

Your Monitor Resolution: Not buying a monitor, but using the computer with a TV with HDMI input (Higher Resolution is preferred)

Why Are You Upgrading: I've previously preferred gaming consoles mainly because of the people I've met and played for years with, but I don't want to invest in the PS4 (and certainly not with the XBox One).

Additional Comments (Bulleted for easy reading and are all preferences):

  • ■ Upper Mid Range Graphics card (so that I can happily game on mid-high settings for the next few years)
    ■ Silver or higher rating on the PSU preffered
    ■ Good sized RAM (7.9GB+) that isn't too expensive [What happened to the prices? Why such a radical increased?]
    ■ Average Sized HDD (500GB+)
    ■ Small Boot SSD Preffered
    ■ I would prefer a computer case that is a dark color with a great airflow along the lines of the HAF 912/932. Window or no window is up to you to recommend.
    ■ Recommendations for wireless peripherals (keyboard + mouse) would be nice, but not required for this request.

Thanks in advance for all advice and work and I apologize for being so picky. I also understand prices might change by the time I decide to buy it, but this build would really help me make my build more concrete (and allow me to watch the prices on parts).
 
Solution
R
It is true that Haswell produces more heat, thus making it harder to overclock. However, the option to overclock is all up to you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($62.05 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.58 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card:...
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realchaos

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It is true that Haswell produces more heat, thus making it harder to overclock. However, the option to overclock is all up to you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($62.05 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.58 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($405.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1155.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-09 20:59 EDT-0400)

This build allows you to overclock, SLI and has all the things you wanted except an SSD. You can downgrade the case to the Corsair 200R and add in the Samsung 840 120gb SSD, making it about ~$1220.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.13 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($127.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.58 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($405.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1174.11
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-09 21:06 EDT-0400)

Here's a non-overclocking set-up. I changed the processor and motherboard to non-overclockable ones, but the motherboard still has the option to SLI.
Changed the RAM to slightly cheaper one. Can't use this with the first build because the high heat-spreaders may get in the way of the Hyper 212 EVO.
Upgraded SSD to a more reliable one.
Keep the Fractal Design Define R4 and still staying at under $1200.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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750W is way more power than you'll ever need for a single GTX 770W and no overclocking. You could drop that to a Seasonic 620W and be fine.
 
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Cybernetic

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I'm very much liking this build. I'm a sucker for options, so this SLI capability in PSU and Mobo is very nice [Hint to other posters that I'm okay with a larger PSU. Used power is different than max capable power if I understand PSUs correctly].

Is there any way we could downgrade graphics card so it's cheaper, but not a significant compromise in ability? What are my other options in terms of graphics cards in the $900 - $1155.49 range?

Edit: I forgot to comment on the case. I have an unreasonable dislike for the box-y looking cases, so I might check out other cases in that price bracket (other recommendations? ).
 
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guanyu210379

guanyu210379

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Just one more input idea..
If you do not want to OC and willing to pay the price of i5 3570k/4670k, you can also consider getting E3-1230V2. It is basically an i7 3770 (no K) but without the integrated GPU.
The best thing, it has almost the same price as i5 3570k/4670k.

Some words,
750W is a bit too much if you do not plan to SLI/XFire.
 
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C

Cybernetic

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I've thought about it and I think it would probably make more sense to go for the GTX770 over the 7970. I have a CM HAF 912 and it's a GREAT case. For this build, I think I might get something like the HAF 922. Thank you for your help with the build, Chaos.

@Guan: I have been thinking about your option as well. The Xeon doesnt have the integrated graphics (which I don't need) and is from the time of Ivy Bridge. Seeing as the difference between the two generations isn't very significant, it might be a good idea to give an E3 based build a look. Thank you.

 
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