First timer asking for feedback on $3000 gaming build

SunsetGunman · Jun 25, 2013

Hi all,

I've never been able to own a computer with anything close to a new graphics card and I'm looking to make up for lost time with a moderately high end build. I've spent extensive time reading posts on here and reviews / guides around the web and have mostly picked out my parts, but I wanted to make sure I didn't make any easily fixable mistakes before the parts arrived. Without further ado:

Approximate Purchase Date: within a week

Budget Range: 3000-3500 after rebates and shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: fps games, other gaming, movies, and other entertainment

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: amazon, newegg

Location: Boston, MA

Parts Preferences: I prefer brands that are known for the particular part. ie: EVGA for graphics cards, or ASUS for motherboards.

Overclocking: Yes

Parts already ordered:
($297.49) CPU Intel Core i7-4770K, Haswell
($670.93) GPU EVGA GTX 780 Superclocked 967MHz
($450.98) Monitor BenQ Gaming XL2720T 27", 120Hz, 1ms
($349.99) Case Corsair Obsidian Series 900D
($119.99) Cooler Corsair Hydro Series H110 Water Cooler
($144.99) Memory Corsair Vengeance Pro 1866MHz, 1.5V, CAS 9, CMY16GX3M2A1866C9 R
($130.55) OS Windows 8 Pro System Builder
($021.70) Optical Drive Lite On IHAS 124-04

Subtotal: $2186.62

Parts under consideration:
(~300.00) Motherboard ASUS Z87-DELUXE
(~250.00) SSD Samsung 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 256GB SSD
(~250.00) PSU Cooler Master Silent Pro Platinum - 1000W 80 PLUS Platinum

Comments:
Is it worth it to get a sound card?
Is it worth it to replace the stock fans in the Obsidian 900D with quieter alternatives?
I read that the ASUS Z87-DELUXE has built in fan optimization, would I need an extra fan controller panel in that case?
Would my build be able to support incremental upgrades such as a second GTX 780 and more storage?

Thanks for your help and I am not averse to returning already ordered parts if I have made a terrible mistake.

cyrusfox · Jun 25, 2013

Is it worth it to get a sound card?
Not in my opinion, mobo you listed has the Realtek ALC1150, which is an awesome sound chip, supports everything up to 8 channels.

Is it worth it to replace the stock fans in the Obsidian 900D with quieter alternatives?
I can't answer that, as I don't own that beautiful case, I say keep them and try them out before you decide you need quieter fans, they could very well be quiet enough. 900D is an excellent choiCe for Water Cooling.

I read that the ASUS Z87-DELUXE has built in fan optimization, would I need an extra fan controller panel in that case?
No, you can control fans with the mobo, it is nicer to manually tweak them. I prefer an external controller personally, but the motherboard has some nice dynamic control options.

Would my build be able to support incremental upgrades such as a second GTX 780 and more storage?
Yes, definitely, have you looked at your case, its huge, you could go only bi-SLI with that mobo, If it was me I would buy the MSI MPower Max mobo As it can tri-SLI and it has Lucid Virtu MVP 2.0 to harness some of the power of that HD4600.

As for storage, either mobo you choose has 8+ Sata ports and the case has room for 9 3.5" drives. Yes you have plenty of room. I like crucials new M500 drives, but with SSD's now, performance difference between them are pretty negligible, any SSD you get is going to rock, I just like crucial for reliability. Likewise, PSU choice is more than adequate, good enough for tri -sli on 780, achieves 94% efficiency at 984 W output on the 12 V rail alone, yep more than adequate for growth with some OC headroom.

Sounds like a fun build, I have a feeling in around 9 months though, you are going to want to build your own water cool loop to cool the whole thing. Water cooled GPU's are awesome, and you could fit 4 of them in that monster case. Happy building.

SunsetGunman · Jun 25, 2013

Thanks. I went with the MSI MPOWER MAX.

For the SSD however, I ended up going with a 500GB Samsung SSD that was only $300.

Thanks for your help! Can't wait for everything to arrive.

cyrusfox :

Is it worth it to get a sound card?
Not in my opinion, mobo you listed has the Realtek ALC1150, which is an awesome sound chip, supports everything up to 8 channels.

Is it worth it to replace the stock fans in the Obsidian 900D with quieter alternatives?
I can't answer that, as I don't own that beautiful case, I say keep them and try them out before you decide you need quieter fans, they could very well be quiet enough. 900D is an excellent choiCe for Water Cooling.

I read that the ASUS Z87-DELUXE has built in fan optimization, would I need an extra fan controller panel in that case?
No, you can control fans with the mobo, it is nicer to manually tweak them. I prefer an external controller personally, but the motherboard has some nice dynamic control options.

Would my build be able to support incremental upgrades such as a second GTX 780 and more storage?
Yes, definitely, have you looked at your case, its huge, you could go only bi-SLI with that mobo, If it was me I would buy the MSI MPower Max mobo As it can tri-SLI and it has Lucid Virtu MVP 2.0 to harness some of the power of that HD4600.

As for storage, either mobo you choose has 8+ Sata ports and the case has room for 9 3.5" drives. Yes you have plenty of room. I like crucials new M500 drives, but with SSD's now, performance difference between them are pretty negligible, any SSD you get is going to rock, I just like crucial for reliability. Likewise, PSU choice is more than adequate, good enough for tri -sli on 780, achieves 94% efficiency at 984 W output on the 12 V rail alone, yep more than adequate for growth with some OC headroom.

Sounds like a fun build, I have a feeling in around 9 months though, you are going to want to build your own water cool loop to cool the whole thing. Water cooled GPU's are awesome, and you could fit 4 of them in that monster case. Happy building.

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First timer asking for feedback on $3000 gaming build

SunsetGunman

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SunsetGunman

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