Best build for under 2k?

Solution
Definitely better, but you can still improve it.

-Don't grab aftermarket thermal paste. Good quality brands like Cooler Master includes good thermal paste. Buying better thermal paste will only decrease temps by 1-3c.

-RAM is a bit expensive. Get this one: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cml8gx3m2a1866c9b
Same performance, $20 cheaper, and it's low profile to guarantee any aftermarket cpu cooler to fit.

-I would rather get this motherboard: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz87xud4h
Although it is more expensive, it's in a combo deal with the i5-4670k at Newegg.com. You get $55 off, making it cheaper.

-I would spend the extra money and get this psu instead...

FredoLay

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Feb 14, 2011
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18,510


General gaming. No need for editing or recording. College student just dealing with classes and wanting to play some badass games in the meantime.

Just trying to get the most bang for the buck.
 
Well then, you're doing it wrong if you're spending $2000 on a gaming rig and only getting a GTX 760.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD4H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($178.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($85.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor ($152.48 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K70 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($49.42 @ Amazon)
Other: Razer Kraken 7.1 ($99.99)
Total: $1897.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-23 21:03 EDT-0400)

-Max out any game on 1080p with playable fps (should get about 50fps on crysis 3 maxed out).
-Different peripheral options. I dislike Razer products since they're generally expensive. Also, the monitor is IPS for better image quality.
-Added in a HDD.
-No need for 16gb of ram.
-Changed motherboard. The UD4H is more than what you'll need, and it's in a combo deal with the 4670k.
-Better quality psu for future SLI.
 
Whatz it for ? Shall I assume gaming ?

Can't get behind:

AS5 - 200 hours of thermal cycling curing time (about a year) makes it a no go
PSU - No on the EVGA
Cooler - 38 dBA too dang noisy, stay under 20 dBA


Case - $240 - Corsair 500R White w/ Corsair HX850 included, 10.0 jonnyguru performance rated
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1390832
NOTE: Newegg site is borked, if you click thru from the 500R white, its listing the HX850 in black..... wires crossed, call to straighten out

CPU - $230 - Intel Core i5-4670k
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116899

MoBo - $190 - MSI Z87-GD65 (Best Z87 MoBo below $200)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130692

RAM - $140 - (2 x 8GB) Muskin CAS 9 DDR3-1866
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226382

Cooler - $80 - Phanteks PH-TC14 (19dBA, better cooling than H80)
http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/phanteks_ph_tc14pe_cpu_cooler_review,14.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709011

GFX - $400 - MSI GTX 770 2GB Fastest factory OC'd 770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127741

DVD Writer - $58 - Asus Blue Ray Player
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135247

Monitor - $260 ASUS VG248QE Black 23" 144 Hz Monitor - HUGE upgrade 144 Hz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236313


Per original Build
SSD - $179
Keyboard - $115.00
Mouse - $55.00
OS - $85.00

Total $2,032

If the $32 breaks the bank, save $40 and just get DVD writer .... $1,992
 
Definitely better, but you can still improve it.

-Don't grab aftermarket thermal paste. Good quality brands like Cooler Master includes good thermal paste. Buying better thermal paste will only decrease temps by 1-3c.

-RAM is a bit expensive. Get this one: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cml8gx3m2a1866c9b
Same performance, $20 cheaper, and it's low profile to guarantee any aftermarket cpu cooler to fit.

-I would rather get this motherboard: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz87xud4h
Although it is more expensive, it's in a combo deal with the i5-4670k at Newegg.com. You get $55 off, making it cheaper.

-I would spend the extra money and get this psu instead: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/pc-power--cooling-power-supply-ppcmk3s850
It's much higher quality than Corsair CX. The semi-modular versions of the CX are better than the non-modular versions in terms of quality, but I still wouldn't trust it too much if you plan to SLI.
The PCP&P psu is much higher quality, 80+ gold for more efficiency, and has an extra 100watts so you won't stress your psu too much when you SLI.

-IMHO, I wouldn't spend so much on a keyboard if it's not mechanical. Mechanical keyboards are much more sturdier and lasts forever, which is why it's more expensive.
For an extra $15, you can get a high quality Cherry MX Blue keyboard: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-keyboard-sgk4000gkcl1us
It's a very basic keyboard with no macro keys, no LED back-light, and no number pad. Very basic, high quality, and cheap.
Or you can spend more and get a very good gaming keyboard like the Corsair K70 or whatever.
You can read more about the different kind of mechanical switches here: http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechanical-keyboard-guide

-Since you still have a lot of room, you can add in a 128gb SSD for $100 and make booting and loading times extremely fast.
 
Solution

FredoLay

Distinguished
Feb 14, 2011
14
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18,510


Thanks for the tips. I've changed most of what you suggested but found another 850 watt PSU that I found to be quite fitting and I'll be sticking to the same keyboard. I'll be adding a SSD down the road when the prices get lower. Can deal without for now.

One last look-through to see if things look alright? :)

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/FredoLay/saved/2eW4