Gaming PC, First Build, Budget $1500ish

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prhdr

Honorable
Aug 24, 2013
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10,510
There's a little flex in the $1500 (plus monitor and keyboard) budget here, but I'd like to stay around that number or below if possible. I think I have the build I want, but this will be the first time that I've put my own together and I thought it would be wise to see what those of you who have more experience than me think. Is there anything I'm overlooking? Better, cheaper options I should look at?

I will be playing some FPS, as well as some MMOs (WoW now, likely Elder Scrolls Online in the future), along with the occasional RPG when one I like comes along.

It's worth noting that I'd like the option to SLI in the future. Would this set me up appropriately to do that? Thanks for any help you can provide.

What I'm looking at:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($121.99 @ 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: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Cooler Master V850 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($117.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($250.52 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($49.96 @ Amazon)
Total: $1729.33

 
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prhdr

Honorable
Aug 24, 2013
3
0
10,510


Thank you for the response. I appreciate the advice. I do have a few follow up questions, for education as much as anything else.

-I'd previously chosen the exact PSU you recommended, then switched after reading a Jonnyguru review on the Cooler Master and thinking that I might need more overhead for SLI if I also needed to liquid cool when I did add the second card. Is 750w enough? Will I simply not need to make that jump to keep the machine performing? In a perfect world, I'd like to keep water away from my electronics as much as possible, but I was under the impression that it would become sort of mandatory.

-I'm confused about graphics cards. What makes one 770 better than another, in this case your Galaxy suggestion over the EVGA, aside from manufacturer reputation and cooling? I certainly don't want to come across like I'm disagreeing with help- This is more for my own edification.

Thank you.
 
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TheBigTroll

TheBigTroll

Illustrious
Apr 15, 2012
14,099
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you know that they are both seasonic units right? internally they are pretty much the same. a 750 should be more than enough for 2 770s. you arent going to watercool either one of these cards when they are both non-reference models. not to mention the fact of how useless it would be to watercool since the cards are voltage locked

the onboard components on the PCB itself are much higher quality on the galaxy card than on the evga. however if you want better customer service, the evga acx 770 will offer just that
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
67,883
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I'd stick with EVGA, much better cooling, OC ability, just a couple otf the reasons they sell so many and Galaxy sells so few. EVGA is known for quality and variety, if there was a large price difference it's one thing to consider a lower end card, but at the same price, don't think so
 
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TheBigTroll

TheBigTroll

Illustrious
Apr 15, 2012
14,099
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evga stock cards are the worst performing ones. their acx cards and their warranty is good thoug

as for OC ability, its going to vary with every single card. and if you want to talk about max overclocks. the galaxy HOF 780 still tops the boards.

as for how many cards galaxy sells, its because galaxy is a sub-brand of a larger palit where they dominate in terms of cards sold
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
67,883
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Granted Palit is number 1, and the bulk of their sales are under different names, Galaxy, Daytona, XPert, Gainward, and believe 3 or more other names....at $399 I'm thinking of their SuperClocked line, just had a client order a pair of them from the Egg, believe he said they were pre-OCed to 1113 or so
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
67,883
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126,960
When you said stock, I just assumed you meant the two at stock clock, which on a 770 is 1046, they have the one based on the ref design (which OCs well by the way) and the other at stock clock of 1046 is an ACX which also OCs well, so I guess by stock cards you are referring to the clock, but to the reference design?
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
67,883
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126,960
It also has the manufacturers name on it, just saying the builders and It folks I network with consider those terms as stock and ref design and we have for many many years, same with most builders I meet at trade shows etc - we obviously run in different circles
 
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