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First PC Build: <$1500

Tags:
  • Gaming
  • Intel
  • PC gaming
  • Hardware
  • Systems
  • Nvidia
  • System Builder
  • SSD
Last response: in Systems
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September 9, 2013 6:48:53 PM

I'm building a PC right now that will mainly be used for gaming, video encoding, graphics design (including 3D rendering) and programming. Hopefully some of the experts on here could take a look at my list and tell me if theres anything I could upgrade/downgrade. Any constructive criticism on my parts choices is greatly appreciated.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($334.97 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CLP0564 101.6 CFM CPU Cooler ($50.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD4H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($174.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.40 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($259.99 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper ATX Full Tower Case ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($114.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.48 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.88 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1454.62
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-09 21:46 EDT-0400)

More about : build 1500

a c 683 4 Gaming
a c 267 å Intel
a b Î Nvidia
September 9, 2013 7:23:46 PM

Looks pretty good, should have fun with it!
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September 9, 2013 7:32:30 PM

Thanks! What do you think of the mobo? Im between the one I have now, or either an ASUS z87 Pro or an ASUS Maximus VI Hero. The one great thing about the Pro is that it has built in wifi, so I might save a little on a wireless card... but i don't want that to be my deciding factor.
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a c 683 4 Gaming
a c 267 å Intel
a b Î Nvidia
September 9, 2013 7:45:35 PM

Looked at both (and a number of others before I went with the Hero for my own build...on the wireless, having it there is nice, but for me I'm not a fan of antennas out the back where quite often have the xystem, monitor, speaker, etc power cords dangling - can intefere with the Wifi signal, I prefer a USB adapter in the front panel
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September 9, 2013 7:53:23 PM

I was only kind of in between because I read multiple reviews stating that the hero being called a "gaming motherboard" was just a marketing scheme and that the Pro had more features. But even if all of that is true, I like the colors of the hero a lot more than the pro.
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a c 683 4 Gaming
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a b Î Nvidia
September 9, 2013 8:04:25 PM

Tell you what, I'm not a gamer if that helps, I do a lot of high end business computing but no gaming ;) 
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September 9, 2013 8:14:37 PM

So what made you pick it? The main advantage I can see is the sound system built in.
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a c 683 4 Gaming
a c 267 å Intel
a b Î Nvidia
September 9, 2013 8:59:55 PM

After a number of Haswell builds, think Asus has the best handle on the Z87 chipset, did 2 of the Hero's both OCed well, handled DRAM extremely well, could basically take anything I through at it, and as a builder I use my rigs to test components so handling basically anything comes in real handy
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September 10, 2013 5:49:21 PM

So for that, and the color scheme, I think thats the board I'll choose. Now its the GTX 760 vs 770...
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a c 683 4 Gaming
a c 267 å Intel
a b Î Nvidia
September 10, 2013 6:40:54 PM

Both are good cards, obviously the 770 is the higher end and the price shows it, either will run most anything you want to to do, so it generally comes down to budget, I like to get the bulk of the basics out of the way, then get serious with what's left in the budget for GPU and DRAM (and like to start with a PSU that can basically run most anything early on which gives some room to play when it comes to the end)
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September 10, 2013 8:35:12 PM

I threw together this build really quick (which is obviously a little above my budget of <$1500), but its basically probably what I'd want exactly. I'll just have to find a way to get this quality in about 1300-1400$. (I know the motherboards a little expensive, i chose it mainly for looks, WiFi, and it was similar to the hero).

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($334.96 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CLP0564 101.6 CFM CPU Cooler ($50.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VI FORMULA ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($309.47 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.13 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($397.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper ATX Full Tower Case ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.88 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1661.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-10 23:35 EDT-0400)
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a c 683 4 Gaming
a c 267 å Intel
a b Î Nvidia
September 10, 2013 8:46:16 PM

Could save some, here and there, on the CPU Cooler could go the Hyper 212 EVO, ( + 15), on the DRAM look at the Gskill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL 1600/9 ( + 5), on the case might look at the HAF 922 ( + 35 & 10 more rebate), PSU Seasonic SSR-650RM ( + 10)
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September 10, 2013 9:39:27 PM

I've already purchased the case (got a good deal, only paid 110$) but I'll take a look at downgrading some other stuff.
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a c 683 4 Gaming
a c 267 å Intel
a b Î Nvidia
September 10, 2013 9:44:30 PM

Was just some options, it's a good looking build, I'd be happy with it ;) 
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September 10, 2013 9:55:09 PM

This is about the lowest I could get it, I actually managed to get the price down under $1400 :D 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($334.96 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD4H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($174.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.46 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($259.99 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper ATX Full Tower Case ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.97 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.88 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1396.16
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-11 00:54 EDT-0400)
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