first system build since pentium 486 was all the rage, could use some input

vcb

Honorable
Sep 25, 2013
2
0
10,510
I haven't built a machine since the early 90's and am looking to build a new gaming machine and have spent the week in stealth mode reading up on various parts. This is what I'm starting to narrow in on:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VI FORMULA ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor
Keyboard: Logitech G510s Wired Gaming Keyboard
Mouse: Logitech G700s Wireless Laser Mouse

Any glaring issues? My biggest outstanding question is the PSU. Power calculators are all over the place. I think this will be more than enough based on the eXtreme calculator, but it's given the lowest calculation of the 4-5 calculators I've tried. In addition to the above parts, I have a Blue Ray drive, media card reader, and a couple 1 TB drives from my current machine that will probably migrate into the new build. I don't have any overclocking experience, but it is something I would like to try with this build.

Thanks for any input.
 
Solution
Windows PRO has no additional features that will improve gaming performance . Use the Home version instead

That's actually incorrect - if you need more than 16GB of RAM then you need the Pro version, Home Premium has a RAM ceiling of 16GB. But for gaming you won't, so I agree that it's not necessary to purchase Pro.

For gaming you are doing it wrong. 32GB is an absolute waste for a gaming rig, as is the second SSD and the i7. Put more money into the GPU. Dual GTX 770 is definitely the right idea though as that will pretty much destroy anything in its' path except for maybe triple 760s.

This is what you should be spending your money on:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks...
The hper threading processor wont help . Use the 4670K instead

No game can currently use even 8 gig of RAM so a 2 x4 gig kit is all you will need . Anything more is just wasted

Two SSD [ presumably in RAID ) wont improve performance , just use one

Windows PRO has no additional features that will improve gaming performance . Use the Home version instead

and two small monitors has to be the worst viewing combination possible . Just use a 27- 30 inch single screen IMO
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
Windows PRO has no additional features that will improve gaming performance . Use the Home version instead

That's actually incorrect - if you need more than 16GB of RAM then you need the Pro version, Home Premium has a RAM ceiling of 16GB. But for gaming you won't, so I agree that it's not necessary to purchase Pro.

For gaming you are doing it wrong. 32GB is an absolute waste for a gaming rig, as is the second SSD and the i7. Put more money into the GPU. Dual GTX 770 is definitely the right idea though as that will pretty much destroy anything in its' path except for maybe triple 760s.

This is what you should be spending your money on:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Swiftech H220 55.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($150.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($221.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($134.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($167.04 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2051.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-26 02:08 EDT-0400)

As far as monitors go, like Outlander said - 2 x 21.5" monitors is a terrible way to go, especially with a rig of your budget. Best would be to get one of those new ultra wide panels like a 2560 x 1080 monitor or 2560 x 1440P monitor.
 
Solution

vcb

Honorable
Sep 25, 2013
2
0
10,510
Thanks for the feedback. I'll change the chip and drop the memory down. The VE228Hs would have been cheapies from work, but I get where you two are coming from. I'm looking at the ASUS PB278Q as an alternative.

I like the aesthetics of that R4 case. I'll have to see if it will work in the odd place where the computer would sit. Not sure I could open the front panel without hitting a desk leg - it might work. Was looking at the HAF X for the cooling (actually, probably the Haf XM now that I mull it over a bit more).

Thanks for the parts list. I'll go take a look at those. The Pro is a better choice than the Evo for an SSD?