48-Hour Buy - $1500-2000 Best Gaming Rig

FallenLegends

Honorable
Apr 20, 2013
5
0
10,510
Approximate Purchase Date: Within 48 hours

Budget Range: $1500-2000 (Willing to bump to $2500 if for a good reason!)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Lots of gaming and general school work.

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: Everything - Starting from scratch - NOTE: I really like the NZXT Phantom 630 case in gunmetal or black, but will take any good looking case really.

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Open to all

Location: Honolulu, HI (96815)

Parts Preferences: Open to all, but I heard Intel is better for Skyrim.

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Your Monitor Resolution: I have 2*35 inch monitors at 1920x1080, and a 40 inch Toshiba TV that I have jacked in through HDMI (if that matters!)

Additional Comments: I am building a new rig to handle all the new games that have been coming out recently. One that I really want to be able to max out and add all sorts of mods to is Skyrim, but I really play everything. I don't need a "Crysis-Machine", but would like something that can max out all the current generation games with ease, and will have viability to upgrade in the future.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Need a new computer to get back into gaming hard after a few years off. I want to catch up on all the gaming I have missed during the last three years in college!
 
Solution
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1LlYy
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1LlYy/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1LlYy/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($179.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($374.99 @...

FallenLegends

Honorable
Apr 20, 2013
5
0
10,510



Its like you were reading my mind. I was just reading this article actually @_@. A friend of mine sent me the link a minute or two ago. Thanks for the quick post!
 
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1LlVQ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1LlVQ/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1LlVQ/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($179.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card ($428.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom 630 (Gunmetal) ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.98 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.97 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1535.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-05 23:03 EDT-0400)
 

doughnuts

Honorable
Nov 27, 2012
66
0
10,640
Well if your building a gaming machine you could go a lot cheaper and still get a powerful machine.
I threw this together just to spend all your money. ;)

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1LlTU
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1LlTU/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1LlTU/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($212.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital WD Black 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($264.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($659.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 1000W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($183.21 @ Amazon)
Total: $1946.13
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-05 23:07 EDT-0400)
 
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1LlYy
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1LlYy/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1LlYy/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($179.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($374.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($374.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Phantom 630 (Gunmetal) ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.98 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.97 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1856.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-05 23:05 EDT-0400)
 
Solution

ddbtkd456

Honorable
Sep 4, 2013
1,476
0
11,660


Just remember to select your best answer, also I am here if you have any other questions about anything. Since it is my guide lol.
 

TBC1

Honorable
You might like this build -

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($192.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($123.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($295.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($295.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($110.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $1645.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-05 23:09 EDT-0400)
 

zightbaoe

Honorable
Jul 4, 2013
294
0
10,810
I went 200 over for a few reasons. First I wanted to get a better power supply so that you can over clock with still more power. Also the water cooling is a little overkill but still if you will be overclocking its great. Then I didnt have room to put an ssd and a hard drive in so I got a 1000tb 10000rpm drive so its still extremely fast
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Eisberg 240L Prestige 60.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z87 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($234.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($170.30 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital VelociRaptor 1TB 3.5" 10000RPM Internal Hard Drive ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 630 (Matte Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2245.22
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-05 23:32 EDT-0400)
 

ddbtkd456

Honorable
Sep 4, 2013
1,476
0
11,660


There is no reason for 1000 watt power supply for a single SLI, 850 would do plenty and leave enough for overclocking.
 

Marcopolo123

Honorable
wait for HAWAII

better p/p then the builds above
hd 7970 has similar/better performance then a gtx 770 and cost ~100$ less.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BK 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.46 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($292.29 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($292.29 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($156.40 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1540.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-06 05:29 EDT-0400)
 

TBC1

Honorable


My build vs yours for just $100 extra - better cooler, better mobo, 8gb extra ram, 120gb ssd, 2tb (not just 1), newer gpu's, solid psu, nicer case, and win 7 (win 8 is for touch noobs). And seriously, there's no need for the i7 (hyper threading bahh) when you can oc an i5 on water.
 

TBC1

Honorable
$40 below the $1500 mark (you might be interested) -

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($123.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($244.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($244.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($110.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $1462.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-06 12:21 EDT-0400)