Rate my $2100, 2560x1440 xmas build

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QuanTums

QuanTums

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Thanks, your input is appreciated!

Total Cost: $2100

CPU: $320
Intel Core i7-4771 Haswell 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1150 84W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4600 BX80646I74771

Mobo: $200
ASUS Z87-PRO LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

RAM: $75 (plan to expand to 16GB later)
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM

Video: $390
GIGABYTE GV-N770OC-4GD GeForce GTX 770 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 HDCP Ready WindForce 3X 450W Video Card

Monitor: $550
ASUS PB Series PB278Q 27" 5ms (GTG) WQHD HDMI Widescreen LED Monitor (2560x1440)

SSD: $128
SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD128BW 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive

HDD: $70
Western Digital WD Green WD10EZRX 1TB IntelliPower SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive - OEM

PSU: $130
Corsair Professional Series HX750W

Optical: $50
LG Black Blu-ray Drive SATA Model UH12NS30 - OEM

Case: $110
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Upgraded USB 3.0

Cooling: $72
ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
ARCTIC MX-4 (4g) Carbon-Based Thermal Compound, Non-Electricity Conductive, Non-Capacitive
 
Solution
R
Grab the Samsung 840 EVO over the 840 Pro. The Pro may be faster, but the difference is negligible: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147247

Do you really need a blu-ray drive? If no, then get the cheapest optical drive you can find.

As stated, grab the i7-4770k. It allows for overclocking: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116901

Grab the 1tb WD Blue: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2W00YU4026

Don't grab the Antec 900. It's an older case that doesn't have much cable management option. The Corsair 500R has better cable management and superior airflow: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010

This Phanteks cpu cooler does a much better job...
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QuanTums

QuanTums

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You guys don't like my tree-hugger drive eh? Well, I'll have to give the blue & black some consideration :). I think I had previously picked a WD blue similar to Blaise170's suggestion.

Thanks!
 
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Blaise170

Blaise170

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It is definitely more energy efficient but it's a bit slower too. :)
 
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realchaos

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Grab the Samsung 840 EVO over the 840 Pro. The Pro may be faster, but the difference is negligible: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147247

Do you really need a blu-ray drive? If no, then get the cheapest optical drive you can find.

As stated, grab the i7-4770k. It allows for overclocking: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116901

Grab the 1tb WD Blue: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2W00YU4026

Don't grab the Antec 900. It's an older case that doesn't have much cable management option. The Corsair 500R has better cable management and superior airflow: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010

This Phanteks cpu cooler does a much better job: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709011
Also, ditch the aftermarket thermal paste. There is thermal paste included in the cpu cooler and buying your own will only reduce temps by 1-2c. It's not worth it.

You can get a bigger psu at the same price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207028
You would want an 850w psu for SLI in the future.


If this is strictly for gaming, then ditch the i7 and stick with an i5. The i7 provides no performance increase over an i5 in games: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116899

 
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Platinum Era

Platinum Era

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Also to what the others have added, drop the 4GB 770 (it's useless unless using a tri-monitor setup, the 2GB and 4GB 770s are equal even at 2560x1600). 2GB 770 or a 280x is what a would suggest unless you want to up the ante and get a 780/780ti/290x.
 
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QuanTums

QuanTums

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Very nice advice realchaos and Platinum Era. I was looking for some advice on the SSD and Video Card selections especially. Those look like excellent recommendations.

 
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QuanTums

QuanTums

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Here is my updated build. Thanks for the recommendations, they knocked off about $100 and improved the build. Went with matching brands for the mobo and vid card (Asus). Went w/ the Haswell I7 because its the holidays and I'm determined to throw that $100 away!

Total Cost: about $2000

CPU: $340
Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell 3.5GHz LGA 1150 84W Quad-Core Desktop Processor

Mobo: $200
ASUS Z87-PRO LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

RAM: $75
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory

Video: $340
ASUS GTX770-DC2OC-2GD5 GeForce GTX 770 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Monitor: $550
ASUS PB Series PB278Q 27" 5ms (GTG) WQHD HDMI Widescreen LED Monitor

SSD: $100
SAMSUNG 840 EVO MZ-7TE120BW 2.5" 120GB SATA III TLC Internal Solid State Drive

HDD: $70
Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare

PSU: $130 (I already have this)
Corsair Professional Series HX750W

Optical: $20
SAMSUNG DVD Burner SATA Model SH-224DB/BEBE SAMSUNG DVD Burner SATA Model SH-224DB/BEBE - OEM

Case: $100
Corsair Carbide Series 500R Arctic White Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Gaming Case

Cooling: $75
Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK 140mm UFB (Updraft Floating Balance) CPU Cooler


 
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realchaos

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Great set-up.
After looking at it, instead of throwing away that $100 on the i7, you can upgrade your gpu to a GTX 780.
1440p is a demanding resolution for higher end games, so the GTX 780 would definitely help you out.

i5-4670k: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116899
Saves $100.

ASRock Z87 Extreme4: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157369
Saves you $55.

With $155 saved, add that to your gpu. 340 + 155 = 495.
EVGA GTX 780: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130942

If you plan on buying this during christmas, be sure to make a new thread a week before you buy to take advantage of some holiday promotions.
 
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