$1500 PC (two 1920 x 1080 monitors)

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mb6

mb6

Honorable
Nov 3, 2013
15
0
10,510
I'm not that much of a gamer but want a strong computer, capable of watching high quality videos on one of two 23 inch monitors (1980x1080), while working in Microsoft Office or related in another. I already own the monitors.

I strongly prefer Intel and can't decide between Windows 7 or 8. I definitely want a strong graphics card too.

Is the below system decent and compatible? Any areas I should upgrade? I do want a 240 GB SSD (Amazon is selling a Seagate 240GB one for $130 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CKAOJA0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1AGCS37EBDWVTKGZYFD5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630083502&pf_rd_i=507846)

Also, is black Friday better than Cyber Monday for deals? Any advice there? I'm hoping to upgrade to better parts for similar prices as below:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2alZQ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2alZQ/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2alZQ/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($289.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($171.55 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($339.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($86.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($95.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1388.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-28 11:16 EST-0500)
 
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mb6

mb6

Honorable
Nov 3, 2013
15
0
10,510
^ thanks Nuclear!

Unfortunately above I realized that the ASrock z77 motherboard wasn't compatible. I also wanted to upgrade the CPU cooler and the PSU. I came up with the following (I hope some of these items will be discounted during or post black Friday):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($289.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($174.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($171.55 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($339.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 850W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($132.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit) ($109.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1593.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-28 14:24 EST-0500)

Is the above overkill? Maybe I can save $ by going to the Corsair 750 PSU. And replace the CPU Cooler with a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO? Would that work with a i7-4770k? And is my motherboard good enough?

Is the case good enough? I don't care what it looks like... just functionality.
 
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Nuclear101

Nuclear101

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Jun 11, 2012
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12,460


You can go with the Corsair TX750, but you'll lose 80+ gold certification and modular cables, which makes your case a bit messier and a bit less power efficient. The Hyper 212 EVO will allow some overclocking, but not a lot of Overclocking. Your motherboard will be perfect and your case is exemplary in terms of functionality/performance.
 
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mb6

mb6

Honorable
Nov 3, 2013
15
0
10,510
Updating my preferred specs... my biggest question is the motherboard:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($339.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit) ($109.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1348.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-30 00:19 EST-0500)

I already purchased the Samsung 840 EVO 240GB SSD, 3TB Barracuda Hard drive, Noctua NH D14 CPU Cooler and the G Skill X Series 8GB RAM.

I def want to get the i7-4770k CPU and the GTX 770 GPU. I do need advice on the motherboard, case and PSU. Thanks!
 
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mb6

mb6

Honorable
Nov 3, 2013
15
0
10,510
Here's my final build... waiting for all components in the mail.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (Purchased For $250.00)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler (Purchased For $60.00)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (Purchased For $70.00)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For $50.00)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (Purchased For $145.00)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $100.00)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card (Purchased For $300.00)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $70.00)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $90.00)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer (Purchased For $20.00)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional (32/64-bit) (Purchased For $70.00)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard (Purchased For $30.00)
Mouse: Cobra E-3lue Wired Optical Mouse (Purchased For $11.00)
Total: $1266.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-01 12:51 EST-0500)

I think I was disciplined and got seemingly good prices. I'm not a gamer but wanted a strong, well-balanced machine. Any strengths or weaknesses from the above?

In hindsight perhaps I should've gotten a better motherboard. I'm also worried if I'll be able to install the Windows 8.1 Pro Full (not OEM, but not upgrade either) on a clean custom build... I've read you can get around not having a previous Windows 7 version running. I do have a Win 7 32-bit install CD but don't want to install it on a rig with 8 GBs or ram... can this be problematic?
 
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