Help w/ Finalizing Computer Build

Jonathan Whittle · Dec 22, 2013

Hey, guys. For a while, I've been working on a computer build to play games at max setting. With DayZ (Standalone) coming out, and other extremely hard-hitting games, like heavily modded Skyrim and other games w/ similar performance needs, I want the best from my PC. However, 2200$ is really high up there. I am thinking of finding ways to lower the price here and there. The build is right here:

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/2hRjo

- I am only gaming w/ a 1920 x 1080p monitor, so I am not too sure about the need for the 780. I need assistance in this department especially.
- The motherboard is going to be another big section: I mainly wanted this motherboard due to matching of brands w/ the video card (I heard that you get better results from doing this, to a degree), and because of the wireless built in. However, I think that if I were to change both the motherboard/video card, and guess a USB wireless adapter instead, I'd be right on. Question is, which mobo/card combination?
- The sound card: The plan was to use it in collaboration w/ my Astro A50's, as I want to use my optical cable. I would really like to cut corners here, and find a way to eliminate the need of this card, and use the motherboard to work with the A50's.
- Keyboard/Mouse: I would like a really nice keyboard/mouse combo, but it would be nice to take a little bit of money off of this section, while keeping a really nice set.
- CPU Cooler: I wouldn't mind taking money off of here, but I still want a really good cooling system to use w/ OC'ing.

Other info:

- I plan to overclock.
- I would like to use my A50's w/ the 7.1 capabilities.
- I would like to color-match the build. I would prefer this, but it is not mandatory. I would like for the build to be red, but blue is fine too.
- I live in Canada. A build tailored to Canada is mandatory.
- I plan to use 2-way SLI in the future.

I believe that this is it. Along w/ suggestions, I would like to see reasoning for each choice. Thanks to all in advance for any help provided.

lucasz · Dec 22, 2013

A 780 is not overkill for 1080p. Especially for gaming in the future.
http://products.ncix.com/detail/gigabyte-z87x-ud4h-atx-lga1150-z87-ddr3-2pci-e16-hdmi-crossfirex-sli-sata3-usb3-motherboard-6f-91278.htm
That motherboard is red and black, allows for overclocking, and has 7.1 channel audio built in, so there's no need for the audio card

Guest · Dec 22, 2013

This would be my recommendation:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($248.00 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.46 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87-D3HP ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.41 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($105.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($95.25 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($348.00 @ Vuugo)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DX 24-bit 192 KHz Sound Card ($79.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($103.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($93.87 @ DirectCanada)
Monitor: Asus VX238H 23.0" Monitor ($168.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K70 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($123.38 @ Newegg Canada)
Mouse: Logitech G400s Wired Optical Mouse ($42.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $1763.27

CPU: No change because it's a good choice for gaming and overclocking.
CPU Cooler: The 212+ will handle the heat output by a moderately overclocked 4670K, around 4.0 Ghz. Going any higher will require better coolers, but that seems unnecessary cause it won't noticeably improve gaming performance and the GPU will be the bottleneck.
Motherboard: I went with the D3HP because of two reasons: the Intel NIC and enough connections. There is one x16, which is all you'll need with a single GPU, and it'll support any overclocking you throw at it. It also has an optical S/PDIF for your headphones. It contains 3-pin fan headers, and has only three in total. That and the muted blue/gray color scheme are the two detriments to this board.
Memory: 2400 Mhz is frankly unnecessary. The gain (3-6 FPS) from high speed memory is not worth the extra money, especially when you start calculating dollars per FPS. The G.Skill has the red scheme and is cheap.
Storage: No changes. Both are good choices.
Video Card: The 280X is, in pure FPS terms, a better card than GTX 770. The 3 GB frame buffer will allow you to use the high-res texture mods on Skyrim and is a better deal going forward. The Asus is $20 more expensive than other 280X cards, but I chose it because it's incredibly quiet at load.
Sound Card: It's up to you whether you want to keep it or save $80. Keep in mind the motherboard has an optical S/PDIF, but won't have the same quality as a dedicated card.
Power Supply: 850W is overkill for a single GPU setup. The Rosewill has a 7-year warranty, is quiet, semi-modular, and 80+ Gold.
OS/Monitor: It is subjective so I didn't touch it.
KB: Also subjective, especially the mechanical keys.
Mouse: You didn't talk about playing MMORPGs, so I'm unsure you chose the Naga. I've had good experience with Logitech and it's cheaper for the FPS games you play.

Jonathan Whittle · Dec 22, 2013

This would be my recommendation:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($248.00 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.46 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87-D3HP ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.41 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($105.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($95.25 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($348.00 @ Vuugo)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DX 24-bit 192 KHz Sound Card ($79.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($103.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($93.87 @ DirectCanada)
Monitor: Asus VX238H 23.0" Monitor ($168.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K70 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($123.38 @ Newegg Canada)
Mouse: Logitech G400s Wired Optical Mouse ($42.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $1763.27

CPU: No change because it's a good choice for gaming and overclocking.
CPU Cooler: The 212+ will handle the heat output by a moderately overclocked 4670K, around 4.0 Ghz. Going any higher will require better coolers, but that seems unnecessary cause it won't noticeably improve gaming performance and the GPU will be the bottleneck.
Motherboard: I went with the D3HP because of two reasons: the Intel NIC and enough connections. There is one x16, which is all you'll need with a single GPU, and it'll support any overclocking you throw at it. It also has an optical S/PDIF for your headphones. It contains 3-pin fan headers, and has only three in total. That and the muted blue/gray color scheme are the two detriments to this board.
Memory: 2400 Mhz is frankly unnecessary. The gain (3-6 FPS) from high speed memory is not worth the extra money, especially when you start calculating dollars per FPS. The G.Skill has the red scheme and is cheap.
Storage: No changes. Both are good choices.
Video Card: The 280X is, in pure FPS terms, a better card than GTX 770. The 3 GB frame buffer will allow you to use the high-res texture mods on Skyrim and is a better deal going forward. The Asus is $20 more expensive than other 280X cards, but I chose it because it's incredibly quiet at load.
Sound Card: It's up to you whether you want to keep it or save $80. Keep in mind the motherboard has an optical S/PDIF, but won't have the same quality as a dedicated card.
Power Supply: 850W is overkill for a single GPU setup. The Rosewill has a 7-year warranty, is quiet, semi-modular, and 80+ Gold.
OS/Monitor: It is subjective so I didn't touch it.
KB: Also subjective, especially the mechanical keys.
Mouse: You didn't talk about playing MMORPGs, so I'm unsure you chose the Naga. I've had good experience with Logitech and it's cheaper for the FPS games you play.

Oh, yeah, right. I should have mentioned that I do play MMO's, and that was my reasoning for the mouse haha. I also forgot to mention that I plan to use 2-way SLI in the future, so I decided to get the 850W for when I do.

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Help w/ Finalizing Computer Build

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