First time building high end gaming computer

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Barking Krab

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Hi, I've been a prominent 'user' on the forum for a while, and you guys give great advice. Only just made an account though, just so I can get a really specific answer.

So I'm building a computer, and these are the parts I'm certain about getting so far-

Intel Core i7-4770K Socket 1150 Haswell Processor
MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming Intel Z87 Socket 1150 Motherboard
MSI GTX 780 Twin Frozr Gaming 3GB Nvidia Graphics Card

Now the things I don't know a lot about are cases and fans. I know I want air cooling (after reading a bunch of reviews about how much maintenance water cooling is, I got deterred), and money isn't really an issue, I'd just like something that -

A) Looks nice
B) Will allow me to overclock (not going crazy, I read some stuff about Haswell's deteriorating quite quickly)
C) Will be dead silent. My current gaming computer (I bought from Vibox about a year ago) is so painfully loud, imagine a hair dryer in your ear for hours on end.
D) Will last a long time. I don't want to in a year or 2 have to replace parts, or my computer to lack performance because of something.
E) It must be a full size case.

Oh, one last thing as well; the power supply.

Again, price isn't too much of an issue. I would just like something that will last a long time, and won't make my mum complain about £200 electricity bills at the end of the month!

Any criticisms on current set up welcome! I'm new to this so all the advice I can get is great.

Thanks guys!
 
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Francisco Costa
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Francisco Costa

Francisco Costa

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£249.90 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£23.90 @ Ebuyer)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£139.98 @ Ebuyer)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (£69.98 @ Novatech)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£120.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£43.99 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (£369.59 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 CA-PH530-B1 Black ATX Full Tower Case (£105.99 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (£70.67 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £1194.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-07 17:17 GMT+0000)

Do you like it?
 
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HeyyScott

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Oct 9, 2013
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Should go bit higher than 650w. OP is OCing and his parts are pretty high end.
 
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Barking Krab

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I do like it, however I agree with HeyyScott. By the way probably worth a mention, I already have 16gb RAM and 2tb hard drive, I am thinking of getting a small 30gb SSD for just Windows.

Edit: The case is nice, silent? And will the fan be enough? I thought they'd be more expensive for high end ones.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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For research on quiet computing, go to www.silentpcreview.com
Here are their recommended quiet cases:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article75-page5.html

a) Looks are personal. Buy what appeals to you. Most any case with two 120mm intake fans or equivalent will provide adequate cooling.
b) Haswell actually runs cool. It is only when pushing overclocks past 1.25v does heat build up exponentially.
When that point is reached is a matter of luck with you bin getting a golden chip.
4.0-4.4 is a reasonable expectation on air.
c) Nothing with fans is dead silent. But if you can keep fans below 900rpm, they will be inaudible.
d) Times will change. Leave something in your budget to accommodate that. I think the most likely change will be 4k monitors and the attendant graphics card requirement.
e) Why the desire for a full size case?
f) Today's strongest graphics cards will run on a 650w psu.
I like to overprovision the psu. It will draw only the wattage demanded of it, regardless of it's max capability. In the process, it will loaf in the most efficient part of it's range, and the fan will not spin up to max.
If you buy a gold rated psu like the Seasonic X series, the fan is designed to normally not run at all.

On the quiet front, consider a GTX780ti. It will be stronger, so it will not have to work hard and will be quieter.

Plan on a 240gb ssd. That may be all you need. For storage, buy a WD green hard drive if needed.

I like air coolers better.
Buy one with slower turning 140mm fans. It will be inaudible.
Look to Phanteks or noctua for starters.
 
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PepitoTV

PepitoTV

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If you say money is not an issue, then you want a bigger SSD, 30GB may not even be enough for Windows. I agree with the bigger PSU, but, sorry to say so, but your mom WILL complain for the electricity bill if you're pulling 400-500W from the wall for extended periods of time.

The EVO is a nice cooler, it is loud without modifications though, using a push pull config will make almost silent.
 
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Transmaniacon

Transmaniacon

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Francisco posted a good build. If you want a nicer CPU cooler, I would go with the Noctua D14. It is one of the top air coolers and will perform well and be quiet.

I don't think the 780Ti offers the best value right now. I would stick with the 780, if you are only gaming at 1080P, this will be more than enough. The EVGA Superclocked version with ACX cooler is a better choice in my opinion though.

As was mentioned, you need a 120GB at least. Stick your OS and apps on here, and use the 2TB drive you have for media and games.

If SLI is in your future, I would go with an 850 watt PSU, the XFX Pro Series one is a good choice. Otherwise, 650 watts is plenty.
 
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Francisco Costa

Francisco Costa

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£249.90 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£23.90 @ Ebuyer)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£138.10 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£125.46 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (£369.59 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 CA-PH530-B1 Black ATX Full Tower Case (£105.99 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (£93.98 @ Dabs)
Total: £1106.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-07 17:47 GMT+0000)

Made the changes. You should go at least 120GB in the SSD. I put 250 in the build, but if you want, you can put a 120GB: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te120bw
 
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HeyyScott

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30GB is too small even for your OS. At least 120GB. 30GB will already fill up to 90% right after your OS install, and will constantly grow as your windows update.
 
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Barking Krab

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Hey guys, thanks so much for the answers! They've all been great. But there's been a few changes-

Everything MUST be from scan.co.uk as I'm buying all the parts on finance (buy now pay 9 months later).

And because of that I have a little bit more money to play with, possibly up to £2000 (including 2 monitors).

So...

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770k 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: From Scan.co.uk, what would be the highest reccomendation?
Motherboard: MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: I have 16gb DDR3 RAM
Storage: I have 2tb Seagate hard drive
Storage: I don't know a lot about what to look for in an SSD drive, if you could please suggest a 120gb and a 250gb to get from Scan.co.uk and I'll get the 250 (if I have enough at the end).
Video Card: I've decided to spend the majority on a kick ass graphics card, so I'm gonna go with the best of the best- the Nvidia GeForce Titan. But of all the Titan cards on Scan, which would be the best for me? I don't know a lot about the different branded ones.
Case: Cooler Master HAF X V2 Black Tower Gaming Performance Case No PSU - thoughts on this case? If you think there's a better one on the website for around the same price/slightly more expensive that will benefit me, bearing in mind that noise is my main priority.
Power Supply: Again I'm not sure, I don't know the difference between modular & non modular, but I don't mind spending slightly more for a long lasting very good PSU.

I know this kinda messes with everything everyone has said, but I really just want the perfect future proof QUIET system. Thanks guys! :D
 
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Transmaniacon

Transmaniacon

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I like the Noctua D14 for air coolers.

The Samsung 840 EVO is a good choice, as well as the Kingston HyperX 3k.

Don't get a Titan please. The 780Ti is cheaper and is BETTER for gaming. The 780Ti is the best card to get right now for gaming. I would suggest going with a single 1440P monitor for a great experience.

I don't like the HAF cases, Silverstone, Corsair, and Fractal Design make better cases in my opinion. I would go with the Corsair 750D.

If you want to SLI, go for an 850watt modular gold/platinum rated PSU. The SeaSonic X-860 is an awesome choice. If you don't plan on SLI, a good 600-700 watt PSU is plenty.

If you want a quiet system, I would recommend the Fractal Design Define R4.
 
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Francisco Costa

Francisco Costa

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Here's the CPU cooler: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/cooler-master-hyper-212-evo-4-heat-pipes-direct-contact-with-120mm-quiet-fan-lga775-1155-1156-1366-a
Here are the SSDs, I think they're the best in the market right now: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/120gb-samsung-840-evo-sata-iii-basic-slim-7mm-3-core-mex-controller-read-540mb-s-write-410mb-s-256mb and http://www.scan.co.uk/products/250gb-samsung-840-evo-basic-ssd-sata-6gb-s-7mm-slim-3-core-mex-controller-read-540mb-s-write-520mb-s
Here's the Graphics Card:http://www.scan.co.uk/products/3gb-msi-gtx-780-twin-frozr-oc-gaming-28nm-pcie-30-%28x16%29-6008mhz-gddr5-gpu-954mhz-boost-1006mhz-cores
Yes, that's a very solid case, roomy and cool.
For the PSU, there are a couple of options: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/650w-xfx-xxx-p1-650x-xxb9-hybrid-modular-85-eff-80-plus-bronze-sli-crossfire-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-v
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/750w-evga-supernova-nex-120-pg-0750-gr-full-modular-80-plus-gold-90-eff-eps-12v-sli-crossfire-atx
 
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Barking Krab

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Regarding the monitor, I read that 1440p ips monitors aren't as good because of the response time. I've seen 5ms for 1440p monitors and there's 2ms on Scan but they're 1080p. I don't want SLI, I don't think I'd need it. But I will probably get the 780ti, thanks! I'll reply again later, I'm at work at the moment :S.
 
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Francisco Costa

Francisco Costa

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And it only costs $800 :D
 
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Barking Krab

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Hey guys. So I have a final build, thanks to you guys :D.

Processor: Intel Core i7-4770K Socket 1150 Haswell Processor
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 Dual Radiator and Fan Quiet CPU Cooler
Motherboard: MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming Intel Z87 Socket 1150 Motherboard
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB Basic SSD
Video Card: MSI GTX 780Ti GAMING Twin Frozr IV 3GB PCI Expess Nvidia Graphics Card
Case: Cooler Master HAF X V2 Black Tower Gaming Performance Case No PSU
PSU:Corsair AX760 760W Full Modular 80+ Platinum Power Supply
Monitors: x2 22" LG 22EN43VQ-B.AEK Dual Smart LED Full HD Gaming Monitor 2ms with HDMI/DVI
Sound System: Logitech 5.1 150W RMS Sound System

I have 16gb DDR3 RAM and 2tb Seagate storage, thoughts on this final build? I took almost everyone's advice, is there anything else I will need? Thanks guys.
 
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PepitoTV

PepitoTV

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I think you're done, enjoy! :)
 
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Francisco Costa

Francisco Costa

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I don't think you could get much better than this. Great build! Enjoy building it and most importantly, enjoy gaming on it.
 
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Barking Krab

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Thanks so much guys. No doubt you'll be hearing from again, I'm ordering tonight!
 
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