Starting over with an i7 4770k build

WolfGeezyie · Jan 27, 2014

I was here before and everybody was very responsive and helpful with my build. Well, times have changed and I bought the i7 4770k from staples. So I am essentially starting over again and I want to know what should I do for optimal gaming and editing (video and photo). Should I use water cooling or air? What case should I get for ATX form factor? What fans should I get with this case? What mobo should I use? I understand I should get Z87, any brand sweeter for any particular reason? Here is what I have so far.
PCPartPicker part list[1] / Price breakdown by merchant[2] / Benchmarks[3]
Type Item Price
CPU Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor[4] $249.99 @ Microcenter
CPU Cooler Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler[5] $29.99 @ Microcenter
Memory G.Skill Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory[6] $149.99 @ Newegg
Storage Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk[7] $89.00 @ Amazon
Storage Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive[8] $59.67 @ Amazon
Video Card Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card[9] $499.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply SeaSonic G-750 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply[10] $99.99 @ Newegg
Optical Drive Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer[11] $16.99 @ Newegg
Total
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. $1195.61
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-27 20:55 EST-0500

aevm · Jan 27, 2014

Air cooling with the Hyper 212 will do just fine. You're not aiming for an extreme overclock, are you?

Case: look at the HAF 922, or the Fractal Design R4 series.

Motherboard: Asus Z87-Pro.

Powerbolt · Jan 27, 2014

ASUS, EVGA, MSI all make some really nice Z87 motherboards.

If you're looking to overclock your 4770K you might have to step up your cooling setup a little bit, but you can still get decent cooling with air or water. Water cooling would be the way to go if you're looking for a good, quiet cooling setup.

Personally I went with water cooling on my 4770K (Corsair H80i). It does alright, (~30-~60c; idle->max load @ ~4.0 GHz) and is pretty quiet.

AlexanderHUN · Jan 28, 2014

Noctua NH-U14S works well with the i7 4770k. Have the same setup it keeps the processor ice cold.
Asrock Z87 extreme4 is a good MoBo for this setup.
You should consider getting a 250GB version of the SSD since it's only a little more expensive (at least it was here in Germany).
GTX 780 is a good card but for the same money you could also check out the R9 290.

Immaculate · Jan 28, 2014

What is the budget? Is an OS, keyboard, mouse or monitor needed?

WolfGeezyie · Jan 28, 2014

Keyboard mouse monitor and OS we already have. Got the processor for $219.99 so that leaves a little cash there to keep the budget around $1400.

I haven't checked the R9 290 at all, thought gym was the way to go! Feel free to educate me haha.

I have this fear of water cooling because I'd be in tears if it leaked, you've never had issues with that before?

This is the second person that has recommended the HAT series so I'll look further into that and the fractal design.

Is there going to be any difference with the motherboards that make one stand out vs the other? If not I'd probably pick ASUS because I keep hearing good things about their product or EVGA because of their good customer support.

vmN · Jan 28, 2014

This is a prefilled watercooling solution for your CPU. So you dont have to worry.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD4H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($121.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.66 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($709.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1318.10
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-28 05:54 EST-0500)

RobCrezz · Jan 28, 2014

If you are concerned about the Liquid coolers, you can also look at the higher end air coolers, which perform just as good and are usually quieter.

Look at the Noctua NH-D14 and the Phanteks ph-tc14pe.

If you want something not quite as high end, but still better than the hyper 212 evo, I can recommend the Phanteks TC-12DX.

WolfGeezyie · Jan 28, 2014

Yea I'm just not to fond of the notion that it could POSSIBLY leak, even if it won't so I might just get high end air coolers and a case with high airflow. Noctua and Phanteks seem to be the way to go for quality fans that are very quiet so I'll do that. But as for the cpu cooler, you think the noctua and phanteks are significantly better than the hyper 212 evo?

I'm sure mid tower is sufficient for my needs so the CM HAF 912 might be the way to go unless someone can argue about this airflow vs another brand like the nzxt or fractal (my 1st, 2nd, 3rd choices now).

vmN · Jan 28, 2014

WolfGeezyie :

The Noctua NH-D14 is excellent high-end air-cooler.
You will be able to archive higher overclock, and keep the processor cooler with the Noctua NH-D14 than a 212 evo.

RobCrezz · Jan 28, 2014

vmN :

WolfGeezyie :

The Noctua NH-D14 is excellent high-end air-cooler.
You will be able to archive higher overclock, and keep the processor cooler with the Noctua NH-D14 than a 212 evo.

Yup, same goes for the 2 Phanteks models I listed also.

Immaculate · Jan 28, 2014

AIOs do not cool the ever important VRMs on the motherboard, air cooling pushes air over these and cools them.
IMHO watercooling should be done only one way, with custom waterblocks for CPU/MOBO/GPUs. If this isn't affordable then stick with a great performance/noise/RAM slot headroom design like the Noctua NH-U14S.

Immaculate · Jan 28, 2014

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2J2J1

vmN · Jan 29, 2014

Immaculate :

Why would he prefer your build over mine?
Mine have a SSD with 1tb HDD, yours hjave a 2TB HDD only.
Mine have a 780ti yours only have a 780.
860w +80 plat, wtf happen here?

Immaculate · Jan 29, 2014

I threw out that PSU, chose one that would give them SLI capabilities. Put a better motherboard in there.
128GB SSD is hardly an SSD. I gave them double the RAM for 64bit modded games and editing. Also gave them plenty of GPU for 1080p.

vmN · Jan 29, 2014

Immaculate :

You could SLI with 750w 80+ bronze PSU, so that was is pretty useless.
Not much of a performance increase going from the motherboard I suggested to the one you suggested.
How can a 128GB hardly be a SSD? 128GB is more than enough for an SSD.
OP might actually benefit more from faster frequency ram than more ram.
Tell me about those 64bit modded games, please-

RobCrezz · Jan 29, 2014

Immaculate :

128Gb is a fine SSD size. Enough space for Windows + a few apps and games. In general use the build with the SSD would be much much faster.

WolfGeezyie · Jan 29, 2014

I did have a question about those motherboards. I've been hearing lots of arguments saying the Hero is the way to go but the price point is very high. If the Gigabyte is very similar, I would rather a cheaper option here to put the money elsewhere.

Definitely going to stick with a smaller SSD for now and just get another when they go on sale, I couldn't imagine filling that guy up right away.

I'll get 16 gb of RAM for the editing purposes and I don't see what was wrong with that PSU, it was 80+ Gold Seasonic 750W, thought that was very reputable and reasonably priced.

But any who, I do appreciate the help and I hope you guys can continue, haha. The biggest concern now though is the motherboard. I think I'm going to get the Fractal Design R4 case also, that or the CM HAF 912. I like the airflow of the HAF but I like the dampening of the Fractal. I wish I could physically see both to really decide as I can't just decide.

RobCrezz · Jan 29, 2014

The Fractal Define R4 is a great case, they are really quiet and very good build quality.

vmN · Jan 29, 2014

WolfGeezyie :

I bet you wouldn't notice any difference going from the hero to gigabyte.
No need for such a "high-end" PSU.
Just get a 600w 80+ bronze as the one I listed, unless you are going to SLI/crossfire.
I vouch for the HAF beastly looking case.

Immaculate · Jan 29, 2014

Its easy to fill a 128GB SSD. COD: Ghosts has a HDD requirement for 40GB, could you imagine putting 2 or 3 of your favorite next gen games on a small ass SSD with Widnows already on it? It would be completely full.
Yea you could drop the 860w but GTX 780/780Tis recommend a 850w PSU for SLI, Im giving them a little future headroom with one of hte best PSUs on the market.
Fractal R4 is great, I love the simplicity, ease to use, all 140mm fan slots, its a very quiet case. Case airflow is fine in the R4, you could even add an extra intake and exhaust fan if you want that peace of mind. I know a lot of people love the HAF but I personally hate the cases with all the added crap like the raised plastic ridges and the led lights.
As for RAM frequency, my set could EASILY OC to 1866 with a faster CAS.
ASUS Hero VI is supposed to have some really great Onboard Audio. The UD3H runs the older ALC 898 audio codec.

Here are some of Toms Z87 reviews.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z87-express-motherboard-review,3582.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z87-motherboard-review,3618.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z87-motherboard-three-way-sli,3703.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z87-haswell-motherboard-review,3524.html

vmN · Jan 29, 2014

Immaculate :

That is the reason a 1tb HDD is included in my build.
Not all games use 40GB, not even close, so please dont imply all games use 40GB.

Immaculate :

You should be able to run 2 780ti's with a 750w 80+ bronze PSU.
That PSU you listed is for "servers" which run 24/7, that is what plat PSUs is for.

Immaculate :

I have the 912 HAF advance and I dont see any plastic at all.

Immaculate :

Either I dont get this one or you dont get how OC'ing ram works.
Are you saying you have OC'ed your ram to 1866 meanwhile getting a lower CAS latency than normally?
Incase you are, you are very wrong.

Immaculate :

Because people will hear a difference.
The onboard audio is more than fine on the GA-z87x-ud3h.
A dog might be able to hear the differences.

Immaculate · Jan 29, 2014

Im not implying all games. BF4 take 35GB. GTA V on PS3 uses 18GB, I could imagine PC version using 40+. Since COD Ghosts on PS3 uses roughly 11GB.
NBA 2K14 is 43GB. AC4 is 20GB.

As for the RAM goes your with 1866 -9-10-9
The 16GB kit could do 1866-8-8-8.. Thats what I meant by faster CAS.. than yours.

Heres a TechPowerup review of the HERO. - http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/MAXIMUS_VI_HERO/11.html
If you truly only plan to do fastest Single GPU without SLI/CFX then look into the Seasonic USA 660XP2 and 650KM3.
If you stick with a single GPU you could even think about going to a smaller form factor like mATX. If you consider that option, take a look at the ASUS VI GENE mobo and the corsair 350D case.

vmN · Jan 29, 2014

Immaculate :

Sorry I cannot read RAM timings in my head, please list the CAS latency.

Immaculate · Jan 29, 2014

heres yours 2x4GB DDR3 @1866Mhz CAS Latency 9 - Timing 9-10-9-28

heres mine 2x8GB DRR3 @ 1600Mhz CAS Latency 7- Timing 7-8-8-24 / 1866Mhz CAS Latency 8 - Timing 8-8-8-24 is obtainable.

Starting over with an i7 4770k build

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