Finalizing $1200 gaming build

applecat · Feb 7, 2014

Approximate Purchase Date: this week
Budget Range: 1200; before rebates/shipping, flexible
System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, occasional video editing, potentially streaming

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, Amazon
Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: No

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.29 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate 600 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($152.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N600 ATX Mid Tower Case ($83.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($146.66 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1177.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-07 12:37 EST-0500)

Hi, my current PC is only a dual-core and I am starting to feel the effects of only being on a dual-core, especially on the occasion I attempt to record and render videos. I did some research and found out that my current PC's motherboard is not open to notable upgrades, so I think it would be best to go ahead and purchase a brand new PC. I actually have a good budget for it - ideally, I would keep it around $1200 but I can be flexible for another few hundred dollars if for a good cause.

Most importantly, I would prefer something that will last me a sizable period before I require another upgrade - 3+ years is what I'm shooting for. My main questions:

Are the HDD and SSD good?
I might overclock slightly, but no intentions of going over 4.0 GHz. Is 650W and the 212 EVO enough?
Otherwise, is this an appropriate set-up for my goals?

And finally, will all the necessary cables for hooking everything up come with the relevant parts or will I need to buy those separately?

Thanks in advance.

rvilkman · Feb 7, 2014

The PSU is good enough, and the EVO should be able to handle all the way up to about 4.4 to 4.5 just fine. Most likely you will run into other issues well before the cooler becomes one.

All the cabling comes with the motherboard, PSU and case. So you should be able to put it together without getting any extra cables.
'possibly' you may want to get a 12" or so extension cable for the 8 pin motherboard connector, it might make a cleaner cabling setup if you can run it properly behind the motherboard.

derhubi · Feb 7, 2014

650 are really enough. Seasonic is a good brand. Think be quiet, Xilence are a bit better, but it will work

shortstuff_mt · Feb 7, 2014

You can squeeze a GTX 770 into the budget if you shuffle some components around.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.29 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($36.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($154.95 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.94 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Grey ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1124.10
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-07 13:09 EST-0500)

applecat · Feb 7, 2014

Thanks for the quick answers!

shortstuff_mt, any particular reason for the Xigmatek GAIA instead of the 212 EVO? I've mostly been suggested to get a SeaSonic PSU, but is the Corsair one just as good? Does most of the price difference come from semi-modular vs. fully-modular?

edit: Oh, I see! It comes as a combo with the RAM, that's nice. Will it hold up well for a handful of years of 24/7 usage?

shortstuff_mt · Feb 7, 2014

There's no real reason for the Xigmatek GAIA instead of the 212 EVO. I think the Xigmatek cools SLIGHTLY better, but they are comparable. I guess it's just a little outside the box of the often parroted 212 EVO. Either one would work.

The Corsair HX-650 is actually made by SeaSonic. It's a good deal because I used a combo with the RAM that saved $20 and it has a $20 MIR. The HX-650 is every bit as good as the SeaSonic PSU in your OP. I'm using the HX-650 in my current overclocked i7 personal computer that runs 24/7. It's been running for over two years and I don't expect that to change any time soon. I used a HX-520 PSU in a computer I built over 7 years ago and it's still going strong...

applecat · Feb 7, 2014

Awesome! Thanks again, I really appreciate the help.

shortstuff_mt · Feb 7, 2014

Any time. Good luck with the build!

Edit: Don't forget to buy an OS. Windows 8.1

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