$1600 Gaming build suggestions

nylorac

Honorable
Aug 28, 2013
7
0
10,510
To preface this, I am graduating High School and am moving to Seattle, Washington. I want to purchase a pc before I move and I want it to last 5 years until I graduate college. I want to be able to upgrade the pc for awhile. I wont be staying in a dorm so space isn't much of an issue.
Approximate Purchase Date: Within the Next 3 months

Budget Range: $1400-$1800 Before Rebates; After Shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Surfing the Internet, Watching videos, Student purposes
Are you buying a monitor: Yes I was looking at this Asus 1080p 24 inch monitor
[http://www.amazon.com/VN247H-P-24-Inch-Screen-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00AVYNS7M]
But am looking to have 2 monitors eventually probably a 27ish inch monitor


Do you need to buy OS: Yes Probably Windows 8 but am willing to be talked out of it. (Windows 8 has better performance for games right?)


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: no preference just reliable websites

Location: Purchased and Assembled in Sioux Falls, South Dakota USA--Moving to Seattle, Washington USA on June 1st
Parts Preferences: by brand or type: AMD (but again willing to be talked out of it)

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: (Crossfire is better for gaming right?) (I'm looking to upgrade throughout my early 20s)

Your Monitor Resolution: What ever resolution this one is and looking to get a higher end monitor soon
http://www.amazon.com/VN247H-P-24-Inch-Screen-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00AVYNS7M

Additional Comments: A plethora of games, I want it able to run any game (If funds permit)

I own a Black Widow Ultimate keyboard, A Razer Naga Hex mouse (looking for a better one eventally) , and A Logitech g430 headset (also looking for a better one).

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I currently own an Alienware m17x. I am looking to get a desktop pc that will last me throughout college and be upgradable

Ill edit below if there is anything else you need to know or want to know or anything I think of adding later
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I want to be able to play games on highest settings and play high quality videos at the same time.
 
Solution
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/343qG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/343qG/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/343qG/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.96 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD4H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card...
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/343qG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/343qG/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/343qG/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.96 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD4H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($489.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1503.84

Intel is such a better option for gaming, runs faster and much cooler. Draws a lot less energy. I'd recommend getting either a noctua dh14 or a corsair liquid cooling AOI if you want to do high OC.

Got a good mobo for SLI support.

Win 8 does have better game optimization, but I've heard of some compatibility problems with older games, but I'm sure there's a fix.

Got a PSU that will allow for a second 780 down the road. Also, EVGA offers a 90 day step up program so if the 800 series comes out soon enough you can upgrade easily.
 
Solution

nylorac

Honorable
Aug 28, 2013
7
0
10,510


Is there a stronger CPU that you would recommend, I want to play any game I want on the highest settings, will an i5-4670K be enough? Will only 8gb of RAM be enough if I'm switching between high quality games and high quality videos?

 

Marcopolo123

Honorable
small and powerfull.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H105 73.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($131.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($131.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($509.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 250D Mini ITX Tower Case ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1598.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-04 18:09 EST-0500)
 

bob hays

Honorable
Nov 21, 2012
1,357
0
11,960
I suggest wolteg's build with an asus z87-a because it's cheaper and works the same.

Marcopolo's build is also good for a small form factor build, i'm just not sure if the 250d supports the 105, I know it does the 100.