New PC Gaming Build

dio_free · Apr 29, 2014

Hi all,
I am putting together a new build for purchase in Canada. The purpose of the PC will be for gaming, video editing, and photo editing.

I have put PCs together before. What i need is some general advice on part selection. For instance, "for a few bucks more you could get X, which would be much better", or "that part has known issues", etc.

I am unsure what the best bet right now is for SSDs in or around the 250gb capacity.

I am also wondering about the case. I love how it looks, but I don't know if performance will be an issue if I stick with air cooling. I could look into water cooling but I have never done that before, is it difficult?

thank you very much

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($331.98 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.50 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD4H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.01 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 450 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Western Digital AV-GP 500GB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($63.00 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($369.00 @ Vuugo)
Case: NZXT H440 (Red/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($104.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($98.79 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1562.24
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-29 22:48 EDT-0400)

Diox55 · Apr 29, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($331.98 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.50 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($154.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($174.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($96.78 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Dual Superclocked ACX Video Card ($439.99 @ NCIX)
Case: NZXT H440 (Red/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($98.79 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1622.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-29 23:01 EDT-0400)

Firstly, I switched out the motherboard. The Asrock is a bit cheaper and is fully loaded for the price. Next, I switched out the ram. 16 gigs of ram is going to be needed for photoshop, editing and such. Then, the storage. You were going to pay 63 bucks for a 500 gig hard drive? I couldn't let that happen. I switched it for a 1 TB WD Blue drive at 7200 RPM. Also, the 120 gig ssd should be enough, and the 840 Evo is a fantastic drive. Then, I switched out the power supply. The XFX is cheaper, and more reliable. Finally the gpu. You could cut 30 bucks out of this BUT I recommend the 4 gig 770 because when you want a dual or triple monitor setup, that 4 gigs will come in handy.

Diox55 · Apr 29, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($366.98 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.50 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($154.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($174.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($96.78 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Dual Superclocked ACX Video Card ($439.99 @ NCIX)
Case: NZXT H440 (Red/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($98.79 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1657.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-29 23:07 EDT-0400)

1 edit to this, you need the K version for overclocking, if your not planning to overclock, then go for 4770 with no 212 Evo.

dio_free · Apr 29, 2014

Thanks!! I'm not planning on overclocking but I don't know for sure what the future will hold?

What do you mean about doing without the 212 evo, you think it's not necessary for the 4700 vanilla?

Thoughts on the case?

Diox55 · Apr 30, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($368.50 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($154.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($174.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($96.78 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Dual Superclocked ACX Video Card ($439.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($92.92 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($105.84 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1606.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-30 09:09 EDT-0400)

Here's what I recommend: spend the extra 30 bucks for a 4770k that way if you do want to overclock in the future. Also, for the money I prefer the Corsair 400R. Edit- The Corsair 400R supports up to 8 additional fans and fantastic cable management.

dio_free · Apr 30, 2014

Sweet! I love your advice.
Is there anything better "looking" than the corsair case?
Can you recommend a similar mobo that doesn't have the odd fan header placement?

Also, if i splurged on two monitors, what would you recommend?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($369.00 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($154.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($174.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($170.86 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Dual Superclocked ACX Video Card ($439.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($92.92 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($105.84 @ DirectCanada)
Monitor: Acer G246HLAbd 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($169.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Monitor: Acer G246HLAbd 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($169.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $2021.53
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-30 20:49 EDT-0400)

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