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Looking for advice on 2 gaming PC builds ($3k-4k)

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  • Windows 8
  • Gaming
  • Power Supplies
  • Hard Drives
  • Water Cooling
  • RAM
  • Components
  • CPUs
  • PC
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August 10, 2014 7:50:40 AM

I'm fairly new to PC building and forum posting so please be gentle. I'm looking to build my first gaming PC and due to certain circumstances I can splurge a little. I've come up with 2 versions of my build. The first version is the dream build, it seems like overkill but I'm too inexperienced to tell. The second version was made with a help of a friend, its well within my budget. The only possible issue I have with the second version is how well it will hold up to future upgrades especially with Directx12 around the corner. Then again I'm not sure how much Dx12 could affect a gaming PC build.

Enough talk here's VERSION 1:

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Megamorphsis/saved/c6RYcf

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4930K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor ($549.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Rampage IV Extreme EATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($407.58 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 7K4000 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($256.48 @ Mwave)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($675.91 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($675.91 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 820 (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($209.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Corsair 1200W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($259.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($249.00 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($249.00 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K95 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($72.78 @ SuperBiiz)
Headphones: Logitech G930 7.1 Channel Headset ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Genius SW-G2.1 70W 2.1ch Speakers ($94.99 @ Mwave)
Total: $4438.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-10 10:41 EDT-0400


Here's VERSION 2:

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Megamorphsis/saved/gY92FT

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 1 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($238.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($158.12 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 7K4000 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($256.48 @ Mwave)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($675.91 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($147.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($249.00 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K95 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($72.78 @ SuperBiiz)
Headphones: Logitech G930 7.1 Channel Headset ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Genius SW-G2.1 70W 2.1ch Speakers ($94.99 @ Mwave)
Total: $2895.16
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-10 10:42 EDT-0400


The second build is a little over budget but that is why its called the dream build I guess. Please tell me what you think. Is there anything unreasonable? Are there parts that aren't compatible? If there is anything that could be replaced on either build with a cheaper but still effective alternative I would love to know. The peripherals can be largely ignored though I won't mind opinions. It may be asking too much for opinions on both builds but I know little of what I'm doing so any feedback is better than nothing.

More about : advice gaming builds

a b 4 Gaming
a b ) Power supply
a b à CPUs
a b V Motherboard
a b U Graphics card
August 16, 2014 1:45:13 AM

First off, yes the first build is way overkill, and two 144hz monitors? Not worth it paying for that monitor to only have smooth windows movement.
The 1200w is also overkill, the two 780ti's on a single 144hz 1080p monitor is overkill.


So I've took the "possible" build and optimized it for you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($198.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($695.91 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($249.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K95 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($72.78 @ SuperBiiz)
Headphones: Logitech G930 7.1 Channel Headset ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2576.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-16 04:24 EDT-0400

It's over $300 cheaper at exactly the same performance level. (your build price raised to $2963.99 so almost $400 cheaper)

1: ASUS TUF series (the sabertooth mobo) is made as a motherboard that should last, the ROG series is made to overclock and game on, the HERO board is well praised and a pretty good board at under the price of the sabertooth.
2: Just changed it up a bit to save some money
3:Storage had a good upgrade here. Running EVERYTHING in that one HDD wouldn't be pleasant, since HDD's doesn't really increase in transfer speed from 1-2-3-4TB. Rather have one 1TB for games, then have another 3TB besides that, would also be much helpful if you ever decide to record gameplay, having one HDD run the game and saving the recording is not good.
4: Changed the power supply, 850w is also overkill, you could easily run 2 GPUs on that, i changed it for a cheaper 620w PSU. Don't worry, you'll still be able to overclock on this one, and it's a good quality unit.
5: removed the 2.1 speakers, you already have the headset which also provides pretty good bass response (have them in the house), guy using them doesn't have speakers either. ;) 
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