$1300 Gaming PC: Final Thoughts

[steelteal]

Hi, I am almost done picking out the parts for my new PC and I would like some opinions on it.

Things I will be doing on the PC include:
● Video Editing / GFX - I will be rendering in real-time for playback while editing in Sony Vegas, After Effects, and Cinema 4D.
● Recording in 1080p HD - I will be recording Minecraft in 1080p with Fraps.
● Gaming - The only game I play on the computer is Minecraft.
● Watching 1080p video.
● Using the SSD as a boot drive with a couple of frequently used programs.
● Maybe hosting a Minecraft server (I have already bought one online, but I might host one off the computer).
● Using Triple Monitors (All 1080p eventually)
● Using 16GB of RAM as a RAM disk for some frequently used programs.

Here is the build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($184.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Tachyon 550W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional Full (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1311.85

Lastly, I need help choosing a case. The 2 cases I'm having trouble deciding between are:
NZXT Phantom (Black/Green) ATX Full Tower Case
and
Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case

● They are both about the same size, even though the NZXT Phantom is classified as a Full Tower.
● The Phantom does not have Front Panel USB 3.0 Ports even though it says it does on the link.
● The Storm Enforcer is about $40 cheaper.
● The Phantom has more bays.
● The Phantom looks cooler.

Which case would you choose?
Is an extra $40 worth the extra bays? (I doubt I will use them.)
Would this upgrade kit fix the USB 3.0 Ports?
Does anyone know a case that looks just as cool as the Phantom while maintaining or exceeding the features of the Storm Enforcer?
My budget for the case is around $130.
Any other comments about the build will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Sakkura]

I have a Storm Enforcer case and I like it. I don't think you'll need the extra bays unless you're dreaming of huge RAID arrays. As for the looks, that's a matter of taste. I personally prefer the Storm Enforcer over the Phantom.

You might consider getting an FX-8320 instead of the 8350 - they both overclock so the stock clocks don't matter much.

And since you're already throwing down quite a lot of cash, why not go for a mechanical keyboard?

 

[iceclock]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BaE4
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BaE4/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BaE4/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($289.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Gelid Solutions CC-Siberian-01 51.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($9.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional Full (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1270.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 00:10 EST-0500)

this would be better and faster than this rig.

Base Total: $1280.87
Mail-in Rebates: -$10.00
Total: $1270.87

 

[Sakkura]

Half as much memory, half as much SSD capacity. =/

 

[iceclock]

he doesnt need 32 gigs for video editing, and 128 gb for ssd is fine, the 3770 will blow up that amd processor, amd is good but cant compete with the 3770

 

[steelteal]

I have a Storm Enforcer case and I like it. I don't think you'll need the extra bays unless you're dreaming of huge RAID arrays. As for the looks, that's a matter of taste. I personally prefer the Storm Enforcer over the Phantom.

You might consider getting an FX-8320 instead of the 8350 - they both overclock so the stock clocks don't matter much.

And since you're already throwing down quite a lot of cash, why not go for a mechanical keyboard?

Yeah, I doubt I will even use all the bays in the Storm Enforcer and saving $40 going with it is a plus.

I don't think I will be overclocking for a while. I don't really need it right now since I only play Minecraft and I don't have a after market cooler for it.

And I don't know much about mechanical keyboards. All I know is that they have like a button under every key. Does that help? I heard the Razer BlackWidow is mechanical and I was deciding between that one and the SideWinder. Which one do you think is better? I can't find what type it says the SideWinder is.

Thanks for the input. I've decided on the Storm Enforcer.

 

[steelteal]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BaE4
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BaE4/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BaE4/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($289.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Gelid Solutions CC-Siberian-01 51.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($9.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional Full (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1270.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 00:10 EST-0500)

this would be better and faster than this rig.

Base Total: $1280.87
Mail-in Rebates: -$10.00
Total: $1270.87

Thanks, but I only play Minecraft and the 8350 is good enough for me. Also, I am going to be using the extra 16GB as a RAM disk.

 

[iceclock]

ok,

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BeY8
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BeY8/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BeY8/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 45.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($119.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($169.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional Full (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech G110 Wired Standard Keyboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1236.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 11:26 EST-0500)

 

[Sakkura]

Yeah, I doubt I will even use all the bays in the Storm Enforcer and saving $40 going with it is a plus.

I don't think I will be overclocking for a while. I don't really need it right now since I only play Minecraft and I don't have a after market cooler for it.

And I don't know much about mechanical keyboards. All I know is that they have like a button under every key. Does that help? I heard the Razer BlackWidow is mechanical and I was deciding between that one and the SideWinder. Which one do you think is better? I can't find what type it says the SideWinder is.

Thanks for the input. I've decided on the Storm Enforcer.

Yeah a mechanical keyboard has a mechanical switch under each key while a normal keyboard has rubber domes. Mechanical keyboards are superior in terms of the feel and feedback, and come in different varieties better suited for different purposes (or personal preferences). The Sidewinder is a classic rubber dome keyboard, as is the Logitech G110. The Razer BlackWidow is mechanical, the standard version comes with Cherry MX Blue switches, which are the typewriter-loud type. There's a "stealth" version with quieter and arguably more gaming-oriented switches.

Personally I'm a fan of the CM Storm Quickfire TK, which is also mechanical, and comes in three versions - typewriter, gaming, and in-between (that's blue, red, and brown switches respectively; they have matching backlighting except for the brown, which has white backlighting).
And I swear that's all the Cooler Master gear I'll recommend. Many of their PSUs are bad.

 

[iceclock]

there silent pro gold line are quite good besides that cant say there ps are any good.

i use coolermaster quickfire and is great!

 

[steelteal]

Yeah a mechanical keyboard has a mechanical switch under each key while a normal keyboard has rubber domes. Mechanical keyboards are superior in terms of the feel and feedback, and come in different varieties better suited for different purposes (or personal preferences). The Sidewinder is a classic rubber dome keyboard, as is the Logitech G110. The Razer BlackWidow is mechanical, the standard version comes with Cherry MX Blue switches, which are the typewriter-loud type. There's a "stealth" version with quieter and arguably more gaming-oriented switches.

Personally I'm a fan of the CM Storm Quickfire TK, which is also mechanical, and comes in three versions - typewriter, gaming, and in-between (that's blue, red, and brown switches respectively; they have matching backlighting except for the brown, which has white backlighting).
And I swear that's all the Cooler Master gear I'll recommend. Many of their PSUs are bad.

I just looked at the CM Storm Keyboards and the Trigger is on sale at Newegg for $54.99. Should I get the Trigger or is the Quickfire TK better?

 

[iceclock]

whateverson sale. theyre both good.

55$ is cheap id get that

 

[Sakkura]

They're very similar, I just personally love the layout of the Quickfire TK.
$55 is a steal.

 

[iceclock]

ive got the cmstorm quickfire mini version, runs great

 

[steelteal]

Best answer selected by steelteal.

 

[iceclock]

cool1o