Upgrade Computer ~$1200 - Review and Suggest

[German1234]

I am planning to build a new computer for myself. Primary use would be running heavy software like Oracle, Sql Server, VS 2012 on VMs on Windows Server. I would also install Windows 7 for games.

My budget is ~$1200. I have come up with the following, possibly for black friday.


Processor
4770k OR wait for release of 4930k. Is it worth the extra money?


Motherboard
ASUS Maximus VI Hero (for the 4770k)
If i decide 4930k then which would be best? The max I would go is SLI or Crossfire i.e. 2 gfx cards.


RAM
32GB (4x8GB) @2400 (not sure yet, which brand but thinking about G Skill or Corsair)


Casing
NZXT Phantom 630
CM Storm Series Trooper
Level 10 GT (a bit expensive for me)
CM HAF X


CPU Cooler
Corsair Hydro H80i or H100i
Antec Kuhler H2O 920
CM Seidon 240M
NZXT Kraken X60/X40


I am planning on using my existing Corsair 750W PSU, XFX 5870 and OCZ Vertex Series 128Gb SSD.

Below is what I have come up with so far.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1vl9O

What do you guys think? I would highly appreciate your comments.

 

[bigshootr8]

I do like your build there are just a few things I personally have changed. I would stick with your 4770k. Sure you could go with a 2011 chip however given your budget I wouldn't recommend it.

Memory: 2400 memory is more then likely overclocked and is a bit over priced for the value you'd receive. Beyond 1600/1866 their hasn't been a huge performance difference. I went with a cheaper kit.

Cooler: I went with the h100i its a little cheaper then the x60 and performs great. I also put in the build 2x Noctua NF-12's they are the top of the food chain in terms of fans. And the fans that come with your coolers aren't very good not normally. I have the NF-12's they are quite they will ramp up when your computer is pushing harder and producing more heat but even so still very quiet and still producing amazing temps.

Motherboard. I changed the motherboard because most things today are carried by the CPU so I didn't see the need to get a premium ROG board.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($92.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($231.56 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X Blue ATX Full Tower Case ($149.00 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-F12 PWM 55.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-F12 PWM 55.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1025.51
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-23 16:08 EDT-0400)

 

[German1234]

I am close to Microcenter, which allows me to save $70 on the mobo/proc.

Thanks for the eye opener at the RAM, you are right, going up from 1600 to 2400 is hardly 2% gain. Not sure why that's the case since 800 is a lot of speed i.e. 50% gain from 1600. I would have wasted more than $60 on that.

I guess it all comes down to the motherboard. I have prefered Asus in the past and people have also preferred Hero over GD65 but I personally don't see any major differences in them. Since MSI is $20 cheaper, I guess I would go with that one.

The only question I have now is, from programming perspective, should I spend the extra $250 on the 4930k since it would give me better performance with 2 more cores or 4 more threads at 6/12 or stick with the 4770k at 4/8.

 

[bigshootr8]

I am close to Microcenter, which allows me to save $70 on the mobo/proc.

Thanks for the eye opener at the RAM, you are right, going up from 1600 to 2400 is hardly 2% gain. Not sure why that's the case since 800 is a lot of speed i.e. 50% gain from 1600. I would have wasted more than $60 on that.

I guess it all comes down to the motherboard. I have prefered Asus in the past and people have also preferred Hero over GD65 but I personally don't see any major differences in them. Since MSI is $20 cheaper, I guess I would go with that one.

The only question I have now is, from programming perspective, should I spend the extra $250 on the 4930k since it would give me better performance with 2 more cores or 4 more threads at 6/12 or stick with the 4770k at 4/8.

I believe people prefer the hero mainly because its a ROG board it has the red and black theme and its ASUS. However if its cheaper to get the GD65 I'd go that route. Mainly because in the end you aren't really going to see major differences between the two boards performance wise. In the end isn't that why someone would pay more for a board.

 

[German1234]

I am close to Microcenter, which allows me to save $70 on the mobo/proc.

Thanks for the eye opener at the RAM, you are right, going up from 1600 to 2400 is hardly 2% gain. Not sure why that's the case since 800 is a lot of speed i.e. 50% gain from 1600. I would have wasted more than $60 on that.

I guess it all comes down to the motherboard. I have prefered Asus in the past and people have also preferred Hero over GD65 but I personally don't see any major differences in them. Since MSI is $20 cheaper, I guess I would go with that one.

The only question I have now is, from programming perspective, should I spend the extra $250 on the 4930k since it would give me better performance with 2 more cores or 4 more threads at 6/12 or stick with the 4770k at 4/8.

I believe people prefer the hero mainly because its a ROG board it has the red and black theme and its ASUS. However if its cheaper to get the GD65 I'd go that route. Mainly because in the end you aren't really going to see major differences between the two boards performance wise. In the end isn't that why someone would pay more for a board.

I agree.

I was planning to keep my old PSU for the new system, which is an OCZ GameXStream 700W. However, people have told me that it causes ripple which goes out of ATX specifications. So, I should get a new PSU. Do you recommend the same?

 

[bigshootr8]

Since you aren't doing anything super crazy graphic wise maybe the HX650 would be a good fit for you. I prefer a good power supply and I have expensive taste I have a AX850 and love it. Unless you go with a GTX770 or 780 I wouldn't go beyond really the 550/650w mark.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

 

[German1234]

Since you aren't doing anything super crazy graphic wise maybe the HX650 would be a good fit for you. I prefer a good power supply and I have expensive taste I have a AX850 and love it. Unless you go with a GTX770 or 780 I wouldn't go beyond really the 550/650w mark.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

I have CoolerMaster V700 in mind. It is the same build as Seasonic X but lower price and better quality fan and rating.

 

[bigshootr8]

If you are looking towards the 700 watt power supplies the hx750 is fairly reasonable and cheaper then your CM V700.

$129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

 

[German1234]

If you are looking towards the 700 watt power supplies the hx750 is fairly reasonable and cheaper then your CM V700.

$129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

CM V700 is a high end Seasonic KM3 platform, same platform used by Corsair AX760/AX860 and Seasonic X and Platinum. However, it is the cheapest of them all. Corsair HX750 is relatively lower in line, which is why I have chosen the CM V700 over HX750.

 

[bigshootr8]

If you are looking towards the 700 watt power supplies the hx750 is fairly reasonable and cheaper then your CM V700.

$129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

CM V700 is a high end Seasonic KM3 platform, same platform used by Corsair AX760/AX860 and Seasonic X and Platinum. However, it is the cheapest of them all. Corsair HX750 is relatively lower in line, which is why I have chosen the CM V700 over HX750.

Fair enough however the v700 isn't a plat 80 plus unit. It's gold so I was just trying to compare an apples to apples comparison with a Corsair equiv. But I gotcha though stronger components.