~$1250 build - what can I change with little to no price increase

[Yensu]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1yZAF
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1yZAF/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1yZAF/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N250PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.88 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VX238H 23.0" Monitor ($160.98 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Cooler Master SGM-2000-MLON1 Wired Optical Mouse ($31.48 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1260.21
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-03 14:53 EDT-0400)

So far the things I know I want:
CPU/cooler
GPU (unless new ones hit the market before I purchase)
Case
accessories

Things I'm pretty sure I want to change:
MB
Memory
Storage
PSU
Possibly monitor - don't know much in this area, so could do with some advice there if my pick isn't too great.

Remember, try to not raise the price too much. Over $1300 is too high.

 

[ps3hacker12]

These are some small possible changes you could make:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.98 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N250PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.88 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Cooler Master SGM-2000-MLON1 Wired Optical Mouse ($31.48 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1269.22
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-03 15:10 EDT-0400)

I've swapped your monitor out for an IPS monitor, but both monitors are fantastic, chose whatever you prefer.

this rig is more than yours in terms of cost, for that I am sorry.

I'm just posting some little possible changes, nothing huge, your build is pretty perfect as it is, you've chosen great parts

also if you like the 500R, its got a pretty nice $45 discount on it right now at newegg:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-500rwt

 

[Yensu]

I've swapped your monitor out for an IPS monitor, but both monitors are fantastic, chose whatever you prefer.

this rig is more than yours in terms of cost, for that I am sorry.

I'm just posting some little possible changes, nothing huge, your build is pretty perfect as it is, you've chosen great parts

also if you like the 500R, its got a pretty nice $45 discount on it right now at newegg:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-500rwt

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1zC80
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1zC80/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1zC80/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Fortress 750W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.49 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.88 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Cooler Master SGM-2000-MLON1 Wired Optical Mouse ($31.48 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1320.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-03 15:56 EDT-0400)

K, so I have made some changes...
Gonna keep the I-5 I had listed, not a big enough difference to pay the extra $20, and it supposedly OCs better. But, shouldn't matter either way, it'll be fine I'm sure.
I did change the mobo, though not to your recommended. I did a little research and felt this was a better change.
I decided to change to an SSD to start. I will install the few main games I play on it. Any others I will get a non SSD for later on.
Changed the memory simply to a higher rated and cheaper one.
Also changed the PSU to a 750W plat.
Got rid of the wi-fi, that was just a quality of life thing.. but I honestly prefer wired anyway.
And I changed to an IPS monitor after you mentioning it, did a little research and I would prefer IPS.

Price did go up, but that just means a little more work for it.

How do my changes look? Is this a solid system for gaming at current max graphics?
I do plan to OC, but it'll be a first.

 

[ps3hacker12]

This was the slightly higher clocked 760:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-02gp42762kr

the sandisk ultra plus is also a great performance SSD for the same price (higher read speeds and write speeds although the M4 is also a nice SSD, just a tad old):
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sandisk-internal-hard-drive-sdssdhp128gg25

Other than that, you've tweaked to perfection

 

[Yensu]

This was the slightly higher clocked 760:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-02gp42762kr

the sandisk ultra plus is also a great performance SSD for the same price (higher read speeds and write speeds although the M4 is also a nice SSD, just a tad old):
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sandisk-internal-hard-drive-sdssdhp128gg25

Other than that, you've tweaked to perfection

Thanks, made those changes.
I will repost this every month or so to get updates. Probably about 3 months until I buy it.

 

[ps3hacker12]

Oh 3 months, in that case this build is pretty redundant, prices will have changed alot, AMD will probably have released their 9XXX series cards too.

 

[Yensu]

Oh 3 months, in that case this build is pretty redundant, prices will have changed alot, AMD will probably have released their 9XXX series cards too.

I agree. I just need to know what I want now to have a good idea of what I'll want then. By creating this build I did a lot of research to find out which kind of things I prefer. It's mostly just preparation for a later build.
And again, thanks for helping
If somehow I can afford it earlier, I'll have the build ready too.

 

[coastie65]

I've swapped your monitor out for an IPS monitor, but both monitors are fantastic, chose whatever you prefer.

this rig is more than yours in terms of cost, for that I am sorry.

I'm just posting some little possible changes, nothing huge, your build is pretty perfect as it is, you've chosen great parts

also if you like the 500R, its got a pretty nice $45 discount on it right now at newegg:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-500rwt

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1zC80
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1zC80/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1zC80/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Fortress 750W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.49 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.88 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Cooler Master SGM-2000-MLON1 Wired Optical Mouse ($31.48 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1320.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-03 15:56 EDT-0400)

K, so I have made some changes...
Gonna keep the I-5 I had listed, not a big enough difference to pay the extra $20, and it supposedly OCs better. But, shouldn't matter either way, it'll be fine I'm sure.
I did change the mobo, though not to your recommended. I did a little research and felt this was a better change.
I decided to change to an SSD to start. I will install the few main games I play on it. Any others I will get a non SSD for later on.
Changed the memory simply to a higher rated and cheaper one.
Also changed the PSU to a 750W plat.
Got rid of the wi-fi, that was just a quality of life thing.. but I honestly prefer wired anyway.
And I changed to an IPS monitor after you mentioning it, did a little research and I would prefer IPS.

Price did go up, but that just means a little more work for it.

How do my changes look? Is this a solid system for gaming at current max graphics?
I do plan to OC, but it'll be a first.

The difference in those processors is greater than you think. The initial thought was that it wouldn't be worth the extra to go from an Ivy to a Haswell ( on an Upgrade ), it is, but if you are starting from scratch, go for the Haswell build. It was within your price range and well worth it. I am running the i7 Haswell and it OC's well. I have it at 4.6 Ghz, but my cooling prevented me from going further. Point is PS3hacker came up with a very good package within your budget and something you would be very happy with. MaximumPC has run several comparison tests with the Ivy & Haswell. I was surprised when I saw them as I had heard that the perfornce kick wasn't all that much to make it worth upgrading from an Ivy to a Haswell. As I said it is. You would also have a 4th Gen Processor instead of a 3rd gen. The Z87 Chipset is much better and you have a ful load of USB 3.0 ports and a fully functional PCIe 3.0 bus for the Video card.

 

[ps3hacker12]

And hopefully haswell will be cheaper in 3 months time anyway

 

[g-unit1111]

And hopefully haswell will be cheaper in 3 months time anyway

You can do a Haswell build for that price with no problems. CPUs don't increase or decrease in price the way that GPUs do.

Maybe do something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-C ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($102.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($264.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($71.30 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1076.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-04 13:47 EDT-0400)

That gives you $200 to add whatever monitor, keyboard and mouse you want. You can drop the SSD to cut costs too.

 

[Yensu]

Okay, you are probably right. Plus, I should probably trust someone that does this more than me. Thanks Ps3hacker12.