Thank you both for the quick replies. I've taken a gander at both your suggestions, and they both look interesting. But I forgot to mention two important things.
I live in Denmark, so importing hardware is going to be expensive. It's easier for me to buy locally, but it also means prices will be slightly higher, and some hardware will not be available.
The other thing is that I don't have any plans on doing SLI/Crossfire yet. I think it would be a lot easier for me to buy a mid-range GPU rather than two low-range GPUs and with an even more expensive PSU. I want to leave the option open, but for now, I want a PSU that is more appropriate for a single GPU. I just don't have the money for a new GPU right now, and especially not two!
ddbtkd456 said:
Looks impressive, however I will suggest my version of it (take it or leave it for what it is worth)
PCPartPicker part list /
Price breakdown by merchant /
Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i7-4820K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($318.94 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P9X79 LE ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($224.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($114.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black/Orange) ATX Full Tower Case ($137.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 1050W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On DS-8A8SH DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1234.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-26 10:21 EDT-0400)
I upgraded your processor to an i7 with a faster GHz base rate, which will really show in games, along with a new motherboard (this one can SLI-crossfire, and have nice over-clocking along with the fancy new UEFI Bios, plus its an ASUS). I gave you 12 GB of ram at 1600 MHz, a little future proofing if you will, along with a Corsair h100i water cooler (to keep those temps down), also downgraded your SSD to a Samsung Evo 128 GB (operating system and programs), and kept the 2 Terabyte drive (games), I gave you a bigger more reliable power supply (overkill) for future SLI-ing or Cross-firing, and the optical drive i chose has a nice touch to it. If i was you i would save the rest of the money, and either get another 650 ti or sell the one you have and buy a 770.
I had a look at your suggestions, and I do like them. However, since prices are higher here in Denmark, I ended up with a price point much closer to my original build. Anyway, here's the updated build based on your suggestions:
- NZXT Phantom Special Edition Black/Orange
- Intel Core i7-4820K 3,7GHz
- ASUS P9X79 (Socket-2011)
- XFX ProSeries Core Edition 750 PSU
- Corsair Vengeance Pro DDR3 1600MHz 8GB
- Seagate Barracuda 2TB
- Samsung SSD 840 EVO 120GB
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
= $1,463
I went with the CPU and motherboard you suggested, and I changed the PSU to one similar to the one you suggested, but less expensive. I also went with the SSD you suggested, as it would otherwise become too expensive. I chose not to go with 12GB RAM, as I don't think I need more than 8GB for the forseeable future. I also don't don't want water cooling just yet, so I went with popperd9's suggestion for a CPU cooler.
In comparison, I tweaked my original build to this:
- NZXT Phantom Special Edition Black/Orange
- Intel Core i7-4770 3,4GHz
- ASUS Maximus VI Hero (Socket-1150)
- XFX ProSeries Core Edition 750 PSU
- Corsair Vengeance Pro DDR3 1600MHz 8GB
- Seagate Barracuda 2TB
- Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250GB
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
= $1,462
The difference is that I get a bigger SSD in exchange for a different CPU and motherboard.
I understand your reason behind going for the i5, and I do think it's a wise move. As I said in my OP, I was a bit biased. I like your suggestion for a CPU cooler, but since I don't plan on overclocking, will I need it? I could get it if I do plan on giving overclocking a shot, but for now, I'm a bit reserved.
The RAM you suggested are not available here in Denmark, unfortunately, and the G.Skill Ripjaws I could get didn't seem very impressive in comparison, which is unfortunate.
As for the GPU, I will look into it after I've bought my new computer and have some money again. But since I don't plan on doing SLI/Crossfire, I think I will stick with a smaller PSU, but I don't know what is enough for run my system.
Anyway, I tweaked my original build around your suggestions, and here's what I got:
- NZXT Phantom Special Edition Black/Orange
- Intel Core i5-4670 3,4GHz
- ASUS Z87-A (Socket-1150)
- XFX ProSeries Core Edition 750 PSU
- Corsair Vengeance Pro DDR3 1600MHz 8GB
- Seagate Barracuda 2TB
- Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250GB
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
= 1,257$
I changed the CPU and the motherboard to what you suggested, except I went with the K-less model CPU, as I have no intentions of overclocking. But do you think I should get the K-version to leave the potential open?
I also decided to go with a 750W PSU, as I don't think I need a big one just yet. I went with one similar to what ddbtkd456 suggested, as it was cheaper than a Corsair PSU with 750W, but I did have a look at a Corsair TX750 PSU, which is more expensive. Though, I don't know which is better, or if it's worth the increase in price over the XFX ProSeries.
Other than that, the price dropped considerably, and I think I may just go for this build because of that.
I just have one question regarding the motherboard, what's the difference between the Z87-A and Z87-Pro, aside from the size of the boards?