High End Gaming Build ($1500-$2K)

[jrod691]

I'm going to build a new machine that will primarily be used for gaming but I also plan on doing android and web development with it. I plan on eventually installing a 2nd system drive for Linux.

I haven't built a computer for several years so I was wondering if you guys would let me know where this build can be improved. ANY insight is appreciated! Thanks!

TOTAL Cost: ~$1820

CPU: Intel i7 4770K
Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth Z87
Also Considering: ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO
GPU: GTX 780
RAM: G.SKILL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130916&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-EVGA-_-14130916]G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series (4 x 4GB) DDR3 1866[/url]
SSD: SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW
Power Supply: Corsair TX850M
Cooler: Corsair H100
Case: Corsair Obsidian 650D

When I will purchase: ASAP.
Budget: Under 2k
Monitor: Dell 27in Ultrasharp 2560 x 1440

 

[Alex_castro64]

you haven't got a gpu? :| that might help..

 

[jrod691]

you haven't got a gpu? :| that might help..

Oops... updated my post. I did pick one out, just forgot to add it.

 

[Alex_castro64]

what are you reasons for those two mobo's?

 

[g-unit1111]

No reason to overpay for a motherboard - so you don't really need the Maximus or the Sabertooth. And you also don't need 16GB of RAM. Instead of the H100, get the NZXT X60. Corsair makes some good products but they're notorious for including shoddy fans with their products.

Try this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($225.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X60 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($117.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($117.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($699.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ TigerDirect)
Total: $1675.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-25 23:39 EST-0500)

 

[jrod691]

what are you reasons for those two mobo's?

They just seemed to be the most-recommended from my research. Plus the 8 USB ports will be put to good use.

 

[jrod691]

No reason to overpay for a motherboard - so you don't really need the Maximus or the Sabertooth. And you also don't need 16GB of RAM. Instead of the H100, get the NZXT X60. Corsair makes some good products but they're notorious for including shoddy fans with their products.

Try this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($225.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X60 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($117.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($117.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($699.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ TigerDirect)
Total: $1675.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-25 23:39 EST-0500)

Thanks for the input. I've used the corsair coolers in 2 builds in the past and I have been very happy. I have a couple of questions:

1 - Why did you recommend the processor downgrade?

2 - What are the advantages of the GTX 780 and the 780Ti? Is it really worth the $200 extra after recommending I downgrade in so many other places?

 

[realchaos]

1. An i7 provides no performance increase over an i5 in games. Games do not utilize hyper-threading, which is the only difference between the two.
2. You're not necessarily "downgrading" in many places. All of the components in g-unit's build are all high quality. He just removed the un-necessary overkill parts and replaced them with parts that will perform the same for your conditions.

 

[jrod691]

1. An i7 provides no performance increase over an i5 in games. Games do not utilize hyper-threading, which is the only difference between the two.
2. You're not necessarily "downgrading" in many places. All of the components in g-unit's build are all high quality. He just removed the un-necessary overkill parts and replaced them with parts that will perform the same for your conditions.

I see. I may not have been clear enough in the OP. I'm going to use this for development as well and hopefully dabble in some 3d game development for mobile and possibly Occulus Rift.

 

[realchaos]

Ah okay.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X60 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($117.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($117.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($139.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($699.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $1785.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-26 00:51 EST-0500)

I basically took g-unit's build and put in an i7 and 16gb of ram for your development uses.
Upgraded the psu to a cheaper and bigger one.

 

[jrod691]

Ah okay.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X60 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($117.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($117.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($139.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($699.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $1785.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-26 00:51 EST-0500)

I basically took g-unit's build and put in an i7 and 16gb of ram for your development uses.
Upgraded the psu to a cheaper and bigger one.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[jrod691]

Sorry one more thing... why do you recommend the 780 Ti over the 780?

 

[realchaos]

The GTX 780 ti is stronger, which will help at 1440p.
However, the GTX 780 can still get things done at high-max. It just depends on what games you want to play, but either should do you well.