Looking for input/advice on $1500 gaming build before ordering

[cyrg0]

The goal is to make a good gaming desktop for the purpose of playing Guild Wars 2, Civilization 5 and Skyrim, with a maximum ceiling of $1500, and this will be my first build.

I will be using an older Samsung SyncMaster 923nw to serve as a second monitor, and I'd prefer this build to be as quiet as possible, though actual performance have greater priority

Any thoughts and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($174.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($68.85 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($171.55 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($324.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: Encore ENEWI-2XN45 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($13.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Tough Power 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.00 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1494.22
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-27 02:02 EST-0500)

 

[chrisso]

First off, you can pick up widows 7 hp for about $40 on ebay.
(the code is for the pc, so 32 or 64 bit is the same code as long as you use the correct (home premium etc) O/S.

 

[chrisso]

I would dunk that psu in the drink and buy something like an xfx 550 pro.
(this is much better made, esp for overclocking)

 

[chrisso]

Without cutting on the board there isnt much else to say really. You could cut down on the ssd size, to save a few bob (its a lot for windows and a few current games) Nice price on the monitor; I wish I could get one in the uk for that.

 

[cyrg0]

I would dunk that psu in the drink and buy something like an xfx 550 pro.
(this is much better made, esp for overclocking)

Is there something particularly bad with the Thermaltake PSU? I thought that the 80+ Gold rating was more efficient than the 80+ Bronze, and the Thermaltake is capable of supporting a higher wattage which may be good for future use if I wish to add more components.

Thanks in advance!