New Gaming Build (Looking for feedback)

[tallaghi]

So I'm looking to upgrade my previous gaming computer, which is around four years old, with this one. I am looking to squeeze around 3 to 5 years out of this computer on at least High settings at a reasonable to high frame rate (60+), assuming that I will have to upgrade my GPU during that time span. Upgrading RAM in the future is not a problem, yet I think 8gb is fine for now. I'd also like to keep it around $1000-$1,100.

In addition, the monitor included in the build is a possible future purchase, and I already have the PSU on the list in my current rig, so those costs are essentially negligible. I also don't need a OS, keyboard or mouse.

What I really need from you all is some feedback on my GPU, CPU, and Motherboard choices. Looking around I have found that the 280x is better than the 770, yet the 280x seems to be $70 more and I don't know how much better it really is. Also probably most importantly choosing a Motherboard has proven difficult, at least to me. There does not seem to be that many resources online that point to the best in class Motherboards, but I have read up on some reviews that say that this Z87M Gaming is good for its money.

Sorry if this is wordy. Let me know if any more information is needed. My build is below, thanks for your time.

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54670k) | $229.97

**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper N520 43.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr920n520gp) | $38.98

**Motherboard** | [MSI Z87M GAMING Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z87mgaming) | $151.43

**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d8gbrl) | $84.99

**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $59.66

**Video Card** | [Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn770oc2gd) | $329.99

**Case** | [Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-case-challenger) | $45.33

**Power Supply** | [Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-hx750) | $129.99

**Monitor** | [Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-vg248qe) | $263.98

| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1334.32 | $940.35 without PSU and Monitor

 

[animal]

I'd swap motherboards to the Asus Maximus VI Hero and the CPU cooler to the CM Hyper 212 EVO (for light to moderate overclocking) or a high-end air cooler/AIO liquid cooler if you plan on intense or extreme overclocking. Concerning your video card selection, personally I like/prefer NVidia GPUs, but I would suggest you do some internet searches for which GPU(s) perform best in the games you are wanting to play.

If you change coolers, just make sure the one you select will not incur any interference from your motherboard or case as well as that the cooler won't cover/interfere/restrict RAM slots and your selected memory height.

Also do your homework and make sure the memory you select is compatible with the motherboard you decide on.

AS far as your choice of a monitor, from what I have read/heard, it's one of the best out there. But by the time you decide to get it, make sure that you check to see if any G-Sync monitors have been released yet.

 

[tallaghi]

I'd swap motherboards to the Asus Maximus VI Hero and the CPU cooler to the CM Hyper 212 EVO (for light to moderate overclocking) or a high-end air cooler/AIO liquid cooler if you plan on intense or extreme overclocking. Concerning your video card selection, personally I like/prefer NVidia GPUs, but I would suggest you do some internet searches for which GPU(s) perform best in the games you are wanting to play.

If you change coolers, just make sure the one you select will not incur any interference from your motherboard or case as well as that the cooler won't cover/interfere/restrict RAM slots and your selected memory height.

Also do your homework and make sure the memory you select is compatible with the motherboard you decide on.

AS far as your choice of a monitor, from what I have read/heard, it's one of the best out there. But by the time you decide to get it, make sure that you check to see if any G-Sync monitors have been released yet.

Thanks for your input! I'll look into the Maximus VI Hero, as well as the CM Hyper 212 EVO. I'm not so into liquid cooling because I don't quite trust myself to install it.

 

[Scionyde]

Assuming you want to stay around the price listed in your initial build, perhaps go a little cheaper on the motherboard and get a small SSD as your boot drive?

 

[tallaghi]

Assuming you want to stay around the price listed in your initial build, perhaps go a little cheaper on the motherboard and get a small SSD as your boot drive?

I was thinking about getting a 128GB SSD if I get get one on sale for cheap. I've seen what they can do and it really is amazing, but I would rather spend some extra money and get a better motherboard, and grab a SSD than settle on performance.

 

[Scionyde]

Assuming you want to stay around the price listed in your initial build, perhaps go a little cheaper on the motherboard and get a small SSD as your boot drive?

I was thinking about getting a 128GB SSD if I get get one on sale for cheap. I've seen what they can do and it really is amazing, but I would rather spend some extra money and get a better motherboard, and grab a SSD than settle on performance.

Fair enough. But just in case you're still curious, there's a 120GB one from Kingston you can get for pretty cheap currently, and I think that's the best price you'll see unless there's a really nice temporary sale that pops up.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-internal-hard-drive-sv300s37a120g

 

[Scionyde]

Also, alternatively, you could try and go as cheap as possible elsewhere in your build, and *almost* make a GTX 780 while being slightly over budget.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.97 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.66 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($489.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill Galaxy-01 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1017.58 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) (Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-05 13:46 EST-0500)