$900-$1100 USD - Gaming/Normal Use PC

[StatikP]

Approximate Purchase Date: dont really have a set date - would like it soon but may wait to get some more funds in general

Budget Range: $900-1100 - prefer to stay on the cheaper end but if ill see a big increase in FPS/functionality then i will go on the top end

Would like to include a small SSD for OS/most used apps (probably 120gb)

Would also like a 770 or 780

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming - everyday use - streaming website movies etc - no heavy video/picture editing

Are you buying a monitor: Yes but do not need it factored into the budget (if youd like to show some suggestions by all means - only really looking to spend around 100 on a monitor)


Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Microcenter is available in my location so priority because usually its the cheapest. Friend also works for Best Buy so I will be able to get the BB discounts too

Location: Chicago

Parts Preferences: Intel is preferred it seems like.

Overclocking: In the future to extend the life/if i have hiccups but not out the box

SLI or Crossfire: See overclocking

Your Monitor Resolution: Looking for a 1080p

Additional Comments: Would like a quiet PC and semi flashy case but not mandatory

 

[zemiak]

GTX 780:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($215.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H55 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($85.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($469.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1103.54
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-24 13:17 EDT-0400)

GTX 770:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.97 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H55 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($319.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1006.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-24 13:18 EDT-0400)

You can sort of combine those two builds and get a better result here, but its over budget, this would be what I would do:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.97 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H55 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($469.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1156.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-24 13:19 EDT-0400)

Monitor:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $119.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-24 13:21 EDT-0400)

 

[StatikP]

Well for instance the 4670k is only 189 at micro center so I can save some $ there in the 780 build.

Is liquid cooling tough to do? I've never had any experience with it

 

[zemiak]

Liquid cooling is not tough, all you really have to do is mount it into place and plug it in, you can find lots of tutorials online. I'm pretty sure it comes with already applied thermal paste too.

 

[StatikP]

I watched a video and it looked pretty simple. I had seen other videos/pics that looked like I had to form tubing and such that appeared difficult

 

[zemiak]

Not with the H55, watch a Corsair H55 installation video when you do, its worth the water cooling.

 

[StatikP]

I can grab the evga 780 sc for 476 (plus 20$ rebate I believe) so 456. Should I jump all over that? (I heard its a lot better than the MSI/asus)

http://www.microcenter.com/product/415279/03G-P4-2784-KR_NVIDIA_GeForce_GTX_780_Superclocked_w-ACX_Cooler_3072MB_GDDR5_PCIe_x16_30_Video_Card#

This one -- is this the good cooler?

 

[zemiak]

Yep get that! great deal if you can get it for $456, save as much money as you can! And yes that has ACX cooling which is two quieter axial fans.

 

[StatikP]

It's a "complete - open box" and includes the warranty so can't really go wrong!

But now doing more research I'm debating on possibly saving more money and going with a 770 since I plan on only running 1 monitor at 1080

Thoughts?

 

[zemiak]

a GTX 770 should be enough for your needs. It's a great card, go ahead and save the $100.