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$3000 Computer Build

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  • Gaming
  • Computers
  • Workstations
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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June 23, 2014 11:05:58 AM

I am building a gaming computer I would like to keep under $3000 right now while keeping the best looks and more importantly performance. I am looking to have this computer as a flagship system for my new hobby and hopefully small business in the future of tech help and advice for my small town, as well as a future youtube channel, as well as a system I will use everyday for gaming and work.

Looks are very important, as the case is windowed, I would like to keep everything red and black, (except the mouse, it doesn't matter there) and I would like the best performance I can get for the money. I would like to stay away from water cooling the system, and I can go with the Corsair H100i or the H110, but I would like to stick with air cooling as much as possible for multiple reasons.

I have all my parts picked out, although I would just like whoever can help to look over my build while keeping it aesthetically pleasing and keeping the same or more performance.

Here is my build, below it I have reasons for some part choices if you are wondering why I have some parts instead of others.

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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jDgxbv
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jDgxbv/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($331.56 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek Dark Knight II SD1283 89.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($43.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Formula ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($282.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($697.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($114.39 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($21.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus PB287Q 60Hz 28.0" Monitor ($648.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Filco Majestouch-2 Wired Standard Keyboard ($178.49 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Razer Taipan Wired Laser Mouse ($63.44 @ Amazon)
Other: Blue Yeti Microphone ($113.00)
Other: Steel Series Mouse Pad ($9.99)
Total: $2945.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

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Monitor: I have a 4k monitor because it is only $60 more than the 1440p monitor I was going to get before, I just thought, why not, as even though I wouldn't be able to play most new games in 4K, I can still use the resolution for lesser games, and for photoshop, and for screen real estate for multitasking.

Motherboard: Just tell me the Asus Maximus VI Formula DOESN'T look awesome, and it has some pretty good features as well, but by all means, if you can find another black/red motherboard with more or the same features for a better price that looks alright, go ahead and suggest it!

CPU Cooler: It looks better than my other choices, the Nocturna NH-U12S, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, and it is air cooling and cheaper, compared to corsairs liquid cooling heatsinks. I also do not plan to overclock extremely, I will overclock, but not by much, so an insane heatsink is not necessary.

Memory: Again, it looks really, really cool, as well as being pretty good RAM, and also again, if you have a better choice that performs the same, looks good, and is cheaper, go ahead!

SSD: Cheap, right amount of space for the programs I would put on it without filling it up with data and the looks don't matter as much, as the Obsidian 450D has SSD Slots behind the motherboard tray, so it isn't visible right away.

HDD: Cheap, Great amount of space, if there is a cheaper SSD or HDD, go ahead and suggest it. I don't care as much about reliability, even though it is great to have, as I will be backing up important files very often to an external Hard Drive.

GPU: 780 ti is great, and even though some AMD GPUs can out perform it at higher resolutions, I would like to stick with nVidia because of what they are doing with their technology (PhysX, Sheild, g sync, etc.)

Case: Great case, great looking.

Power Supply: Not my area of expertise, but I am pretty sure I don't need much more than 750w but if I do please tell me.

Optical drive: Just a temporary optical drive to help installing Windows easier, and maybe for some old disks I have lying around...

Windows 8.1: Same price as Windows 7, more features, optimization, and I can get some applications to make Windows 8.1 look like 7.

Keyboard: Sexy, fanboyism at it's finest. I know it is very overpriced, I know I can get the same quality for less, but honestly, I want this keyboard. It looks so good, and I used to have a Filco, and I loved it...

Mouse: Seems pretty good, if you have a better suggestion go ahead!

Microphone: Mainly for recording my voice for that youtube channel I was talking about, as well as skype for any clients I have that would prefer to use that.

Mousepad: I know, $10, but I can make that in and hour and a half of work, so I am fine paying that for a mousepad.

Thanks in advanced for any help!



More about : 3000 computer build

a b 4 Gaming
June 23, 2014 11:28:25 AM

for ssd id get the crucial m550 for 156$ which is 20$ more than ur ssd - will be more reliable in hte long run
id get the 4790K is only $8 more
a b 4 Gaming
June 23, 2014 11:37:14 AM

iceblitzed said:
for ssd id get the crucial m550 for 156$ which is 20$ more than ur ssd - will be more reliable in hte long run
id get the 4790K is only $8 more


I'd get the MX100.
Related resources
June 23, 2014 12:14:28 PM

Graphiicz said:
iceblitzed said:
for ssd id get the crucial m550 for 156$ which is 20$ more than ur ssd - will be more reliable in hte long run
id get the 4790K is only $8 more


I'd get the MX100.


Thanks! Just updated my list, I will update the list on here once I get back from work!

a b 4 Gaming
June 23, 2014 12:43:22 PM

I made some changes. If you really want the 780 Ti then go for it. Also, are you overclocking? If not, you could save some money on a locked CPU and not get a cooler.

I was going to go with the NH-D15 for the cooler, but it doesn't fit your colour scheme. Luckily the PH-TC14PE performs similarly and comes in loads of different colours. I put the red one on the list, but I believe there's a black version if you'd prefer that.

I changed the case. It's full tower. If you don't have room for that, let me know.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_RD 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Formula ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($282.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($168.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($218.46 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 4GB Tri-X Video Card ($529.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($21.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Dell P2815Q 30Hz 28.0" Monitor ($554.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Filco Majestouch-2 Wired Standard Keyboard ($178.49 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Razer Taipan Wired Laser Mouse ($63.44 @ Amazon)
Other: Blue Yeti Microphone ($113.00)
Other: Steel Series Mouse Pad ($9.99)
Total: $2880.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
June 23, 2014 5:37:12 PM

I am going to stick with the 780 ti because of nVidia technology, but thanks for the advice!

I don't have room for a full tower case on my desk, sadly. I was originally going to go with a full tower case, but then I had to get a 20 inch deep desk due to my old one breaking and the 450D is 19 inches deep so it works out, although when I get a new desk in the future I will see if I can fit the 750D on it

I would change out the heatsink for the one you suggested, but sadly it is not compatible with mid tower cases, according to PC Part Picker, so I will have to stick to the Dark Knight II, but if and when I upgrade to full tower I will use this heatsink!

Yes, I will be overclocking, but just slightly. I am going to get the heatsink just for the future if I have trouble playing some games...

Thanks for the help!


July 6, 2014 3:33:08 PM

This is the LINK to my pc build, but includes only the hardware.
Here is the LINK for the case.
I would recommend the Radeon 290x in replace of the NVIDIA 780ti. It's a bit cheaper and should work with 1440p. Also, you could add some sleved cables to dramatically improve your pc's appeal from the inside. Here is the LINK for the sleeved cables.
So I would switch from 780ti to 290x, and pick up the sleeved cables. You would not be loosing any performance, and you would be gaining appeal and saving money.
!