First time building gaming PC and looking for advice.

[Devout Atheist]

As the title implies this is my first time building a gaming PC. So I'm hoping I'll get some feedback and get pointed the right direction. My budget for this build is around the $2500 range. I don't mind exceeding the budget a bit if it means a sizable difference in performance.

I'll primarily be using this for just gaming. I'd like be able to play all the more graphic intensive games at max and maintain solid fps. I have no plans for tons of pictures, music, videos or anything like that. I'd also like to start fiddling with overclocking a bit.

Will probably only having a handful of games, third party programs, Skype/Ventrilo and Windows. So, I was thinking being able to have everything on the SSD would be nice (not 100% sure that a good idea or not). I'm quite scared I'll end up bottleneck the PC somewhere like the video card, but I have no way of knowing whats enough or not enough. This is pretty much what I've been eyeballing lately.

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($174.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2666 Memory ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($382.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Dual Superclocked ACX Video Card ($359.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe ATX Full Tower Case ($149.00 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P2 1000W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($169.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($264.99 @ Amazon)
Headphones: ROCCAT Kave XTD 5.1 Premium 5.1 Channel Headset ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2202.90

I had also planned on building a custom water cooling loop for the CPU... but not sure how important it'd be for a GPU (water loop doesn't need to be calculated into budget). Anyway my knowledge with building a PC is quite limited so any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[gizzard1987]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.93 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Extreme ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($308.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier SP610 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($239.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290X 4GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($549.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe ATX Full Tower Case ($149.00 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P2 1000W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($169.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($264.99 @ Amazon)
Headphones: ROCCAT Kave XTD 5.1 Premium 5.1 Channel Headset ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2457.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-14 00:10 EDT-0400

This is what I chose for that budget.

First I changed the motherboard. You're going to want a good overclocking motherboard if you want to get the most that you can out of it. That motherboard comes with all the tools you're going to need to overclock easily, and without frying your rig. Also with that motherboard you get premier Asus ROG support for any and all features on the motherboard. I kept your ram because it's a solid set. Though, you'll probably never need 16 GB for the gaming. I changed your SSD for the top pick for the 512 range from Tom's Hardware reviews HERE. I bumped you up to a 290x because for that budget, why go with a 770 when it already struggles in new titles for 60 fps? The 290x will eat through anything current and future for a good long while. I kept your case because, well hey, if they were out when I bought my HAF 932, I would have bought one. They're amazing! The EVGA 1000w P2 is a solid power supply and with a platinum rating, you're looking at a solid PSU for at least the 10 year warranty. That's more than most people can hope their builds will last for. I added in an Asus DVD/CD drive because you listed buying a windows disk, but no drive to read it. If you don't need it, there's 20 bucks you can save. That monitor is amazing at that price point for 144 Hz, not to mention, they have great picture quality. I can't really speak on the Roccat headset, but you picked it originally so I left it.

As for the custom loop cooler, that's out of my expertise. I personally would look into the CM Eisberg 240L or the Swiftech H220-X as these AIO Water Coolers are designed to be a platform for adding more loops to them, and have parts readily available to order from the manufacturers. The H220-X is not readily available yet, but it should be very very soon.

Since you're spending soooo much on your build, I would get in touch with Newegg, sometimes they will price match if you're buying a lot at once. If you don't like that hassle, the online sales for Cyber Monday and Black Friday sales will be coming up very soon. I got my 1500 dollar rig for just under 800 bucks with black friday/cyber monday online sales.

 

[Devout Atheist]

Awesome thanks for the quick reply. Motherboard are one of the items that kind of puzzle me a bit. What should you look for in a motherboard? I noticed it the one you suggested has the older z87 versus the newer z97 chipset but from what I read that doesn't mean a whole lot.

 

[gizzard1987]

I actually chose the wrong motherboard. That's my bad. That motherboard will work, but you will most likely need to update the bios beforehand. You can get the updated version which is the same price, but it's the VII instead. I don't really think there's much benefit for novice users from 87 to 97 chipset, but to avoid problems with setting up, I would suggest the 97 chipset motherboard.


Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII FORMULA ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($308.99 @ B&H)


The only thing I'm not sure of, is if the newer version still comes with the handheld OC tool. Not thinking this is a making or breaking point, but I like gadgets >.<