Help building my first gaming rig

[Shogun]

The PC vs Console thread really got me going (although, I've been wanting to do this for some time) I want to build a nice gaming rig that I can use to play some PC exclusives on as well as not having to worry about it being slow as hell compared to my POS laptop.

What I want -

1. Must be able to run graphics at med/high settings. (770 card?)
2. I'd like to have good storage for movies/music (I don't know the advantages/differences of an SSD/HDD.
3. I'd like to have an HDMI port so I can move it into my living room on the big screen.
4. I do need a monitor. Undecided whether or not I want to run a dual/tri monitor setup yet.
5. I still burn CD's and Dvds. Will need a drive that supports both.
6. 8 GB of Ram at least with options to upgrade to 16gb in the future.

To sum It up I want a Rig that can do it all with little to no issues speed wise. I have a budget of around $1000, which is pretty flexible.

I also like pretty things. So I'm not afraid to spend a little more on a nicer case. Am a big fan of the Cooler Master Stryker case, I love the cases with the windows in the side with LEDS.

If anybody would like to help me I would greatly appreciate it. I just want to be apart of the PC master race.



EDIT:

This is build I am going with, unless I find good deals on better components.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/287w2
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/287w2/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/287w2/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($174.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($312.99 @ B&H)
Case: Corsair Vengeance C70 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series SP120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 37.9 CFM 120mm Fans ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1268.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-26 20:46 EST-0500)

[jd1020]

Get low profile RAM.

That CPU cooler will prevent you from putting in those tall vengeance memory sticks.

[Shogun]

I didnt mean to add the vengeance sticks on there, i had another one hilighted and accidentally put the corsair ones in. the ones i meant to add are much smaller

[hometeam]

The difference in a 660 and a 770 is pretty massive TBH.

Dual 660s might be as fast as a 770. You picked a 3gb model, and the 2gb models are going for 170 now.

Also, you can save a ton of money on that keyboard. I game hard on a 5 dollar walmart keyboard :/

I saw the gateway available, but the benQ is a better monitor.

So, still a powerful build, but now your missing an SSD and half your GPU power.

[Shogun]

Originally Posted by hometeam

The difference in a 660 and a 770 is pretty massive TBH.

Dual 660s might be as fast as a 770. You picked a 3gb model, and the 2gb models are going for 170 now.

Also, you can save a ton of money on that keyboard. I game hard on a 5 dollar walmart keyboard :/

I saw the gateway available, but the benQ is a better monitor.

So, still a powerful build, but now your missing an SSD and half your GPU power.

I thought the drive I got was a Hybid SSD/HDD? If not I can change that.

Yeah the video card is definitely still up in the air. I can do the 770 just fine but I was just taking some recommendations. I may go back to it nonetheless. The keyboard, I have a wireless Logitech mouse and keyboard, but frankly I've always wanted one of these keyboards and I just wanted to splurge and get it. Monitor the same deal, I will keep looking for better deals, I'm going to Micro Center tomorrow to see what deals they have.

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by Shogun

I thought the drive I got was a Hybid SSD/HDD? If not I can change that.

Yeah the video card is definitely still up in the air. I can do the 770 just fine but I was just taking some recommendations. I may go back to it nonetheless. The keyboard, I have a wireless Logitech mouse and keyboard, but frankly I've always wanted one of these keyboards and I just wanted to splurge and get it. Monitor the same deal, I will keep looking for better deals, I'm going to Micro Center tomorrow to see what deals they have.

Oh, i actually didnt click into the drive. A hybrid drive is fine, and you will see some performance gains, but tis not the same as having a dedicated SSD. Its not part SSD and part HDD, its a HDD that has SSD caching, so it doesn't work like 'i choose what goes on the SSD part and what goes on the HDD part'

[Shogun]

What would you normally just put on the SSD? The OS and what else? Just bigger program files that you don't want on your HDD, leaving your HDD clean for games/music/movies?

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by Shogun

What would you normally just put on the SSD? The OS and what else? Just bigger program files that you don't want on your HDD, leaving your HDD clean for games/music/movies?

I have an 80 gb ssd and run only my OS

[Shogun]

I have a 1tb external so I'm fine leaving that plugged in with my music on it

[Setsuna]

I think SSD are overrated. If it's only used for a faster boot up that's reeruned for over 100 large.

[Shogun]

So I guess my main question now is my gpu. Do I splurge and get the 770? Or keep lookin

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by Shogun

What would you normally just put on the SSD? The OS and what else? Just bigger program files that you don't want on your HDD, leaving your HDD clean for games/music/movies?

I put my most played games on there. Think some game that loads alot.. like.. skyrim, or guild wars 2, etc. Every time it has to read off the HDD.. well you can wait 10, 20, 30 seconds to load your data, or you can load from SSD in 3,4,5 seconds instead of waiting. You will also see overall increased performance on your gmae becuase any other time it checks the disk its instant as well. I have a 240gb corsair force GT so i load it up with whatever game(s) im spending alot of time on at the moment, then switch it when im done with it.

The hybrid drive WILL work in this way somewhat, but it will only keep cached copy of certain 'most used' data on the SSD portion.

[Shogun]

I really like the aspect. One of the biggest issues I have personally is waiting for ****ing ever for stuff to load. Absolutely hate it. If I have to spend 1500 to beast everything I will. I'm all in at this point! I may eventually want to add something where I can watch tv on one screen and play d3 on the other

[hometeam]

If i was building a system today I would go with the 770 for the sole fact that JUST by adding another 770 in a couple of years, you can extend the useful life of the system quite a bit.

Now, or at that time, that will require a 7-800w PSU, I think I payed 60 bucks for my 850w corsair PSU.

[Shogun]

I've been leaning towards the 770 from the beginning. I'm on my phone right now so I can't check what power supply I'd need down the line if I added another 770

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by Shogun

I've been leaning towards the 770 from the beginning. I'm on my phone right now so I can't check what power supply I'd need down the line if I added another 770

a 700w minimum will do it.