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]

Originally Posted by notorious

I am looking at a Zotac GTX 760 for $238. They are offering Assassin Creed 4 for free with purchase. Is Assassin Creed 4 for PC any good?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814500306

I would spend $10 more and get a card with a better cooling system. If you read the comments on that card a lot of people complain about the fan on it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DHW4HS4/?tag=pcpapi-20

Amazon is also offering AC4, and their shipping is free so it's $5 for a much better cooler.

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by notorious

I am looking at a Zotac GTX 760 for $238. They are offering Assassin Creed 4 for free with purchase. Is Assassin Creed 4 for PC any good?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814500306


I just purchased an EVGA 750 watt power supply for $54 (84 minus $30 rebate) for the future in case I want to double up on power cards.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got AC 4 with my 780. Its decent, its similar to arkham city with pirate ships.

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by jd1020

I would spend $10 more and get a card with a better cooling system. If you read the comments on that card a lot of people complain about the fan on it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DHW4HS4/?tag=pcpapi-20

Amazon is also offering AC4, and their shipping is free so it's $5 for a much better cooler.

I can vouch for the EVGA ACX cooler cards, my 780 has one and it runs extremely cool and quiet both. Highly recommend.

I also used Amazon for the same reason.

[notorious]

Thanks, guys.

The EVGA and PNY look huge. I am going to do some measuring to see if they will fit.


Also, if (more like when) I get another 760 or 770 to pair with this one, does it double the power, or does it just add a little more performance?

I know my weenie 660 doesn't have dual PCI slots, but eventually I might upgrade with a new case and MB.

[Ragged Robin]

Originally Posted by notorious

Thanks, guys.

The EVGA and PNY look huge. I am going to do some measuring to see if they will fit.


Also, if (more like when) I get another 760 or 770 to pair with this one, does it double the power, or does it just add a little more performance?

I know my weenie 660 doesn't have dual PCI slots, but eventually I might upgrade with a new case and MB.

Check out this chart here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ew,3107-7.html

Unless the card is three tiers or higher then you won't see too much of a performance increase at all and isn't worth it (unless you're an uber enthusiast with a ton of cash to throw around of course)

As for cases, IMO I always look for sleek, no-nonsense styles. Black interior, bottom mounted PSU, screwless HDD trays and good cable management. I've built a couple Corsair Carbide Series 300R's and it's a great midtower with all of these features.

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by notorious

Thanks, guys.

The EVGA and PNY look huge. I am going to do some measuring to see if they will fit.


Also, if (more like when) I get another 760 or 770 to pair with this one, does it double the power, or does it just add a little more performance?

I know my weenie 660 doesn't have dual PCI slots, but eventually I might upgrade with a new case and MB.

you will be fine with a good 750 and 2 760s and 770s

[notorious]

Originally Posted by hometeam

you will be fine with a good 750 and 2 760s and 770s

Oh, I know my PS is fine, I was wondering what kind of performance increase I would get from dual cards in the future.

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by notorious

Oh, I know my PS is fine, I was wondering what kind of performance increase I would get from dual cards in the future.

SLI you will see major increases. It wont double, but they will be major.

They will be even more noticeable on higher resolutions, like 4k, and even 1440.


We may end up getting lucky with the new mantle API, and see direct X step up there game with a low level api of there own, and see MAJOR increases in effective power, but you will need to be in the new AMD cards, or the gk110 core nvidia cards, so that means 770 and above.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by notorious

Oh, I know my PS is fine, I was wondering what kind of performance increase I would get from dual cards in the future.

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages...li_review.html

Go through their benchmarks.

They have both single and sli benchmarks compared to other cards.

SLI 760's is on par, and sometimes better, than a Titan.

[Ragged Robin]

Not to poopoo on your parade, but exactly what game are you pushing and at what resolution that would require you to need SLI? At this point, single mid-range cards can run anything at max settings with a decent frame rate so long as you have a decent CPU behind it. Software has not caught up to hardware performance at all and it isn't even close..

[notorious]

I am looking to the future.

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by Ragged Robin

Not to poopoo on your parade, but exactly what game are you pushing and at what resolution that would require you to need SLI? At this point, single mid-range cards can run anything at max settings with a decent frame rate so long as you have a decent CPU behind it. Software has not caught up to hardware performance at all and it isn't even close..

Try running DayZ SA on 1080p at ultra with a single card. I custom overclocked my 780 to levels beyond what magazines did to best Titan scores. This is paired with 16 gigs of nice ram, a huge OCed 3930k, water cooling, game installed on a very fast SSD. etc.

I get 30 fps in cities at 1080p. when I go up to 1440 I know im going to be dissapointed by basically the most powerful card out right now (780TI is marginally faster)

Im just saying, IF you wanted to be that guy. Im answering his hypothetical question, becuase i'm that guy that a single card isnt going to cut it for.

Not to mention, when the time comes and he wants to SLI his single 760 to 770, prices will have already dropped dramatically from where they stand even now.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by notorious

Thanks, guys.

The EVGA and PNY look huge. I am going to do some measuring to see if they will fit.

According to newegg, the EVGA card is only .05" longer than the one you picked out.

ZOTAC: 9.45" x 4.376" x 1.38"

EVGA: 9.5" x 4.376"

[notorious]

Originally Posted by jd1020

According to newegg, the EVGA card is only .05" longer than the one you picked out.

ZOTAC: 9.45" x 4.376" x 1.38"

EVGA: 9.5" x 4.376"

Awesome.

I have 10 1/4" to work with from the back of case to the HD cage.

Thanks for the info!

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by notorious

Awesome.

I have 10 1/4" to work with from the back of case to the HD cage.

Thanks for the info!

Ladies like em big.