[Adding updated information on 11/18/2013]
I had a lot of help from others (many thanks to Dangman!) and currently have following parts. I am planning to get all the parts by end of November. With new AMD GPU's, I will have to wait and see how it performs...I just need final confirmation from others on following parts before I order any other parts. I am quite sure that I won't get AMD GPU's because of how new it is. But, I am leaving that option open at this point.
GPU: AMD R9 290 Variants...
[Purchased] CPU+MOBO: Intel Core i7-4770K CPU + Asus Z87-A Intel Z87 Motherboard
[Purchased] CPU Cooling: Corsair H100i
[Purchased] PSU: Corsair AX860 860W Modular PSU
[Purchased] Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model BLT8G3D1608ET3LX0
[Purchased] SSD: Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD
[Purchased] HDD: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
[Purchased] Case: Corsair 500R
[Purchased] OS: Windows 8.1 Professional 64bit OEM
[End of new information]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been building computers for years but haven't kept up with new hardware releases.
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
I am a gamer and a multi-tasker. I heavily play MMO (LoL, WoW, PoE, FFXIV, D3, etc.), watches movies, do photoshop. Plan to do dual or triple monitor setup.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
I want to stay below $1300 total (include tax and shipping) but if ~$100 to $200 gets me into much better desktop build, I am in.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
I am in CT, USA so for the first time, I can't use Microcenter.
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, MOBO, RAM, Case, GPU, wireless network card for wireless, CPU cooler (air-cooled), PSU, SSD/HDD (I think that's all I need for desktop...what am I missing?)
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
None
6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes. I never done OC but I heard it's easy. I am not sure if I want to OC GPU but I will leave it up to you to comment.
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
My gaming laptop is outdated and can't support high resolution monitors so I am building a desktop.
I am going 27" 1440p and eventually to triple. I have my eyes on Qnix QX2710 and Viewsonic VP2770 per NCX's recommendations. If I go VP2770 route, I am getting 1 for the time being. If I go with Qnix QX2710, I am most likely going to get 2. NCX is reviewing BenQ BL2710PT next month so I am thinking of waiting until he reviews that product.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Now to end of this year. I am not entirely sure about the ideal time to buy PCs. Do lots of products roll out around this time of the year?
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
I am an NVIDIA fan so SLI is a must and something I want to get into. USB 3.0, RAID, SATA, etc. seem to be pretty standard on all MOBO nowadays. Only other thing that I can think of is it has to be OC-able since I am getting OC-able CPU.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I need new OS. I am thinking of sticking with windows 7 64bit unless windows 8 is just THAT GOOD.
I found this post on reddit yesterday and it seems quite attractive. http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/1mla2p/build_help_1100_gaming_rig/
My last year's build for my brother:
http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/1293xu/need_some_opinions_on_gaming_build_parts_listed/
Additional note:
-I keep my computers for a long time and I plan to upgrade.
-I think I need SLI if I want to go triple monitor route. If I do, my preference is to stay with a single GPU instead of SLI. If there's any reasons why I should go SLI for this build, let me know.
-In terms of cooling (air cooling), expansions, and portability, I think corsair air 540 seems to be pretty good (and saw good reviews on here as well). I personally don't like generic tower cases but open for suggestions.
-Some thoughts on components:
CPU: 4670k appears to be the most common CPU.
GPU: 770 4GB seems nice for a potential SLI build (770 x2). I am an EVGA fan with 0 complaints. I am willing to jump onto different brand if needed.
PSU: I saw lots of builds with seasonic and corsair. As you can see, I built my latest one with corsair with no complaints
RAM: I think 8GB (dual 4GB) should be more than sufficient (potential to add another dual 4GB for 16GB memory)
MOBO: I am biased to ASUS but I've used ASRock.
Storage: I am looking to get 256GB SSD with a reasonable size HDD. I heard Samsung 840pro is really good based on reviews. I am a Seagate fan so leaning towards Seagate HDD.
I may have to edit this first post depending on feedbacks I am getting. I will mark them in color so it's easy to see. Thanks.
I had a lot of help from others (many thanks to Dangman!) and currently have following parts. I am planning to get all the parts by end of November. With new AMD GPU's, I will have to wait and see how it performs...I just need final confirmation from others on following parts before I order any other parts. I am quite sure that I won't get AMD GPU's because of how new it is. But, I am leaving that option open at this point.
GPU: AMD R9 290 Variants...
[Purchased] CPU+MOBO: Intel Core i7-4770K CPU + Asus Z87-A Intel Z87 Motherboard
[Purchased] CPU Cooling: Corsair H100i
[Purchased] PSU: Corsair AX860 860W Modular PSU
[Purchased] Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model BLT8G3D1608ET3LX0
[Purchased] SSD: Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD
[Purchased] HDD: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
[Purchased] Case: Corsair 500R
[Purchased] OS: Windows 8.1 Professional 64bit OEM
[End of new information]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been building computers for years but haven't kept up with new hardware releases.
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
I am a gamer and a multi-tasker. I heavily play MMO (LoL, WoW, PoE, FFXIV, D3, etc.), watches movies, do photoshop. Plan to do dual or triple monitor setup.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
I want to stay below $1300 total (include tax and shipping) but if ~$100 to $200 gets me into much better desktop build, I am in.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
I am in CT, USA so for the first time, I can't use Microcenter.
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, MOBO, RAM, Case, GPU, wireless network card for wireless, CPU cooler (air-cooled), PSU, SSD/HDD (I think that's all I need for desktop...what am I missing?)
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
None
6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes. I never done OC but I heard it's easy. I am not sure if I want to OC GPU but I will leave it up to you to comment.
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
My gaming laptop is outdated and can't support high resolution monitors so I am building a desktop.
I am going 27" 1440p and eventually to triple. I have my eyes on Qnix QX2710 and Viewsonic VP2770 per NCX's recommendations. If I go VP2770 route, I am getting 1 for the time being. If I go with Qnix QX2710, I am most likely going to get 2. NCX is reviewing BenQ BL2710PT next month so I am thinking of waiting until he reviews that product.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Now to end of this year. I am not entirely sure about the ideal time to buy PCs. Do lots of products roll out around this time of the year?
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
I am an NVIDIA fan so SLI is a must and something I want to get into. USB 3.0, RAID, SATA, etc. seem to be pretty standard on all MOBO nowadays. Only other thing that I can think of is it has to be OC-able since I am getting OC-able CPU.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I need new OS. I am thinking of sticking with windows 7 64bit unless windows 8 is just THAT GOOD.
I found this post on reddit yesterday and it seems quite attractive. http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/1mla2p/build_help_1100_gaming_rig/
My last year's build for my brother:
http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/1293xu/need_some_opinions_on_gaming_build_parts_listed/
Additional note:
-I keep my computers for a long time and I plan to upgrade.
-I think I need SLI if I want to go triple monitor route. If I do, my preference is to stay with a single GPU instead of SLI. If there's any reasons why I should go SLI for this build, let me know.
-In terms of cooling (air cooling), expansions, and portability, I think corsair air 540 seems to be pretty good (and saw good reviews on here as well). I personally don't like generic tower cases but open for suggestions.
-Some thoughts on components:
CPU: 4670k appears to be the most common CPU.
GPU: 770 4GB seems nice for a potential SLI build (770 x2). I am an EVGA fan with 0 complaints. I am willing to jump onto different brand if needed.
PSU: I saw lots of builds with seasonic and corsair. As you can see, I built my latest one with corsair with no complaints
RAM: I think 8GB (dual 4GB) should be more than sufficient (potential to add another dual 4GB for 16GB memory)
MOBO: I am biased to ASUS but I've used ASRock.
Storage: I am looking to get 256GB SSD with a reasonable size HDD. I heard Samsung 840pro is really good based on reviews. I am a Seagate fan so leaning towards Seagate HDD.
I may have to edit this first post depending on feedbacks I am getting. I will mark them in color so it's easy to see. Thanks.
Last edited: