Gaming Rig, Hardstyle

[Linkz]

Hey everyone, HardForum has been my go to for years when i want advice on new gaming rigs. Thanks Danny Bui and tiraides for the big help in past builds. Ok here we go.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, anything current and soon to come
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
I wanna say $800-1000 shipped, but if I have to bend a little I can.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
US - Orlando, FL
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
Video Card
RAM
PSU
SSD
Storage Drive
Case
Optical Drive
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Mouse, keyboard, and 2 monitors
6) Will you be overclocking?
No
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1920x1200, I have a 28" HANNS-G and a 24" Dell
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within the month
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.
USB 3.0, SATA 6, other then that, I guess advise on what I should get
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, Windows 7 64 bit

Note: I want either a Orange/Black theme (those being my favorite colors) or a Razer Green theme, since I have the mech keyboard from them and I enjoy the color. Meaning like case, and mobo and ram if possible to be colored. I know I shouldn't pick a part around the color so this will mostly apply to the case. I'll be checking this frequently and replying often, so thanks in advance!

 

[Dangman]

$190 - Intel Core i5-4570 CPU
$80 - MSI B85M-G43 Intel H87 mATX Motherboard
$60 - Corsair CMV8GX3M1A1600C11 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$260 - Gigabyte GV-N760OC-2GD GTX 760 2GB PCI-E Video Card
$99 - Samsung 840 120GB SSD
$63 - Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$20 - LG GH24NS95B DVD Burner
$80 - Seasonic G Series SSR-550RM 550W Modular PSU
---
Total: $852 shipped

As for cases, this mITX case might fit the bill:
$90 - BitFenix Atomic Orange mITX Case

Do note that if you do go with the above case, you have to swap out the motherboard in the above build list to a mITX motherboard. I recommend this mITX:
$111 - ASRock H87M-ITX LGA 1150 Intel H87 mITX Motherboard

If you want an ATX setup, these two cases fits your color theme wants:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146073
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146079

To be honest, I don't recommend either of those NZXT Phantom cases for three reasons:
1) Lack of free shipping
2) Outdated: Neither have USB 3.0 front panel ports
3) There are better cooling cases out there.

But if you must have a color theme case, then go for the NZXT Phantom Black/Green case since it currently has a 20% off promo code "NZXT20PCA13". So if theres any part I would recommend buying now, the case would be it. For shits and giggles, here's a list of cases equal to or better than the NZXT Phantom:
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$100 - Antec 1100 ATX Case
$105 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case
$144 - Silverstone RV03B-W ATX case
$144 - Silverstone RV03B-WA ATX case
$150 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case

 

[Linkz]

Not a huge fan of the case selections but I'll thumb through more options. Do I need a Mid or Full tower case? Also why not an I7?

I have these these changes tell me if you think they are good.

RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

GPU EVGA 04G-P4-3768-KR GeForce GTX 760 FTW 4GB 256-bit GDDR5

Case APEVIA X-CRUISER3 X-CRUISER3-GN Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer

PSU CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-750TX 750W

I don't care weather its Newegg or Amazon, I just find newegg to be easier to navigate.

 

[Dangman]

You really only need a mid-ATX case. Though you'll be fine with a good mITX or mATX case as well. Also, you're not doing anything that would require an i7 CPU.

If you can get that RAM with the $11 off promo code "0813BTS22", then that G.Skill RAM is a good choice. Without that promo code, not worth it.

As for the video card, you're not playing at a high enough resolution where that extra 4GB of RAM would actually help. We're talking about triple-monitor gaming if you want to make that 4GB of VRAM really worthwhile.

I did see that case during my search but I wasn't going to recommend it since I'm assuming you're an intelligent adult. That Apevia isn't a good choice for the money since there are significantly better quality and better cooling cases out there for around that price point. With the front door closed, that's going to obstruct a lot of the airflow coming from the front.

You have not mentioned any plans for SLI or Crossfire, heavy duty overclocking, and/or having 20+ hard drives in your system. As such, no point for you to get that Corsair 750W PSU. You'll be fine with a solid 550W PSU. Even if you needed a 750W PSU, that Corsair still wouldn't be a good choice since it's not modular and that the higher quality and modular Corsair HX750 costs like $5 more. But again, you only need a 550W PSU.

 

[Linkz]

Alright just some further clarification for my part.

I'll scrap that case, I'll see what else I can find from a better company.

Now about the CPU, is going up to the 4670 a waste of money? Normally I get EVGA GPUs and Corsair PSU, any reason you choose the ones you did? Was it more bang for buck? Or they are better? I've never even heard of Seasonic before. But like I said before I consider y'all the experts.

 

[Dangman]

Now about the CPU, is going up to the 4670 a waste of money? Normally I get EVGA GPUs and Corsair PSU, any reason you choose the ones you did? Was it more bang for buck? Or they are better? I've never even heard of Seasonic before. But like I said before I consider y'all the experts.

The 4670 is a waste of money. I chose the Gigabyte GPU and Seasonic PSU because they had a good bang for the buck value. In the case of the Gigabyte, it has one of the better air coolers out there. With that said, the eVGA GTX 760 2GB with the ACX cooler would be the closest equivalent to that Gigabyte if you must have eVGA:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130933

You've been a member of this forum for 5.6 years and you've never heard of Seasonic? For shame! In all seriousness, Seasonic is one of the top PSU manufacturers in the world. In fact, at one point, they manufactured a lot of Corsair's PSUs like the Corsair HX620, HX520, TX650, AX850, etc. A handful of Corsair PSUs are still manufactured by Seasonic. In this case however, Corsair had nothing in the $80 price range that was of equal or better quality than that Seasonic 550W.

 

[Linkz]

Ah excellent! See? I come here to learn, I'll post any updates.

I WISH I could have this case, I remember when it first came out and was like 100 bucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CoolerMaste...9477?pt=US_Computer_Cases&hash=item3f2788ffe5

I'll pose another question, any case that would be more easily paintable if I decided to do a custom paint job?

 

[Dangman]

You can paint most cases as long as you have the skill and the right paints to do so.

 

[Linkz]

Hey what about a heatsink?

Also does it matter if I have one stick of 8GB RAM vs 2 x 4GB RAM?

 

[Linkz]

How about case lights? Any recommendation? I've used cold cathodes in the past and they were decent, but maybe I should go for LEDs? I'm looking for green ones.

Also I'm leaning toward this case

 

[Dangman]

Hey what about a heatsink?

If you can afford it and you want an upgrade over the stock HSF:
$28 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156

Also does it matter if I have one stick of 8GB RAM vs 2 x 4GB RAM?

In terms of performance, nope.

How about case lights? Any recommendation? I've used cold cathodes in the past and they were decent, but maybe I should go for LEDs? I'm looking for green ones.

Hit up the Cases subforum for advice on that.

Also I'm leaning toward this case

The lack of a side fan kinda affects the GPU cooling of that system. With that said, not an entirely bad choice.

 

[Linkz]

How do you feel about the CORSAIR Hydro Series H100i over a heat sink?

Edit added link

 

[Linkz]

Update:

This is the case I will get Case

I'll probably get 6 120 fans, so should I do the Hydro or just a heatsink? Also say I wanted to get into overclocking (futureproof), how would be PSU, CPU and Mobo change?

Edit: This is my current Amazon cart

What do you think?

 

[Dangman]

Not a fan of that case since it is rather cramped compared to similarity priced cases out there. The H100i is worth if you are aiming for extremely high overclocking. Otherwise, the Corsair H80i is good enough.

Ditch the AS5 as there are better thermal paste out there now like the MX5. Also if you Want to overclock, you will need to upgrade he motherboard to the ASUS Z87-A Or MSI Z87-G43.

 

[Linkz]

Any other case recommendation along the same lines with more room? I like the 3.0 in the front and the glass on the side, I was gonna put orange led fans on the side of the case I had picked so maybe something else that could support that. Also the handle on top is conveint for moving for LAN parties.

 

[Dangman]

Any other case recommendation along the same lines with more room?

I'm pretty sure I've already recommended some other cases already in this thread.

 

[Linkz]

Alright well thanks again, wrap up question, does it look like the H100i will fit in CM Storm Scout 2 Advanced?

 

[Dangman]

Edit: This is my current Amazon cart

What do you think?

Just double-checked that list again: Why are you getting the RAM from Amazon? It's stupidly overpriced there. Also, do not get a 2 x 4GB RAM set as that will limit your future RAM upgrade capability.

In addition, why are you getting those glasses?

Alright well thanks again, wrap up question, does it look like the H100i will fit in CM Storm Scout 2 Advanced?

It looks like you'll have to mount the H100i outside of the case as it cannot fit inside. If you're going to stick with the Storm Scout 2 Advanced, at least get a suitable HSF for it like the Corsair H80i.

Just to reiterate: I don't think the Coolermaster Storm Scout 2 Advanced is a good choice for a case since it's cramped compared to similarily priced cases out there. I don't see any good reason to get that case unless it was like $60 shipped.

 

[Linkz]

I just like the style, honestly I'd much rather have the CM Storm Stryker but I'd like it in black. Now the same style in black is that CM Storm Trooper but it doesn't have the glass to show off the pretty inside. I really like the metal carrying bar for LANs and such.

I took out the glasses I was just looking at them since a friend said he got them. Also I don't think I'll ever go above 16GB RAM. But I could look at a single 8GB stick.

 

[Dangman]

I just like the style, honestly I'd much rather have the CM Storm Stryker but I'd like it in black. .

Huh? The Storm Stryker does come in black. Click on the Black version of that case under "Color".

Now the same style in black is that CM Storm Trooper but it doesn't have the glass to show off the pretty inside. I really like the metal carrying bar for LANs and such.

How often do you actually go to LANs though?

Also I don't think I'll ever go above 16GB RAM. But I could look at a single 8GB stick.

i.e the RAM I linked to earlier.

 

[Linkz]

If you look closely when you click the black icon under "Color" it changes from the Stryker to the Trooper.

Are you a fan for the White Stryker? Its growing on me.

The RAM stick you picked out earlier looks so "plain" haha. Does the lack of a RAM heaksink matter? I suppose it would stick out less, thus giving more room.

 

[Dangman]

If you look closely when you click the black icon under "Color" it changes from the Stryker to the Trooper.

That might be a misnaming. I'm seeing a black Stryker. Looks like the White Stryker but without the window. Oh wait, I get it now: The CM Storm Stryker is an updated white version of the black CM Storm Trooper.

Are you a fan for the White Stryker? Its growing on me.

Not really. The quality of the case doesn't impress me for the price it is.

The RAM stick you picked out earlier looks so "plain" haha. Does the lack of a RAM heaksink matter? I suppose it would stick out less, thus giving more room.

No it doesn't matter. Remember that RAM voltages have gone down and therefore the need for heatsinks is even less than in the past.

 

[Linkz]

I can get the White Stryker shipped for 136.00 on NewEgg. Maybe still a tad pricey but I dunno I just love how it looks. I think it's the one, and I changed the RAM back.

 

[tiraides]

I can get the White Stryker shipped for 136.00 on NewEgg. Maybe still a tad pricey but I dunno I just love how it looks.

That promo code expires tomorrow (8/29). Are you ready to jump on that tonight?

I think it's the one, and I changed the RAM back.

You mean back to the Ripjaws X? Listen to Danny Bui on the RAM.

Or, we can take it one step further:

$55 - Crucial Ballistix Sport Very Low Profile 8GB DDR3 1600 CL9 1.35V DIMM

For $11 less than the Ripjaws, you have one 8GB stick of RAM with equal timings, a lower voltage, a much lower physical profile (allowing you to use any CPU cooler available), and it matches your preferred color "profile" (for lack of a better term). And again, there is no difference in performance between that solitary stick of RAM and a 2x4GB dual-channel kit.

Don't spend more money than you need to spend. Just go for the Crucial RAM.

 

[frogger42]

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents worth on the case if it isn't too late. I just got a Corsair C70 Vengeance in Gunmetal Black and I love it. Very nice, well made, roomy case. It has the handles if you want to carry it to a LAN party. Also, everything is metal so it would be easy to paint to fit your color scheme. They come in Gunmetal Black, Arctic White and Military Green. If you are going to paint the whole thing, white would probably be the easiest to cover. If you just want Black with some color highlights, the Gunmetal Black looks real good. If you attend LAN parties for war themed games like CoD, Battlefield, etc... the military look would be really cool.

Looks like the white one is on sale right now for $99.99

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Venge...&qid=1377677742&sr=8-3&keywords=c70+vengeance

 

[Linkz]

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents worth on the case if it isn't too late. I just got a Corsair C70 Vengeance in Gunmetal Black and I love it. Very nice, well made, roomy case. It has the handles if you want to carry it to a LAN party. Also, everything is metal so it would be easy to paint to fit your color scheme. They come in Gunmetal Black, Arctic White and Military Green. If you are going to paint the whole thing, white would probably be the easiest to cover. If you just want Black with some color highlights, the Gunmetal Black looks real good. If you attend LAN parties for war themed games like CoD, Battlefield, etc... the military look would be really cool.

Looks like the white one is on sale right now for $99.99

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Venge...&qid=1377677742&sr=8-3&keywords=c70+vengeance

Its a neat and sturdy looking case but you can't show off your internals.

 

[frogger42]

Its a neat and sturdy looking case but you can't show off your internals.

Sure you can. It has a window on the side. It has the mesh for a fan, but it is clear and you can see inside very well.