Looking for assistance on new build

[steihl]

Hello!

So it's been about 6.5 years since I built my last PC and it's definitely time for an upgrade because Dragon Age 3 runs at less than 1 FPS on my current build sadly I haven't managed to keep up with all the latest trends in computer hardware so can definitely use your expert advice! Here's what I'm looking for:

Budget: Around $1,500, but willing to go up to $2,000 if justifiable

Preferences: (tried to include all the info I could based on the sticky posts)
- Primarily uses are for general everyday computing and gaming with emphasis on gaming
- Intel CPU
- SSD for main drive. Currently I have 2 main drives setup as RAID 1 in case of failure. Does it make sense to do that with SSD drives? If so, I'd like that included in the build. If not, then I'll just have 1 main drive.
- Large, non-SSD for storage drive
- Don't need monitor
- Don't need sound card. Built-in audio is fine
- Would like the case to be large enough so that assembly is not too tight and wire management clean. But doesn't have to be huge.
- Don't really plan to overclock so I don't need a fancy heat sink. Main reason is because I can never get those things installed properly and they're ridiculously huge!
- Probably want at least 8GB RAM. More if it makes sense
- 1 optical drive is fine. Don't really plan to burn any discs but these are pretty cheap anyway if I recall so anything here is fine.
- Good mouse / keyboard for competitive gaming! Probably doesn't matter much but interested to see what people like these days.
- I already have a copy of Windows 7 so I don't need that factored in. Should be able to re-install it on the new build
- Don't really need any optional peripherals
- Don't plan to use existing hardware that I own except monitor
- I'll be buying my parts in USA
- Mostly will be running at 1920x1080
- I plan to purchase the parts and build it immediately

Thanks so much!

 

[Cerb]

- SSD for main drive. Currently I have 2 main drives setup as RAID 1 in case of failure. Does it make sense to do that with SSD drives? If so, I'd like that included in the build. If not, then I'll just have 1 main drive.

The chances of failure are there, but slim, and only protect against one SSD failing. Better to implement backups, protecting your data from loss on perfectly healthy hardware, and failed hardware.

- Would like the case to be large enough so that assembly is not too tight and wire management clean. But doesn't have to be huge.

Is the standard Fractal Design R5 huge? What about the cheaper Corsair R300?

- Good mouse / keyboard for competitive gaming! Probabl doesn't matter much but interested to see what people like these days.

Overclock.net has tons of good info on this. As long as reasonably probable key combos don't get missed, rollover is way overhyped. Feel is not. There are many more objective measures for mice, but then it still depends on how you use it (DPI, surface, and grip type being the main things).

- I already have a copy of Windows 7 so I don't need that factored in. Should be able to re-install it on the new build

If it's a retail license, or multipack with unused activations, sure. OEM, not so much.

 

[nsafreak]

Welcome to the forums. I will start out by saying that the toughest advice any forum goer will have is giving advice on the peripherals. Some folks prefer mechanical keyboards while others prefer a membrane keyboard and even then there's a wide variety of different switches on the mechanical keyboards as well. Mouses are also a very personal choice. If possible you may want to see about trying some of the recommendations I'll make for those peripherals yourself if at all possible. So without further ado here's what I'd recommend for a build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($91.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($359.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair Air 540 ATX Mid Tower Case ($129.00 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($73.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: ROCCAT ISKU Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Mouse: Zowie FK1 Wired Optical Mouse ($59.48 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1439.27
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 20:14 EST-0500

So a brief rundown on why I'm recommending what I have listed on this build.

CPU: By far the best performing CPU in your budget range without going nuts and moving to the X99 platform. For what you've listed going the X99 route would be overkill and is not necessary. I went with the K over the non K for two reasons. One, it's dead simple to overclock nowadays unless you're trying to reach the maximum peak for a CPU. It's a simple matter of changing the clock multiplier for the most part. Two, the difference between the two is all of $5.

CPU Cooler: You mentioned not overclocking potentially because of the large heatsinks. Well, this will be a much easier solution to mount should you so choose and allow you to overclock as well. If you really don't want to you can just use the stock cooler that comes with the unit and it'll be fine as well.

Motherboard: Gigabyte typically puts together solid boards and this one has a good feature set for the price. Other options would be the AsRock Extreme 4

RAM: RAM is pretty much a commodity nowadays, so I just went with 8 GB of the cheapest from a reputable brand

SSD: You have the budget for it, so I figured why not get a nice large SSD. Helps that the prices have been coming down a lot over the past two years. This should allow you to load up most or all of your gaming library to it

HDD: I figure 3 TB should be enough space. I do recommend regular backup so I would look into an external USB drive as well

Video Card: Even with the recent 3.5GB debacle the GTX 970 is still a good card. I chose the Gigabyte Windforce as they are very quiet and the G1 variant will allow a large degree of overclocking if you should so choose. Other options would include the Asus Strix GTX 970 or the non G1 variant of the Gigabyte card. With the price drops the R9 290Xs are still worth considering as well, although there are rumblings of the R9 380X being released in the next couple of months.

Case: The Corsair Air 540 is one very roomy case that will allow easy routing of cables and for very good airflow. If you think it's too big some alternatives would include the Fractal Designs Define R5, the InWin GR1 and the Corsair 400R.

Power Supply: One of the things that's changed is may components are consuming less juice. So a solid 550 watt PSU should be plenty for this system. I almost always recommend Seasonic or a Seasonic made PSU when possible.

Keyboard: The Roccat ISKU is one very well put together keyboard. Sturdy build with nice keys and not too much bling. Other options would include the ThermalTake Meka and the Razer BlackWidow. This is again a very personal preference and one of the parts that you're going to use the most. I highly recommend trying them out if at all possible.

Mouse: Unfortunately the Zowie AM seems to be discontinued, at least I couldn't find it in my initial search. the Zowie FK1 is one very nice mouse though that should suit you well. Other options include the Corsair M65 and the Steelseries Sensei RAW.

 

[steihl]

THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE ADVICE!! And nsafreak thanks for taking the time to write all of that up! Very useful information. I feel like I can spend all weekend researching and figuring out what to select for my build. I may just go with everything you picked

Thanks again.