Advice on New PC Build Please

***Please note, I have updated my most recent configuration with my latest build ideas as of 10/19/2013***

Budget:
Up to $3,500.

Expectations:
A fast PC that will last me at least 3 years or so with minimal upgrading.

Usage:
Lots of gaming. I'm getting ready for Star Citizen/Hanger 42, but also want to run the latest and greatest FPS games and strategy games like Sins of a Solar Empire. I also plan on running old games like Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield 2 (no Battlefield 3 or 4).

Other than that, picture editing with Photoshop and general web surfing.

Special Needs:
I want good air flow but also a fairly quiet computer.

Saved Ticket #: 882704

Specifications:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master 942 HAF X
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 4770K 3.50 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS Z87-DELUXE/QUAD (Intel Z87 Chipset) (Features Intel Thunderbolt 2 Technology)
System Memory: 16GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 1050W Corsair Pro Silver 1050HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Storage Set 1: 1x (256GB Solid State (By: Samsung) (Model: 840 Pro Series)
Storage Set 2: 1x (2TB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (Model: Black Edition) (SATA 6Gbps)
Storage Set 3: - No Thanks
RAID Config: - No Thanks
RAID Card: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Graphics Card(s): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 3GB (EVGA Superclocked ACX Cooler Edition)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 Extreme Performance
H20 Tube Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a FrostChill or Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System Selected
Chassis Fans: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Airflow Control: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: Stage 1: Overclock CPU 4.0GHz to 4.4GHz
Boost Graphics Card(s): - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Boost OS: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows CD)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Game: - No Thanks
Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
Portable Gaming: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: FREE: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Extra Large)
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 10-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Care with 4 Year Limited Warranty (4 Year Labor & 2 Year Part Replacement)
Questions:

What do you guys think of my build? Thoughts, suggestions?

I'm torn between going with Windows 8 and Windows 7. I have 7 on my home PCs now and love it, but wouldn't mind going with the more modern (and somewhat faster newer Windows 8). I'm worried about not liking the new interface on it. Thoughts? I haven't had a chance to play with Windows 8 but have heard bad things about it on PCs that aren't touch capable. I'm also torn between Windows 8 and 8 Pro (I run Windows 7 Professional at home now).

Anyway, please let me know what you think of the new system. I'll be running it on my Samsung Synchmaster P2770H/FH monitor at 1920 x 1080 resolution.

I still haven't decided what mouse/keyboard combo to go with.

Thank you in advance for your advice.

Edited by sbradfor - 23 Oct 2013 at 9:12am

Thanks! That's good to know. Tell me, did you use Windows 7 before? How steep a learning curve is it to move from 7 to 8?

I've had minimal usage of Win7 as I have been using Mac OSX for the past ~6 years and used XP prior to that. Aside from Metro, Win8 feels pretty much the same to me.

For your usage, the motherboard you've chosen will be fine. Honestly, you could probably get by with the Gryphon without any issues. Unless you need TB and/or built in wifi. I ended up with the Extreme simply because I needed Triple SLI support plus the ability to add an audio card along with wifi support.

I needed a mobo to support the triple Titans. All the others only support 2 cards (quad SLI is only achievable via the GTX 690s which are dual SLI per card). I also needed capability to add an audio card and the built in wifi was a bonus (needed it as my network is located downstairs).

That build looks like a keeper!!

for keyboard i recommend the max keyboard mechanical keyboard and the logitech g400 mouse

One question about the Max... Is it clicky? Or is there a way to make it so it isn't too loud? I remember the days of the old IBM keyboards that were really clicky. I hated how loud they were!

Looks like a nice keyboard otherwise!

Originally posted by ArkansasWoman777 Originally posted by sbradfor One question about the Max... Is it clicky? Or is there a way to make it so it isn't too loud? I remember the days of the old IBM keyboards that were really clicky. I hated how loud they were! Looks like a nice keyboard otherwise! It is a bit but I think you can buy those rings or whatever they are called that goes under the keys to make it not so loud or clicky. This is my first mechanical keyboard and i enjoy it a whole lot better than a non mechanical one, i have the cherry mx browns.

Thanks for the info. I will definitely add this to my list to look into more!

One other question ArkansasWoman777, how did you get that info about your computer and your order stages in your sig?

Originally posted by ArkansasWoman777 Originally posted by sbradfor One other question ArkansasWoman777, how did you get that info about your computer and your order stages in your sig? If you are referring to how i got the stages i got them by email but if you are referring to how i got that info that you see in my sig i put it in the sig.

OK. That makes sense. I thought it might be some Java script or something.

Thanks again.

You should be fine with the standard version of Win8. There's nothing that you'd benefit from gaming-wise with the PRO version.

I know a lot of people like the mechanical keyboards but I recently got a keyboard and mouse from a company called Roccat (pronounce Rocket) and I really like them. The keyboard is the ISKU FX and mouse is the KONE XTD. I know they were working a mechanical kb but don't know if it's available yet.

Edited by fstcvc - 17 Oct 2013 at 9:45pm

Here are a few more questions:

I've got another $200 I could put toward my new system. If I did, where do you think it would be best to spend it? Here are the ideas I had:

1) Either upgrade the ASUS Expert motherboard to an ASUS Deluxe Quad or an ASUS MAXIMUS VI Extreme. There are a few advantages I see. First I get the new wireless 80211ac built in with either the Quad or the Extreme (and my ASUS router supports these). Second, I would get NFC Express which I think would be fun to play with and see what I can do with it. I like the tweaking options on the Extreme, but I'm not sure how much I would use them. I am curious if the Extreme board would last longer than the others (which would be an advantage to me). The Extreme doesn't come with Thunderbolt (which I don't need yet, but could use in the future). I also like the OC Panel from the Extreme. Anyway, what do others think? Anyone have these boards? Opinions?

2) I could buy a bigger SSD. Right now I have the Samsung 840 Pro Series 256MB drive, but I could upgrade to a 480MB drive and get some more SSD space for games.

3) I could upgrade the DVD burner to a Blu Ray burner. I don't see much value here, I don't burn discs much at all and have yet to find a Blu Ray I want to run on my PC (I watch Blu Ray movies on my home theater system, not my PC).

4) I could upgrade to a soundcard instead of using the onboard soundcard. Personally I've had both in the past and really thought the onboard soundcards are fine these days.

5) I could go for the noise reduction package and/or the video/memory/OS boost.

Anyway, these are the options as I see them. Let me know what your thoughts are. If you had $200 extra to spend, where would you put your money?

That does help bprat22. Thanks for the ideas. I'll think them over.

I don't plan on using sli, so I might just go with that psu.

Originally posted by bprat22 Great build.    If you're into lights, nothing wrong with looks and power, and something to monitor and fans to tweek, their HydoLux with mulit-color is an option.   With a side window, even the simple internal lighting looks nice. Keep us updated.

Will do. Thanks for the tips!

Originally posted by fstcvc I would opt for the HydroLux controller and lighting system and downgrade the PSU. You'll still have $100 to buy some awesome new games!!

Thank for the opinion. I'll check out the HydroLux!

Glad to share! I really like mine!

Since like you I am also waiting on the mk/pro and I already have the Kone XTD. Since You prefer no sound when the keys are pressed go with either the Black or Red key switches. You have that option of color choice when ordering. Black takes more pressure to press and red is effortless. All are recommended for gaming,but the Reds will give a quicker response in gaming. I'll be getting the red once it comes available.

Edited by keitht06 - 22 Oct 2013 at 8:30pm

NewEgg is showing it like that because they ran out of the few they had on the 10th. They will be getting more with the next shipment that is being released. I spoke with someone at Roccat and it isn't a formal release until the end of Oct. Then I imagine the shipping time to get to the states and so on. That is why I see it closer to Nov. 18th like NewEgg says.