I built this computer a little ways back
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X60 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($125.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($135.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung EVO 1TB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($581.95 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card
Case: Rosewill PATRIOT ATX Mid Tower Case ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($95.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($21.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Hannspree HE245DPB 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Monitor: Hannspree HE245DPB 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Monitor: Hannspree HE245DPB 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Keyboard: Rosewill RK-9000BR Wired Standard Keyboard ($81.98 @ Newegg)
Other: 320gb 5400RPM laptop harddrive (Purchased)
Other: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (Purchased)
Total: $2029.41
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-01 11:48 EST-0500)
Now I've made some money from trading doge and christmas and am looking to upgrade it. I got a liquid cooler and an SSD, but I can get more(I have about $400 more). What else would most benefit my computer? I mainly use it for gaming and programming(run a few VM's sometimes). If there are no really great upgrades I'll probably just save the money.
I was told that a sound card might be a nice addition and this looked like a good one http://pcpartpicker.com/part/creative-labs-sound-card-70sb151000000 I don't know much about them though. One thing I think it might be good to note is that I don't have the best speakers(using ones built into my monitors and a cheap($ set right now) and my headphones are Logitech G930's which are wireless 7.1 and I believe they have a sound card built into the usb dongle they use. Would it be worth much to add a sound card without buying new headphones? I don't really want to have to buy new headphones right now so I probably won't do it if it doesn't help much(I compose music occasionally though)
What other upgrades might be worthwhile? If I go with the sound card I still have over $200
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X60 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($125.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($135.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung EVO 1TB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($581.95 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card
Case: Rosewill PATRIOT ATX Mid Tower Case ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($95.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($21.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Hannspree HE245DPB 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Monitor: Hannspree HE245DPB 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Monitor: Hannspree HE245DPB 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Keyboard: Rosewill RK-9000BR Wired Standard Keyboard ($81.98 @ Newegg)
Other: 320gb 5400RPM laptop harddrive (Purchased)
Other: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (Purchased)
Total: $2029.41
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-01 11:48 EST-0500)
Now I've made some money from trading doge and christmas and am looking to upgrade it. I got a liquid cooler and an SSD, but I can get more(I have about $400 more). What else would most benefit my computer? I mainly use it for gaming and programming(run a few VM's sometimes). If there are no really great upgrades I'll probably just save the money.
I was told that a sound card might be a nice addition and this looked like a good one http://pcpartpicker.com/part/creative-labs-sound-card-70sb151000000 I don't know much about them though. One thing I think it might be good to note is that I don't have the best speakers(using ones built into my monitors and a cheap($ set right now) and my headphones are Logitech G930's which are wireless 7.1 and I believe they have a sound card built into the usb dongle they use. Would it be worth much to add a sound card without buying new headphones? I don't really want to have to buy new headphones right now so I probably won't do it if it doesn't help much(I compose music occasionally though)
What other upgrades might be worthwhile? If I go with the sound card I still have over $200