My first solo build- looking for noob friendly gaming rig

[Highmodulus]

I have been running hand built gaming rigs for a long time, but never actually built it myself. I have helped, but never done the whole thing. I want to change that. I will keep my current rig as is, and use that as backup/storage ect. I am an Intel/Nvidia guy. Gaming currently is Civ 5 and Borderlands PreSequel. Current rig is pretty slow on Civ 5- especially late game turns (and huge maps are no gos). I am looking for a noob friendly build (willing to spend a bit extra for less hassle). SSDs over the pokely disc drives is a must.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. Gaming, web browsing, light office work, Itunes, Garmin/Strava uploads.

2. What YOUR budget is. $1800

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. USA, Amazon or Newegg only.

4. n/a

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. Intel-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, Like Corsair too. Prefer single-card video. Like good cases with proper removable dust filters.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. Gaming mouse, keyboard, headphones and monitor will carry over for now.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. Mild "push-button" overlocking at best. Usually run stock or close to stock..

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using? 1920 by 1200 for now

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? This month.


X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software? Probably need Windows 7 disc.

 

[DSF]

Can I ask how deep the fanboyism runs? Like for example, if a Seagate product is $20-50 more expensive than a competing brand-name product that's on a special deal, are you still opting for the Seagate? (And the same for Nvidia, Corsair, etc.)

Also, what do you consider a hassle in terms of installation?

 

[Ken g6]

Well, you can certainly build a monster system for $1800.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($335.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97M OC Formula Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($121.91 @ Newegg)
Memory: *GeIL EVO Veloce Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($117.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($199.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: *Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($76.68 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card ($575.91 @ Newegg)
Case: *BitFenix Merc Alpha (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($50.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: *Corsair CSM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: *Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1726.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-02 13:23 EST-0500

I doubt you need all that for your current games, though, and I somewhat doubt you'll need it for future games at your current resolution.

A couple of other notes:
- I think you can overclock this system fairly easily, but you really don't have to. Half the reason I chose the aftermarket cooler is that I can't stand Intel's stock cooler pushpins. D:
- I'm no good at picking cases. I think that's a good one but it doesn't have a dust filter that I can see.
- You can't get Windows 7 for any reasonable price at Amazon or Newegg anymore. Would you prefer Windows 8.1 or getting Win7 somewhere else? :hmm:

 

[RaistlinZ]

OP,

Are you going to use any parts from your current rig? You can use your 850W Gold PSU, and 2x8GB DDR3 in a new system. That would free up some cash for a larger 1TB SDD like the Samsung 850 EVO.

 

[Highmodulus]

Only a strict fan boy on intell/nvidia
On hassle, I have installed video cards and ram before, but just never done the CPU/cooler/motherboard thing/build and route the cables.

I am willing to go windows 8.1 if necessary, just being a bit of an ole fogey I guess.

I could gut my current rig, but its a bit nerve racking to do so in case I bodge things up. I prefer to have one working system that way the pressure is off. Plus I can use it for storage ect. I can go over budget for things like the 1TB SDD if you think its worth it.

I could afford to buy a complete system, but want to be able to learn how to do it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, you can certainly build a monster system for $1800.
Storage: *Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($76.68 @ Amazon)

With that budget, why the refurb HDD?

 

[mfenn]

The case and HSF are going to be the biggest determiners when it comes to ease of assembly. Everything else is very standard and doesn't change whether you're building a $800 PC or a $1800 one.

I'm with Ken, with that budget, you can certainly afford a monster gaming PC, but you don't really need to go off the deep end of the price performance curve given your requirements.

Xeon E3-1231 V3 $252
ASRock H97 Performance $90 AR
G.Skill DDR3 1600 16GB $125
Zotac GTX 970 4GB $330
Crucial MX100 512GB $217
Seagate 7200RPM 3TB $100 AP
Lite-ON DVD Burner $13 AP
Antec NeoECO 620C $50 AR
Corsair 550D $120 AR
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $100
Total: $1397 AR AP

 

[VirtualLarry]

- You can't get Windows 7 for any reasonable price at Amazon or Newegg anymore. Would you prefer Windows 8.1 or getting Win7 somewhere else? :hmm:

Newegg currently has Win7 64-bit Home Premium Sp1 OEM for $79.99 in their e-mail specials page, after promo.

 

[Ken g6]

Yeah, apparently PCPartPicker has just lost track of some copies of Windows.