im using the W8 default firewall and the hardware firewall in my router, I really don't see the need to use anything else
you need it if you install apps whose behaviour has to be controlled whenever they want to connect to the internet such as cracks, trainers etc. W8 firewall won't block them, it won't even advise you when they try to: your router fwall has the same drawback.
I used to be a Wilders Security Forum guru years ago. After a while I felt like the only reason I owned a computer was to figure out how secure I could make it and ended up never having time to use it for anything else. I got fed up and removed everything and went with the approach of "If you don't let it in to begin with it, then you don't need to worry about detecting it." Been running without 3rd party security apps since '06. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to run apps that only catch something while it's coming in or after it's invaded and already dropped it's payload. Since almost all malware comes in through your internet browser, it makes much more sense to make your browser Java script default deny with something like Noscript, and you stop pretty much everything from entering. It's not a mystery why I remove malware from other's PCs that run 3rd-party security apps, and I don't on mine.
I've preferred to keep it simple for a while now, too. The only times I've had a virus or trojan since is when I've knowingly downloaded something questionable, but MSE has always detected the item and I delete it. I use NoScript with Firefox, too.
I am using comodo and i love it, Outpost is another best firewall around so easy and great protection