1500$ gtx 680 build

spartans15

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Mar 21, 2013
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Hello,

I am looking to build a gaming PC with the GTX 680 for around 1500$- I can push that up to 1600$ if necessary, but not higher. I'd also like it to be easily upgradeable in the future (GTX 690 or maybe SLI)

System Usage: Hardcore Gaming

Approximate Purchase Date: May 2013

Manufacturer preferences: Intel, Nvidia

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s): Newegg, Amazon

Location: Mass, USA

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: Possibly


Here's what I have so far; I have next to no experience, so any feedback would be much appreciated.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3550 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9500 AT Ball Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($515.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($95.98 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Antec 75024 79.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($8.99 @ Mac Mall)
Power Supply: Sparkle 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($157.80 @ TigerDirect)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.96 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1428.63

Thanks.
 

bodeen2012

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Feb 5, 2013
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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LwVD
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LwVD/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LwVD/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($128.37 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 680 4GB Video Card ($559.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($105.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.97 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1404.24
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-22 21:02 EDT-0400)
 

marshallbradley

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Sep 24, 2012
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Hi there,

If you don't want to overclock, don't waste your money on a Z77 board, there are much cheaper H77 boards which will have the exact same feature-set minus the ability to overclock (and SLI if you ever want to do that, though you can CrossFire I believe). E.g.: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h77pro4mvp

850w is a bit much for a single card setup (don't look at my sig...). Also I'm not sure how much I'd trust a Sparkle PSU. Stick with something from Seasonic, Corsair, XFX or Antec, the one linked by Bodeen is decent. 650W is plenty.

M
 
If he wants to SLI, the ASRock H77M won't be a good choice as it does not support SLI. You obviously didn't read his first post through.
@OP, are you sure you want to get a gtx680 no matter what? The performance difference between the 670 and 680 is very small compared to the extra $100 or so. I would rather get a gtx670.
Here's my rough draft of a hardcore gaming rig for $1500:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.30 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.93 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($379.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($379.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1471.13
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-22 23:17 EDT-0400)
 

spartans15

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Mar 21, 2013
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thanks for replying,

I went with a 850 psu to give myself room for a possible SLI setup in the future; that, or a 690.

By the way, a few beginner questions:

1. Are there any differences between the EVGA, Gigabyte, Asus, MSI versions of the 680 that I should be aware of? Is the one that costs the most always the best?
2. Do CPU's come with thermal paste or do I need to apply it myself? Will I need to re-apply it after a certain time period?
3. Is a sound card required?
4. Is a Network interface card required for a PC to be able to access the internet?



 

spartans15

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Mar 21, 2013
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I'm not dead set on getting a 680, though i'm leaning towards it.
Does a 670 in a SLI setup out-perform a single 680?
 

marshallbradley

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@realchaos Yeah I did mention that he wouldn't be able to SLI with it. Personally I'd rather go with a cheaper motherboard (saving him $50) and a cheaper videocard (the 7970 -- saving him even more) and be able to CrossFire at a later point, but if he's really set on nVidia, I guess there's no other choice.

@spartans15

1. Yes the cooling performance and noise can be pretty different. Also some come 'pre-overclocked'. In my opinion Asus and Gigabyte have the two best coolers of this generation of cards. Asus tend to be very quiet, Gigabyte are great all-round because of the three fans.

2. The stock heatsink comes with thermal paste pre-applied. Otherwise if you go for an aftermarket cooler you'll likely have to buy some thermal paste (in some cases it is supplied though -- e.g. Noctua).

3. Not unless you have really nice speakers/surround sound or something. ASRock motherboards have pretty good integrated sound in my opinion (I believe there are 2 or 3 audio channels on mine).

4. Only if you want to connect to a wireless network. All motherboards have Ethernet ports.

If you want an 850w PSU for future SLI, the one in my sig is very nice (and bought for that exact reason). The Seasonic unit linked above by realchaos is also good though. Since you won't be overclocking 750w is plenty.

realchao's build is good, the question is it it necessary? Unless you're doing some sort of triple monitor setup or a 2.5k monitor, that extra 670 will just be sitting there, generating needless frames. SLI/CrossFire create a lot of extra heat, noise and just general issues (as well as taking up a fair chunk of cash), and these could becompletely unnecessary, due to only having a single 1080p monitor or the such. Personally I'd start out with just one video-card and upgrade when you feel the need.

M
 

spartans15

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Mar 21, 2013
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The 7970 costs less than the 680, but it's also slower.

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html
 

boulbox

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This is for Crysis 3, either card you get will be a good card no doubt.

I would personally have the 7970 because of 3GB Vram and in many cases, my games would use more than 2GB vram(skyrim). Also that the Vram is better for multimonitor setups and High res gaming(over 1080)
 

spartans15

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Mar 21, 2013
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Even though I'm a long time nvidia user, I've decided to go with the 7970 over the 680 since the overwhelming consensus is that its a better deal.

How's this build look? Is 850w enough if I want to Crossfire another 7970 later on?

CPU: Intel Core i5-3550 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($207.28 @ TigerDirect)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($439.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($95.98 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Antec 75024 79.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($12.98 @ Outlet PC)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($122.75 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.97 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1269.87
 

properbuilds

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Jan 13, 2013
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Hi, this is what i would do with that kind of budget :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($349.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE 90 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($103.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Full (64-bit) ($85.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $1252.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)


The NZXT HALE 90 750W will do the trick for two 670 gtx, this one is of quality, it's a superflower oem psu and based on the high end series ;)
Cheaper and better case imo, the gigabyte 670 windforce 3 will do the trick, it has the 680 gtx reference pcb and a good cooling system, with a 670 non reference you get about the same performance as the 680 gtx for much less ;)
The Asus mobo supports SLI, and the most important thing, this includes a reliable and fast 256GB SSD.
 

boulbox

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Apr 5, 2012
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let me make a little bit of some changes
 

boulbox

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($418.13 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($95.59 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Kingwin Lazer Platinum 850W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Full (64-bit) ($85.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $1277.62
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-24 22:31 EDT-0400)

Things i would spend extra on the budget
-Better Cooler for less noise/better OC

(stuff not really needed to change but still can
-Motherboard, this motherboard is already pretty good but it is if you want better power delivery or and some extra premium features that is not really needed
-Bigger SSD, again not needed just nice to have a big SSD because when you get around 80-90% capacity it may slow down but nothing to big of an issue
-Ram, not much of an issue since games don't use a whole lot of ram, but you can upgrade to 16GB of ram and reuse them in a future build when games may be able to use a good amount of ram
-Case, I love the fractal R4 but everyone has a preference
 

properbuilds

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Jan 13, 2013
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If he doesn't plant to overclock the stock cooler is fine, the i5-3570 will give the same results at stock(same speeds) or with turbo(same speeds again).
Sandisk ultra plus is decent but there're better ones out there, the plextor m5s is better either the 128GB or 256GB, you can find both in ncix for a good price ;)
Seagate hdds have less warranty, caviar blue got 3 year of warranty, performance wise about the same, grab the caviar blue.
The psu is a good choice, also a superflower unit, but it's $149.99 before mir, just to let the op know.
You can get the Fractal R4 white with window for less.
The 670 gtx windforce 3 is a better value imo.
 

boulbox

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HDD-true
SSD-again true but sandisk is reliable enough that i don't think the m5s is worth the $20 premium for just a marvell controller
 

properbuilds

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Hi, it's more 13$(128 GB @ 102.99$ in ncix us), but imo it's worth the extra ;)
Or the 256GB SSD @ 179.99$ good value for the price.
Then again it's up to the op ;)
 

spartans15

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Mar 21, 2013
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Thanks for the response, I have 3 questions-

1. Is Sapphire better than XFX?
2. I was reluctant to take Windows 8 because I heard it has stability issues when running games/decreases FPS. Am I wrong to be worried?
3. Do Mid-Tower cases have enough room for a future SLI/Crossfire upgrade?
 
1. The Sapphire Vapor-X is supposed to keep it cooler than the xfx one and allows for better overclocking. Shouldn't be a big difference performance-wise.
2. Some games aren't compatible with windows 8 while others are. You might want to check out your games and make sure they work on windows 8.
3. Most mid-towers have enough room for sli/crossfire. Only the smaller (and therefore cheaper) ones don't have enough room.
 

boulbox

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The XFX one doesnt cool as good(for some reason) it has been getting pretty high temps when a lot of their other GPUs got pretty good temps. XFX is a very good brand but this time their cooling wasnt really working that great.
 

boulbox

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Also forgot to mention that i would actually go with win8 full right now because
-most games are compatible(fixed a lot of bugs)
-you can install programs like windows classic start to make it look like win7
-it is a full version meaning you get support from microsoft and you can switch computers(not able to have 2 at the same time though)
 

marshallbradley

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+1 to the XFX comments, they have a pretty bad cooler design for current gen cards. I had one before my Asus, and not only were the temps bad, it was really, really noisy under load. Personally I think Gigabyte and Asus have the 2 best coolers currently (Gigabyte for all around performance and Asus for silence) but Sapphire is also good. The only ones I would avoid are XFX really.

And yeah, any decent mid tower will have plenty of room for 2-way SLI or even 3-way SLI if you stick to dual slot cards (you'd likely have to upgrade the motherboard though). You can have 2-way SLI with mATX even, I'm pretty sure.

Also for $2 more compared to the 3550 you linked, or even $15 more than the 3570, just go for the 3570K. You might decide you want to give over-clocking a go at some point, $15 really isn't that much to spend for the opportunity, and even if you don't it should increase the resale value (current i5s will likely stay quite desirable for awhile I think, at least until DDR4 hits the scene). It'll make the build more future-proof I think.

M
 

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