Choosing between 2 builds! PLEASE HELP!!!

[Criticalacc]

PLEASE HELP ME!!! So I've been looking to buy and build my own computer and I'm at a conundrum. I have two builds that I can choose from.\Both builds are quite radically different and offer different pros and cons but I'm hoping you guys can help me choose the right build! I know its a long post, and I'm sorry 🙁 but if you could take some time to help me, I'd be very grateful!

Build one (mATX Build):
Case: Corsair Obsidian 350D
Mobo: Asus Maximus Gene mATX Z87
RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro Memory
GPU: EVGA GTX 780 Superclocked ACX Cooling
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Z

Build two (ATX Build):
Case: Corsair Carbide Air 540
Mobo: Asus Maximus Formula ATX Z87
RAM: 8GB Corsair Vengeance Pro Memory
GPU: 2 x MSI GTX 760 Twin Frozr in SLI config

Both Builds:
Processor: Intel Quad-Core i5 4670k
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i <------ (The H100i would be in Push/Pull in build 2)
Storage: 120 GB Samsung Evo SSD, 1TB WD Blue HDD
PSU: EVGA Supernova 750 watt 80 Plus Gold

(Another option for a Build three could be putting the 780 into build twoinstead of 760's and then getting another one later?)

Pros/Cons:

Build one:
Pros: Dedicated sound card. More RAM. Single GPU card solution leads to less potential problems than SLI could. And personally a bit more aesthetically pleasing than build 2.

Cons: Less efficient cooling = if I decide to through in another 780 later, I'll need a case with better cooling, mATX board = Less expansion possibilities.

Build two:
Pros: Very powerful GPU configuration. Motherboard is fantastic, far superior to build one. Fantastic cooling, leaps and bounds better than build one. Mobo onboard sound is very good. More room for expansion.

Cons: Less RAM. Although powerful, SLI can sometimes cause a bit of trouble. Larger case takes up more room. Somewhat less aesthetically pleasing than the 350D solution. Although fantastic, Im not sure if the onboard sound is better than the dedicated sound on build one.

So thats it! Those are the builds. Which one would you guys pick and why? Thank you to whoever read the whole thing!

IMPORTANT: I AM NOT ASKING ABOUT THE COMPONENTS AND THEIR ADVANTAGES. I want to know which build YOU would PERSONALLY PICK AS A WHOLE and WHY you would do so. Thanks

 

[thismafiaguy]

If you're looking for overall gaming performance, build two will give you better results. GTX 760 SLI will be faster than a single GTX 780, but SLI does have its downsides. You've got enough power and a case with great airflow, so it'll just be down to software compatibility and how well they scale in certain games. The motherboard doesn't realistically affect gaming performance, both the Maximus VI Gene and the Maximus VI Formula are high-end boards. The Maximus VI Formula does have a dedicated sound card onboard. Also, you don't need more than 8GB of RAM unless you're going to be running something that you KNOW will need more than 8GB of RAM. It's only wise to get 16GB if you can find a really good deal, just to invest against future RAM price increases.

 

[Criticalacc]

If you're looking for overall gaming performance, build two will give you better results. GTX 760 SLI will be faster than a single GTX 780, but SLI does have its downsides. You've got enough power and a case with great airflow, so it'll just be down to software compatibility and how well they scale in certain games. The motherboard doesn't realistically affect gaming performance, both the Maximus VI Gene and the Maximus VI Formula are high-end boards. The Maximus VI Formula does have a dedicated sound card onboard. Also, you don't need more than 8GB of RAM unless you're going to be running something that you KNOW will need more than 8GB of RAM. It's only wise to get 16GB if you can find a really good deal, just to invest against future RAM price increases.

Thanks for replying Mafiaguy, I appreciate it! But i want to know which build as a whole you would personally pick and why.

 

[thismafiaguy]

I would pick build two because the Air 540 case is more expandable than the 350D, and has a different, more efficient layout than the other run-of-the-mill ATX towers. It will be a better case in terms of cooling performance as well, and will be able to handle SLI with ease. The Maximus VI Formula is a seriously cool board, and comes with a SupremeFX sound card onboard. And 8GB of RAM is plenty for every game that the average gamer will come across.