Custom Build Help

[manshiny]

So in the near future I plan on building a computer, I will have anywhere between $1800 USD and $3000 USD.
Set up wise, I plan on doing a Dual Screen straight away and adding a third screen later down the track, I don't know if it will be 3D yet, it depends on what kind of money I have left over from the PC.

The build is mainly for gaming and video editing and I also plan to use it for University next year (I'm doing Computer Science)

Anyway, Thus far I've decided on the following:

Case: NZXT Switch 810 full tower (Gun Metal or White)
Mobo: Asus Sabertooth Z77
CPU: i7 3770K
PSU: OZX ZX series 850W (I heard that they're a better choice than the Corsair AX 850w, and it's a lot cheaper)
GPU: EVGA GTX660TI FTW x2
Ram: Corsair Dominator Platinum 16gb (2x8gb) @ 1600mhz
HDD:
Boot: Intel 520 60GB SSD
Back up storage: Already have a 1TB hdd from my old gaming PC

I'm still having trouble deciding whether to go for a dual GTX660TI build or dual GTX670. I want to get the top version of each card for minimal overclocking and maximum performance, and I want to get the two cards at the same time so I don't have to worry about rarity later down the road.

I plan on adding a second SSD for games and programs, probably a second Intel 520 but at 240GB, my current laptop has a Intel SSD and I really like it. However, I haven't had a look around, but I've been told Intel is the most reliable.

When I was looking at the motherboards, I was originally looking at the AsRock Extreme 4 (and the Extreme 6) but the Sabertooth seems like a better choice, however I'd love to hear what you guys think.

And I chose that ram after speaking to a friend of mine, we compared different types and he said that would be the best of those ones we looked at (I forgot the others sorry)


Anyway, any other questions, please ask and I appreciate any feedback/answers.
Thanks

Oops, I forgot to add, I plan on adding CPU cooling later down the road as I don't plan on overclocking the CPU off the bat.
I think that is all

 

[kelvin08113]

Don't get the Sabertooth, it's just nice looking and you can get a better board besides the Sabertooth. For the PSU, I think they are the same, but I suggest Corsair because they have better quality products. Well, don't you need an optical drive and OS? Anyway, suggested you to buy an OS and here is a build for you. If you plan for high overclocking, I'd suggest H100. If you wanted to add-on the optical drive later, reply

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.29 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Extreme EATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($369.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($437.86 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($437.86 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Blue ATX Full Tower Case ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional Gold 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($175.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 3-Pack (64-bit) ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2314.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-15 00:54 EST-0500)

 

[manshiny]

Don't get the Sabertooth, it's just nice looking and you can get a better board besides the Sabertooth. For the PSU, I think they are the same, but I suggest Corsair because they have better quality products. Well, don't you need an optical drive and OS? Anyway, suggested you to buy an OS and here is a build for you. If you plan for high overclocking, I'd suggest H100. If you wanted to add-on the optical drive later, reply

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.29 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Extreme EATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($369.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($437.86 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($437.86 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Blue ATX Full Tower Case ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional Gold 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($175.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 3-Pack (64-bit) ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2314.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-15 00:54 EST-0500)

Thanks for your reply

Uhm, I have OS and Optical drive sorted out, I'm not worried about those atm.
For a cpu cooler, I was looking at the Noctua D-14, I prefer air cooling over watercooling
I'd much rather get an SSD for a boot drive over that 500gb HDD, it makes more sense. and I'd add a second SSD for programs/games later, I stated I already have a 1tb hdd (it's that model except 1TB)
As I stated in my original post, I'd much rather look towards the top version of the GTX670, I was leaning towards the FTW version, but I don't know what other brands have to offer (I've sided with EVGA for some reason)
Just a few questions, Why do you recommend that case and Mobo, I prefer to have your changes justified

 

[jaideep1337]

also why 670? Get a HD7970 Ghz edition and you will be all set. 670s suck on resolutions higher than 1080p due to bandwidth limitations

 

[manshiny]

also why 670? Get a HD7970 Ghz edition and you will be all set. 670s suck on resolutions higher than 1080p due to bandwidth limitations

from my experience, AMD has terrible drivers, and I'd much rather have stable software. Also, I just don't like AMD at all. I choose not to go near their hardware. I've had a lot of bad experiences with them and I'd rather just not go back.

 

[manshiny]

So, With the info I have gathered from the first reply, I have put something together that looks like this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nNb4

What do you think with updated changes?

 

[excella1221]

Intel SSDs aren't that great, not entirely sure about the 520 though but I wouldn't suggest it since it uses a SandForce controller and you might run into issues.

The Vertex 4 is the most efficient Marvell controller so far. The 256gb version also had a good price cut recently.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RARHSO/?tag=pcpapi-20

That RAM, I assume it's this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233286

I wouldn't get that, it's heavily overpriced. I see nothing special with the CL and the timings compared to other RAMs as well. You also don't need the tall heat spreaders.
Get this instead,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231606

As for the GPU, there's no point in going a 660 Ti for your budget. It's not that great anyway with it's crippling bus rate. Only nVIDIA card I would suggest right now is the 670 since the 680 only has a 5% increase in performance from it and that does not justify the extra ~$100 difference.

I'd like to point out though that the 7970 outperforms the 670 and is on par with the 680 while being at more or less the 670's price point. The GHz version of the 7970 beats both and is considered to be the most powerful single GPU as of yet.

AMD cards are also better for multi-monitor setups (Eyefinity).

+1 to kelvin regarding the Sabertooth. It's just an overpriced gimmick. I'd have to disagree though about the H100; performance in terms of temps is matched by high-end air coolers such as the NH-D14 and Silver Arrow. If you want water cooling, do it the real way with a custom water loop.

That said, I would do something like this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU Cooler ($69.70 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($444.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 950W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($120.43 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1598.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-15 01:31 EST-0500)

You can add a 2nd GPU anytime.

EDIT: Just read the latest replies, I should really not take so long. :lol:

AMD's drivers are a lot better than they were before, and the performance boosts are so good that nVIDIA doesn't have much edge on price : performance at the moment.

If you really don't want to though, I won't stop you.
Get the 670, for reasons stated above.

 

[kelvin08113]

Yeah, sorry for forgetting to put the SSD, btw, yea AMD's driver sucks and that EVO is air cooling and it's featured in the market now, I have one and it's really nice.

 

[manshiny]

Just a noob question (lol) how do you get the list to show like you guys have with the Pick-a-part thingy-ma-bop?

 

[excella1221]

Click "BBCode Markup".

 

[manshiny]

Intel SSDs aren't that great, not entirely sure about the 520 though but I wouldn't suggest it since it uses a SandForce controller and you might run into issues.

The Vertex 4 is the most efficient Marvell controller so far. The 256gb version also had a good price cut recently.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RARHSO/?tag=pcpapi-20

That RAM, I assume it's this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233286

I wouldn't get that, it's heavily overpriced. I see nothing special with the CL and the timings compared to other RAMs as well. You also don't need the tall heat spreaders.
Get this instead,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231606

As for the GPU, there's no point in going a 660 Ti for your budget. It's not that great anyway with it's crippling bus rate. Only nVIDIA card I would suggest right now is the 670 since the 680 only has a 5% increase in performance from it and that does not justify the extra ~$100 difference.

I'd like to point out though that the 7970 outperforms the 670 and is on par with the 680 while being at more or less the 670's price point. The GHz version of the 7970 beats both and is considered to be the most powerful single GPU as of yet.

AMD cards are also better for multi-monitor setups (Eyefinity).

+1 to kelvin regarding the Sabertooth. It's just an overpriced gimmick. I'd have to disagree though about the H100; performance in terms of temps is matched by high-end air coolers such as the NH-D14 and Silver Arrow. If you want water cooling, do it the real way with a custom water loop.

That said, I would do something like this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU Cooler ($69.70 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($444.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 950W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($120.43 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1598.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-15 01:31 EST-0500)

You can add a 2nd GPU anytime.

EDIT: Just read the latest replies, I should really not take so long. :lol:

AMD's drivers are a lot better than they were before, and the performance boosts are so good that nVIDIA doesn't have much edge on price : performance at the moment.

If you really don't want to though, I won't stop you.
Get the 670, for reasons stated above.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU Cooler ($69.70 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($72.98 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($444.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($444.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Switch 810 (Gun Metal) ATX Full Tower Case ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional Gold 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($175.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1993.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-15 01:45 EST-0500)

How does this look? (My friend insists I go higher than 1600MHZ, and I think I'll trust him here haha)

I plan on adding a second SSD further down the tract though, that's for sure. I like the Noctua D-14 or the Silver Arrow, I just went with the Silver Arrow as I agree with you on that. I'll stick to that PSU (I might go OCZ just cause it's cheaper, but I really trust Corsair)

And I like that case a lot XD It looks quite nice

 

[excella1221]

Don't bother, hun. There is absolutely no difference visible between the two in real life play. Even on benchmarks, they are pretty close.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/6

The test included a Sandy Bridge CPU, but you get the point. :lol:

PC Power&Cooling is one of the top PSU brand/manufacturers, arguably even better than Corsair. That particular one I linked has specs that go beyond what the brand advertises. It's actually a 1000w unit with 83.4A on the +12v rail.

Though I would like it more where you would feel more comfortable, so if you like OCZ or Corsair, I won't stop you. They're good brands too.

Oh, I picked the wrong case. I was suppose to just mirror the one you chose. I don't really meddle with case choices as they are mostly personal preference especially with aesthetics and internal features, it's best to leave it to the end user.

 

[manshiny]

Best answer selected by manshiny.