Help with system design, $2000 budget

[ddaigle]

So ... I'm looking to build a monster rig. I want raw, not overclocked power (since I do not know how to overclock properly). I've built many PC's, my problem is I don't keep up with all the components. Seems I'm only interested in such a thing when it comes time to do a new build every 2yrs-ish

With that in mind, I'm looking for a definitive list of parts that will last me through the next 2-3 yrs. No need for a case, or any peripherals. Just the meat and potatoes.

 

[ddaigle]

Is there much, if any difference at all between these two cards?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487001

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121838

 

[ddaigle]

And how's this one compare to the Maximus?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132053

 

[MANOFKRYPTONAK]

ASUS boards make it very easy to OC. I have a P8P67 Deluxe, Look for the one with the highest quality parts and warranties. Read reviews by toms, andandtech, overclockers.net etc.

 

[MANOFKRYPTONAK]

And how's this one compare to the Maximus?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132053

Thats a good board but a different socket, I think you want 1155 for an i7-4770k off the top of my head. but for ivy-E that 2011 socket is the right one.

 

[ddaigle]

Thanks for your answer. Do you know if there's a difference at all between the two cards I linked? They're both 780ti cards, just different brands.

 

[wolverine96]

Thanks for your answer. Do you know if there's a difference at all between the two cards I linked? They're both 780ti cards, just different brands.

The EVGA card is superclocked, which means it is overclocked right out of the box.

 

[ddaigle]

Opinions / tweaking on this build? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3vyDJ

 

[jnewegger23]

Some may criticize the performance to dollar ratio but I'd be straight jealous! I envy you being able to put together such a system. It will be one of the best you can enjoy over the next 2 to 3 years. Yes, ddr4 is coming late fall or so, but like I stated earlier it will take some time for everything to catch up. Till then, this will be a very enjoyable build! Have fun!

 

[Danbuscus25]

well, that cpu does not come with any cooler, so you will have to get your own seperatly. also, you have room for another 780 ti or 2

 

[ddaigle]

well, that cpu does not come with any cooler, so you will have to get your own seperatly. also, you have room for another 780 ti or 2

I have an H100i that I'm going to re-use in this build. I figured I'd wait a couple months and add the second 780 ti at that point

 

[g-unit1111]

Opinions / tweaking on this build? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3vyDJ

For gaming a 4930K will be wasted. It's just not necessary to have such a high powered CPU for that kind of purpose. You should invest more in the graphics card. Like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Eisberg 240L Prestige 60.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($175.75 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($143.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($76.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($161.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($669.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($669.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 630 (Gunmetal) ATX Full Tower Case ($137.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE90 V2 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($168.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($23.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($94.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $2579.14
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-21 15:02 EDT-0400)

That is how you spend $2500 on a gaming rig.

 

[ddaigle]

Alright, I've narrowed it down between these two builds:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3vT1w

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3vyDJ

Just wondering if I'll actually see $300 worth of a performance gain between the first and second option.

 

[Danbuscus25]

i would get the first build, socket 1150 is the future of intel

 

[MANOFKRYPTONAK]

That Build looks AMAZING! Read about the bottleneck in the quad 295 article. You can have too little CPU sometimes (I am not quite convinced that it's not driver issues though :/, just something to think about). That 6-core is really a lot for gaming. The i7 quad core haswell refresh are supposed to OC very well, and that would definitely be enough. I have also read that 1866 with low timings is great for gaming. Stick a SSD like a SAMSUNG or M500 and you should be good to go!

Another thought you can keep on upgrading your GPU no problem I think for the next 2-3 years with that CPU and not have it be a bottleneck....

 

[MANOFKRYPTONAK]

Alright, I've narrowed it down between these two builds:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3vT1w

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3vyDJ

Just wondering if I'll actually see $300 worth of a performance gain between the first and second option.

I would wait for at least the haswell refresh, if not haswell-e. See how well both overclock and price/performance and then jump right in! Or at the very least you know that 6-core is ready for 4K...

 

[g-unit1111]

Alright, I've narrowed it down between these two builds:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3vT1w

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3vyDJ

Just wondering if I'll actually see $300 worth of a performance gain between the first and second option.

Neither. You don't need 1200W for a single card (and even dual cards you don't need over 850W provided you get a solidly made PSU), and you also don't need that overpriced motherboard or RAM for gaming.

 

[MANOFKRYPTONAK]

Alright, I've narrowed it down between these two builds:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3vT1w

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3vyDJ

Just wondering if I'll actually see $300 worth of a performance gain between the first and second option.

Neither. You don't need 1200W for a single card (and even dual cards you don't need over 850W provided you get a solidly made PSU), and you also don't need that overpriced motherboard or RAM for gaming.

Yeah, that PSU is overkill, but toms did use a 1300w for a quad SLI set up LOL. Shouldn't a 850W or a 1000W PSU work? Also I have read that 1866 ram at low timings is the sweet spot for gaming. ASUS has some nice boards with SLI and other great specs for around $200-$300.

All in all I agree, I got my ANTEC 1200 W/ an ANTEC 1000W PSU for 300 all together. A great ASUS MOBO can be had for cheaper. And 1866 can be had for cheaper. I would put that saved money into a SSD and I would wait for a 6gb 780ti, coming out in May or June I believe.

Now writing a paper on Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough)... so much fun

 

[ddaigle]

Alright, so ... now I'm confused again! lol ....

I already have a Samsung 840 pro SSD so I'm good there.

I plan on getting another 780 ti for SLI within the next couple of months. With that said, I can see downgrading the PSU a little. Recommendations?

I suppose I can go down to the i7-4770k vs the 4930...

I went with the DDR3-2400 ram because it was a very minimal difference between the 1866 and 2400. Should I still get the 1866 anyway?

 

[wolverine96]

Alright, so ... now I'm confused again! lol ....

I already have a Samsung 840 pro SSD so I'm good there.

I plan on getting another 780 ti for SLI within the next couple of months. With that said, I can see downgrading the PSU a little. Recommendations?

I suppose I can go down to the i7-4770k vs the 4930...

I went with the DDR3-2400 ram because it was a very minimal difference between the 1866 and 2400. Should I still get the 1866 anyway?

I would get 1866 RAM. Crucial RAM. Always.

 

[ddaigle]

Alright, so ... now I'm confused again! lol ....

I already have a Samsung 840 pro SSD so I'm good there.

I plan on getting another 780 ti for SLI within the next couple of months. With that said, I can see downgrading the PSU a little. Recommendations?

I suppose I can go down to the i7-4770k vs the 4930...

I went with the DDR3-2400 ram because it was a very minimal difference between the 1866 and 2400. Should I still get the 1866 anyway?

I would get 1866 RAM. Crucial RAM. Always.

Suggestion on the crucial ram?

 

[ddaigle]

Was looking at this particular Crucial RAM. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148563

Still looking for an adequate power supply for dual 780 ti

 

[Mac266]

Corsair RAM!

 

[Mac266]

dual 780Ti PSU... ill leave this here http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu1050hx

 

[ddaigle]

Corsair Vengeance Pro vs Dominator Platinum?

Vengeance Pro seems to be faster, but Dominator Platinum seems to be the step above? and more expensive? Worth the cost?

 

[g-unit1111]

Yeah, that PSU is overkill, but toms did use a 1300w for a quad SLI set up LOL. Shouldn't a 850W or a 1000W PSU work? Also I have read that 1866 ram at low timings is the sweet spot for gaming. ASUS has some nice boards with SLI and other great specs for around $200-$300.

All in all I agree, I got my ANTEC 1200 W/ an ANTEC 1000W PSU for 300 all together. A great ASUS MOBO can be had for cheaper. And 1866 can be had for cheaper. I would put that saved money into a SSD and I would wait for a 6gb 780ti, coming out in May or June I believe.

Now writing a paper on Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough)... so much fun

If you're running a quad SLI setup consisting of GTX 780TIs, then yeah 1200W+ is warranted. But for a single or dual card setup I don't think it's really necessary.