Looking for a graphics card?

Yizbenlazzer

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Feb 24, 2013
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This is my first time building a computer, and I would like it to be a gaming computer. I have allocated about 400 dollars for my graphics card, and since this is my first time building a computer, I don't know what to look for. I will use my computer primarily for gaming (games such as League of Legends, Minecraft, TF2), and I will also have two monitors, one new monitor (1900x1080) and my current monitor, a really old square one (1024x768). I hope to get at least 60 FPS, although I am sure that almost any 400 dollar graphics card can supply that. I really don't mind an overkill GPU as long as the price is under 400 dollars. What is my best choice?

Edit: A little over 400 dollars is okay
 

Yizbenlazzer

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Feb 24, 2013
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And also I know the GPU might be overkill, but my current computer has horrible graphics and I can't even play games like PS2 and stuff, so I do plan on playing games like PS2 when I build my new computer.
 

Yizbenlazzer

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Feb 24, 2013
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This will be my computer for my time during high school, and I am going to go to a very tech and compsci oriented high school so I do want some extra power in case I want to VM or run Emulators for programming.
 

xomm

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Jun 20, 2011
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I'd suggest toning down from the 7970 to a 7950, and spend the extra $100 or so on a 120GB SSD. IMHO, the speed that an SSD will provide in regular usage is far more rewarding than the performance difference between a 7970 and a 7950 in games, considering what you play.

Also, an aftermarket CPU cooler is a must if you're going to overclock that 3770K. (A Hyper 212 EVO would fit the bill for modest overclocking.)

Edit: Just re-read your post - Slightly off-topic but worth noting: A high school CS curriculum that involves virtualization and emulation? That's pretty awesome.
 

Yizbenlazzer

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Feb 24, 2013
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Haha I think I misphrased that, I meant that I would do High School CS AND Virtualization on my own, separately xD Wish my high school was that awesome xD