Looking to Build a BF4 Gaming Machine, (3) Monitor Setup.. Help!

[seaneboy]

Ok, so I think this is the year, this is time time, tomorrow might even be the day... Unless, of course, some new tech is coming out in the next few days that will change everything..
I pretty much will only be playing BF4 on this rig. I already have a Synology for NAS/media serving, and I honestly wish I had more to say here in terms of usage, but I really don't.
Ideally, I'd like to be going the IPS route, but I end up something like $2k in the hole on monitors, that's probably not happening.

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP

Budget Range: $1500-$2000, not including monitors

System Usage from Most to Least Important: BF4, web browsing

Are you buying a monitor: Yes - ideally (3), not included in initial budget..

Parts to Upgrade: Fresh build, upgrading all

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, microcenter, but open to all...

Location: New York

Parts Preferences: Intel, Gigabyte Mobo

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Yes - either

Additional Comments: A window would be cool, quiet would be nice, was thinking water cooling?


So, where should I start? I see the i7-4470 @ $289, that might be an option, right? Then, should I go Gigabyte or Asus on the motherboard? I read somewhere awhile back that a 3GB GPU card is the way to go, not sure if that still holds true...
I was thinking of the HAF 932 for a case, and everything else I'm an open book. Any simple insight would be much appreciated.. I just need some direction...

Thanks

 

[seaneboy]

Welp, I've been busy recently, and have to get back on the config-horse... And having all sorts of thoughts.. For example - one option I've been mulling around, is simply starting with a high end card, and a 1440p - maybe another monitor (general usage), then, when the video cards come down, going SLI/Eyefinity, and picking up another monitor, with the card.

 

[acciobroom]

Perhaps if you wanted to save some money you could use GTX 760 4GB in SLI. That will work because a: there is enough vram. b: 760 sli outperform 780. It may not be as good as 770 4gb sli or above, but it does the job.

 

[seaneboy]

Thanks for that tidbid.. How about this - Asus R9 280x at $339... That might be something I need to jump on, no? Does the Asus 280x overclock, or unlock to the 290x?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1018335-REG/asus_r9280x_dc2t_3gd5_radeon_r9_280x_graphic.html

 

[seaneboy]

I'm definitely in 'paralysis by analysis' mode... I honestly think I've been here for literally 3 years... Everytime I begin specing something out, a new species is born, and being a somewhat elitist, I must learn, and acknowledge if this is necessary for me to add to the mix.
Of course there are different degrees of being an elitist, but I like to try and get as close as I can...
So, in my debate, I'm wondering if I should just go with a single screen - perhaps at 1440p, with another on the side - obviously not for gaming, moreso productivity. Or, do what I initially was setting out to do,and go triple screen... I definitely am leaning towards water cooling at the moment, and definitely want to set out on that endeavor...
I think what I need to do is make a complete list, including every little bit that I am thinking about incorporating, and compare one versus the other...

 

[Antares88]

I would go with double R9 290 non X. Price difference is big between 290 and 290x when it comes to performance difference which is small especially with BF4.

 

[Rammy]

Thanks for that tidbid.. How about this - Asus R9 280x at $339... That might be something I need to jump on, no? Does the Asus 280x overclock, or unlock to the 290x?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1018335-REG/asus_r9280x_dc2t_3gd5_radeon_r9_280x_graphic.html

It's decent, but I'd be pretty wary right now as the prices on those are bouncing around a lot. They were comfortably under $300 but to find one in stock and shipping you might need to pay $350-400 at which point it makes little sense.
The 280X comes from the same family line as the HD7950, HD7970 and HD7970Ghz.
It is entirely unrelated to the R9 290 and R9 290X which are based on the same chip.
As you have waited this long, I'd definitely wait to see what happens to prices when the full wave of manufacturer cards hits. The R9 290 is definitely by far the better value of the two, but it'll be interesting to see how much performance 3rd parties will allow it to have (without wrecking their own sales of the 290X).
If you are in doubt about your future intentions, I'd definitely go with a single card. It might not explicitly be the best performance/dollar, but it is likely to be less influenced by drivers/software updates and more flexible for upgrades.

As for what setup to go for. I've always wanted a multi-monitor display, but every time I've used one I've found it a little frustrating, more for nerdpoints than anything. A single, perhaps super-wide, higher resolution screen might well be a better investment for gaming, but it's really up to you. My vision isn't fantastic, especially my peripheral vision, so I really don't benefit from the experience in the way a lot of people would.
To me, a two monitor setup doesn't make a lot of sense for gaming. It works very well for design/productivity tasks, or for multitasking, but for 1st/3rd person gaming it doesn't work well at all.

For water cooling, there is a big difference between AIOs and a proper water cooling setup. Closed loop coolers are certainly interesting, but their performance:cost ratio relative to air is questionable. Perhaps the most interesting development in this field is that you can now use them to cool graphics cards too, simulating a full custom loop water cooling setup (albeit at significantly reduced performance) at a lower price point.

 

[seaneboy]

Interesting. .So perhaps I should actually focus on the video card last. Sounds like it makes sense..
As for multi-monitor - I know I must go at least tri-setup if I am going to game on multi monitors.. However, I work daily on a dual 23" setup in portrait, and I thoroughly enjoy it. So, if I were to go dual - I would only use (1) for gaming, and the other for whatever the hell else I would be doing while gaming, surfing web? Probably not much, but anyway... Yeah, you can't game on dual monitors - especially with BF4 as the crosshairs will be down the crack in between the screens!
I do like the closed loop systems, but I do want a bit of the bling factor of my own custom loop, let alone I really want to build it! So, perhaps going single card, and water cooled would be the start.. Then, when I get the itch, buy a second card, and perhaps more monitors...