Need help in deciding some parts for a new build

[llguitargr8]

I have decided to sell my pc and restart, and go big. So far I think I'm pretty solid on the rest of the parts, but I am still wondering which graphics route I should go. I plan on using the computer for both heavy gaming and multimedia editing (mostly video and music). Here's a list of the parts I am thinking:

• 
  CPU: Intel Core i7-3930K
  CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i
  Motherboard: Asus Rampage IV Extreme OR Formula
  Graphics: EVGA GTX 690 OR Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz
  Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 32gb (4x8gb)
  System Drive: Crucial M4 256gb
  Storage: 2x Seagate Barracuda 2tb (4tb RAID0)
  Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS
  Power Supply: SeaSonic X 850W

I am still deciding between going with the Formula (ATX) and the Extreme (EATX). I didn't put a case because right now, I own a Corsair Obsidian 650D that I do really like, but it only accommodates ATX. Would a standard ATX board be fine with two graphics cards? Whether I go with the 7970s now, or the 690, I plan on adding a second 690 once I can afford it. Would the Formula allow for enough space between the cards?

What other advice do you guys have to offer? Even though I am putting together a high-end build that can run any game on the market at highest settings, I still want to try and go for value. I know the graphics and cpu are big things here, but those are the only two I want to be over the top. The motherboard, ram, and power supply, though, may have room for improvement. Also, what's better: two gpus on one card or crossfiring the 7970s? I know that by the numbers, the 7970s are faster, and cheaper, but what do you guys think? For the case, if I go with the EATX board, I've been considering either the 800D or the HAFX. Maybe the Antec 1200. Any opinions on that?

I didn't list the monitor, but right now I have a 23" 1920x1080 monitor. Although, I hope to upgrade to a 27" 2560x1440 once I can afford it!

Thank you guys in advance!

 

[johnvonmacz]

I have decided to sell my pc and restart, and go big. So far I think I'm pretty solid on the rest of the parts, but I am still wondering which graphics route I should go. I plan on using the computer for both heavy gaming and multimedia editing (mostly video and music). Here's a list of the parts I am thinking:

• 
  CPU: Intel Core i7-3930K
  CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i
  Motherboard: Asus Rampage IV Extreme OR Formula
  Graphics: EVGA GTX 690 OR Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz
  Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 32gb (4x8gb)
  System Drive: Crucial M4 256gb
  Storage: 2x Seagate Barracuda 2tb (4tb RAID0)
  Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS
  Power Supply: SeaSonic X 850W

I am still deciding between going with the Formula (ATX) and the Extreme (EATX). I didn't put a case because right now, I own a Corsair Obsidian 650D that I do really like, but it only accommodates ATX. Would a standard ATX board be fine with two graphics cards? Whether I go with the 7970s now, or the 690, I plan on adding a second 690 once I can afford it. Would the Formula allow for enough space between the cards?

What other advice do you guys have to offer? Even though I am putting together a high-end build that can run any game on the market at highest settings, I still want to try and go for value. I know the graphics and cpu are big things here, but those are the only two I want to be over the top. The motherboard, ram, and power supply, though, may have room for improvement. Also, what's better: two gpus on one card or crossfiring the 7970s? I know that by the numbers, the 7970s are faster, and cheaper, but what do you guys think? For the case, if I go with the EATX board, I've been considering either the 800D or the HAFX. Maybe the Antec 1200. Any opinions on that?

I didn't list the monitor, but right now I have a 23" 1920x1080 monitor. Although, I hope to upgrade to a 27" 2560x1440 once I can afford it!

Thank you guys in advance!

If you can snag a GTX Titan get that instead. It has 6gb of Vram which is more than the 690's and really good especially if you plan to game on high resolutions like 2560x1440 monitors. Also, I'd change the H100 to a Noctua NH-D14 air cooler. It's not as risky as the H100 and hassle free. 650D is a really good and pretty big case which I'm pretty sure can fit 2 Titan's or 690's.

 

[TheBigTroll]

this is much more cost efficient. same performance, but a hell of a lot cheaper
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JCPp

-the RIVE boards arent really for workstations
-dominator platinum is just for bling. costs double compared to the regular vengeance stuff
-no cheap watercooling units
-much faster SSD (still based on a marvel controller but a newer model)
-there isnt any point of RAID 0 hard drives when you have a SSD
-way better case for cheaper.
-850w isnt really needed. the xfx is made by seasonic, just rebranded
-i chose the gtx titan as you can use the compute performance and the CUDA cores for acceleration in your video work

 

[TheBigTroll]

just saying noob12 has been pretty noob for quite a while. watercooling isnt necessary if you arent overclocking much

 

[TheBigTroll]

its not so bad eh? its only 500 more dollars for 5% more performance and 5% less noise from the GPU. not so bad at all

2x 7970 full cover blocks is around 240 dollars
a ek supremacy block is around 80 bucks
a alphacool 360mm 60mm thick rad will run for 100 dollars
a alphacool 240mm 45mm thck radiator will cost you 75 bucks
at least 10 compression fittings will at least run you 50 bucks
a mcp655 pump will cost around 80 bucks

and then you have tubing, res and fans

 

[llguitargr8]

Ok, so here's the updated build:

CPU: Intel Core i7-3820
CPU Cooler: Air vs Water?
Motherboard: Asus P9X79 Pro
Graphics: EVGA GTX 690 OR 2x Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaw X 32gb (4x8gb)
System Drive: Crucial M4256gb
Storage: 2x Seagate Barracuda 2tb (4tb RAID0)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS
Power Supply: SeaSonic X 850W

What do you guys think?

If you can snag a GTX Titan get that instead.

i chose the gtx titan as you can use the compute performance and the CUDA cores for acceleration in your video work

I guess you guys think the titan is better than a 690? How come? Tom's already said they don't think the titan is worth it, even if it can be afforded. And what about the 690 vs 2 7970's? I kind of hope to put another 690 in down the road if I get that. Would be incredi-fast!

Now for the cooler, I currently have a Zalman 9900 Max Blue, but I was hoping to sell my old PC as a whole, and that would include it.

As for the case, I already own a 650D (and its not the case I would sell my old PC in). I would LIKE to make it all fit into that case, and I don't know if water cooling can fit comfortably. However, my main concern is gpu cooling rather than cpu cooling. I don't mind air cooling the cpu, but how about a loop just for the gpu's? Would two cards in that case get hot enough to warrant that? I would be playing games on complete max settings at 1080, and then hopefully 1440, as well as the music and video programs

Any other changes I should make? Main three things I need to figure out: i7-3820 vs i7-3930k; 690 vs 2x 7970s vs Titan; Water vs Air cooling

 

[TheBigTroll]

-if you are getting a 3820, you may as well get a i7 3770k. performs better and the platform costs much less
-the gigabyte up4 is a better board for 50 bucks cheaper
-690 performs better but you run into things like no SLI support, microstuttering to a degree, and frame latency. also note that the Titan has more compute power. a 7970 CF would also be faster than both of them, but then if you need CUDA for work, they wont cut it
-no. air cooling works fine. there is literally no reason to watercool anyways unless you are overclocking the crap out of your cards or you have the hottest running video card (gtx 480)
-my SSD is way faster than the crucial m4
-raid0 again is useless. you already have a SSD that does the speedy things.

 

[johnvonmacz]

-if you are getting a 3820, you may as well get a i7 3770k. performs better and the platform costs much less
-the gigabyte up4 is a better board for 50 bucks cheaper
-690 performs better but you run into things like no SLI support, microstuttering to a degree, and frame latency. also note that the Titan has more compute power. a 7970 CF would also be faster than both of them, but then if you need CUDA for work, they wont cut it
-no. air cooling works fine. there is literally no reason to watercool anyways unless you are overclocking the crap out of your cards or you have the hottest running video card (gtx 480)
-my SSD is way faster than the crucial m4
-raid0 again is useless. you already have a SSD that does the speedy things.

+1

 

[llguitargr8]

-if you are getting a 3820, you may as well get a i7 3770k. performs better and the platform costs much less
-the gigabyte up4 is a better board for 50 bucks cheaper
-690 performs better but you run into things like no SLI support, microstuttering to a degree, and frame latency. also note that the Titan has more compute power. a 7970 CF would also be faster than both of them, but then if you need CUDA for work, they wont cut it
-no. air cooling works fine. there is literally no reason to watercool anyways unless you are overclocking the crap out of your cards or you have the hottest running video card (gtx 480)
-my SSD is way faster than the crucial m4
-raid0 again is useless. you already have a SSD that does the speedy things.

I don't know where to even find Titans, really. As for needing CUDA for work, I would just be doing rendering and some editing. Nothing major. I would be doing more music. I don't know if CUDA helps in that department. And Ok, I'll go air cooled. Noctua NH-D14 or Cooler Master Hyper seems to be the all-round favorites. Or should I just hold on to my Zalman?

But here's the update:

CPU: Intel Core i7-3930k
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X79-UP4
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaw X 32gb (4x8gb)
System Drive: Plextor M5S 256gb
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3tb
Graphics: EVGA GTX Titan
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS
Power Supply: Seasonic X 850W
Case: Corsair Obsidian 650D

Also, as a little side question, how do you know which SSDs would be faster? Is there a way to tell by the specs?

 

[TheBigTroll]

ok then. given that you are not doing some serious work, drop back down to a z77 platform. you cant make proper use of x79 without doing a lot of work

titans are everywhere but then if you are not serious about the work, you wouldnt need more than a gtx 670
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JTpX

 

[llguitargr8]

ok then. given that you are not doing some serious work, drop back down to a z77 platform. you cant make proper use of x79 without doing a lot of work

titans are everywhere but then if you are not serious about the work, you wouldnt need more than a gtx 670
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JTpX

I like the security of having a gpu monster, though. Right now I have two 560s, and they have met instances where games become sluggish.

 

[TheBigTroll]

well you could overclock them and turn down AA to achieve better results

 

[johnvonmacz]

ok then. given that you are not doing some serious work, drop back down to a z77 platform. you cant make proper use of x79 without doing a lot of work

titans are everywhere but then if you are not serious about the work, you wouldnt need more than a gtx 670
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JTpX

I like the security of having a gpu monster, though. Right now I have two 560s, and they have met instances where games become sluggish.

Then you better get 7970 in CF then if you want to have a GPU monster for a cheaper price.

 

[llguitargr8]

Then you better get 7970 in CF then if you want to have a GPU monster for a cheaper price.

Well, the cpu and gpu are the two parts I am willing to spend top dollar. That's why I am willing to go to 6-cores and pay for a titan. Even though this build is going to be used for like 70% gaming and 30% music/video rendering and developing, I want it to be super future proof and high performing: ie very fast render times and very fast fps at very high settings. If the 690 is better than 2 7970s I will gladly put down the extra 200.

 

[TheBigTroll]

futureproofing is impossible.

and 2 7970s is faster but uses a fair bit more power

 

[llguitargr8]

futureproofing is impossible.

and 2 7970s is faster but uses a fair bit more power

Which would bring back up the cooling issue. So that's why I'm leaning towards a 690. Now, I didn't really consider the 690 vs the Titan

 

[TheBigTroll]

using more power doesnt mean creating hotter GPU temps.

 

[llguitargr8]

using more power doesnt mean creating hotter GPU temps.

So you suggest the 2 7970s?

 

[TheBigTroll]

if you want ultimate performance yes. and also, mind giving me the extra crysis 3 code that comes with your video card?

 

[llguitargr8]

if you want ultimate performance yes. and also, mind giving me the extra crysis 3 code that comes with your video card?

At first I was confused as to why you thought I should give my free game code, and then I realized I would be getting two! lol yea when I eventually get around to purchasing the parts, and I remember, sure.