New Build ~ $900 Gaming desktop computer not including monitor, keyboard, and O/S

[dlund]

Hey guys whats up. I recently put up a post for a $600-700 gaming computer and I would like to see what the differences are to a $900 build. I would like this thing to last performance wise for a bit, so I don't have to replace parts in the first few months.

The Computer will be used mostly for gaming, with word processing thrown in there too. I would like to be able to run the games coming out this year on it with pretty high graphics, but it that is out of my price range just let me know.


Approximate Purchase Date: Next 1-2 Weeks

Budget Range: $900

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Parts Not Required: Mouse, keyboard, O/S

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: no preference

Country: U.S.A

Parts Preferences: Would like an Intel(Haswell) CPU if possible

Overclocking: probably won't overclock

SLI or Crossfire: Probably won't use either

Monitor Resolution: 1980X1080

Additional Comments: I want some high quality parts, so its okay to push the price range a bit if needed

 

[RazerZ]

What I would go with. The Xeon is about the same as a 3770, but you save $100.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($85.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($63.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($283.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-L2R-20AC-GP 69.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($6.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-L2R-20AC-GP 69.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($6.98 @ Outlet PC)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $880.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-14 14:25 EDT-0400)

 

[dlund]

What I would go with. The Xeon is about the same as a 3770, but you save $100.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($85.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($63.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($283.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-L2R-20AC-GP 69.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($6.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-L2R-20AC-GP 69.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($6.98 @ Outlet PC)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $880.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-14 14:25 EDT-0400)

WOuld that processor be better than the AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor?

 

[AMD Radeon]

^ FX 6300 is meant to be overclocked, so it may not suit you

this is haswell non OC build, with GTX 770

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H87M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($385.91 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $905.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-15 01:44 EDT-0400)

 

[dlund]

^ FX 6300 is meant to be overclocked, so it may not suit you

this is haswell non OC build, with GTX 770

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H87M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($385.91 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $905.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-15 01:44 EDT-0400)

How is it that the GeForce Video card has1 less GB but is $100 more expensive? That doesn't seem to make any sense to me

 

[realchaos]

When comparing gpu, it's not all about the vram. 2gb or more VRAM is only necessary when you plan to go 1440p/1600p/4k/triple monitor gaming.
Since you're only using a single 1080p monitor, 2gb of vram is more than enough.
The GTX 770 can max out any game on 1080p, whereas the 7970 may struggle on max settings on the higher end games.

 

[AMD Radeon]

^ well you can always swap that card
the choice is yours

 

[dlund]

When comparing gpu, it's not all about the vram. 2gb or more VRAM is only necessary when you plan to go 1440p/1600p/4k/triple monitor gaming.
Since you're only using a single 1080p monitor, 2gb of vram is more than enough.
The GTX 770 can max out any game on 1080p, whereas the 7970 may struggle on max settings on the higher end games.

So if I wanted to play for example, BF 4 (when it comes out) on full graphics, even though the specs for it say recommended 3 GB, it would still be able to run at full graphics because it is a single monitor/1080p?

 

[realchaos]

Yes it could. If you look at the recommend requirements again, it recommends a 7870 or GTX 660 (both 2gb vram cards) and 3gb of vram. Clearly there was something wrong there.
Nonetheless, a GTX 770 is strong enough to max out any game on 1080p.

 

[AMD Radeon]

^ true...
GTX 770 is comparable with 7970 GHZ edition, not regular 7970

if you want AMD card, it is not bad idea

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H87M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($353.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $873.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-15 02:25 EDT-0400)

 

[dlund]

Yes it could. If you look at the recommend requirements again, it recommends a 7870 or GTX 660 (both 2gb vram cards) and 3gb of vram. Clearly there was something wrong there.
Nonetheless, a GTX 770 is strong enough to max out any game on 1080p.

Thanks, you've been a great help, is there anything I can do to repay you?

 

[dlund]

^ true...
GTX 770 is comparable with 7970 GHZ edition, not regular 7970

if you want AMD card, it is not bad idea

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H87M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($353.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $873.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-15 02:25 EDT-0400)

Is there really a difference between the two chips? or do the 2GB and 3GB ratings not really affect performance?

 

[AMD Radeon]

^ yes, you can judge more fairly from benchmark, not the vram

google : GTX 770 review tomshardware

and see how the two cards campared

 

[dlund]

^ yes, you can judge more fairly from benchmark, not the vram

google : GTX 770 review tomshardware

and see how the two cards campared

Thanks, That helped me. So it looks like they are about the same except the 770 has a little more consistent frame time variance and the 7970 wins a little sometimes in frame rate. They seem like very evenly matched components. The only difference that sticks out to me is the $30 price difference and even that is pretty negligible when talking about these computer parts. I really don't think I can go wrong, but I also don't know what to choose.

 

[RazerZ]

^ yes, you can judge more fairly from benchmark, not the vram

google : GTX 770 review tomshardware

and see how the two cards campared

Thanks, That helped me. So it looks like they are about the same except the 770 has a little more consistent frame time variance and the 7970 wins a little sometimes in frame rate. They seem like very evenly matched components. The only difference that sticks out to me is the $30 price difference and even that is pretty negligible when talking about these computer parts. I really don't think I can go wrong, but I also don't know what to choose.

Sorry I'm a bit late, but the Xeon is better than an i5 4570. It's basically the same as an i7 just a tiny bit behind and can't overclock. Also when choosing AMD vs Nvidia it all comes down to if you want to use dual graphics in the future. If you want to go for the Nvidia GTX 770, but if you don't want go for the Radeon HD 7970. Also if you go for the radeon you get three free games . When you tell me your choice I can make a build for you.

 

[vpahel]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1DZJG

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($203.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $878.89

The total is actually $919 but you get $20 off when you buy the WD hard drive and the case together and there are also mail in rebates.

 

[Andrew Calder]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1DZSJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1DZSJ/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1DZSJ/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek Dark Knight II SD1283 Night Hawk Edition 89.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($16.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $898.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-15 09:44 EDT-0400)

 

[dlund]

^ yes, you can judge more fairly from benchmark, not the vram

google : GTX 770 review tomshardware

and see how the two cards campared

Thanks, That helped me. So it looks like they are about the same except the 770 has a little more consistent frame time variance and the 7970 wins a little sometimes in frame rate. They seem like very evenly matched components. The only difference that sticks out to me is the $30 price difference and even that is pretty negligible when talking about these computer parts. I really don't think I can go wrong, but I also don't know what to choose.

Sorry I'm a bit late, but the Xeon is better than an i5 4570. It's basically the same as an i7 just a tiny bit behind and can't overclock. Also when choosing AMD vs Nvidia it all comes down to if you want to use dual graphics in the future. If you want to go for the Nvidia GTX 770, but if you don't want go for the Radeon HD 7970. Also if you go for the radeon you get three free games . When you tell me your choice I can make a build for you.

So If I wanted, for example, in the near future to use a dual monitor setup, then it would be advisable to choose the NVidia GTX 770, but if I am planning on staying with a single monitor setup then it would be advisable to get the Radeon HD 7970. Also, how easy/effective is it to do a dual graphics setup? I'm not too sure what the general consensus on it is, it seems like if you use two neither works at full capacity. But I can see the economy in it if you want to upgrade but don't want to blow $700 on a new chip, you could just buy another one of the single you have, and that would make it more powerful for a cheaper cost right? Or am I just wrong? Is using a dual graphics set up that good?

 

[RazerZ]

^ yes, you can judge more fairly from benchmark, not the vram

google : GTX 770 review tomshardware

and see how the two cards campared

Thanks, That helped me. So it looks like they are about the same except the 770 has a little more consistent frame time variance and the 7970 wins a little sometimes in frame rate. They seem like very evenly matched components. The only difference that sticks out to me is the $30 price difference and even that is pretty negligible when talking about these computer parts. I really don't think I can go wrong, but I also don't know what to choose.

Sorry I'm a bit late, but the Xeon is better than an i5 4570. It's basically the same as an i7 just a tiny bit behind and can't overclock. Also when choosing AMD vs Nvidia it all comes down to if you want to use dual graphics in the future. If you want to go for the Nvidia GTX 770, but if you don't want go for the Radeon HD 7970. Also if you go for the radeon you get three free games . When you tell me your choice I can make a build for you.

So If I wanted, for example, in the near future to use a dual monitor setup, then it would be advisable to choose the NVidia GTX 770, but if I am planning on staying with a single monitor setup then it would be advisable to get the Radeon HD 7970. Also, how easy/effective is it to do a dual graphics setup? I'm not too sure what the general consensus on it is, it seems like if you use two neither works at full capacity. But I can see the economy in it if you want to upgrade but don't want to blow $700 on a new chip, you could just buy another one of the single you have, and that would make it more powerful for a cheaper cost right? Or am I just wrong? Is using a dual graphics set up that good?

Yes if you plan on using dual graphics then go for a GTX 760 or 770. Later on get the second card because the prices will be really low. To set up dual GPUs you just need to plug it into the motherboard and connect an sli bridge, it's really easy

 

[dlund]

^ yes, you can judge more fairly from benchmark, not the vram

google : GTX 770 review tomshardware

and see how the two cards campared

Thanks, That helped me. So it looks like they are about the same except the 770 has a little more consistent frame time variance and the 7970 wins a little sometimes in frame rate. They seem like very evenly matched components. The only difference that sticks out to me is the $30 price difference and even that is pretty negligible when talking about these computer parts. I really don't think I can go wrong, but I also don't know what to choose.

Sorry I'm a bit late, but the Xeon is better than an i5 4570. It's basically the same as an i7 just a tiny bit behind and can't overclock. Also when choosing AMD vs Nvidia it all comes down to if you want to use dual graphics in the future. If you want to go for the Nvidia GTX 770, but if you don't want go for the Radeon HD 7970. Also if you go for the radeon you get three free games . When you tell me your choice I can make a build for you.

So If I wanted, for example, in the near future to use a dual monitor setup, then it would be advisable to choose the NVidia GTX 770, but if I am planning on staying with a single monitor setup then it would be advisable to get the Radeon HD 7970. Also, how easy/effective is it to do a dual graphics setup? I'm not too sure what the general consensus on it is, it seems like if you use two neither works at full capacity. But I can see the economy in it if you want to upgrade but don't want to blow $700 on a new chip, you could just buy another one of the single you have, and that would make it more powerful for a cheaper cost right? Or am I just wrong? Is using a dual graphics set up that good?

Yes if you plan on using dual graphics then go for a GTX 760 or 770. Later on get the second card because the prices will be really low. To set up dual GPUs you just need to plug it into the motherboard and connect an sli bridge, it's really easy

OKay, so dual GPU's are for dual monitors, can you use dual GPU's for a single monitor and have the graphics performance increase?

 

[RazerZ]

^ yes, you can judge more fairly from benchmark, not the vram

google : GTX 770 review tomshardware

and see how the two cards campared

Thanks, That helped me. So it looks like they are about the same except the 770 has a little more consistent frame time variance and the 7970 wins a little sometimes in frame rate. They seem like very evenly matched components. The only difference that sticks out to me is the $30 price difference and even that is pretty negligible when talking about these computer parts. I really don't think I can go wrong, but I also don't know what to choose.

Sorry I'm a bit late, but the Xeon is better than an i5 4570. It's basically the same as an i7 just a tiny bit behind and can't overclock. Also when choosing AMD vs Nvidia it all comes down to if you want to use dual graphics in the future. If you want to go for the Nvidia GTX 770, but if you don't want go for the Radeon HD 7970. Also if you go for the radeon you get three free games . When you tell me your choice I can make a build for you.

So If I wanted, for example, in the near future to use a dual monitor setup, then it would be advisable to choose the NVidia GTX 770, but if I am planning on staying with a single monitor setup then it would be advisable to get the Radeon HD 7970. Also, how easy/effective is it to do a dual graphics setup? I'm not too sure what the general consensus on it is, it seems like if you use two neither works at full capacity. But I can see the economy in it if you want to upgrade but don't want to blow $700 on a new chip, you could just buy another one of the single you have, and that would make it more powerful for a cheaper cost right? Or am I just wrong? Is using a dual graphics set up that good?

Yes if you plan on using dual graphics then go for a GTX 760 or 770. Later on get the second card because the prices will be really low. To set up dual GPUs you just need to plug it into the motherboard and connect an sli bridge, it's really easy

OKay, so dual GPU's are for dual monitors, can you use dual GPU's for a single monitor and have the graphics performance increase?

Yes.

 

[dlund]

^ yes, you can judge more fairly from benchmark, not the vram

google : GTX 770 review tomshardware

and see how the two cards campared

Thanks, That helped me. So it looks like they are about the same except the 770 has a little more consistent frame time variance and the 7970 wins a little sometimes in frame rate. They seem like very evenly matched components. The only difference that sticks out to me is the $30 price difference and even that is pretty negligible when talking about these computer parts. I really don't think I can go wrong, but I also don't know what to choose.

Sorry I'm a bit late, but the Xeon is better than an i5 4570. It's basically the same as an i7 just a tiny bit behind and can't overclock. Also when choosing AMD vs Nvidia it all comes down to if you want to use dual graphics in the future. If you want to go for the Nvidia GTX 770, but if you don't want go for the Radeon HD 7970. Also if you go for the radeon you get three free games . When you tell me your choice I can make a build for you.

So If I wanted, for example, in the near future to use a dual monitor setup, then it would be advisable to choose the NVidia GTX 770, but if I am planning on staying with a single monitor setup then it would be advisable to get the Radeon HD 7970. Also, how easy/effective is it to do a dual graphics setup? I'm not too sure what the general consensus on it is, it seems like if you use two neither works at full capacity. But I can see the economy in it if you want to upgrade but don't want to blow $700 on a new chip, you could just buy another one of the single you have, and that would make it more powerful for a cheaper cost right? Or am I just wrong? Is using a dual graphics set up that good?

Yes if you plan on using dual graphics then go for a GTX 760 or 770. Later on get the second card because the prices will be really low. To set up dual GPUs you just need to plug it into the motherboard and connect an sli bridge, it's really easy

OKay, so dual GPU's are for dual monitors, can you use dual GPU's for a single monitor and have the graphics performance increase?

Yes.

OKay, so the GTX is good for dual.
And is the AMD card really not able to dual GPU that easy? Cause I really want those games

Lol okay I just answered my own question by looking at those benchmarks you showed me, the 7970 really does not do well compared to the 770 in multi GPU tests

So I would want a 770 graphics card and the Intel Xeon processor right? and past that I;m not sure

 

[realchaos]

While both of them can crossfire/SLI just as easy, AMD's crossfire drivers are not that great yet. It is true that they have been working on it and it has been getting better, but it's still not as good as NVIDIA's SLI drivers.

 

[RazerZ]

^ yes, you can judge more fairly from benchmark, not the vram

google : GTX 770 review tomshardware

and see how the two cards campared

Thanks, That helped me. So it looks like they are about the same except the 770 has a little more consistent frame time variance and the 7970 wins a little sometimes in frame rate. They seem like very evenly matched components. The only difference that sticks out to me is the $30 price difference and even that is pretty negligible when talking about these computer parts. I really don't think I can go wrong, but I also don't know what to choose.

Sorry I'm a bit late, but the Xeon is better than an i5 4570. It's basically the same as an i7 just a tiny bit behind and can't overclock. Also when choosing AMD vs Nvidia it all comes down to if you want to use dual graphics in the future. If you want to go for the Nvidia GTX 770, but if you don't want go for the Radeon HD 7970. Also if you go for the radeon you get three free games . When you tell me your choice I can make a build for you.

So If I wanted, for example, in the near future to use a dual monitor setup, then it would be advisable to choose the NVidia GTX 770, but if I am planning on staying with a single monitor setup then it would be advisable to get the Radeon HD 7970. Also, how easy/effective is it to do a dual graphics setup? I'm not too sure what the general consensus on it is, it seems like if you use two neither works at full capacity. But I can see the economy in it if you want to upgrade but don't want to blow $700 on a new chip, you could just buy another one of the single you have, and that would make it more powerful for a cheaper cost right? Or am I just wrong? Is using a dual graphics set up that good?

Yes if you plan on using dual graphics then go for a GTX 760 or 770. Later on get the second card because the prices will be really low. To set up dual GPUs you just need to plug it into the motherboard and connect an sli bridge, it's really easy

OKay, so dual GPU's are for dual monitors, can you use dual GPU's for a single monitor and have the graphics performance increase?

Yes.

OKay, so the GTX is good for dual.
And is the AMD card really not able to dual GPU that easy? Cause I really want those games

Lol okay I just answered my own question by looking at those benchmarks you showed me, the 7970 really does not do well compared to the 770 in multi GPU tests

So I would want a 770 graphics card and the Intel Xeon processor right? and past that I;m not sure

Yes you would if you don't plan to overclock

 

[dlund]

^ yes, you can judge more fairly from benchmark, not the vram

google : GTX 770 review tomshardware

and see how the two cards campared

Thanks, That helped me. So it looks like they are about the same except the 770 has a little more consistent frame time variance and the 7970 wins a little sometimes in frame rate. They seem like very evenly matched components. The only difference that sticks out to me is the $30 price difference and even that is pretty negligible when talking about these computer parts. I really don't think I can go wrong, but I also don't know what to choose.

Sorry I'm a bit late, but the Xeon is better than an i5 4570. It's basically the same as an i7 just a tiny bit behind and can't overclock. Also when choosing AMD vs Nvidia it all comes down to if you want to use dual graphics in the future. If you want to go for the Nvidia GTX 770, but if you don't want go for the Radeon HD 7970. Also if you go for the radeon you get three free games . When you tell me your choice I can make a build for you.

So If I wanted, for example, in the near future to use a dual monitor setup, then it would be advisable to choose the NVidia GTX 770, but if I am planning on staying with a single monitor setup then it would be advisable to get the Radeon HD 7970. Also, how easy/effective is it to do a dual graphics setup? I'm not too sure what the general consensus on it is, it seems like if you use two neither works at full capacity. But I can see the economy in it if you want to upgrade but don't want to blow $700 on a new chip, you could just buy another one of the single you have, and that would make it more powerful for a cheaper cost right? Or am I just wrong? Is using a dual graphics set up that good?

Yes if you plan on using dual graphics then go for a GTX 760 or 770. Later on get the second card because the prices will be really low. To set up dual GPUs you just need to plug it into the motherboard and connect an sli bridge, it's really easy

OKay, so dual GPU's are for dual monitors, can you use dual GPU's for a single monitor and have the graphics performance increase?

Yes.

OKay, so the GTX is good for dual.
And is the AMD card really not able to dual GPU that easy? Cause I really want those games

Lol okay I just answered my own question by looking at those benchmarks you showed me, the 7970 really does not do well compared to the 770 in multi GPU tests

So I would want a 770 graphics card and the Intel Xeon processor right? and past that I;m not sure

Yes you would if you don't plan to overclock

Yeah overclocking sounds like fun and all but I don't want to try that on my first PC. Could you help me create a build for this with the specifactions we came up with then? I would greatly appreciate it =D (Around $1000 is okay for price point)