New build - open for review and thoughts

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Buzz247

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Mar 18, 2013
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EVGA 04G-P4-3673-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW+ 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case

LOGISYS Computer CLK12UV2 12" DUAL UV COLD CATHODE KIT - OEM

ASUS P8Z77-V LE PLUS LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Thermaltake EVO BLUE 2.0 EVO-850MPCGUS-A 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular ...

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model CMP32GX3M4X1600C10

Kingston HyperX 3K SH103S3/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (Stand-Alone Drive)

LITE-ON H/H Internal BD Writer with Nero Essential SATA IHBS312-98

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit - OEM

APEVIA CF20SL-UBL 200mm Ultra violet LED Case Fan

XSPC Raystorm 750 RX360 Extreme Universal CPU Water Cooling Kit

When i can find a decent block for it, the GPU and possibly NB will get LCS too

Total build approx $2100

Use: Gaming, dual monitor use - games ranging from Wow, EvEOnline, Skyrim, BF3

Open to suggestions, tweaks etc
 
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burritobob

burritobob

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Nov 14, 2012
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CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LE PLUS ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($90.64 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($229.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.96 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1969.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

This build you will find will perform better, has more storage space and is the same price. (It says 1900 but I did not include the custom loop that you wanted.)

I'll start from the top and work my way down on the changes I made.

First the dual 7970s will perform WAY better than a single 670 any day. At higher resolution gaming you're going to find that amd performs alot better in that category. This is a huge jump in the graphics performance of a pc.

Changed the HAF X to the 922, the 922 has PLENTY of space both of those cases are HUGE the space of the HAF X is just simply to much. The 922 is basically its little brother (though it is still massive).

Stay away from thermaltake PSUs went with corsair on this, great quality at an ok price. You can really go with any XFX Corsair Silverstone or Antec PSU though.

You DO NOT need that much memory. Even the 16gb I included is overkill for gaming. Also the corsair dominator series is probably the most overpriced RAM that you can buy. You're going to get the same performance with this 16gb kit as you would the 32gb kit.

Changed the HDD to a 256gb 840 pro, one of the best performing SSDs and also much faster (and twice the size of) the kingston drive. Take it as you will but this is definitely worth it. Also I included a 2TB HDD for mass storage. SSDs fill up quiet quickly so you should look into getting an HDD of some sort unless you already have one you plan on using.

Unless you plan on using blu-ray discs (I thought I would but I never did) you can just get a simple 20$ dvd drive.
 
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Buzz247

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Mar 18, 2013
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The case pick was for a few reasons -a top venting 360mm push/pull rad is the major, with capability to add a 240mm push/pull for LCS GPUs later on, and possibly a 120mm for NB. Yes I beleive in OVERKILL LMAO Lighting and niceties are other reasons came into play. BD - ya a lil burning is done already. I see your point on the ram though and HD. I do have a 1TB already so why it wasn't listed as a purchase. Yes I understand that dual 7970s will perform better, but the cost is astronomical - it works if willing to give up things listed above lol. So for a single card the 670 picked is preferrable, with SLi down the road, which will match a 7970 from what I have seen on benchmarks. (In my experience, not making statement or judging, I have had bad luck with ATI driver compatibility in games. Just had more stability from NVidia) I forgot I still had the Thermaltake listed in there as PSU - I switched out earlier for Corsair GS800 - Blue light goes with theme :)

Still, not throwing out your recommendations - am pondering...
 
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ubercake

ubercake

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Oct 28, 2009
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If you're looking for maximizing gaming performance (details and AA cranked for every title out) I'd go with this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80 92.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($96.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V PRO ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($207.55 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($99.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Intel 520 Series Cherryville 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case ($160.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic Platinum 860W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($189.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHBS312-98 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($89.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $2089.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-18 08:56 EDT-0400)

If you're heart's set on the liquid cooling, I'd suggest adding that and the lights later if you still feel you need to (unless you can do it all now?). You don't need a 4GB video card. 2x GTX 670s in SLI will provide excellent gaming performance whether at high FPS on one screen or playable FPS across 3 (if you ever decide to go there). Check out the GTX 670 SLI benchmarks:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-670-review,3200-16.html
and you'll get an approximation of how the 2 670s will perform for you.

Also, 16GB of RAM is plenty for just about anything you'll be doing unless you're getting into adding some serious HD video editing with multiple effects and 3D tools open.

I'd put your OS, system-related software (ie anti-virus) and drivers on the SSD. I'd install your apps and data to the WD Black.

Given you have a certain amount of money to spend on a rig, I'd put it into performance and then add the extras (lights and water) over time. Really, I know some of us like to tinker, but you won't have a need for the water in the system I recommended, because you won't need to OC anything unless you're trying to break benchmark records.
 
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Buzz247

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Mar 18, 2013
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Thought about 3770 - but the Hyperthreading isnt something I need for what I do - if I was doing CAD and stuff, sure. But that is way overkill. Upside, should I need to down the road, everything i have will just plop a 3770 right in

 
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Buzz247

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Mar 18, 2013
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I agree performance first - but also trying to build in scaling. Going with only 1 GPU atm allows performace for anything I am currently doing with SLi scaling later as needed, while saving money to apply toward LCS, which will allow OC and scaling as needed later too. I do have a 1TB HD I will be using with the SSD. I am curious why you chose the -v PRO over the LE Plus MB. I do not need the WiFi Go! so hence why i went LE+. Did I miss something on the PRO?

Took some suggestions and made a few changes:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/KvzG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/KvzG/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/KvzG/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LE PLUS ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($99.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($229.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 4GB Video Card ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Wired Network Adapter: Intel EXPI9301CTBLK 10/100/1000 Mbps PCI-Express x1 Network Adapter ($29.11 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case ($160.00 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Apevia CF20SL-UBL 125.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($16.98 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Apevia CF20SL-UBL 125.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($16.98 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Apevia CF20SL-UBL 125.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($16.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Gaming 800W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($129.99 @ Best Buy)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHBS312-98 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($89.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($135.97 @ Outlet PC)
Other: XSPC_Raystorm_750_RX360_Extreme_Universal_CPU_Water_Cooling_Kit_New_Rev_4_Pump_Included ($204.00)
Other: Dual UV Cold Cathode Qty 2 ($12.16)
Total: $1932.10
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-18 09:39 EDT-0400)
 
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J_E_D_70

J_E_D_70

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Mar 21, 2012
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My only input would be to get a non-reference card. Wish more folks would post that in their builds. The blower on the reference-style is incredibly loud under load and limits the overclocking since it barely does the job at stock. Then again, if you're going to WC the GPU soon it's maybe not a big deal.
 
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Buzz247

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Mar 18, 2013
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I actually thought that card FTW version 4GB was non-reference in fact. I may have missed something - hence why I'm in here lol Care to suggest one?

If it is reference my worries over finding a block are gone lol
 
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