Need some assistance on a new build

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cbjohn1

Honorable
Nov 28, 2012
11
0
10,510
Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Whenever I finish getting it speced out

Budget Range: No more than $1,500 (more with monitor). I'm flexible but I don't want to go all out for minute improvements in performance.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming. Nothing else really a concern.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Parts to Upgrade: Whole deal except ROM and peripherals and possibly my SSD which I think I will pull from my old build (unless there's a compelling reason for me to upgrade to a specific SSD).

Do you need to buy OS: Yes ... which should I get? :)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Cheaper the better. Amazon is nice because I have Prime. Always have used Newegg in the past.

Location: Seattle, WA

Parts Preferences: None really. I am interested in 3D though so that lend itself more to Nvidia cards????

Overclocking: Meh ... I'm flexible.

SLI or Crossfire: Yes ... I think so.

Your Monitor Resolution: High ... I like high resolution. Currently using a 24". I've thought about larger size but not really sure where the sweet spot is value wise. I definitely want a 24" upgrade (120+ hertz).

Additional Comments: play Planetside2, skyrim, Sleeping dogs, Sim City, Starcraft 2. Probably going to play BF4 when it comes out. I want something that can play graphic intensive games at ultra settings with 60fps

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My old build is fairly budget and I can afford a beefy upgrade :)

I have some specific questions as well:

1) Is 3D worthwhile? If so, what's the best option?
2) Multiple monitor (surround) setups worth it? How many games actually support it?
3) ATI or Nvidia?
4) Biggest question is what do I need for cooling a machine like this? If I buy a nice case is it going to be good to go? How much do I need to spend to cool such a machine?

This is what I speced out quickly.

1
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:Z77 Extreme4
Item #:N82E16813157293
Return Policy:Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
$134.99 $134.99
2x
EVGA SuperClocked 02G-P4-2662-KR GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Model #:02G-P4-2662-KR
Item #:N82E16814130826
Return Policy:VGA Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate Card
$214.99 -$15.00 Instant $399.98
1
Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K
Model #:BX80637I73770K
Item #:N82E16819116501
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
$329.99 $329.99
1
G.SKILL Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 (PC3 19200) Desktop Memory Model F3-2400C10D-16GTX
Model #:F3-2400C10D-16GTX
Item #:N82E16820231589
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$149.99 $149.99
1
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible with Intel ...
Model #:RR-B10-212P-G1
Item #:N82E16835103065
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate Card
$34.99 -$5.00 Instant $29.99
 
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JD88

JD88

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Feb 25, 2013
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Go with Nvidia for 3D and surround (multiple monitors)

The cooling I included with this build is fine for a moderate overclock.

Here you go:

Much cheaper RAM since games don't even use 8GB of 1600.

Insane graphics ( 2x GTX 670) You're going to need it for ultra settings at high resolutions.

BluRay drive since you said you liked 3D, you might want to watch some 3D movies?

Nice Case with a window. Everything matches all black with Corsair case, PSU, and RAM. Not sure if that sort of thing matters to you, but it does to me.

You can cut it down to $1500 with a cheaper case and no Blu Ray if you want.

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.23 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.97 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($377.28 @ TigerDirect)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($377.28 @ TigerDirect)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($98.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS29 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($49.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1602.64
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-04 01:02 EDT-0400)
 
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cbjohn1

Honorable
Nov 28, 2012
11
0
10,510
Thanks for your response. I do have some follow up questions... are the 670s really worth the price over the 660s? They are almost twice the cost of the cards I had picked out which is why I ask.

Also, my current SSD is - Crucial m4 128GB 2.5-Inch (9.5mm) SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Drive CT128M4SSD2. Is there any compelling reason to upgrade this?

Is there a good reason for using Windows 8 over Windows 7 from a gaming perspective?

And finally ... monitor suggestions?

Thanks again for your help.



 
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JD88

JD88

Honorable
Feb 25, 2013
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11,660


Yeah, the 670s are much more powerful than 660s. They are about 30% faster in most cases and have a better memory interface. You won't regret going with them.

Naa, I would just stick with the SSD you have unless you feel like you need more space.

I would go with Windows 8 just because it has some newer features, a better file explorer, and faster boot times. It really isn't all that bad and you can get the start button back with a 30 second free download of classic shell. People who complain about it are exaggerating. Some of the new apps are also kinda useful as well.


For monitor, if you are going to go 3D, this is a great choice:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236313

I have played around with 3D a little and it does give a kinda cool effect. I'm not sure if it is something I would want on all the time though. If you don't want to use 3D, I would go with a triple monitor setup with three of these :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824160154
 
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cbjohn1

Honorable
Nov 28, 2012
11
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10,510
Is 3D with surround doable? If not, maybe I just get the one ASUS and then two of the AOCs :)



 
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JD88

JD88

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Feb 25, 2013
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I don't see why you couldn't do that. My only thought would be that the center monitor might look a little different because of it being 144 Hz and 1ms response time.

You can always artificially set the Hz down to 60 on the Asus as well using the Nvidia control panel.
 
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