$400 range video card help

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greg611

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Oct 24, 2012
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I've got a build that I'm so close to pulling the trigger on but I keep coming back to the mobo and video card. Probably settled on the Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 mobo and there's a bunch of choices in the GTX 770 range. Or 670... or... I could use some help. Will be doing a lot of Photoshopping with large files, some Avid work and some games. Also, aside from adding more RAM and possibly another video card I'd like to have this machine last 4 years. I'm grateful for your help. Here's what I've got so far:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($214.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($108.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($407.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.02 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Thermaltake EVO Blue 2.0 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($137.19 @ TigerDirect)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($124.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1854.12
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-25 18:45 EDT-0400)
 
Solution
babernet_1
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JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

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Dominators are too tall, will hit ya cooler....lose the tall, toothy heat sinks and get low profile RAM

WD Black $19 cheaper on newegg

The factory OC'd Asus, Gigabyte and MSI are the three to choose from....only one I'd rule out is the EVGA SC series

Thermaltake PSU is one Id not recommend and 750 is a little light for twin 770s. Corsair 500R w/ HX850 is $200 for the pair after $45 MIR and $20 promo code
The HX is a huge step up in quality (10.0 jonnyguru performance rating)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1390832

If Im spending $70 on a cooler, Id get the Phanteks
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709004
http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/phanteks_ph_tc14pe_cpu_cooler_review,14.html

 
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babernet_1

babernet_1

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First of all, the GTX 770 is a must. Quieter, faster, better solution than the 670. Way better cooler and fan system, and about 15 to 20% faster.

If you really want to speed things up, go with a Samsung 840 500GB SSD.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147190&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

It is $10 off now for a $320 price. Just think, with 500GB of space, you could put photoshop and the photos all on the SSD and really be fast. Plus with the trimming and cleanup, your disk will last for years and years.
 
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greg611

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Oct 24, 2012
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Ok- updated the list. Decided to wait on the 500g SSD- at least for now. Changed the RAM- new stuff looks lower profile. That's a lifesaver tip by the way. Changed the power supply and cooler too. The cooler- do I need that in the first place? Hearing different things. Here's what I got:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_RD 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($214.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($108.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($407.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.02 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($124.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1791.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-25 19:40 EDT-0400)
 
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babernet_1

babernet_1

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You want RAM more like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233280&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Just two modules leaves more room for your cooler and leaves you open to adding more RAM later. Plus this is 1600 speed, not 1333 like you selected. 1333 will be noticeably slower than 1600 ram while anything faster than 1600 will be very little faster and will reduce the overclocking ability of your CPU.
 
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greg611

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Oct 24, 2012
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Thanks! Updated:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_RD 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($125.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($214.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($108.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($407.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.02 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($124.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1782.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-25 20:03 EDT-0400)
 
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greg611

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Oct 24, 2012
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Thanks- saved me ten bucks and it's a faster card (core and boost clocks).
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_RD 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($125.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($214.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($108.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($399.81 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.02 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair 760W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($124.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1814.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-25 21:24 EDT-0400)
 
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greg611

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Oct 24, 2012
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Last question (I hope!) before I plop down the credit card. How can I find out if the video card will fit? It's 10.5"- bigger than most and I'm worried it won't fit. Don't want to find out the hard way.
 
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babernet_1

babernet_1

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Part of the cage of the case can be removed, allowing for cards up to 18 inches long.
 
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greg611

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Oct 24, 2012
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I know I originally asked for help with graphics card but the help with the RAM- I feel like that saved me some major frustration so I voted that as the best answer. Probably shouldn't a done that but you can only pick one and there was 5 extremely helpful answers.
 
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