Spartin503 said:
CPU: I would go with the 4770k because the other 2 parts listed are 2011 sockets and that is fine but you are going to be spending a lot more on the motherboard and for only 2 perks. 1. More PCIe lanes, which unless you are using 3-4 graphics cards you won't use, and 2. Quad channel memory, which unless you are using specific applications you won't see a difference with.
RAM: Yes if the processors have quad channel memory I would use four stick, just like if it has dual channel memory I would use 2 sticks. But you can always use a multiple of the channel that the CPU supports, so you can use 4 stick on dual channel but I wouldn't use 3.
Storage: Yes I would suggest an SSD for this build because if you are spending this much on a computer and you don't have an SSD, shame on you. A SSD is made from NAND flash, the same stuff that are in flash drives, but a higher quality of it and in larger quantities. So for this build I would probably get a 256GB Samsung EVO, they are around $180 but they are multitudes faster than HDD. Also the RAID you are looking for is RAID 1.
Motherboard: Since I am recommending a 1150 socket CPU I will recommend the
MSI Z87-G45 Gaming. It is a great board and it has a lot of nice features. And it won't hold you back at all. But if you still want to go with the 2011 socket CPU that motherboard that you mentioned is a great board too.
Video Card: If you are buying right now I would get the 7990 because of a few reasons. 1. It will outperform the 780 and the 770 in most games. 2. It comes with 8 great games, and if you already have some you can make a friend really happy, or sell them to make some money back. But if you don't want to get it still I would recommend the 290X when it comes back in stock because it performs almost the same as the 7990 and it is a little less power hungry and a bit quieter, but it is still hot. But with the 290X it is designed to run hot.
Thank you for you advice. Is it best to avoid new graphics cards when they are fresh on the market (to give time to work out unforseen kinks)? I have read the r9 290x runs at 95°C max..you mentioned it is designed to run hot but will that kind of temp be harmful through years of use (to itself and to surrounding components)? It is possibly to add extra aftermarket cooling to a vieo card?
I know the 7990 runs two 7970 cards, but does this mean it runs them in crossfire with two cards or are both cores added to one card to run? are there any differences between a 7970 crossfire setup (do they use the same number of PCIe slots, power cnsumption, ect..)?
I do not see your recommended motherboard as an option on ibuypower unfortunately (and i don't trust myself to purchase and install on my own). i do see a G41 though, and a gd65 gaming. Any other suggestions possibly?
edit: I have read the specs on both motherboard and they seem identical with the gd65 having a few extra internal connections and minor differences. I did read that 3 PCIe 3.0 ports are pressent in both but setup is either (16x,4x,4x) or (8x,8x,4x). Does this mean i couldnt run two video cards in the future both at 16x?
Also i glancingly read about people using an added nvidia graphics card simply to have physx...what do they mean by this?