triple monitor gaming build- looking for tom's blessings

Noble3475 · May 7, 2014

I'm planning a new rig for triple monitor HD gaming in at least high setting on all games (including BF4). I want to make sure the following is an optimized build for my purpose without any obvious overkill or bottlenecks. (saving money is always a plus)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74770k) | $319.99 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z87extreme4) | $134.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d8gbxl) | $72.00 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d8gbxl) | $72.00 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-internal-hard-drive-sv300s37a240g) | $104.99 @ Newegg
**Video Card** | [Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 4GB Tri-X Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003613sr) | $500.00 @ Amazon
**Case** | [Cougar Evolution-W (White) ATX Full Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cougar-case-evolutionw) | $89.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [Rosewill Capstone 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-power-supply-capstone550) | $77.98 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1371.94
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-07 20:47 EDT-0400 |

some alternatives I had in mind include:
GPU: R9 290
CPU: i7 4670k or i7 4820k

someday in the future (6mo-yr) i'll add a 2nd card to this build
Expert Opinion is greatly valued. Thank you!

cball1311 · May 7, 2014

I would say that if you are mainly gaming, stick with the i5-4670K, it will be plenty for games. Plus, you can get by with 8GB RAM which is more than enough for gaming. I would also bump that PSU up to a 850W, preferably SeaSonic, Antec, Corsair (not CX), XFX if you are gonna add another card later. If you think that you are going to be overclocking, you probably will want an aftermarket cooler. Coolermaster 212 EVO is good starter OC HSF assembly. If you want more, you might wanna look into Noctua, Phanteks, or Coolermaster high performance coolers. If you think that 250GB is gonna be enough drive space, stick with that. You may want to consider another mechanical HDD though.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.97 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($61.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($78.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 4GB Tri-X Video Card ($500.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Overseer RX-I ATX Full Tower Case ($85.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($128.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1344.32
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-07 21:36 EDT-0400)

Noble3475 · May 7, 2014

cball1311 :

I would say that if you are mainly gaming, stick with the i5-4670K, it will be plenty for games. Plus, you can get by with 8GB RAM which is more than enough for gaming. I would also bump that PSU up to a 850W, preferably SeaSonic, Antec, Corsair (not CX), XFX if you are gonna add another card later. If you think that you are going to be overclocking, you probably will want an aftermarket cooler. Coolermaster 212 EVO is good starter OC HSF assembly. If you want more, you might wanna look into Noctua, Phanteks, or Coolermaster high performance coolers. If you think that 250GB is gonna be enough drive space, stick with that. You may want to consider another mechanical HDD though.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.97 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($61.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($78.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 4GB Tri-X Video Card ($500.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Overseer RX-I ATX Full Tower Case ($85.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($128.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1344.32
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-07 21:36 EDT-0400)

Thank you very much for your input. it's greatly appreciated. few clarifications. so you wouldn't consider going with i7 4820k w/ LGA2011 for another card later? also i don't understand this PSU. from the research i've done it sounds PSU work most efficiently at about 85-95%. Is the 850W for the OCing or am i missing something fundamental?

cball1311 · May 7, 2014

The i5 will definitely be able to handle another 290 with no problem. And for the PSU, yes, I went ahead and put the 850 in now so you won't have to worry about upgrading the PSU when you get a second card.

Pondering · May 7, 2014

Magical load is 50%.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_Plus#Efficiency_level_certifications

the 80% - 94% figures refer to the efficiency rating of the power supplies at 50% load for rating of 80 Plus to 80 Titanium. It does not refer to the the load percentage

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