$1000 BF3 Build

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pfcdude

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Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP (unless a new piece of hardware will be out soon that justifies the wait)

Budget Range: Around $1000 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (BF3,SC2, Skyrim) - lots of general use multitasking across 3 monitors.

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers,OS.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon, TigerDirect

Country: U.S.

Parts Preferences: Intel

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Yes in the future.

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 -
1- Acer P235H
http://support.acer.com/product/default.aspx?modelId=1162
2- Acer A231H
http://support.acer.com/product/default.aspx?modelId=2530

1 Monitor has HDMI/DVI
2 Have only DVI



I know I want a i5, 8 gig ram, Motherboard/Power Supply capable of Crossfire/SLI & USB 3.0



I've seen these items recommended in various configurations and would like to hear feedback to decide the best configuration.


Intel Core i5-2500K - $229.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=10p0xiindi6ji


GPU Cooler:
Thermaltake Frio Cooler - $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106150

vs

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7- $30.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065


Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3P - $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128506

vs

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 $122.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&Tpk=z68%20extreme3&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1ueo4lddth4d1

vs


GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 $112.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-GIGABYTE-_-13128502


Memory:
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $46.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=k29tlml0iz01


Power Supply:
CORSAIR Professional Series HX750 (CMPSU-750HX) 750W - $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010&Tpk=CORSAIR%20Professional%20Series%20HX750

vs
CORSAIR Gaming Series GS800 800W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready- $125.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139025

vs
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V $105.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021&Tpk=Corsair%20Enthusiast%20Series%20TX750%20V2



GPU:
GIGABYTE GV-N570OC-13I Rev2.0 GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB - $329.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125384

HDD: I have a 1TB drive but would like to run the OS + common apps from a SSD

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III SSD $175.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1icfb99gbvg7t

Case:
Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid Tower ATX Case -60.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=Cooler%20Master%20HAF%20912%20Mid%20Tower%20ATX%20Case

VS

Rosewill CHALLENGER-U3 -$60.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147060
Vs

any suggustions?

Optical:
SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner 22X DVD+R $16.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=oesf70kjg95u


MISC Questions:


1- Will I have a problem running 3 monitors from one card? 2 dvi + 1 hdmi.

2- Do you consider a 120gb SSD the appropriate size? I'll put games+media on the 1TB drive.

3- Will the mid size tower cases accomidate two 570s in SLI?

Thank in advance.
 
Solution
sosofm
MOBO : ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155
CPU COOLER : COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
PSU : CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX850 V2 850W 120$ after rebates.
For windows is enough a 60 - 64GB SSD Crucial M4 2.5" 64GB SATA III http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441 100$
CASE : Cooler Master HAF 912 it have enough space for a future SLI or Crossfire.
With one 570 you can't run 3 monitor setup, you will still need 2 cards for 3 monitors with Nvidia it's an architecture limitation.
If you want 3 monitor setup with one GPU buy AMD 6970 HIS IceQ Turbo HD 6970 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161382 320$ after rebates.
If you can raise a little the budget buy a 7950 video card.
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sosofm

sosofm

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MOBO : ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155
CPU COOLER : COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
PSU : CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX850 V2 850W 120$ after rebates.
For windows is enough a 60 - 64GB SSD Crucial M4 2.5" 64GB SATA III http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441 100$
CASE : Cooler Master HAF 912 it have enough space for a future SLI or Crossfire.
With one 570 you can't run 3 monitor setup, you will still need 2 cards for 3 monitors with Nvidia it's an architecture limitation.
If you want 3 monitor setup with one GPU buy AMD 6970 HIS IceQ Turbo HD 6970 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161382 320$ after rebates.
If you can raise a little the budget buy a 7950 video card.
 
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Solution
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azeem40

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The 570 alone will not support three monitors; you need 2 NVIDIA cards for that. Besides, eyefinity is cheaper and better. Get the 6970 as suggested above.
 
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Bran187

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As far as i know (this applies to my 6870 anyway) to eyefinity more then 2 monitors you must go thru a displayport or minidisplayport. I found out the hard way after blowing about 100 bucks on adapters that would prove to be pointless.

I tried.... 2 dvi 1 hdmi. Didn't work.
2 dvi 1 mini diplsayport to hdmi (not an active adapter so it didn't work)
1 dvi, 1 hdmi, and the non working adapter above.

Finally i did some research and found out that you need to use an active displayport or minidisplayport (depending on which your card has) to dvi or vga adpater. So i got this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814999034&Tpk=saphire%20mini%20displayport%20to%20dvi which has been working very well.

My current setup is a 21.5 inch 1600x900 a 21.5 inch 1920x1080 another 1600x900. (Middle monitor is for games that dont support eyefinity like Mass Effect). Eyefinity at 4800x900. Two dvi, 1 mini displayport and then an hdmi going into my TV so i can switch to it for movies and stuff. Its been working pretty well. The only game i have had to turn down the eyefinity res on is BF3 which i play at 3840x720. Still looks good though.

Hope that helped.
 
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phamhlam

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Go with the Hyper 212 cooler, ASRock Gen 3 mobo, Corsair Vengence RAM, Corsair HX750, MSI 6970, and the Rosewill case has a better interior.

1. You need two nvidia card to get 3 monitor so it would be best to go with an AMD card.

2. 120GB is enough for a lot. Unless you have more than 4-5 games you need at one time, 120GB is enough.

3. Don't SLI in such a small case since your GPU will be really hot.
 
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lldsgt

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instead of the CPU cooler you have get the Hyper 212 EVO, from what ive read the 212+ has poor contact with the pipes to the CPU, the EVO provides a signifigantly better performance and is on newegg for only $35, 5 bucks more
 
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lldsgt

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Also forgot to add if you are able to get to a Micro center, until the 13th they have a promo of $50 off your mobo when you get a CPU, if you get the i52500k its $180 and to off a mobo, which you can upgrade your current ASRock Extreme3 gen3 Z68 to a Extreme4 Gen3 Z68 for 135 after rebate/discount.
 
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Bran187

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This. Thats what i would do anyway.
 
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pfcdude

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Woa you guys rock!

Thank you so much for all of the advise. I researched all the parts and pulled a bit of input from several of you and came up with this:

Case: -Listened to Phamhlam and upgraded size for future SLI heat concerns . Tomshardware had this one as a top 5 value-sli case.

Rosewill BlackHawk- $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147107


Motherboard: I wanted to upgrade like lldsgt suggested but micro center isn't in my state.

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 $122
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

CPU:
Intel Core i5-2500K $225
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-BOX80623I52500K-Core-i5-2500K-Processor/dp/B004EBUXHQ


CPU Cooler: - Changed per lldsgt recommendation
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099


GPU: Woa biggest thank you sosofm for preventing that mistake.
HD 6970 $340-20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161382


HDD:

Crucial M4 128GB Sata III SSD $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442
+
Recycle existing 1TB HDD


PSU:
CORSAIR Professional Series HX750 $150-20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010&Tpk=CORSAIR%20Professional%20Series%20HX750


Memory:
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) $50.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144

Optical:
SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner $16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244

Mini Display Port - DVI Adapter $30 (Thanks Bran187!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814999034

Does everything look ok?

The total is $1231
 
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pfcdude

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Update:

I'm very happy with the final product but would like to make the community aware of two small issues with this configuration.

1- The fan on the removable side of the case will not go on with the 212 cooler.

2- If you intend on purchasing 16gb of corsair vengeance you will need the low profile version with the 212. However, two sticks works just fine.


Again thanks for all the help. I can finally enjoy BF3 and SCII on maxed settings.


P.S. - Random Tip :
Try out the software F.lux which dims your displays depending on the time of day. Three monitors without it at 3am is like staring into the sun.
http://stereopsis.com/flux/

 
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