Can someone review this build's specs?

[Harsimran]

I'm building a new computer for hardcore gaming, and my budget is $1500 ($1650 if I can convince my dad (Don't worry, I'm 15, so it's justified)), and I need it to support three screens. The screens are not in the $1500 budget.

Here are the specs (If you guys can help me find a cheaper price I'd be happy (I live in Toronto, Canada)):

CPU: Core i7 3770K IvyBridge ($320) No place to buy it yet, got the prices from here

Spoiler

http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-cuts-desktop-ivy-bridge-cpu-pricing-ahead-of-launch/15557.html

Motherboard: EVGA Z77 FTW ($330) I'm not sure if this motherboard is worth the price or not... considering it doesn't have much going for it...

PSU: CORSAIR TX750 750W ($105)

Spoiler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

GPU: Either;
The HD Radeon 7970 ($550)

Spoiler

http://tinyurl.com/72ad4vn

Or the:
GTX 680 (Around $515) The big problem about the GTX is that, though it supports surround, it only supports 3 of   the same screens. Also, it's INSANELY hard to find, and it's always being bought out. I'm going to be running 2d, by   the way.

Case: Cooler Master Haf X EATX ($135)

Spoiler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 ($83)

Spoiler

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231497

Any help/tips you guys can give for my build/a gamer's first build?

~THANKS!

 

[megagabobe1]

you should get an i7 2600k or 2500k instead, and between the 7970 and the gtx 680 the only difference is physx, but I would choose the 7970

 

[Harsimran]

you should get an i7 2600k or 2500k instead, and between the 7970 and the gtx 680 the only difference is physx, but I would choose the 7970

Why shouldn't I go with the IvyBridge? It's coming out in about a month, and it's going to be the same price as the 2600K.

Also, is Physx really that big of a deal when gaming? I've played Metro 2033 on my laptop on medium graphics and Physx turned off, and noticed no difference...

 

[pfunkmd]

Hi just wondering did you just go an pick out the most expensive parts? You don't really need 16gb of ram for gaming 8 should do just fine. You can get really great gaming boards for under 200. I would say get a nice board for 150 and put the other money towards a ssd for windows it really helps performance a lot. My pc boot time went from one min to 25 seconds and windows is super fast.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265

http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category.aspx?Category=119&Tpk=ssd

 

[Harsimran]

You can get really great gaming boards for under 200.

But most boards under $200 wont support IvyBridge. That said, is IvyBridge worth the price/wait? Or would a i7 2600K preform almost the same?

Also, can anyone reccomend a cheaper case? Now that I think about it, $140 is a LOT to dish out over a plastic container...

 

[pfunkmd]

That is not true the asrock z68 gen 3 will and its 120 dollars one of the best boards out for the money according to tom's hardware


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

 

[l0v3rboi]

You can get really great gaming boards for under 200.

But most boards under $200 wont support IvyBridge. That said, is IvyBridge worth the price/wait? Or would a i7 2600K preform almost the same?

Also, can anyone reccomend a cheaper case? Now that I think about it, $140 is a LOT to dish out over a plastic container...

There are alot of z77 boards under 200. Those will support IB processors. For example, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131833.

For a cheaper case, Cooler Master Haf 912 ($60) or a more expensive corsair 400r ($99)

 

[Harsimran]

That is not true the asrock z68 gen 3 will and its 120 dollars one of the best boards out for the money according to tom's hardware


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

I'm looking at this board, and seriously considering buying it (hell, it's half the price of the other one!), so thanks for that!

Anybody know a cheap watercoolers? I only really need it for the cpu or gpu, I'm hoping the ram keeps it's stuff together.

Also I'm going to stay with 16 gigs of RAM; I'm going to make a 5-10 Gb ram drive for browsers/common programs.

(P.S. the cooler can be any size, my case is huge)

 

[pfunkmd]

I got the 120 dollar one and i love it and it looks good with plenty of options. I would go with the corsair h20 cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=corsair+cooler&x=0&y=0

 

[Harsimran]

Would this work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835203006

I'm wondering whether or not it'll fit on my cpu...

 

[pfunkmd]

Would this work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835203006

I'm wondering whether or not it'll fit on my cpu...

Sure only for the i7

 

[aznshinobi]

Please tell me you haven't made some of these purchases yet?

The GTX 680 is much better than the 7970 for a cheaper price too. The 680's are currently not instock from people buying them but I would wait until they do come in stock before purchasing.
http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=69799&vpn=02G-P4-2680-KR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1067
Review here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-680-review-benchmark,3161-20.html
I did see you needed 3 monitor support though, but do you really need 3 monitors? In the end your choice though, I do believe Nvidia cards only support 2 monitors per card.

I'd also go with the Asrock Extreme3 Gen3 Z68 as prior stated. Solid board for the price and has great features like Gen3 support since you'll use an Ivy Bridge chip.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
However in Canada, your pricing is much different than the US pricing. You're using the wrong Newegg, that's the US Newegg. You want Newegg.ca prices and shipping is much more expensive.
http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=69232&vpn=Z77A-GD55&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1201
Might as well go with this. You're paying only $20 more for Z77 and another PCI slot. Plus after rebates it's the same price.

You don't need an i7 at that specially just for gaming. Maybe if you were heavy Video editing or Photo-editing I'd say some justification for hyper-threading but since you're not you really don't need it. You should go with the i5 3570K and just save some money. Money really doesn't grow on trees after all.

You also don't need 16GB of ram, just go with 8GB and you'll be fine. Again, you're not using heavy memory intensive apps like photo editing or video editing/video encoding so 8GB is more than enough.

Cheaper PSU, modular, same performance and has a $20 rebate.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052

 

[aznshinobi]

Also I really hope you're not considering "water-cooling" by the Hydro series or the one you posted. The performance of those systems are on par with $30-$50 air coolers. Even the Hyper 212+ @ only $25 can perform up to the H50-60's performance. That intel cooler you posted is especially not worth it.
http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/cooler_master_hyper_212_evo_cpu_cooler_review,12.html

 

[Harsimran]

Thanks for the suggestions aznshinobi, but I think I'm going to stick with my current plan.

Anybody have any more information on lower prices? Specifically regarding the case?

 

[aznshinobi]

So you're going to stick to the water cooler and the PSU? Alright.

 

[Harsimran]

So you're going to stick to the water cooler and the PSU? Alright.

Actually, I'm gonna change the watercooler and the PSU (Thanks for the modular PSU link, it's pretty sexy). Turns out the H70 doesn't come with it's own fan, so I'm going to switch that out.

I'm going to stick with the CPU and Mobo, though. All in all, I think this first build's gonna turn out pretty well!

 

[aznshinobi]

I would just go with the Hyper 212 Evo, it'll give you enough cooling you need. I don't think you'll be overclocking to 5ghz would you? It'd be a bad idea anyways to run a 24/7 5ghz overclock. The Hyper 212 Evo is fine overclocking and can handle a 4.6ghz fine. It'll save your dad a lot of money as well ($40 difference I believe)