Comments on proposed build ~ $2000

darke101

Honorable
Jun 11, 2012
6
0
10,510
Hey guys, just looking for some comments and suggestions on the build I am thinking about making.

CPU
I7 - 3770k

Motherboard
ASRock Z77 Extreme4

RAM
G.Skill 8GB (2x4GB) 2133Mhz ARES DDR3

Graphics Card
Either 7970 or gtx 680 (suggestions welcome, keeping in mind that in Australia where I will buying from, the 7970 is about $100-$150 cheaper)

Boot Drive
OCZ 120GB SSD Vertex 3 Read 550MB/s, Write 500MB/s

CPU Cooler
Noctua NH-D14

Thanks for any suggestions that you might have. I will be using this mostly for games, but I also use CAD and rendering programs for my uni degree, jut for some extra info.
 
Solution

You want 16GB for CAD, and...
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=193_1387 <----- GTX 670's

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5818/nvidia-geforce-gtx-670-review-feat-evga <---- GTX 670 review w/benchmarks

750w psu to allow the option to add another one of those cards in the future and still give you some headroom for extra drives, o/c, etc... Antec, Corsair, Silverstone, XFX, Seasonic, Enermax, OCZ Z series

Better SSD imo

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_902_1376&products_id=19790 $129.00
SanDisk Extreme Solid State Drive 120GB

CAD...don't worry about that 2133hz RAM. Solid RAM that gives you 16GB.

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_912&products_id=19630 $125.00
G.Skill Ares F3-1600C9Q-16GAO 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3

You can get to an easy 4.2Ghz without adding voltage. That's the equivalent to 4.5Ghz on a Sandy Bridge cpu.

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23_845&products_id=18670 $39.00
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler
 

darke101

Honorable
Jun 11, 2012
6
0
10,510
Thanks for the reply.

The ssd does look like a better option, a little cheaper besides.
As to the ram, i made a bit of a mistake, it was Ripjaw X, 2133Hz, for $79
Or should i look into up-ing to 16gb

I was going for the bigger noctua to compensate for a oc of about 4.5 GHz.
Hopefully this should be low enough to not have to alter the core voltage and face the heat problems that ivy has.

i was also planning on upgrading to SLI or crossfire later on, plus having a storage 7200 rpm drive.
I was thinking to go for an 850 watt Psu.
But ultimately, i was looking at either the 680 or 7970, mainly for bragging rights more than anything else.

But does the choice of MOBO and CPU and all else seem alright.

 

You want 16GB for CAD, and the gtx 670 runs head to head with the 680 and 7970. If you get a non referenced cooled 670 like the Asus or the Gigabyte then you can easily o/c the 670 to surpass the stock 680 and save $100 towards a larger SSD or a nicer case, etc... 750w gives you plenty of headroom with two of those cards in SLI.

That mobo you chose is probably the best for the money and that i7 is going to come in handy when using CAD and similar programs.

http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/asrock_z77_extreme4_review,1.html <----- there's a review on that Asrock board w/benchmarks. Nice board. :)
 
Solution

fallen_glory

Honorable
Jun 3, 2012
71
0
10,630



Get the 670... less money and close to the 680 specs... plus it's actually in fricken stock.. I suggest the Asus sabertooth mobo
Good PSU and a great CPU Cooler.. I have the 212 in the plus version... great cooling... I also would get the asus 670's... they are the best in the 670 lineup imo