Advice on new system build

[chimparzan]

I am looking to build a new computer, my main focus is gaming with some graphic work on the side. My goal for the computer is for it to run anything out now and for a while hopefully and be open for easy upgrade in the future. My budget is $2000.00, so when I saw the June 2012 System Builder Marathon $2000.00 pc I figured I would just build that.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-3770k-overclock-geforce-gtx-680,3212.html

My first change to that build was to switch the graphics card out for a EVGA 680, had good customer experience with them before when helping a friend sort out a bad card. I am planning down the road to be able to stick a second one in and sli them.

EVGA SuperClocked GeForce GTX 680 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16814130769

The next was to switch out the memory for something bigger, I wanted to start the computer off with 16gb if I could and from a recommendation from another forum topic I started I came to these.

CORSAIR Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820233280

So now I have a build that I know will work well, perform as I want. My only worry is that reading through the system build it talks about not being able to fit a second video card because of the size restraints of the case and motherboard. So what I think needs to happen on this build is a revaluation of the case and maybe the motherboard. If a new case would solve the problem without needing to change the motherboard that would be awesome. The following two links are two cases I have been looking at as alternatives for the Antec 900.

I kept seeing the name of this case mentioned in comments and forum posts, seems to get good reviews. Not sold on a front plate but looks good and has a nice I/O placement.

NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Steel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146067

I like the accessibility of this case, the hot swap sata on top and again convenient I/O. Cant stress an I/O on top enough, my current 8 year old pc has them as low as possible, pain to plug usb in when I cant see the plug.

Antec DF-85 Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087

My problem basically boils down to space, if I need more than the antec 900 provides or how do you even know before you have parts in hand that these pieces will fit? I see tons of details on connection type and speed but never the measurements like the height of ram. Any response is greatly appreciated, I know most of these questions are probably newbie problems but as I stated in an earlier post I know just enough to over think what I am trying to do and screw it up.

EDIT: Just wanted to add is the third picture down on this page that worries me, dosn't look like enough room for a second gpu in there.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-3770k-overclock-geforce-gtx-680,3212-6.html

Also added headers to my links.

 

[chimparzan]

Approximate Purchase Date: Tomorrow (hopefully)

Budget Range: $2000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Are you buying a monitor: No



Do you need to buy OS:No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Trying to get it all from newegg

Location: Montana

Parts Preferences: Like evga, and nvidia in general

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Hoping to in the future

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Adding this after reading the stickied forum post.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My old machine is just that, old. Its been a long time since I saw anything above low or stuttering medium settings and I look forward to stepping into skyrim ultra at 60+ fps.

 

[azeem40]

For 1080p, the below build is all you'll need. If you ever upgrade to 2560x1440, then you MIGHT need to CF/SLI, but even then, the GPU I included should still play at that resolution quite well.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($132.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($143.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($437.86 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 520W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($63.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1327.63
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-07-23 13:20 EDT-0400)

Tell me if you ever plan to upgrade to 2560x1440 or higher and I'll update my build.

 

[chimparzan]

Thank you for the reply, my only question on your build is why drop the cpu to i5 and the gpu down to a 670?

 

[azeem40]

Well, since you're only doing some graphics work, implying as a hobby, you don't really need the i5. The GTX 670 is currently one of the kings in price/performance. For a 5-7% increase, it isn't worth $100.

 

[chimparzan]

Would I want an i7 if I planned to do commercial graphics work? I used to work alot in photoshop and illustrator and was planning on replacing my old wacom tablet and learning 3d model design programs and getting back into small graphic design work.

 

[azeem40]

Yeah, then you could. Just replace the i5 with the i7-3770k and it will still be well under budget, but still perform exceptionally.

I'll repeat this part, though:

"For 1080p, the below build is all you'll need. If you ever upgrade to 2560x1440, then you MIGHT need to CF/SLI, but even then, the GPU I included should still play at that resolution quite well. "

 

[chimparzan]

Thanks for your tips, definitely making me rethink my max out the budget build I had before.