Please review and comment on new build

ravingmach

November 4, 2012 6:15:22 PM

I have selected all of the components and would appreciate any comments or suggestions.

Thanks

Approximate Purchase Date: mid/late November

Budget Range: $2500 - $3000 Before Rebates, After Shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: 3-D Gaming, watching movies/3-D (Blu-Ray), video editing

Are you buying a monitor: Yes, 120HZ 3D monitor that is compatible with nVidia GeForce 3D Vision Kit.

Parts to Upgrade: New Build

Do you need to buy OS: Yes – Win 7 Professional 64bit OEM

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: amazon.com, newegg.com

Location: Merrimack, NH 03054/USA

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: SLI

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080/HP 2311x, Want to add a second monitor, for 3D, in SLI mode

Additional Comments: Best quiet/cool tradeoff

Software:
Office 2010, Media Portal or Next PVR, Nero 9

Games: Battlefield 3 , Batman Arkham Asylum, Resident Evil 5, Fear, Call of Duty, Mass Effect 2, Witcher 2, Metro 2033

Parts List:

Cooler Master HAF 922 case
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-HAF-922-RC-922M-KKN...

Optional Side Fan MegaFlow 200mm Red LED fan (R4-LUS-07AR-GP)
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-MegaFlow-Computer-R...

CORSAIR HX Series HX850 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Aerocool Touch 2100 Touch LED Screen Fan Controller, with USB 3.0 Front Ports, P/N: EN51965
http://www.directron.com/en51965.html

ASUS Sabertooth X79 LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Sabertooth-X79-Intel-Motherb...

Intel Core i7-3820 Quad-Core Processor 3.6 GHz 10 MB Cache LGA 2011 - BX80619I73820
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i7-3820-Quad-Core-Processor...

HAVIK 120 CPU Cooler
http://www.amazon.com/120mm-Cooler-havik-120-Silver/dp/...

Corsair Vengeance Red 16GB (4x4GB) Desktop RAM Kit CMZ16GX3M4X1866C9R
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-16GB-4x4GB-Desk...

2 - MSI N670 PE 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Already have Creative Sound Blaster Recon 3D PCI-E x1/x4/x16
http://us.store.creative.com/Creative-Sound-Blaster-Rec...

Already have Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1250, model 1196, PCI-E x1/x16 TV Tuner
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hvr1250.htm...

LG Black 14X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 12X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA BDXL Blu-Ray Burner with SW, 3D Play Back - BH14NS40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

SAMSUNG 830 Series 2.5-Inch 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-7PC256B/WW
http://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-2-5-Inch-Internal-MZ-7PC2...

nVidia GeForce 3D Vision Kit
http://www.amazon.com/nVidia-GeForce-3D-Vision-Kit/dp/t...

Questions/Concerns:

Will the CPU cooler be in the way of the memory heat spreaders?

Will I be able to install the Hauppauge and the Sound Blaster cards with the dual GTX 670 cards?

Am I overlooking any “fit” issues.

Will the build be too crowded for good airflow or reasonable cable management?

Are the cooling/ventilation adequate for overclocking? I would like to avoid liquid cooling if possible.

I would appreciate any ideas for improvement.

Need suggestions for 3D monitor.

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zared619

November 4, 2012 7:26:10 PM

A couple of suggestions.
I would get the i7-3770k. It's plenty of processor with overclocking capability.

You are over-paying for the motherboard. You can get this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

This cooler is better.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Get this RAM because it doesn't have heatfins.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Don't get the MSI 670 PE. They messed with the voltages and they die out. Get the ASUS 670.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

As far as everything fitting, you should be just fine. Every other component you chose is high quality and will work great. If you have any more questions, just ask.

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ravingmach

November 8, 2012 1:36:25 AM

Thanks very much for your feedback. It will save me a quite a bit of money.

I do have some follow up questions:

1. This mb/cpu doesn’t support quad memory. Would I notice the difference?

2. Should I buy faster memory than 1600 or with lower timing specs. for better overclocking?

3. Any advantage to getting 32GB instead of 16GB?

4. G.Skill F3-1600C10D-16GAO is not on the QVL for the P8Z77-V LE PLUS.

5. What is your opinion on the EVGA FTW version of this card?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
It’s cheaper, and I like the fact that it blows air out the back instead of inside the case, especially with 2 cards.

6. For the most part, every variation of the 670 (doesn’t seem to matter who the mfg is) seem to have between 20% and 30% RMAs. In addition, all of the “Top” versions were recently discontinued. I’m really sold on the 670’s specs and features, and there are some pretty good deals right now, but in your opinion, should I wait to see if the problems get fixed or play the odds and get the cards now (evga’s support seems to be very highly rated)?

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excella1221

November 8, 2012 2:04:36 AM

1. Get a dual channel kit then. There isn't really much difference.

2. No, stick with 1600MHz CL9. Intel CPU architectures don't get much benefit from high frequency unlike AMD systems. Don't ask me why, I don't really know. :lol:

3. Honestly, 8gb would be more than enough for gaming and light video rendering. If the video thing is a bit of a hobby or work though, get 16gb to be sure.

4. RAM works on pretty much any system, the QVL are just the ones they tested it on. It doesn't necessarily mean it won't work. I suggest the ASRock z77 Extreme6 or ASUS P8Z77-V PRO or whatever Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H for your budget.

5. I don't personally like and suggest EVGA because of their reference cooling. It doesn't matter to me if it blows air at the back if the air itself isn't even powerful. Highly suggest getting the Gigabyte Windforce x3 or x2.

6. Didn't know about 670 RMA rates, but yeah the ASUS Top versions were discontinued, idk why either. The 670 though is pretty much the best nVidia card you can get and the only nVidia I would suggest since 660 Ti is crippled by it's bus rate and the 680 is just ~$100 more expensive but only a 5% increase in performance from the 670. This is why if you look over other threads in this forum, you'll see mostly AMD Radeon cards are being suggested. The 7970 outperforms the 670 in most things at the same price point so I would normally suggest that, but your 3D gaming asks for a nVidia since they're better at that.

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