What build is best?

[techdude9]

BUILD 1: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/qw3z

BUILD 2: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/qe0x

BUILD 3: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=20287046&cm_mmc=SNC-YouTube-_-na-_-na-_-na

 

[g-unit1111]

The third build looks the best but I'd go with something of a combination from all three:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($226.99 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($55.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($154.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($124.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($239.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($409.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Corsair 550D ATX Mid Tower Case ($159.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $1554.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-02 00:45 EST-0500)

 

[techdude9]

The third build looks the best but I'd go with something of a combination from all three:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($226.99 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($55.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($154.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($124.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($239.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($409.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Corsair 550D ATX Mid Tower Case ($159.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $1554.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-02 00:45 EST-0500)

Why do you prefer 670 over 680 superclocked signature edition? Is there a performance difference? I could go with your build in your sig if thats better. http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/nG2B $1440

 

[g-unit1111]

Why do you prefer 670 over 680 superclocked signature edition? Is there a performance difference? I could go with your build in your sig if thats better. http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/nG2B $1440

There's not really much of a difference between the two - the 670 is only like 2 FPS less than the 680 in most tests and is $100 less. The build in my sig is my home PC and that's great. However I would suggest if you're getting a new build to get a single 7970 GHz edition instead of dual 7870's.

 

[techdude9]

There's not really much of a difference between the two - the 670 is only like 2 FPS less than the 680 in most tests and is $100 less. The build in my sig is my home PC and that's great. However I would suggest if you're getting a new build to get a single 7970 GHz edition instead of dual 7870's.

Yeah I don't like using dual cards, too much trouble to go through. http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/qx2E that's the changes I made. EVGA Superclocked, Signature 2 is my fav card. It's factory overclocked, which is good cuz I would rather not overclock the GPU myself. CPU is a different story though. What makes the 7970 ghz edition better besides price difference?

 

[g-unit1111]

Yeah I don't like using dual cards, too much trouble to go through. http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/qx2E that's the changes I made. EVGA Superclocked, Signature 2 is my fav card. It's factory overclocked, which is good cuz I would rather not overclock the GPU myself. CPU is a different story though. What makes the 7970 ghz edition better besides price difference?

Factory overclocked is really just a marketing gimmick, it doesn't really mean anything. EVGA makes good cards no question but the Gigabyte has a better cooling solution. Here's a comparison between the 670 and the 680: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/598?vs=555

And here's a roundup of GTX 670 cards: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-670-test-review,3217.html

 

[techdude9]

Factory overclocked is really just a marketing gimmick, it doesn't really mean anything. EVGA makes good cards no question but the Gigabyte has a better cooling solution. Here's a comparison between the 670 and the 680: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/598?vs=555

And here's a roundup of GTX 670 cards: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-670-test-review,3217.html

Found this build from a post. http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/qARk. What do you think? It comes with an OS and monitor, which I need and fits into my $1500 budget. How is the mobo and monitor?

 

[g-unit1111]

Found this build from a post. http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/qARk. What do you think? It comes with an OS and monitor, which I need and fits into my $1500 budget. How is the mobo and monitor?

That's not bad at all. I'd get a different SSD though - that Kingston drive is based on an outdated Sandforce controller. I'm not a fan of the HAF 922 though, I'd rather go with something like a Corsair 500R or NZXT Phantom 410.

 

[techdude9]

That's not bad at all. I'd get a different SSD though - that Kingston drive is based on an outdated Sandforce controller. I'm not a fan of the HAF 922 though, I'd rather go with something like a Corsair 500R or NZXT Phantom 410.

What don't you like bout the 922? And what SSD do you suggest

 

[g-unit1111]

What don't you like bout the 922? And what SSD do you suggest

I'm just not a fan of the design. For SSD I'd suggest this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227791

 

[techdude9]

Best answer selected by techdude9.