Build suggestions. Advice is much appreciated. $1700

[ThunderUp]

Hello all! I've posted a couple threads already so if my name is familiar that's why. It's just I want to be dead set on what I'm purchasing since this is a very large investment so that's why I'm asking you guys for advice since your knowledge is much more vast than that of mine. Everyone's advice is welcome! It doesn't even have to be which parts to buy. It can be informational posts as to how certain parts work and what they are compatible with.

Approximate Purchase Date: Between 1-3 weeks

Budget Range: $1700 (Doesn't include shipping)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Web browsing, School work

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Parts to Upgrade: Buying a whole new system

Do you need to buy OS: Yes (Preferably Windows 7 Home Premium)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg and Amazon

Location: Illinois, USA

Parts Preferences: Intel i5, Either Dual SLI EVGA 660s (not ti's) or AMD 7970

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Depends on graphics card. If 660s, yes. If 7970, I may upgrade to Crossfire in the future

Your Monitor Resolution: Either 1680x1050 or 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I would like the case between $100 and $140. I need mouse and keyboard recommendations too but those will be outside the budget.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My current computer isn't meant for gaming and the frame rates are beginning to show that with each new release. I just feel like it's time to move on and sell the old one to someone who can use it for its intended purpose.

 

[ThunderUp]

Managed to come up with my own build. Let me know is there is any compatibility issues or if it's a bad part.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
GPU: 2 EVGA 02G-P4-2660-KR GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Case: Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower Computer Case
HDD: Seagate ST310005N1A1AS-RK 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
SSD: OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-240G 2.5" 240GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-D3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
PSU: CORSAIR Professional Series HX650 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B

Also lemme know if there's a part I need to add

 

[Zed_Spooge]

Lol you can do SOOOO much better with 1700.... Like, 7970+ 3770K and 27" monitor kinda better.

 

[ThunderUp]

I'm perfectly fine with a smaller monitor. The one I use now only does 1680x1050 and I'm perfectly fine with that. I'd rather put money into parts that would improve my frame rate at higher graphical settings

 

[xFriarx]

Hum, I would say to go with the 7970 if you are truly thinking about crossfire later on, as that will allow you upgrade a year or so down the road. If you get the two 660's then you will have to upgrade both. I'm always a fan of buying the best single card you can and leaving your options open, rather than diving right into SLI/Crossfire.
If you do go that route, and plan on going crossfire, I would say to upgrade to a 750w+ PSU then (stick with a corsair/seasonic imo).
Also, only a 21.5" monitor? Hehe.
Oh, do you plan on overclocking the cpu? If so you will want to toss a nice heatsink on there. Something like the Hyper 212 EVO should work.
Otherwise, everything else looks solid.

 

[boulbox]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3R 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($60.60 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($177.98 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($454.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($95.68 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer G236HLBbd 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1581.16
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-12 19:50 EST-0500)

gives you a few upgrade points if needed like these.
-monitor upgrade, i gave you a nice monitor at a great price it is your decision if you would like to upgrade this part but, if you do, i would go for a 120 Hz Benq or about any 120Hz monitor

-Case, this case is to my preference, it is a nice low profile case and you can add some LEDs if you really wanted to but if it doesnt fit your tastes, i recommend these
500R, Coolermaster HAF XM(mid towers)
Coolermaster Storm Styker(full tower)

-Optical drive, I usually don't even buy one since you can pretty much reuse from an old computer to save some cash and pretty much the only thing I would use it for is pretty much nothing since i can just download win7/8 on a USB and same with the needed drivers(such as lan). But you can upgrade to a blu ray if you think you will be watching some of that stuff

Also put inside windows 8 inside since you can download a win8 start button to make it similar to other OS
http://www.windows8startbutton.com/

As for keyboards, i like mechanical keyboards preferably Blacks and Browns since it is much more quiet than Blues.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-keyboard-sgk4010gkcr1us

for mice, i either like them heavy or simple, a great example of simple mice is steel series and they are great

 

[jemm]

For 2x SLI a 650W PSU you´ve listed might not be enough if you pretend to overclock.

Here is what I suggest you for a game computer:

Intel Core i5-3570 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115233

ASUS P8Z77-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z77 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131819

SAPPHIRE 100351SR Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202008

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345

SeaSonic X Series X-850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151102

OCZ Vertex 4 VTX4-25SAT3-256G http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227792

Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

SAMSUNG B300 Series S23B300B Black 23" http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001546

 

[ThunderUp]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm gonna pool everyone's ideas together and see what I can come up with. I'll let you know when I have a decision made. Cheers!

 

[ThunderUp]

Okay, I've managed to put together a list of parts. I've gone over budget a little, but oh well.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147053
CPU Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608025
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125413
MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157295
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011
Optical Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151256
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697
SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227727
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416 (Comes free with the MOBO)
OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

 

[boulbox]

i would change that monitor

that monitor does not have LED backlit which makes lighting a lot better and i would hopefully get you a good monitor. I just think you would be overspending on that monitor. Ill suggest these few monitors for you though.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0098Y77U0/?tag=pcpapi-20
same LED monitor i suggested earlier. it is great for the price

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001546&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
a more reliable brand may be over budget but comes with a $30 gift card

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RM1YQW/?tag=pcpapi-20
another great brand and one of my favorites too

i would choose any of these monitors over that ASUS one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167128&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
would also change to this SSD, same price better performance and better brand

you are also overpaying on that PSU, i reality, that Gold won't save you money in years to come. Also 850 is to much for a normal 7970 just get a 750W for it. you will need 850W if you are going to SLI the 7970 GHz.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008O50WGA/?tag=pcpapi-20
this PSU will do you wonders for its price, it has the same OEM as that HX series up there so pretty much no difference

change GPU to this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202008&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
cheaper for pretty much the same thing and will still overclock like a beast

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004DUMQVY/?tag=pcpapi-20
this cooler has a bit more power if you want it, i would say this choice is the most optional thing you can do here since the your cooler can perform pretty good, or you can save money and switch to the Hyper 212 evo which is the best bang for the buck in terms of coolers

The Thor V2 is not my most favorite choice but it is still good. here are a few more options to fit your fancy.(always make sure you have enough room for the huge bulk of a full tower)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133191&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108422&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SESO9M/?tag=pcpapi-20

 

[ThunderUp]

Would the 850 edition of that PSU be reliable enough? I wanna do an 850 because I see a Crossfire option very probable in my future. And I'm willing to throw extra money at parts if they're quality parts that will last me till I'm ready to upgrade next time.

 

[deepblue08]

Would the 850 edition of that PSU be reliable enough? I wanna do an 850 because I see a Crossfire option very probable in my future. And I'm willing to throw extra money at parts if they're quality parts that will last me till I'm ready to upgrade next time.

850watt PSU is very fine for Dual card SLI or Crossfire. 3 Way SLI may be pushing it, but 2 Way is absolutely fine. Your system with 2x7970 will probably eat about 550-650watts.

 

[boulbox]

you can actually SLI a 670 with a 650W(has been done and proven) with some nice overclocking too.

850W you are pretty much wasting money and 3 way SLI/CFX is not a very viable choice since you will be losing a lot of bandwidth.

stick with the 750W and that will be enough to allow you a fine 7970 CFX. Like i said you only need 850W if you are planning on CFXing 7970 GHz not the regular one