vElectrixx

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CPU: Intel Core i5-3570k 3.4Ghz Quad Core
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 7970
RAM: Corsair XMS3 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 Motherboard
HDD: Western Digital 1TB Black 7200rpm 6gb/s
P. Supply: Coolmax 240 Pin 900w 
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case 
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64bit

I need cooling, does the Hyper 212+ work with the CPU I chose? What cooling system should I get?

Is this a decent build? Out of 10, what would this be? Anything I should improve? I was told it still wouldn't achieve 120+ FPS with this build, what should I change?
Which parts should I overclock?

Should I drop the 7970 for an NVIDIA 690 or 680?
 
first off, why are you using 3x4gig ram? your cpu supports dual channel, so a 2x4g would be what your looking for.

the hyper 212+ works, its on the cheaper side, there are better options if you plan on a high overclock.

your mentioning 120+ fps, depends on what games you are running, and at what resolution.
 

vElectrixx

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I am going to drop the power supply to 750w, and I'm planning to sli/crossfire. I'll change the RAM to a 2x4gb also.

The question I was hoping an answer for; should I switch the AMD Radeon HD 7970 for the NVIDIA 680 or 690?
 

cball1311

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What is the point in trying to achieve 120+ FPS unless you are using a 120Hz monitor. You will get bad tearing without vsync, so 60 FPS is what to shoot for on a 60Hz monitor. So, yes, the 7970 will give you constant 60FPS at 1080p on 60Hz. If you are doing multiple monitors, the 7970 will perform better.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Intel 330 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($407.86 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1221.05
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-23 16:33 EST-0500)
 

Hazle

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if you got money to drop on a 690, may as well just grab 2x670's. performs close enough with, if not equal to a 690, for far, far less. but if you're only using a single 1080p monitor for now, stick with a 7970. add another once you're ready for a 3x1080p monitor setup or a single 1600p monitor.

Seasonic, Antec, Corsair & XFX are some reliable brand to rely on in regards to PSU.

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

unless there's some specific professional tasks that you are required to do with W7 professional, i suggest you just grab Home Premium OEM if gaming is the most you'll be doing on this PC.
 

vElectrixx

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The Motherboard seems a tad bit extreme. I was told to get a cheaper one unless I wanted to do crossfire, which I'm not. I'm also planning onto playing with only one monitor. What's the SSD for too? I'm not planning on having 20sec boot times, as long as it's less than 3mins I'm fine.
 

cball1311

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The Extreme 4 is a good overclocking board, but the Pro 3 will do. You don't have to have the SSD but the performance is nice for boot and app load times.
 

vElectrixx

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I will use your setup, but drop the SSD. I like how you tweaked it. Also, does it matter which dealer is selling the components? ie there's a Gigabyte AMD Radeon.... and the XFX AMD Radeon... you just posted.
 

Hazle

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help us here. one minute you're saying you planned to do crossfire, the next, you're not?

if you're crossfiring, the extreme4's support for 8x/8x lanes in crossfire can be a benefit.

if you're inclined to initially consider an extreme card like the 690 in the first place, then you can spend on an SSD. now unless the monitor happens to be a 2560x1600 monitor, a single 7970 will do just fine with a single 1080p. from there,an SSD isn't so bad an investment if you're willing.
 

cball1311

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+1...agree on SSD
 

vElectrixx

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Oh, I'm sorry. I meant to put "I'm not planning to do crossfire." on my first post.