Critique my build! 4k setup...about to pull the trigger

Yes, the 2011 series has a quad ram bus. You should put in four X 4GB modules to double your ram throughput. You will still have another four ram slots.

Ah! Thanks...which slots should I put the ram in...first time builder

Put them in the red slots. But you should be reading your motherboard owner's manual anyways.

You might consider this monitor : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tempered-Glass-New-30-Inch-Yama...

or http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Tempered-Glass-27-Yamakasi-...

Also, the whole system is overkill for just 1440p, a single 690 gtx will do.
An i5-3570k+z77 motherboard will do, but if you have 4000$ to spend...

Thanks babernet.

djangorigno, I'm looking to MAX out games....I'm rather hesitant to go with just 1 690gtx...my current system has 2x 580's and I can't max skyrim or farcry 3. I'm also using the i7 920 processor OC'd to 3.7ghz and am on a 1920x1200 display.

I feel if going for a bigger display I WANT overkill so I can mod/maximize performance in ANY game

For 1440p on far cry 3 : http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/far_cry_3_graphics...

A single 690 gtx does give 60 fps at 1440p on far cry 3, for skyrim even a single 690 gtx will do for 5760x1080.
For two 690 gtx, the reason i see is to get a triple monitor setup.

2 690's are complete overkill for modern games on 1 2560 x 1600 period. 1 690 is more than enough. However, with 2, you could get 3 2560 x 1600 monitors if you wish.

Okay thanks, I'll drop one of the 690's if you're sure I can max out/mod skyrim at full setting with no problem.

Is everything else good to go? I changed the ram since it wasn't compatible with noctua nh-d14. Anything else I need to know or am I set....won't be too much heat in case will there?

Thanks

Remember to get low profile ram, like you said and a quad channel kit of it.
And yes a single 690 gtx can maxout skyrim with mods at 1440p.
See this(i know it doesn't have the mods, but it's a much higher resolution) : http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1336013022RGIwKK...

Thanks again,

last question....worth it to wait for the nvidia 780gtx (titan) ...slated to be released at end of this month. Am I correct in assuming this? I can use my 2 580 gtx's in meantime

For what i know, it was for March the release, but it's just rumors for now, it's also said that it will carry a price tag of 900$, but it's all just rumors, nothing official.

Yes, sorry I didn't write about the Nvidia Titan. Sometimes I get tired of pushing stuff on people. But apparently samples have been released to test houses and we should see reviews any day. It is supposed to be about 18% faster than a 690 and have 6GB VRAM. All from one GPU. Well worth waiting at least til the end of the week to see if those reviews come out.

Some points:
1. Far Cry 3 is the ONLY game that my GTX680 TOP has difficulties maxing out (well Metro 2033, but I can tweak that to still look great and still maintain 60FPS). Plus, I've put it on hold due to graphical issues in the game.

2. 2xSLI will introduce micro-stutter. It seems a shame to spend lots of money then have a POORER experience in most games than those who spent far less.

3. 3xSLI does NOT have much micro-stutter (similar to a single GPU). While DIFFICULT to setup, the best graphics setup would be this:
- 3x (GTX680 4GB) via water cooling

4. MY ADVICE for you is to buy something like the following, then get a GTX780 or GTX880 later (and maybe wait and play Far Cry 3 then):
- i7-3770K
- Asus GTX680 DC2T (aka "TOP")

5. SSD Setup:
Since STEAM allows multiple folders now, you may wish to consider the following:
Drive#1 - 128GB SSD (Windows and apps, use over-provisioning)
Drive #2 - 256GB SSD (Steam games folder)
Drive #3 - 2TB or 3TB Hard Drive (Main STEAM folder, media files, Windows SSD backup *Can use the Western Digital Acronis True Image free software to backup Windows)

Steam and SSD's. Huh?
Most games don't benefit that much from an SSD. I bought a 256GB Samsung 840 Pro and have experimented. I simply made a BACKUP of my Steam game on the Hard Drive, then RESTORED it to the Steam folder on the SSD I created. Games that BENEFIT:
- Fallout 3/NV (for loading AND game play)
- Skyrim (mostly loading)
- Assassin's Creed series (see Intel video on Youtube)

*What I'm doing is simply playing ALL MY GAMES on the SSD. Since I only play a couple games at a time, I could have simply got a SMALLER SSD. If I run out of space on the SSD, I can simply Backup/Restore back to the Steam folder on the hard drive. Easy!

6. Noctua NH-D14:
You likely want a CPU HSF that has PWM fans. This does not. I'm on the process of replacing my NH-D14 fans as they can't be speed controlled by the motherboard. Most modern motherboards use PWM. (also investigate what Case Fans the motherboard can control.)

7. Dell monitor:
Good choice, except I think there's one almost identical that has 6ms instead of 8ms which might be a better choice for gaming. It's about $850 I believe instead of $700.

8. 2560x1440 and gaming:
I play MOST games at 1920x1080. For example, in SKYRIM the higher resolution looks essentially the same however you get a 30% performance hit. With the i7-3770K and GTX 680 "TOP" I maintain a solid 60FPS (with the official HD Texture Pack) using VSYNC.

I play Torchlight 1/2, Diablo 3 and SC2 at 2560x1440. Basically any game with SMALL TEXT tends to benefit visually. I can also maintain 60FPS.

Dell monitor update:
*Ignore my above comment. Oddly, the monitor I recommended is $1000 not $850 as it was not long ago.

FYI, I have the Dell U2711 which uses far more power due to the CCFL backlights. The WARRANTY on the monitors is truly awesome though. ZERO dead-pixels. I had a problem and here's how it was resolved:
- filled out the RMA
- Replacement U2711 + shipping packing (with pre-paid Waybill) arrived the NEXT DAY!
- Packaged my defective unit and sent it back (again, NO COST)
- $100 optional extension to Warranty (from 3 to 5 years) can be applied any time during the first three-year Warranty

THanks photonboy,

Which monitor were you thinking of...also has anyone tried the yamakasi catleap monitors? They are 350$ for IPS panel and apparently pretty awesome.

If you do go EBAY Catness or whatever, be sure to buy their "perfect pixel" monitors. Cost a bit more, but you don't want a half dozen dead pixels staring you in the face for the next few years.

I'd stay away from those monitors. Dell has a zero-defects policy and the quality control is far better. There are also numerous issues (I did look into these monitors).

Dell has THREE monitors now that are 2560x1440. Originally they just had the U2711 bit it uses CCFL for backlighting so it's power-hungry (and thus quite hot).

There are two other monitors that differ by one letter and they are nearly identical. The specs are at Dell if anyone's interested.

I recommend he get the Dell that he originally posted. It's $700. The Warranty is three years and it's awesome (details listed in my post above). Again, for an extra $100 (any time in the first three years) you can extend to FIVE years with no worries whatsoever.