Questions about possible new build

[corbet31]

Okay so I'm planning on making a new build (mainly for gaming) and need you're input. I have several questions about what I should choose and cooling. I will list everything below that I've chosen (feel free to make suggestions about changes) and have left some things empty (which I'm looking for your input as to what it should be). There are two build, one for normal air cooling and one for water cooling. Let me know which you think would be better! Also keep in mind I've never made a water cooled system before so it seems a bit intimidating but if you all think it would be worth it I'm ready to give it a go! Like I said earlier I plan on using this mainly for gaming and would like a system thats going to last me for quite sometime with few upgrades. Thanks for all of your help!

Air Cooled Build:
Case: NZXT Switch 810- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146088
Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Formula- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131854
CPU: Intel i5 3750k- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
Graphics: Msi 680 Lightning- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127693
Power Supply: Corsair AX860i- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139041&Tpk=860i
Ram: Corsair Dominator Platinum- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233392
Main Storage: 1TB Velociraptor- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236243
Boot Drive: 128GB Samsung 840 Pro- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152400
CPU Cooling: NZXT Kraken 60- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835146028
*Should I add to or replace any of the stock case fans? And if so with what fan?

Water Cooled Build:
*Everything the same as below with the exception of what's listed below and of course no AIO CPU cooler.
Graphics: EVGA GTX680 Hydro Copper- http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=02G-P4-2689-KR
Radiator(s): Honestly have no idea on necessary size or placement for the rad(s) Need some help!
Power Supply: Not sure if I would need a bigger power supply... Your thoughts?
CPU Water Block: Not positive about effectiveness, but I like the look of this heatkiller REV3.0- http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14214/ex-blc-977/Heatkiller_Rev_30_11551156_CPU_Liquid_Cooling_Block_-_Nickel_Black_14014.html
Resivoir: Not sure what size I need
Pump: Can't really choose until I know which rad
*FYI I would be cooling the mobo, graphics, and cpu with the setup.

Thanks for your help!! If you need any more info or have any questions about the setup just ask!!

 

[McLubbin]

Go with the air cooled...

 

[ikyung]

Your Air-Cooled build looks ready to go. All top of the line parts thats pretty much as good as it gets.

I would get a different RAM set.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104374

Save yourself 100 dollars and it's 2 modules instead of 4x4GB.

I would also probably just grab a WD Black or Blue for storage and used what I saved to either get 2 SSD for RAID or a bigger one then current 128GB.

For Water cooled build, I would rather get the EVGA 680 FTW 4GB card and just add on a VGA cooling block. You will get a better card + block cheaper.

For Radiators, if you are just cooling your CPU and GPU, a 240/280 should be minimum. On my current build, I have a 680 block, CPU block, and MB full block with a 360 Radiator. I've used Phobya, XSPC and Black Ice radiators, and they are all good. Currently using a Black Ice GTX360 Radiator and love it.

The 860i is enough for your build + water cool + overclocks.

My current CPU and GPU block is both from EK. It's usually a personal taste and I love how EK water blocks look. They are also pretty much as good as it gets in terms of quality. They had problems couple years back, but it's all fixed now with their current gen water blocks.

For your Res and pump, go with a 80mm or bigger. The best water pump currently on the market are the MCP655.

For fans, I would go with Noiseblock Eloops, Silverstone Air Pens, or Be Quiet! Silent Wings 2. Your choice. They are all great fans that provide quietness, static pressure, etc. Just be sure to get a fan controller.

 

[camohanna]

I suggest toning it down with the overpriced components? This will be cheaper and better?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DqG8
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DqG8/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DqG8/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($107.95 @ Mac Connection)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($75.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($445.91 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($445.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1795.68
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-13 23:20 EST-0500)

 

[corbet31]

Okay so I think I've decided to go with air cooling. The main reason I like the dominator ram is just because it looks awesome so I'd like to stay with that. But do y'all have any suggestions for an AIO liquid CPU Cooler that will fit in the top of the switch?

 

[blibba]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DusA

 

[camohanna]

Okay so I think I've decided to go with air cooling. The main reason I like the dominator ram is just because it looks awesome so I'd like to stay with that. But do y'all have any suggestions for an AIO liquid CPU Cooler that will fit in the top of the switch?

H100i is the best.

 

[corbet31]

Best answer selected by corbet31.