Gaming Build with GTX 680

[bmwm3oz]

Hey guys,

I checked out all the threads around here and the polls about builds...I just need a couple questions answered. : )

I'm building a machine for around $1,000-$1,300 I used a build from a thread on here. The build is "Django Green's 3D vision Surround build " . It is the following...(I have changed some things for my own liking)

Processor: Intel Core i7-3770K $319.99 
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 $159.99 
RAM: G.SKILL Ares Series 16GB 1600 $54.99 
Graphics Card: EVGA GeForce GTX680 $569.99
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 2 TB $89.99 
SSD: SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series 128GB $154.99 


This total comes to $1349.94. I was trying to come up with a way to lower it. I'm thinking about the Intel 3570K instead to save around 100 bucks. But I'm also wondering.. Should I step it up on a board? In the past, I've budgeted a lot towards the board thinking it's the brain of the computer. I don't know much about specs right now because I've been out of the game. But what do you guys think? It seems crazy to put an extra $100.00 for the 3770K when it's just .1 more GHZ and 8MB L3 Cache compared to 6MB. I could be missing something. Anyways, main reason for this build is gaming. BF3, FC3, Flight Sim X. That kind of thing. I have a 750 WATT power supply which I think will do.

Your opinion is appreciated!

 

[2wenty]

The difference between the i5 and i7 (apart from clock speeds and cache) is that an i7 offers Hyperthreading (ie. 4 cores/8 threads). For gaming, hyperthreading is unnecessary. In your case, unless you're doing some decently heavy video editing, you won't need the extra threads from an i7, so downgrade to the i5 3570k. The motherboard could also be downgraded to an AsRock Z77 Extreme4, instead of the Extreme6, it's still a solid board which has great overclocking capabilities. 750W is enough, although preferably you should use a well known branded supply, with good warranty etc.

 

[Taylor_31]

I don't know where you are buying from, but this GTX 680 is almost $100 cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130769

 

[bmwm3oz]

Taylor, I'm looking at the FTW one on Newegg for a little more. Bad idea or? Thanks for your post.


2wenty, Thanks for that info! I will definitely check out the cheaper board. The power supply I have is CORSAIR and I bought it 3-4 years ago. It's pretty old but it was a nice power supply at the time. I'm sure it will be fine?

Also, yes, I won't be doing any video editing or any software stuff. The only thing I will be doing is playing games on there. Thanks again and thanks in advance if you post again!

 

[2wenty]

Taylor, I'm looking at the FTW one on Newegg for a little more. Bad idea or? Thanks for your post.


2wenty, Thanks for that info! I will definitely check out the cheaper board. The power supply I have is CORSAIR and I bought it 3-4 years ago. It's pretty old but it was a nice power supply at the time. I'm sure it will be fine?

Also, yes, I won't be doing any video editing or any software stuff. The only thing I will be doing is playing games on there. Thanks again and thanks in advance if you post again!

The FTW version has 4Gb of VRAM, instead of the 2Gb that comes with reference 680s. I'm not sure what resolution monitor you're using, but for 1080p 2Gb should last you long enough. That said, the Radeon HD 7970 from AMD has 3Gb on reference, and is about $100 cheaper than a 680, with very similar performance. Price/performance wise, the 670 and 7970 win in terms of high-end cards. The 670 is quite a lot cheaper than the 680, but performance is very similar. I would personally choose a 7970 with the extra gig of VRAM, but if you prefer NVidia, it's your choice. I would definitely look at taking a 670 over a 680 though, and I believe 670s with 4Gb of VRAM (if you need 4Gb for higher resolutions) are about the same price as 680s with 2Gb, and you'll barely see any performance drop whatsoever.

 

[bmwm3oz]

I've actually always had ATI but felt it's time to switch. Not sure why because my current ATi 4870 has treated me so well!

I think I might reconsider and look at the 7970. I'm just afraid of a big price drop coming on this card once the 8000 series are released. I've also heard issues with heat on the 7970, but my 4870 has no problems. Stock fan at 40% speed and it never went over 50C during gaming.

I'll be using a 24 inch monitor at 1920X I believe. Or whatever the highest resolution possible is.

 

[ubercake]

You could go with a 670 2GB and get near 680 performance (the difference is almost negligible in most cases). It's a great value for high-end video capabilities. The 680 does give you additional FPS, but if you're trying to lower costs, a 2GB 670 is a great way to go.

 

[2wenty]

I've actually always had ATI but felt it's time to switch. Not sure why because my current ATi 4870 has treated me so well!

I think I might reconsider and look at the 7970. I'm just afraid of a big price drop coming on this card once the 8000 series are released. I've also heard issues with heat on the 7970, but my 4870 has no problems. Stock fan at 40% speed and it never went over 50C during gaming.

I'll be using a 24 inch monitor at 1920X I believe. Or whatever the highest resolution possible is.

1920x1200 or 1920x1080? Even so, 2gb should probably be enough for the next year or two. 670s with 4Gb are actually cheaper than 680s with 2Gb of VRAM, maybe save some money and grab a 670, without much of a performance drop at all? I haven't heard of many 7970 heat problems, although I'm pretty sure they do have a higher power consumption compared to NVidia cards. Just grab a card with a good (non)-reference cooler, it should be fine.

 

[bmwm3oz]

1920x1200 or 1920x1080? Even so, 2gb should probably be enough for the next year or two. 670s with 4Gb are actually cheaper than 680s with 2Gb of VRAM, maybe save some money and grab a 670, without much of a performance drop at all? I haven't heard of many 7970 heat problems, although I'm pretty sure they do have a higher power consumption compared to NVidia cards. Just grab a card with a good (non)-reference cooler, it should be fine.

1920X1080. Ok I think I'll go with the 7970 then. Hopefully it will fit In my antec 900. Man, computers are ridiculously expensive still when trying to play the latest games at their highest potential. 60 dollar game needs a 2,000 dollar system just to really exp it? Crazy in this day In age!

Thanks all

 

[bmwm3oz]

Best answer selected by Bmwm3oz.

 

[2wenty]

In all honesty, you could max Crysis 3 etc. with a sub $1000 build @ 1080p. Gotta allow yourself a bit of room for the future though, no?

 

[bmwm3oz]

In all honesty, you could max Crysis 3 etc. with a sub $1000 build @ 1080p. Gotta allow yourself a bit of room for the future though, no?

Maybe Crysis 3 but not BF3 as far as I know. When I look at reviews of cards on Newegg, I find that unless you do SLI GTx 680 or the 690 for 1K, you can't do BF3 on ultra with 60FPS+. Please prove me wrong!

 

[2wenty]

Maybe Crysis 3 but not BF3 as far as I know. When I look at reviews of cards on Newegg, I find that unless you do SLI GTx 680 or the 690 for 1K, you can't do BF3 on ultra with 60FPS+. Please prove me wrong!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Q_CVa8DdQ&feature=player_embedded#!
BF3 on very high settings with a 7950 @ 1440p receiving 54fps on average. Would be higher too at 1080p as well.