Revised Hi-End Gaming Build

[BlackMatrix]

Hi there,

I've already put out an old thread on this, but alas, it has been closed on my account. I have made a revised list of PC parts that I would like to use in my gaming build I hope to complete by the end of this year. I am specifically designing this build for Crysis 3, Arma 3 and Planetside 2... I am NOT going to be using any old or second-hand parts and I'd perfer it if they were all up to date... My max budget is $4000 NZD. I'd really appreciate any opinions or advice on this as I want it to be as good as I can make it. Thanks!

- Black Matrix

P.S. This is my product list... If I can, I want to throw in a couple of ROG Matrix II GPUs in there in replacement of the 7970s.

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

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($457.00 @ PC Force)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($56.35 @ PB Technologies)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($219.00 @ PC Force)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($182.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.00 @ PC Force)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($178.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($636.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($636.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XM (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($219.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Power Supply: FSP Group 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($256.20 @ Ascent Technology)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B3ST/BLK/G/AS DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($152.04 @ Ascent Technology)
Total: $3120.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-20 19:12 NZDT+1300)

 

[plasmaj12345]

Overall great build, but you do not need an i7 3770k. Get the i5 3570k for less since games do not take advantage of the hyperthreads in the i7. You do not need 16GB of RAM at the moment as even Crysis 3 doesn't take up 8GB. Get 8GB and add on more later when you need it. Lastly, that Power Supply isn't reliable. Get a power supply from Corsair, Seasonic, or Antec. Use the money saved for a better CPU cooler and/or case.

 

[realchaos]

If it's only gaming, don't get the i7. i5 is fine for $200 less. If you want better overclocking, try the Noctua NH-D14. It's $80 but it'll be a lot better than the EVO for high overclocks. 16gb ram is overkill for gaming, 8gb is plenty enough. Never heard of FSP Group, so I can't say much on the PSU. Get some other people's opinions on it.

 

[plasmaj12345]

http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/EHOZ This build will be better for you. Since your budget is $1000 more, you can get a better case, more SSD, better motherboard (if you plan on doing heavier overclocking past 4.5 GHz). I feel this is a good starting point.

 

[cutebeans]

If you're going use only one monitor then a single 7970 is enough

 

[plasmaj12345]

If you're going use only one monitor then a single 7970 is enough

Not always. Crysis 3 does not maintain 60+ FPS with 1 7970. GPU's haven't reached the point yet where one single GPU will max out every game (at 60+ fps) on 1080p.

 

[pete123edgar]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/EIdK This equates to around $3700, the reason its more expensive than yours is I throw in an Asus 1440p monitor, and seriously, once you game at 1440p you won't be playing at 1080p again. I don't know whether you already have a monitor or not but without the monitor it is around 3k NZD. If you want, but a TITAN and show off!

 

[Simu]

Your best buy:
since psu is sli certified so i go for nvidia.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.34 @ PB Technologies)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($56.35 @ PB Technologies)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($219.00 @ PC Force)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($182.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.00 @ PC Force)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($178.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 680 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($949.00 @ Computer Lounge)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 680 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($949.00 @ Computer Lounge)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XM (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($219.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($290.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B3ST/BLK/G/AS DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($152.04 @ Ascent Technology)
Total: $3632.73
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-20 21:42 NZDT+1300)

 

[BlackMatrix]

Hello all,

Firstly, I'd like to thank you all for replying so fast. It is extremely helpful to me, with my busy schedule and things.
Secondly, I have changed to an i5 3570k, Noctua NH-D14 (looks like an absolute beast), an Asus monitor and an Antec PSU. This is my new list:

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.34 @ PB Technologies)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($191.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($219.00 @ PC Force)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($182.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.00 @ PC Force)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($178.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($636.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($636.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XM (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($219.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 900W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($219.42 @ Aquila Technology)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B3ST/BLK/G/AS DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($152.04 @ Ascent Technology)
Monitor: Asus VE278Q 27.0" Monitor ($484.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Total: $3554.80
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-21 06:15 NZDT+1300)

P.S. Please help me out with my GPU. I don't know if I should get two GTX 680's which are about $300 more or stick with the AMD ones.

 

[FinneousPJ]

The 680s are in no way worth $300 more than the 7970s. Enviable build, though for such a big budget I'd expect more than a 120 GB basic SSD.

 

[Simu]

just go for single best GPU you can get!! bcoz you are X-firing that's why i suggest you SLI otherwise my recommendation is single best GPU, nothing else!! bla bla bla.....

 

[FinneousPJ]

There's no better single GPU :lol:

 

[pete123edgar]

Get the titan haha. But since ypu are playing in single monitor get the 7970 but of you like physx then get the nvidia there is not much different in fps in the two of them. You cant go wrong for another 2-3years if you sli/crossfire either of those card

 

[FinneousPJ]

Indeed I forgot about the Titan Probably not worth anybody's money though.

 

[BlackMatrix]

Thanks for all your feedback guys! I really appreciate it.

I'm still a bit worried about my motherboard... I don't know if it is up to scratch or if it is good enough for what I need...

 

[realchaos]

The gigabyte z77 is fine for your needs, if not more!