Hey you, Expert PC guy, help me with my new rig!

[ChestR0ckwell]

Hello!

I consider myself to be at a novice or 'journeyman' level of knowledge when it comes to personal computer building. I have been out of the game for about 5 years.

It is a question that's been asked many times before but I still want to see what you experts have to say given that its now FEB13.

I shall be building a new gaming rig (all gaming, nothing else). Do I stick with the 3570k/3770k , LGA 1155 CPU (with associated MoBo) and put that extra money into a nice Nvidia 670 or 680?...or... Do I opt for the new 'Cadillac' LGA 2011 3930k CPU with quad channel MoBo 64gb max memory goodness? which would force me to cut that card to a 660ti or 670.

I plan on upgrading my system every 8-12 months regardless (to include SLI, increased ram, maybe even a better CPU)

Basically I'm scared to pull the trigger on the LGA 1155 stuff because I don't want to get stuck not being able to upgrade it, Id like my new system to chew through most games on max settings for the next 2 yrs! However, from what I've read in late 2012 articles/forum threads, its the way to go...no one seems to be putting their faith behind the new LGA 2011 stuff.

Budget is a rough $2000 if I had to put a price on it.

I respectfully and humbly seek your advice.

-C.R.

 

[Solf]

The i5 3570k is recommended for gaming, going i7 improves a frame or two, very minuscule.

If you are planning to overclock, a K CPU is required (ie: i5 3570k vs i5 3570) and a Z77 motherboard. The stock CPU cooler won't be able to handle an OC CPU, so you'll have to buy one, too.

Future proofing is unpredictable, so speculating on it won't help you. Just OC your CPU when the time comes, almost all games are GPU centric.

Do make sure you get a quality PSU, people tend to overlook that.

 

[thehiddenlotus]

If you're worried about upgradability, go with an AMD build. Yes their CPU's don't perform quite as well in gaming (single threaded) but that doesn't mean you can't build a killer AMD rig that will burn through anything on ultra. and for less $. AMD's last few Sockets have been backwards compatible and it's looking like their next socket will be as well. And SteamRoller might be the improvement from AMD we've all been waiting for.
But the LGA 1155 will be pushed out with the next Intel release. This is simply from upgradability/future-proof POV. As of right now Intel is on top so if you want the best of the best go with that. Though we all know gaming primarily depends on the GPU.

 

[ChestR0ckwell]

Alright thanks, gonna go with the i5, and the 670 then.

I'll be able to sli them this summer probably anyways! If i get 2 or 3 of those suckers in there, should I opt for a 750 or 850 watt PSU?

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($128.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)

I like all those usb 3.0! Would you reccommend going with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130665

for the added PCI 3.0's if I wanted to do 3-way sli???

 

[ChestR0ckwell]

If you're worried about upgradability, go with an AMD build. Yes their CPU's don't perform quite as well in gaming (single threaded) but that doesn't mean you can't build a killer AMD rig that will burn through anything on ultra. and for less $. AMD's last few Sockets have been backwards compatible and it's looking like their next socket will be as well. And SteamRoller might be the improvement from AMD we've all been waiting for.
But the LGA 1155 will be pushed out with the next Intel release. This is simply from upgradability/future-proof POV. As of right now Intel is on top so if you want the best of the best go with that. Though we all know gaming primarily depends on the GPU.

hmm...to be frank, i haven't even considered AMD...but i guess it would be stupid not to...im assuming there is no time table on when AMDs new chips are coming out???

 

[thehiddenlotus]

Steamroller will release 2014. Plenty of time to build a new rig w/o feeling like as soon as your done the next thing is already out. I know this will be shot down by all the Intel fanboys but AMD has been kinder on upgradability and will make a high quality gaming rig for less money.

 

[ChestR0ckwell]

Stick with the 3570k. 680 is only 5% faster than 670 so take it.
If you plan upgrade in evy 8-12 months.

Lets see. 2 sets one with 3570k or 3770k and other 3930k

Here is one: Case you can have black too and without a window.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/EP72
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/EP72/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/EP72/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 ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($128.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($76.82 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($137.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($79.20 @ Newegg)
Total: $1257.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-21 02:36 EST-0500)

Do you need a monitor?

no need for a monitor either.

 

[thehiddenlotus]

Why AMD take 2011 build and you do not need upgrade in 5 years or so. Maybe a videocard needs upgrade but all other components are fine. 5 to 7 years.

Bulldozer was updated to Piledriver in 2012, not long ago. No longer 2011 tech imo. Piledriver helped power efficiency though they're still not as efficient as Ivy bridge.

 

[ChestR0ckwell]

Best answer selected by ChestR0ckwell.