Build to AMD?

[efngn]

Hi guys, I was given this build by djangoringo, using two GeForce 670's in SLI. However, after looking around and seeing that AMD GPU's are cheaper and I can get better performance for my money, I think I want to build my computer with AMD chips. From the options that I've seen, I can either Crossfire 2 6970's or get one 6990. Which one do you think is better and how would I have to changes this build?
Please keep it within $300 of the price of the original build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.02 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($141.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($97.59 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($364.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($364.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($122.75 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($279.00 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid Wired Gaming Keyboard ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2179.23
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-23 08:59 EST-0500)

Thanks, efngn

EDIT: I'm not going to be using the monitors django posted, U2410's are on sale for $175 off! http://www.tomshardware.com/news/dell-ultrasharp-lcd-deal-sale,21248.html

EDIT: Another build that I saw was this, courtesy of 1vh1:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3820 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.21 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock X79 Extreme6 ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Intel X25-M 160GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($127.28 @ TigerDirect)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 680 4GB Video Card ($559.99 @ Amazon)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DG 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card ($26.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: NZXT Switch 810 (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($165.98 @ Outlet PC)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional Gold 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Dell U2412M 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($296.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($135.62 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $2085.01
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-04 22:35 EST-0500)

Should I consider this one and replace the GPU? My original budget was somewhere around $2300.

 

[TimeLass]

2x Radeon HD 7970
http://www.microcenter.com/product/384118/GV-R795WF3-3GD_AMD_Radeon_HD_7950_3072MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_x16_Video_Card

ASRock Z77 Extreme4
http://www.microcenter.com/product/382952/970_Extreme4_Socket_AM3_970_ATX_AMD_Motherboard

Seasonic X-750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Total = $2009.47

 

[efngn]

2x Radeon HD 7970
http://www.microcenter.com/product/384118/GV-R795WF3-3GD_AMD_Radeon_HD_7950_3072MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_x16_Video_Card

ASRock Z77 Extreme4
http://www.microcenter.com/product/382952/970_Extreme4_Socket_AM3_970_ATX_AMD_Motherboard

Seasonic X-750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Total = $2009.47

So I just swap 'em out, no changes needed? Also, which of the two builds should I pick?

 

[TimeLass]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Fp1x
i5-3570K - $189.99@microcenter
Dell u2412M - $296.99@Amazon
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - $79.99 @ Micro Center

Total = $2269.80

 

[TimeLass]

So I just swap 'em out, no changes needed? Also, which of the two builds should I pick?

i personally prefer the 2nd build but the processor and MB and the PSU is overkill... i prefer single card over dual-gpu...

 

[efngn]

i personally prefer the 2nd build but the processor and MB and the PSU is overkill... i prefer single card over dual-gpu...

But what's the diff between the i5 and the i7, they're both quad-cores?

 

[jacobsta811]

If your goal is simply gaming performance, overclocking the i5-3570k to 4.5ghz or more and putting the $$$ into graphics cards is going to give you far better gaming performance than build #2.
Build #2 isn't just i7 vs i5, Build 1 is LGA1155/Ivy Bridge while Build 2 is LGA2011/Sandy Bridge-E(xtreme). LGA2011 supports more powerful CPUs than LGA1155 but is way more expensive, and more importantly provides no better framerates than an i5-3570k. Now if you need lots of CPU muscle for certain workstation tasks then LGA2011 makes sense, but for a gaming PC you are usually overspending if you buy it.

And yes, you can just swap out two 670s for two identical 7970 (or 7970 ghz edition, etc) with no other changes. You could also get a 7990 if you want, which is just an unofficial crossfire of the 7970 on a single board. (6XXX series are older cards that you don't want).

 

[efngn]

Another question, which Radeon 7970 is the best? I'm probably going to get the GHz edition, but which manufacturer makes the best one?

 

[TimeLass]

But what's the diff between the i5 and the i7, they're both quad-cores?

Both i5 and i7 are quad cores CPU... i7 have the Hyper-Threading and Quick Sync ability which is ideal for video rendering/encoding tasks... if your goal is to play games only, an core i5 CPU is the best choice for you...

 

[azraa]

The Ghz Edition is the best choice
There are as well HD7970 flat and they are great too.

Speaking brands, then I'd had to suggest Sapphire, they are my absolute favorite with AMD, if not that, then XFX.

Also, I agree with jacobsta, socket 2011 for gaming is way too overkill and for around 2 to 5 more FPS, definitely not worth it at all.
If you want gaming, your best best is either a 3570k (LGA1155) or a 8350 (AM3+)

 

[TimeLass]

Another question, which Radeon 7970 is the best? I'm probably going to get the GHz edition, but which manufacturer makes the best one?

i personally prefer the MSI PE and Asus DC2 one...

 

[efngn]

So, the final build is going to look something like this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.02 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($141.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($97.59 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($422.13 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($422.13 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($122.75 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1949.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-23 10:37 EST-0500)

 

[efngn]

So, the final build is going to look something like this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.02 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($141.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($97.59 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($422.13 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($422.13 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($122.75 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1949.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-23 10:37 EST-0500)

 

[efngn]

So, the final build is going to look something like this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.02 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($141.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($97.59 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($422.13 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($422.13 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($122.75 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1949.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-23 10:37 EST-0500)

I'm thinking about putting in another 8 Gigs of RAM, for Minecraft. What brand/model?

 

[jacobsta811]

I like G-skill Ares 2x8gb if you are going that way. But it doesn't really matter too much as long as you get RAM without giant heatsinks (nh-d14 is a big cooler, definitely overlaps at least the first RAM slot).