$2000 Gaming PC

[jshookz]

Seriously stuck on all the parts and monitors for my new gaming PC!

Just got back from a deployment and looking to splurge for a new PC!

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Within the next few weeks when my tax return gets in!

Budget Range: $2000/ Max: $2200 after shipping and all. Will also be using my local microcenter for parts and savings

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, more gaming, and more gaming. Internet surfing and an all around great PC that I love to look at every day I wake up

Are you buying a monitor: Yes( I have an Asus 236VH, 1080p, 1920x1080 monitor also)

Parts to Upgrade: Everything new

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: amazon/newegg

Location: Trenton, NJ! Stationed at McGuire AFB so a local microcenter is 25min away!

Parts Preferences: NVIDIA, Asus

Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Your Monitor Resolution: The monitor I have now is http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VH236H-23-Inch-Full-HD-Monitor/dp/B002453K5G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362293513&sr=8-1&keywords=asus+236vh

Would like to get a 2nd monitor to game on both or if I need to buy the same brand monitor!

Additional Comments: I'm in love for the full tower WHITE cases! I've been looking at the NXZT Phantom 820 and the storm stryker!

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I've been gaming on an Asus laptop for over 4 years and I finally want to get a desktop now that I've settled down back in the states!

I would love a NVIDIA Card even though the 7970's are cheaper I've never ever been a fan of AMD.

Here's what I've thrown together so far:

CPU: i7-3770K
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V Pro ATX
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB SSD/ WD Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5"
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 680 2GB
Case: Cooler Master Storm Stryker (White) Full tower
Power Supply: Corsair 850W
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
Total: $1761.35 with room to spare for monitor and other little things

Would love to get some feedback from what seems to a great community! Thank you guys so much and it's so good to be home!!!!

 

[jshookz]

Wow just reading some reviews and benchmarks, I might consider crossfiring two 7970 GhZ edition if my budget allows. Ridiculous cards!

 

[plasmaj12345]

Get an i5 3570k and get a cheaper motherboard like an ASRock z77 extreme4. With your budget, you should have enough to crossfire 2 7970's.

 

[jshookz]

So your telling me I actually did an ok job at picking out parts?! I don't think I can get two GPU's now if I still wanted to buy a monitor to go along with what I have now =/

Also I really wouldn't want too much heat with 2 graphics card so I might just stick with one beast GPU to last me for a little while

 

[plasmaj12345]

So your telling me I actually did an ok job at picking out parts?! I don't think I can get two GPU's now if I still wanted to buy a monitor to go along with what I have now =/

What is the second monitor going to be use for? Web browsing while gaming? You can get a low resolution (or smaller size 1080p) monitor for very cheap (less than $100). At your budget, you should Crossfire two 7970's ($800, $900 for 7970 GHz edition crossfire). By the way, you can't game on 2 monitors, you need 1 or 3.

 

[jshookz]

What is the second monitor going to be use for? Web browsing while gaming? You can get a low resolution (or smaller size 1080p) monitor for very cheap (less than $100). At your budget, you should Crossfire two 7970's ($800, $900 for 7970 GHz edition crossfire). By the way, you can't game on 2 monitors, you need 1 or 3.

Ah I did not know that Plasma about not being able to game on 2 monitors! Well then that changes my plans a little bit!

The 2nd monitor will be used for browing/streams just like you said. Or if you guys think I should update the monitor I have in my first post and use the current monitor I have now just for browsing etc. I really want a top of the line monitor to get the full potential for gaming on 1 monitor!

Should I get 1 video card now because I heard using 2 cards on 1 monitor is not very good and microstuttering, etc, etc.

 

[plasmaj12345]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HaJ2 This build will do for you at your budget.

 

[jshookz]

Looks killer man! But I'm still open to other suggestions now or see if anyone can fit in a monitor into the build! I'm willing to go past $2k if it's beastly and will run all games coming out, even though the build listed will most certaintly kill everything too haha

 

[plasmaj12345]

Ah I did not know that Plasma about not being able to game on 2 monitors! Well then that changes my plans a little bit!

The 2nd monitor will be used for browing/streams just like you said. Or if you guys think I should update the monitor I have in my first post and use the current monitor I have now just for browsing etc. I really want a top of the line monitor to get the full potential for gaming on 1 monitor!

Should I get 1 video card now because I heard using 2 cards on 1 monitor is not very good and microstuttering, etc, etc.

microstuttering really only happens with lower end cards. With two 7970's, you shouldn't see microstuttering. 1 card isn't enough to max out every game on 1080p. For example, FarCry 3 and Crysis 3 need a dual GPU setup to achieve 60 FPS. Rumors that say 1 card is enough are not true. If you have the money, you can upgrade your current monitor to 2560 x 1440. It all depends on how much money you are willing to spend.

 

[Hazle]

2x cards if you're setting up 3 x 1080p monitors for gaming.
1x card if you only game on one 1080p monitor.
1x high-end card is doable on a 1440p/1600p monitor in most cases. you can go for two if you want to.

 

[jshookz]

I see what you mean. Any suggestions on a good monitor then?

And Hazle I will be gaming on 1 monitor so should I stay with my 680 I posted in my first topic?

 

[plasmaj12345]

2x cards if you're setting up 3 x 1080p monitors for gaming.
1x card if you only game on one 1080p monitor.
1x high-end card is doable on a 1440p/1600p monitor in most cases. you can go for two if you want to.

Your statement is incorrect since Crysis 3 and FarCry 3 can't be maxed out with 1 GPU on 1080p as of this moment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rIVGwj1_Qno

There are many more benchmarks if you search the web.

 

[jshookz]

So much info on cards haha.

Hopefully my whole build dosent change but I think it might if I'm trying to upgrade my monitor and get a single GPU.

Keep the suggestions guys I thank you!

 

[plasmaj12345]

I see what you mean. Any suggestions on a good monitor then?

And Hazle I will be gaming on 1 monitor so should I stay with my 680 I posted in my first topic?

Most 2560 x 1440 monitors are at least $600. Since they haven't become a standard yet for HD, they will continue to cost a lot. In a couple of years ,the price may be lowered to where 1080p monitors are now. I would say get 2 7970's and stick with your 1080p monitor. If you really want the monitor, you can just get 1 7970 now, and crossfire later.

 

[jshookz]

Yes I won't lose sleep over losing 1 video card, if rather have a very good gaming monitor. Any suggestions on an IPS one?

Also is a 7970 worth it or should I go with the 680? I do like Nvidia cards, never owned an amd laptop haha first time for desktop gaming like I said just trying to get the most I can with my money!

 

[marqol]

I'm all for 2x hd 7970, though 2x670's sound good to and they both OC like beasts!
7970ghz vapor-x (silent and cool) http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-100351vxsr

I upgraded my entire system couple days ago.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Hac5
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Hac5/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Hac5/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: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($392.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ 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: $1139.81

I was running a q6600, 4gb ram and a 5850 - having to run games like gw2 on low was such a killer... now I can rock ultra and love every second of it.
The performance of 7970's is second to none... except the novelty size bank cheque Titan, of course lol.

I'd say single card and amazing monitor or 3
Also, if you're running a 2k build I'd invest in a better cpu cooler / water cooling in general.
If you're put off by the technical sound of water cooling go with
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhd14
and throw in some case fans to match.

Hope this helped, even if it was just a little

Marqol

 

[jshookz]

Thank you very much Marqol for your input! Your build is too low, I'm looking to run at least two grand but yes I think I might go with 1 beast card and a 2560x1440 monitor!


Just realized that was your build xD

 

[jshookz]

Ok I'm gonna change the mobo out to noobs suggestion and ill let microcenter help me with the water cooling! And I will be going with a 1 monitor+1 video card setup for now!

Now the decision is to figure out which GPU? If I don't choose to go with the monitors posted above ill save that $400 and go with a good GPU. Suggestions?

 

[marqol]

That was my build, you misunderstood.
If I had a 2k budget I'd build something a lot different, lol.

 

[jshookz]

I do not know how to do a custom loop water cooling but if it would help out the build itself then I'm all for it! And like I said microcenter would help with it too so yes I am. Price range is still max at $2200!

 

[jshookz]

Sounds very interesting but I think I might go with an asus or gigabyte! There's just so many brands of the 680 I don't know which one to choose!

 

[jshookz]

I've decided I'm not gonna go with the water cooling setup and go with the air cooling option!

Which version of the gtx 680 should I get now, the classified or lighting? Still deciding now if I should get the $399 monitor or put that money into a GPU and use my 23' Asus monitor

 

[jshookz]

I really perfer nvidia so I might go with the 670! Maybe I should go with a beast 670 card and use the rest of the money on an IPS monitor like you listed above

 

[jshookz]

Awesome noob! Also for the case I would really perfer a full tower white case, any suggestions? And if I wanted to could I lower the SSD to 128GB to a OZ Vertex and get a GTX 680 Asus Top DCII cooled gpu instead of the 7970?

 

[jshookz]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121634 Is that a good asus card? That's what I'm looking at right now.

And I'll look at the SSD prices.

But seriously thank you very much!