Gaming Computer

[Noah3210]

Hi everyone I have been doing some research for a while and I am going to make a gaming computer this summer

Approximate Purchase Date: Late June, Mid August

Budget Range: around 2k

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Movies, School Stuff like projects light drafting maybe im not sure

Are you buying a monitor: I have 3 42"LED (slim bezel) got lucky

Do you need to buy OS: No - I get codes cause im in Computer Sci

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any but I would like to get the most out of my money

Location: City, State/Region, Country - Ann Arbor, MI

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: Intel

Overclocking: I dont think so I dont really see the point

SLI or Crossfire: to get the most benefit I dont care

Your Monitor Resolution: 5780x1080p

Additional Comments: I was thinking of getting two 7990's or two 7970's I am not sure.

Types of Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Crysis and Guildwars I dont like lots of FPS and social games mostly RPG's

Parts im thinking of

ASUS Sabertooth X79 LGA 2011

Cooler Master GeminII M4 - CPU Cooler with 4 Direct Contact Heat Pipes (RR-GMM4-16PK-R​2)

Cooler Master Silent Pro M - 1000W 80 PLUS Bronze Power Supply with Modular Cables (RSA00-AMBAJ3-U​S)

Intel Core i7-3820 Quad-Core Processor 3.6 GHz 10 MB Cache LGA 2011 - BX80619I73820

Maybe 16GB of Ram

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I am graduating this year with my undergrad and i am going to grad school in Montreal,Canada (McGill University) I am trying to prepare now for it because I think with my student visa I wont be able to work legally anywhere. I want this computer to last the whole time in grad school (3-4 years) It would be nice for this to last me some time after. I know making a future-proof machine isn't the smartest thing but I have money now and I wont have money later. I would like a small case because its easier to ship but its cost effective to ship the parts and not the case. I know this is a special situations but I don't want to buy any computer parts for as long as I can help it.

 

[realchaos]

A normal pc will usually last about 3-4years. I hope you know two 7990 is almost $2000 already. I gave you 2tb so you should have plenty of room. I gave you the option to overclock just in case you feel like your processor is getting kind of slow in the next couple of years.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / 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 ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($157.25 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($229.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($445.91 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($445.91 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Tempest 410 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1927.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-10 01:22 EST-0500)

The PSU is actually on sale for $100 at newegg. Ends tomorrow. You might want to pick that up soon.

 

[Noah3210]

why i5? wont that be out of date soon?
I also should have said I already have a SSD 120 GB OCZ
and why the motherboard? I know LGA2011 came out I was thinking of going with that type also was thinking of the Revodrive x2 since its only $300 on amazon.

 

[Noah3210]

Also why the 3gb version of 7970's? i saw they have a 6gb version and i could crossfire those instead? and I was looking online that the dual 7970's are faster than a 7990

 

[thor220]

Isn't haswell supposed to be out in June? It would be better just to make a build then. . .

On a side note, how the hell can you drop 2k on a computer when in college? Are you dealing drugs on the side?

 

[realchaos]

Didn't know when Haswell was coming out. Wait until Haswell comes out and then form a build. Just use something like mine as a starting point.
I agree with thor on the 2nd part. I would rather be building a work pc instead of a gaming pc. You might be playing games occasionally but you shouldn't be doing any intense gaming.

 

[Noah3210]

Isn't haswell supposed to be out in June? It would be better just to make a build then. . .

On a side note, how the hell can you drop 2k on a computer when in college? Are you dealing drugs on the side?

Canada has a markup of prices and some places overseas has increase too. I work 2 jobs and im a landlord so i get rent from two international students i also made some money in RIM stock during their small increase.Also its the last semester i am part-time so i can manage and im good with keeping a budget and stuff.

Haswell is this hexacore stuff right? im looking and i see them for 500 is it worth it? Im cool with spending money but I dont think I will use the extra processing power thats why I stuck with the i7 but with the LGA 2011

 

[g-unit1111]

Haswell is this hexacore stuff right? im looking and i see them for 500 is it worth it? Im cool with spending money but I dont think I will use the extra processing power thats why I stuck with the i7 but with the LGA 2011

Haswell is the next generation of i3/i5/i7. It will be made on a 22nm manufacturing process similar to Ivy Bridge. The Hex core CPU you're thinking of the is the i7-3930K.

LGA 2011 is an incredibly stupid purchase for a gaming rig. It's way too much investment for not a lot of payoff in terms of performance. Today's games are all about intense visuals and rely less on the CPU and more on the GPU. So with that said a better GPU is a better investment for a gaming rig. If you're buying with the probability of making your build "future proof", don't. The only way to truly ensure a build's longevity is to evolve it as you go. Don't limit yourself with what hardware you can buy. Buy it with the ability to upgrade later. Don't limit your build's expansion options either.

On a $2K build here's what I would suggest:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($60.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vector Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($148.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($143.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($145.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1763.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-10 03:39 EDT-0400)

 

[realchaos]

It's way too early to start planning a build for the summer. Prices changes, new things come out, promos happen. I would just wait and keep an eye on prices, find out if its a good part for a good deal. If it is, take it. By the time summer comes, you can just buy whatever didn't come on sale for regular price.

 

[Noah3210]

Haswell is this hexacore stuff right? im looking and i see them for 500 is it worth it? Im cool with spending money but I dont think I will use the extra processing power thats why I stuck with the i7 but with the LGA 2011

Haswell is the next generation of i3/i5/i7. It will be made on a 22nm manufacturing process similar to Ivy Bridge. The Hex core CPU you're thinking of the is the i7-3930K.

LGA 2011 is an incredibly stupid purchase for a gaming rig. It's way too much investment for not a lot of payoff in terms of performance. Today's games are all about intense visuals and rely less on the CPU and more on the GPU. So with that said a better GPU is a better investment for a gaming rig. If you're buying with the probability of making your build "future proof", don't. The only way to truly ensure a build's longevity is to evolve it as you go. Don't limit yourself with what hardware you can buy. Buy it with the ability to upgrade later. Don't limit your build's expansion options either.

On a $2K build here's what I would suggest:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($60.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vector Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($148.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($143.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($145.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1763.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-10 03:39 EDT-0400)

ok thatnks for clearing that up about the sockets I know that games use more GPU than CPU I just didnt know how much so why have an i7? I have seen some bench-marking results saying the 7970's is a little bit better than 670's is there a reason why you chose them? also If I remove the SSD, Harddrive,Optical drive and replace in the the Revodrivex2 would it be a smart purchase Since I already have a SSD I bought from black friday. I dont think the revo drive will make that gigantic of a difference I personally think an SSD is enough but im not sure.

 

[Noah3210]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/IP9k
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/IP9k/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/IP9k/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-2700K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($308.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($157.29 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 6GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($606.13 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 6GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($606.13 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Level 10 GT LCS ATX Full Tower Case ($327.68 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2369.17
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-10 17:32 EDT-0400)

this better?

 

[realchaos]

If you REALLY want the i7 (which I think is stupid for gaming) grab the 3770k instead. Crossfiring two 6gb vram cards is stupid. Two regular 3gb vram is good enough. You said you wanted a small case because it's easier to move it around. Your case is the complete opposite of small. I would suggest a mid-tower.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($157.29 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($445.91 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($445.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1727.05
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-10 18:02 EDT-0400)

 

[g-unit1111]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/IP9k
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/IP9k/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/IP9k/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-2700K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($308.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($157.29 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 6GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($606.13 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 6GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($606.13 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Level 10 GT LCS ATX Full Tower Case ($327.68 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2369.17
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-10 17:32 EDT-0400)

this better?

First off the 2700K is an older CPU. I'm personally not a fan of the Level 10 - there's far better cases you could go with that are less costly. The best you can get right now are the Fractal Design Define R4 and the NZXT Switch 810.

ok thatnks for clearing that up about the sockets I know that games use more GPU than CPU I just didnt know how much so why have an i7? I have seen some bench-marking results saying the 7970's is a little bit better than 670's is there a reason why you chose them? also If I remove the SSD, Harddrive,Optical drive and replace in the the Revodrivex2 would it be a smart purchase Since I already have a SSD I bought from black friday. I dont think the revo drive will make that gigantic of a difference I personally think an SSD is enough but im not sure.

The Revodrive is in no way shape or form a smart purchase. These things crazy expensive and they are not ready for prime time as they have ridiculously high fail rates.

Dual 7970s vs dual 670s is a debatable topic. I look at it this way - dual 7970s are amazing, but they also run a bit more expensive. More games are taking advantage of the extra hardware acceleration that NVIDIA has and GTX 670 in SLI form gives you near identical performance to the GTX 690 for less money.

You don't need an i7 for gaming as there's very few games that take advantage of it.

 

[Noah3210]

ok thanks for the help I like the extra ram of the 7970's but I have seen many other eyefinity setups with crossfired 670's last 3 to 4 years or so it may be the wiser choice. my last and final question is how to make the setup the quietist thing ever. right now I currently have 40ft HDMI cables & a 50Ft USB Extender so I can put the whole tower in the other room. I was looking into water cooling but I dont think I should it looks like a lot of work any suggestions?

 

[Noah3210]

ok thanks for the help I like the extra ram of the 7970's but I have seen many other eyefinity setups with crossfired 670's last 3 to 4 years or so it may be the wiser choice. my last and final question is how to make the setup the quietist thing ever. right now I currently have 40ft HDMI cables & a 50Ft USB Extender so I can put the whole tower in the other room. I was looking into water cooling but I dont think I should it looks like a lot of work any suggestions?

 

[g-unit1111]

ok thanks for the help I like the extra ram of the 7970's but I have seen many other eyefinity setups with crossfired 670's last 3 to 4 years or so it may be the wiser choice. my last and final question is how to make the setup the quietist thing ever. right now I currently have 40ft HDMI cables & a 50Ft USB Extender so I can put the whole tower in the other room. I was looking into water cooling but I dont think I should it looks like a lot of work any suggestions?

Well you have your GPUs mixed up. Eyefinity is the AMD code for multiple displays. NVIDIA has a similar technology called Surround.

Water cooling isn't really worth it unless you're setting up a full CPU - GPU loop. Otherwise stick with air. Get a Noctua D14 - it's the reigning king of air heat sinks right now and probably won't be dethroned for quite some time.