Hi everyone! I'm planning a PC build this summer and request some help, thoughts, opinions, suggestions etc on choosing the right GPU. I'm following the "How to ask for advice" format below. Thanks
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Before August preferably. I'm flexible and not in a rush to buy. However Since it's summer and I'm not taking as many classes as I will in the fall, the longer I wait the more precious gaming time i'll lose.
BUDGET RANGE:Well, I dont mean to be unclear or difficult. Basically I'm trying to keep my build under $2000 so I've chosen everything so far except the GPU. This gives me about $600 leftover to choose a GPU (give or take $50 which is why I'm considering the GTX 780)
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming for now, That's It. As for the games I'll play most often: BF3 and BF4 when it comes out. Crysis 3, Batman Arkham City, The new C&C when it comes out if its any good. There's plenty of others but BF4, Crysis 3 and Batman pretty much cover it for high end graphics.
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: None! Currently just have a 5 year old laptop...yes, its time for an update.
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: I will list what I have chosen for my build.
MOBO & CPU: Haswell i5 4670k and MSI Z87-G45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1352786
CPU Cooling: Xigmatek Dark Night II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
Memory & OS: Windows 7 64bit and Corsair vengeance pro 16GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1224789.20-233-536
Case & Power Supply: NZXT Switch 810 and Hale 90 V2 850W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1346802
SSD & HDD:
SAMSUNG 840 Series 120GB SSD
Western Digital Black 7200RPM 500GB HDD
Bling Bling: A bit of razzle dazzle here and there, not important to list
No need for peripherals as of now, I mostly got that covered.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg, possibly microcenter for the CPU and MOBO as it is less expensive.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: U.S.
PARTS PREFERENCES: None really. Both the 7970GHz and the GTX 780 have their benefits, but none that I prefer over the other. See the additional comments.
OVERCLOCKING: Yes. As I'm sure some of you can tell already, this will be my first PC build. Let me assure you I have extensively read a plethora of information, articles, tuts, guides, on proper OC so I dont fry my hardware. I also have a few friends who are very familiar and can help me if I require, but since the MSI Z87-G45 has the easy BIOS and OC Genie, I dont think it will be an issue for me at all
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: When It comes to gaming, I'm a graphics junkie like many others. I want to play games on Ultra settings. FPS will not matter between the GTX780 and AMD 7970GHz, obviously there is a big difference between the two but both will satisfy my FPS needs. I was hoping for a little advice from you experts. Basically, the GTX 780 performs better than the 7970GHz from what I've seen in all benchmarks and charts, graphs, videos etc.. I'm just unsure If I really need to spend an extra $200 for the GTX 780. One of my goals for this build is to make a system that will require the least amount of upgrades for the next several years. So for example, if I get the 7970 I don't want to have to get a new graphics card in 1 or 2 years just to keep my graphics on ultra settings with good FPS for new and better games that will come in the future (i.e. spend the extra $200 for a GTX 780 that would keep up with upcoming games for the next several years)
I've read the article here on Toms Hardware regarding the 7970 as being the recommended GPU in the $400 range. That's what initially sold me on the 7970, and since my budget allowed I was thinking about the Vapor-X GHz edition or MSI Lightening Edition. Another perk is the bundled games are all games that I enjoy to play. So when it comes down to price/performance, the 7970 seems the way to go.
-BUT-
Keeping my options open, and since my budget also allows me to choose a better GPU, I've been eyeing the GTX 780 especially since it always seems to show up as a much better performer against the 7970GHz. Two major question I need advice on: a) should I wait for the GTX 780 Gaming edition from MSI when its released? and b) Will the GTX 780 be a better purchase in the long run, allowing me to keep up with hi-res graphics? Or do you think that the 7970 will be able to keep up just the same? I believe it was just mentioned yesterday that MSI will be coming out with a GTX 780 Gaming edition so I am excited to see what it will feature over the one they have out now. I know it's probably a bit early to ask such questions since not much info has been released on the gaming edition, but if it were you, would you wait for the gaming edition? What features might be beneficial with the gaming edition? Or is it mostly just an aesthetic thing, having a matching GPU and MOBO (which I dont care about). In general, is there any reason to wait for the Gaming edition and what might you expect the price and release date to be?
To sum up, price/performance = 7970GHz (unless otherwise recommended by you guys)
performance/price = GTX 780 (unless otherwise recommended)
Links to the GPU's:
Vapor-X 7970 GHz Edition http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202001
MSI Lightening 7970GHz Edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127736
MSI GTX 780
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127740
MSI GTX 780 Gaming Edition
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/MSI-GTX-780-Gaming-Nvidia,23162.html
Thanks for your time.
p.s. my apologies for the long post, just trying to be as thorough as possible.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Before August preferably. I'm flexible and not in a rush to buy. However Since it's summer and I'm not taking as many classes as I will in the fall, the longer I wait the more precious gaming time i'll lose.
BUDGET RANGE:Well, I dont mean to be unclear or difficult. Basically I'm trying to keep my build under $2000 so I've chosen everything so far except the GPU. This gives me about $600 leftover to choose a GPU (give or take $50 which is why I'm considering the GTX 780)
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming for now, That's It. As for the games I'll play most often: BF3 and BF4 when it comes out. Crysis 3, Batman Arkham City, The new C&C when it comes out if its any good. There's plenty of others but BF4, Crysis 3 and Batman pretty much cover it for high end graphics.
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: None! Currently just have a 5 year old laptop...yes, its time for an update.
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: I will list what I have chosen for my build.
MOBO & CPU: Haswell i5 4670k and MSI Z87-G45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1352786
CPU Cooling: Xigmatek Dark Night II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
Memory & OS: Windows 7 64bit and Corsair vengeance pro 16GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1224789.20-233-536
Case & Power Supply: NZXT Switch 810 and Hale 90 V2 850W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1346802
SSD & HDD:
SAMSUNG 840 Series 120GB SSD
Western Digital Black 7200RPM 500GB HDD
Bling Bling: A bit of razzle dazzle here and there, not important to list
No need for peripherals as of now, I mostly got that covered.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg, possibly microcenter for the CPU and MOBO as it is less expensive.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: U.S.
PARTS PREFERENCES: None really. Both the 7970GHz and the GTX 780 have their benefits, but none that I prefer over the other. See the additional comments.
OVERCLOCKING: Yes. As I'm sure some of you can tell already, this will be my first PC build. Let me assure you I have extensively read a plethora of information, articles, tuts, guides, on proper OC so I dont fry my hardware. I also have a few friends who are very familiar and can help me if I require, but since the MSI Z87-G45 has the easy BIOS and OC Genie, I dont think it will be an issue for me at all
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: When It comes to gaming, I'm a graphics junkie like many others. I want to play games on Ultra settings. FPS will not matter between the GTX780 and AMD 7970GHz, obviously there is a big difference between the two but both will satisfy my FPS needs. I was hoping for a little advice from you experts. Basically, the GTX 780 performs better than the 7970GHz from what I've seen in all benchmarks and charts, graphs, videos etc.. I'm just unsure If I really need to spend an extra $200 for the GTX 780. One of my goals for this build is to make a system that will require the least amount of upgrades for the next several years. So for example, if I get the 7970 I don't want to have to get a new graphics card in 1 or 2 years just to keep my graphics on ultra settings with good FPS for new and better games that will come in the future (i.e. spend the extra $200 for a GTX 780 that would keep up with upcoming games for the next several years)
I've read the article here on Toms Hardware regarding the 7970 as being the recommended GPU in the $400 range. That's what initially sold me on the 7970, and since my budget allowed I was thinking about the Vapor-X GHz edition or MSI Lightening Edition. Another perk is the bundled games are all games that I enjoy to play. So when it comes down to price/performance, the 7970 seems the way to go.
-BUT-
Keeping my options open, and since my budget also allows me to choose a better GPU, I've been eyeing the GTX 780 especially since it always seems to show up as a much better performer against the 7970GHz. Two major question I need advice on: a) should I wait for the GTX 780 Gaming edition from MSI when its released? and b) Will the GTX 780 be a better purchase in the long run, allowing me to keep up with hi-res graphics? Or do you think that the 7970 will be able to keep up just the same? I believe it was just mentioned yesterday that MSI will be coming out with a GTX 780 Gaming edition so I am excited to see what it will feature over the one they have out now. I know it's probably a bit early to ask such questions since not much info has been released on the gaming edition, but if it were you, would you wait for the gaming edition? What features might be beneficial with the gaming edition? Or is it mostly just an aesthetic thing, having a matching GPU and MOBO (which I dont care about). In general, is there any reason to wait for the Gaming edition and what might you expect the price and release date to be?
To sum up, price/performance = 7970GHz (unless otherwise recommended by you guys)
performance/price = GTX 780 (unless otherwise recommended)
Links to the GPU's:
Vapor-X 7970 GHz Edition http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202001
MSI Lightening 7970GHz Edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127736
MSI GTX 780
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127740
MSI GTX 780 Gaming Edition
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/MSI-GTX-780-Gaming-Nvidia,23162.html
Thanks for your time.
p.s. my apologies for the long post, just trying to be as thorough as possible.