Total Overhaul High End Gaming PC Upgrades

[irishf0x]

I am overhauling almost every component in my machine except for the power supply...Current PSU is a Antec 1000W True Power Quattro

New Components:
ASUS Z87-WS LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131998

Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell 3.5GHz LGA 1150 84W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646I74770K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116901

EVGA 03G-P4-2881-KR GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487002

G.SKILL Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2666 (PC3 21300) Desktop Memory Model F3-2666C12D-16GTXD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231677

Thoughts:

I am choosing a concrete ASUS Z87 motherboard that can run ATLEAST 2 video cards at x16/x16, with a x16/x8/x8 split for 3-SLI. I doubt I will run 3-SLI, but Dual VGA someday I hope.

I chose the i7 4770K series instead of 4770 series for overclocking capabilities, worth the extra $40?

RAM is my biggest issue. The Z87 motherboard runs stock/stable at 1600MHz/1800MHz, with O.C. up to 2800MHz. I would like to overclock all my components, but is it realistic that I will be able to O.C. my RAM to the 1800MHz+ levels some serious changes.

Should I just stick with 16GB of 1600MHz DDR3? 1800MHz? Overclock it tell something burns?

Cooler Master HAF X - High Air Flow Full Tower Computer Case with Windowed Side Panel and USB 3.0 Ports
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225

Will most likely invest in new full ATX case as well. I have a Antec 900 from 2007, but its pretty beaten up.

All of these components via Newegg come up to less than $1800.

I am trying to future proof my rig for under $2000. My current hardware does not compare to these components in the slightest. I do not plan on future proofing it for 4K, that's stupid. I'd rather be realistic.

Any advice on the CPU/RAM would be greatly appreciated.

-Irishf0x

 

[AMD Radeon]

looks good

but i think DDR3 1866 RAM and sub $200 mobo will perform similar at lower price point

 

[irishf0x]

Agree on RAM, I will overclock the video card, the CPU. The motherboard is the heart of the rig...I'm expecting to get 5 years out of my MB...I will continue to look at the Z87s. A requirement is they have to have x16/x16 PCIe 3.0 capability

 

[manofchalk]

Yea, dont need the expensive RAM. 1600Mhz will be plenty for gaming.
If you plan on overclocking, then a K edition chip is your only choice pretty much.
Also agree with Radeon on the motherboard, for Crossfire/SLI you dont need PCIe3 16x/16x, 8x/8x is plenty. Also really doubt there will be a need for triple cards.

I have a HAF-X and love the thing, however I wouldn't recommend you get it. Its a bit long in the tooth and is outclassed by other cases now and will require extensive modding to match others native capabilities.
If your trying to future proof, the case is the place to start. I would be looking at something like a Phanteks Enthoo Primo, if you ever decide to go custom water in the future, that case will have you set. Otherwise, something like a NZXT Switch 810 or Corsair 750D would be better options around the HAF-X's pricepoint.

 

[irishf0x]

Thanks for advice, ill look into the most stable 1600/1800MHz range RAM, and will look at the suggested cases. I am looking for a great Mid-ATX/FULL ATX to run SLI GTX 780 TI at some point. Never into on 4K or 3 monitor.

 

[manofchalk]

At 1080p, a single 780Ti is overkill, two is just wasting your cash. For two cards of this caliber, at the minimum you would want a 1440p screen.

Just about any decently designed case will accomodate dual SLI/Crossfire just fine, and additional airflow only only does so much. If your looking at higher end cases, its pretty much just a matter of features and aesthetics.

 

[irishf0x]

Absolutely its asethetics for me...SOMEDAY yes maybe it will be financially possible to go with a 4K monitor, then the SLI set up will be necessary. Until then there will be a lot of empty space in a ATX case. For now I can only afford the 2k upgrade. Eventually I will put in a 120 SSD for boot perhaps. A few 3TB WD's as well.

 

[irishf0x]

What about the other Z87 ASUS boards? Honestly they all look like they have habitual dead component issues except for the Sabertooth/gryphon Z87 boards. Problem with them is they cap at 1888 MHz ram