Need Advice/Help with my New Build Specs... ($2500-$3000 budget)

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
I'd say a 2GB card would be fine. Is there a massive price difference between the two? If the 4GB one is only a tiny bit more expensive it may be worth going for one of those just in case you decide to play at a massive resolution in the future.
 

Benny Boy

Active Member
If you want an SSD go for a Crucial M4, SanDisk Extreme 120GB or a Samsung 830. All in order from slowest to fastest but all faster than the Force 3.

Here's the 830, one of the fastest drives available right now http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147164

128GB is a nice size, 256GB would be great!
He listed the GT not the Force 3. The GT is faster than the 3 you listed, but, see my other post.

Of the suggestions, the GT, 830 or 520 would be the one to get.
 

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
If I've selected the correct drives, it would appear that the 830 is still sometimes faster than the Force GT which is the drive he originally chose, yes? http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/409?vs=533

Anyway, yeah, any one of those SSDs would be great. On paper they're all different speeds, but in the real world I doubt you'd really notice any difference. They're all very fast.
 

Chameleon

New Member
He listed the GT not the Force 3. The GT is faster than the 3 you listed, but, see my other post.

Of the suggestions, the GT, 830 or 520 would be the one to get.

Oh ok... Well, I've been doing some research, and I've found a LOT of people praising the Samsung 830 series. So, I figure it should be good enough for my needs.

One question, though, on this... Would it be best to just go with one 256 SSD and use it for OS and games? Or would it be better to possibly get a smaller 64GB SSD as well, just for the OS, and use the bigger SSD for games? What you think?
 

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
Just get one big drive, go for a 256GB and save yourself some money. 256GB should be enough for everything really, and you can always install games on a hard drive as there isn't much difference between SSD and HDD gaming.
 

Chameleon

New Member
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Benny Boy

Active Member
If I've selected the correct drives, it would appear that the 830 is still sometimes faster than the Force GT which is the drive he originally chose, yes? http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/409?vs=533

Anyway, yeah, any one of those SSDs would be great. On paper they're all different speeds, but in the real world I doubt you'd really notice any difference. They're all very fast.
Sometimes the size makes a little diff. in the spec. Your right, they're pretty evenly matched, which relates to what it looks like on paper probably won't be noticed in use. I like the 830 choice. One of the reasons its so stable is because they make all the parts themselves, controller and all.:good:
 

Benny Boy

Active Member
The gpu is the big determining factor. Recommended for a 680 is 38A on the +12v rail. So, allowing headroom for that, all the info is needed unless your starting out with SLI. 650 quality watts is more than needed, but to get gold/full mod ya hafta go there. Seasonic has a bronze 620w semi mod for about $90-promo, and Corsair has bronze TX650 non mod for $90-promo or a mod TX for around 100 or so. PC Power $ Cooling has a 600w mod or 700w mod w/ promos.

Don't know that 680 vs 670 will be worth the $100. You decide. You can select games/settings on left, or compare the 2.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU12/400
 

Chameleon

New Member
The gpu is the big determining factor. Recommended for a 680 is 38A on the +12v rail. So, allowing headroom for that, all the info is needed unless your starting out with SLI. 650 quality watts is more than needed, but to get gold/full mod ya hafta go there. Seasonic has a bronze 620w semi mod for about $90-promo, and Corsair has bronze TX650 non mod for $90-promo or a mod TX for around 100 or so. PC Power $ Cooling has a 600w mod or 700w mod w/ promos.

Don't know that 680 vs 670 will be worth the $100. You decide. You can select games/settings on left, or compare the 2.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU12/400

Added to the list as an option... They are definitely quite comparable. I might just go with the 670 and save that extra $100, so I can use it for something else. We'll see. Thanks for pointing that out!

I'm headed home from work now... so I won't be responding for a bit... BUT, I'd love some more suggestions on the following components...

PSU (Fully Modular), Cases (Must have Dust Filters on all intakes), and also CPU heatsinks!

I'll get back to the thread ASAP! Thanks everyone!!!
 

Chameleon

New Member
Well... looks like no one had anything else to add... I'm still definitely open for more suggestions! I really enjoy chatting and discussing different build specs!

Anyways... thanks again!
 

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
OK the Storm Sniper looks like a fairly good case, but I like the NZXT Phantom. It has mesh in front of all the fans so that should be fine for you. Here it is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068 you can get it in white too if you prefer.

A few power supply suggestions for you.

Corsair HX 750 80+ Silver http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

Seasonic X650 80+ Gold http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

Either one of those or any other quality PSU in the 650-750W range would be fine.

As for CPU coolers, the CM Hyper 212+ is meant to be pretty good http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 I use the Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 myself, it works fine (even with 4 full height RipJaws-X DIMMs installed) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186039. As you're going for 16GB of RAM viva 4x4GB it may actually be worthwhile picking up an all-in-one liquid cooler such as the Corsair H50 or H70 because then you can use all 4 bays on your motherboard without the heatsink getting in the way. Liquid cooling would give you better overclocks and temperatures too. There's an H70 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181019&Tpk=h70 there are cheaper models too such as the H60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181015&Tpk=h60.

I see you're going for a single 670 now, that's a great choice of graphics card still. Get an EVGA one though. :)
 
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Benny Boy

Active Member
I was going to suggest the Sabertooth early on but I didn't think you'd want to pay for the extra. It's obviousy a great board with a lot of features. The only thing is taking the shielding off to clean.

Ripjaws aren't as tall as as the tall Vengeance so Ripjaws will work with Hyper 212/others.

EDIT:
This gets my vote.
Seasonic built.
7 yr warranty.
Will run closer to 50% load than 650w.
Enough for a second 670 if you later on decide to.
The graphics will be correct whether its fan up or fan down.
Nice cables. Modular so you only use the ones you need.
Net is only about $100.(NE)

A couple cases. Black/white/ one of them has military green.
If you find a case you really like but it needs filters, they are available.
Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Arctic White Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
 
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Chameleon

New Member
OK the Storm Sniper looks like a fairly good case, but I like the NZXT Phantom. It has mesh in front of all the fans so that should be fine for you. Here it is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068 you can get it in white too if you prefer.

I've actually decided on going with the CM HAF XM. I really like the design, and it seems to have everything I want/need. :)

A few power supply suggestions for you.

Corsair HX 750 80+ Silver http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

Seasonic X650 80+ Gold http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

Either one of those or any other quality PSU in the 650-750W range would be fine.

As a friend suggested, I should be going with a PSU that is at least 1000w. I happen to agree. Given I will be looking of going SLI in the future, I better be safe now, than sorry later. So I need some suggestions for 1000w Modular PSUs...

As for CPU coolers, the CM Hyper 212+ is meant to be pretty good http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 I use the Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 myself, it works fine (even with 4 full height RipJaws-X DIMMs installed) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186039. As you're going for 16GB of RAM viva 4x4GB it may actually be worthwhile picking up an all-in-one liquid cooler such as the Corsair H50 or H70 because then you can use all 4 bays on your motherboard without the heatsink getting in the way. Liquid cooling would give you better overclocks and temperatures too. There's an H70 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181019&Tpk=h70 there are cheaper models too such as the H60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181015&Tpk=h60.

I see you're going for a single 670 now, that's a great choice of graphics card still. Get an EVGA one though. :)

As for Heatsinks, I don't think I'm going to go for a liquid cool solution, just because I've never had one, and everyone I've talked to says their really more hassle than they're worth. I'll check out the normal heatsinks you mentioned. I think I may have to do some research on these. But thanks for the suggestions!

As for the GPU... a friend of mine actually suggested the ASUS brand, so I'm putting that on the list of options (more expensive, and bulkier, so I dunno!) I think I'm going to do a bit more research on all these different brands/cards.


I was going to suggest the Sabertooth early on but I didn't think you'd want to pay for the extra. It's obviousy a great board with a lot of features. The only thing is taking the shielding off to clean.

Yeah, I looked into the Sabertooth, and it seems legit. A bit more expsnive, but I can afford it. As for cleaning, that is why I am going with a case that has dust filters. You should see the inside of my wife's PC after YEARS of use. Only ever needs an occasional Dust Off! Otherwise, squeaky clean!

Ripjaws aren't as tall as as the tall Vengeance so Ripjaws will work with Hyper 212/others.

As for the RAM, both of the two options I have chosen as possibilities are low profile, so both will work just fine. I am going to do a bit more research on them before I decide. :)

EDIT:
This gets my vote.
Seasonic built.
7 yr warranty.
Will run closer to 50% load than 650w.
Enough for a second 670 if you later on decide to.
The graphics will be correct whether its fan up or fan down.
Nice cables. Modular so you only use the ones you need.
Net is only about $100.(NE)

Again, as I said above... I'm going to want to go with a 1000w Fully Modular PSU. :)

A couple cases. Black/white/ one of them has military green.
If you find a case you really like but it needs filters, they are available.
Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Arctic White Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Doesn't look like either of these two cases have dust screens/filters built in... This is why I'm almost certain I'm going to go with the CM HAF XM. Thank you both for the suggestions though!

Really, I just need to select the right PSU and Heatsink now... and do a bit more research on the specs that I have a couple of options for. :D
 
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spirit

Moderator
Staff member
You don't need a 1000W PSU, that's overkill, even for SLI. I'd say for 670 SLI 850W is the most you need. If you really must have a 1000W modular PSU, here you go http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256068 that's an 80+ Gold fully modular 1000W unit from Silverstone. :)

The Sabertooth board is good. Usually I don't recommend it because of the cost, but if you're prepared to pay the extra for it, then go for it. :)

As for coolers, one brand I forgot to mention was Noctua. Their coolers are quiet, cool very well (apparently) but they are huge, so you'd definitely need low profile RAM. Something like this would be cool (no pun intended ;) ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608016 or something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608024 but yes they are massive as you can see from the photos!

If the EVGA graphics card is cheaper and not as bulky as the ASUS I'd say get the EVGA. EVGA make some of the best NVIDIA cards out there anyway, they're who I recommend.
 

Benny Boy

Active Member
PS:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-670-review/8
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-670-2-and-3way-sli-review/19
750w allows 2x670 + cpu/gpu's oc'd + headroom. With 850w being more yet,,,I see no reason to go higher than 850W(except price). If a person wants more thats up to them but I wouldn't suggest it requires it. If your contemplating multiple high res monitors and 3x sli to make more use of 1000w(still more than needed), then you might want to go with the 4gb card. Regardless, you can't go wrong with Seasonic or, Corsair branded but Seasonic built, PC Power & Cooling is another one, so is XFX. Seasonic makes a lot of the rebranded respectable ps's. Channell Well builds good units too and also makes some Corsair units. ..
As for Heatsinks, I don't think I'm going to go for a liquid cool solution, just because I've never had one, and everyone I've talked to says their really more hassle than they're worth.

All-in-one liquid coolers are an easy install and require no more maintanence than air cooler. Water loops are a different story.
HS:
Take a look at,
CM 212+/EVO
CM V6 GT
CM TCP -812
Noctua D14
For allinone you basically have to go H100 or bigger to get better than a good air cooler but H70/H80/H2O 920 are good performers.
http://www.frostytech.com/

EDIT: and Silverstone ^ :good:
 
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Chameleon

New Member
Thanks for all the input...

Given what I'm seeing as far is price range right now with the parts I have selected, I may actually go buck-wild and do SLI right away with 2x GTX 680s (or maybe 2 670s)! We will see, it's going to depend on what I get to in price before adding that last gpu onto the list.

EDIT-- Though, then another option, is to simply go with a single 670 now, wait til they drop their next line of gpu's and SLI something from that line, and give the 670 then to my wife (and possibly get a second, as at that time the price might have dropped). This is also a very viable option I'm contemplating. So I'll just be deciding what to do when it comes to purchase time! :)

But as for what my buddy said, 850w would more than likely be fine, but it's always better to have some buffer room. And it can never hurt. My wife has a 1000w, and it's never once had issue. :)
 
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