Custom build for GW2 - First new computer since 2004!

[hungrybat]

I started off planning to buy an overpriced, pre-built Dell i7-3770, but the kind experts here have set me straight. I'm building it myself and I need your analysis to see if my new plans are better.

Budget: The least I can spend/ whatever it takes. Range: $1200-$1700 (including monitor).
Resolution: 1900x1200
Games / Settings Desired: Only goal is to play GW2 with everything maxed/on utlra even in WvW. The only other game I play is Minecraft.
Any other intensive software or special things you do: Used for gaming, work and HDMI out for TV watching, so it'll be on a LOT of hours. Adequate cooling is a must.
Country: US. I live near a Microcenter store.
Parts that can be reused: Not really, just external HDDs for storage.
Do you need an OS?: No. I have Win 7.
Do you need peripherals (e.g. monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc)?: Mouse and monitor, I've already chosen them.

Here is my build:
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 @ Microcenter) [I][COLOR="#0000FF"]
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($169.98 @ Amazon) *Buying from Microcenter; I wanted the WiFi version but they don't have it.
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($124.99 @ Newegg) *Planning ahead for future SLI.
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHBS112-04 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Dell U2412M 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G600 MMO Gaming Mouse Wired Laser Mouse ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1623.87


My questions/ concerns:
1. I want this build to last 4-5 years.
2. Overclocking: only if I get below 60FPS on GW2, but will my chosen cooler work or do I need the Noctua NH-D14?
3. GPU: I hear the 670 is overkill for GW2, but will a 660ti have as much longevity? (I want some overkill to plan for GW2 expansions and improvements.)
4. Upgrade plans in two years: second gfx card for SLI, double RAM to 16GB.

[chaud]

Going to SLI isn't always a good idea, but this build should be fine for 4-5 years, provided you do that GPU upgrade in a few years. More RAM isn't super necessary unless you are doing something to use it.

That CPU cooler should be fine, any more will only buy you a few hundred mhz.

[Idrinkwhiterussians]

I would go with this MB:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($185.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $185.99
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-12 21:33 EDT-0400)

The reason being it does have wifi and has a less buggy bios than the Gigabyte. It'll come out to $135 with the discount from buying the 3570k at the same time.

Your build is actually quite similar to my new build, and I went for the D14. It will pull better temps with an OC, so I found it worth the extra $.

The problem with that change is the fact that the heat spreaders on the RAM will probably be too high, and will conflict with the D14. You should go with G.Skill Ares/Sniper, Mushkin Blackline or the like. Something with a low profile heat spreader.

[hungrybat]

That CPU cooler should be fine, any more will only buy you a few hundred mhz.

What maximum (stable) speeds would you project for each of those fans? (CM Hyper 212 EVO & Noctua DH-14). Is that speed difference noticeable in GW2/ worth the cost difference in the two fans? Lastly, does OCing reduce the life span of the CPU?

I would go with this MB: Asus P8Z77-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard. The reason being it does have wifi and has a less buggy bios than the Gigabyte.

The problem with that change is the fact that the heat spreaders on the RAM will probably be too high, and will conflict with the D14.

The motherboard:
I was told that Asus has 4 phase power, whereas the Gigabyte has 6+2 true power phases. I'm not sure what that means, but the person recommended the Gigabyte because of that and also because new bios updates supposedly fix all the bugs associated with it.

The RAM:
I chose the Ripjaws X because of he positive reviews, which are better than the Ares or Sniper series. I don't know if there's an actual difference or if they are the same RAM with different fins. Also, this video indicates that the Noctua DH-14 will fit with Ripjaws, although it is a different motherboard. I love the reviews for the Ripjaws X series, so I'm not sure what to do.

[chaud]

What maximum (stable) speeds would you project for each of those fans? (CM Hyper 212 EVO & Noctua DH-14). Is that speed difference noticeable in GW2/ worth the cost difference in the two fans? Lastly, does OCing reduce the life span of the CPU?

Not a giant difference. NH-D14 has a 14.5 C delta and 212 Evo has a 15.9 C delta on Frostytech, so they are very similar. OCing won't cause any significant loss of life as long as you don't go crazy and up the voltage a lot.

[n0cturnal]

Not a giant difference. NH-D14 has a 14.5 C delta and 212 Evo has a 15.9 C delta on Frostytech, so they are very similar. OCing won't cause any significant loss of life as long as you don't go crazy and up the voltage a lot.

The biggest difference is that the d14 is comparable with the 212 evo while running at low fan speed and thus only making a noise of 30dBA while the 212 evo is at 50dBA.

[hungrybat]

Last minute questions before placing my final order:

1) Will the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card fit inside the Corsair 400R case? I cannot identify the relevant numbers on the spec sheet.

2) Considering swapping from G.Skill Ripjaws X to G.SKILL Sniper because it's low profile, but it's also low voltage (1.25v). Reviews say less heat which is good, but does that also lower performance? Is there a G.Skill ram that's exactly the same as Ripjaws X without the big fins?

[n0cturnal]

The GPU will fit fine in that case, it supports up to 316mm long cards.

Changing to Sniper is also fine, there will be no noticeable performance change.

[Structures]

is there a reason you need two optical drives or no?


also: how big are the external HDDs? and personally i'd go with 16:9 aspect ratio and get : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236176

[n0cturnal]

is there a reason you need two optical drives or no?


also: how big are the external HDDs? and personally i'd go with 16:9 aspect ratio and get : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236176

You really want to replace a quality IPS panel with an average TN? 16:10 is pretty good actually, unless you just watch 16:9 movies all day long.

[hungrybat]

>> is there a reason you need two optical drives or no? how big are the external HDDs?
I have 12 TB total of external HDD space including backup drives (that's not a typo). Only half is backed up and the other half will go onto BDRs, hence the 2 optical drives. I want save wear on the BD-Burner, so I got the $18 DVD-R.

>> 16:10 is pretty good actually, unless you just watch 16:9
I have a 32" TV with 16:9 which I'll watch all those 12 TBs on via HDMI. For a monitor I prefer 16:10 because in MMOs I'm constantly adjusting the camera up and down because the vertical view is too cramped for me. I like to see past my character onto the ground while also seeing into the distance.