Need some advice

[SoulForge]

While the ASUS video card is nice i prefer the Gigabyte version for several reasons. I like the 3 fan cooling on it better and it comes stock clocked slightly higher while sitting on the 680 PCB. Gives a little more room for voltage.

Its the one I personally use.

[Gouca]

While the ASUS video card is nice i prefer the Gigabyte version for several reasons. I like the 3 fan cooling on it better and it comes stock clocked slightly higher while sitting on the 680 PCB. Gives a little more room for voltage.

Its the one I personally use.

The amount of FANs in the cooler doesn't mean a difference in noise / cooling performance. The Asus DC2 is actually more effective in both of them. Definitely go for the Asus, if you can fit it into your budget.

[Deleted]

The Asus DC2 is actually more effective in both of them. Definitely go for the Asus, if you can fit it into your budget.

I beg to differ.

However, the difference between all the aftermarket cooled 670's is small, and I'd suggest you to pick the one with the looks most pleasing to you.

[Gouca]

I beg to differ.

However, the difference between all the aftermarket cooled 670's is small, and I'd suggest you to pick the one with the looks most pleasing to you.

The difference is actually very surprising, never seen that comparison before. The forums are loaded with DC2 recommendations, but this will change my mind. Do you find any other site offering the comparison? I couldn't. . . the 9 degrees seems too unrealistic to be true :-D

[Usako]

Well, with the GTX 670 and 680, aftermarket solutions have been a hugely mixed bag from my impression of watching TTL; the stock solution is also quite excellent.

Anyway, what I meant about the motherboard was why the Deluxe version? There's like a bajillion different variants of the P8Z77.

What ASUS motherboard would you recommend then?

---------- Post added 2012-06-27 at 04:42 PM ----------

I beg to differ.

However, the difference between all the aftermarket cooled 670's is small, and I'd suggest you to pick the one with the looks most pleasing to you.

Well that ASUS one is alittle more pleasing to the eye for me, but I doubt I will be able to see it through my case unless the computer is off. Does Gigabyte have really good products that last? I've never brought anything from them so I am a little unsure.

[Drunkenvalley]

What ASUS motherboard would you recommend then?[COLOR="red"]

I tend to suggest the extreme4 from AsRock honestly. Unless there's a specific feature you want on the motherboard, largely 'any' motherboard of the right socket will usually serve you well, even budget boards.

[Usako]

I tend to suggest the extreme4 from AsRock honestly. Unless there's a specific feature you want on the motherboard, largely 'any' motherboard of the right socket will usually serve you well, even budget boards.

Well I do like the price It also has that UEFI BIOS making things easier for me to setup. I really hate the old BIOS. I'll read a bunch of reviews and see I actually just go my letter from the school today saying how much financial aid I will receive for me to spend on school supplies making it easier for me to actually pick things out. But the funds won't be released until the 6th of July.

[Drunkenvalley]

Well, it also has -most- of the features of the Asus P8Z77 board, ie the buttons, debug LED, etc. It mostly lacks the oddball features, such as the wireless card you receive with it.

[chazus]

I'm under the impression for the same price you can get two 560ti (not regular 560), which would have more power than the 670, however has more power overhead.

[Usako]

Well, it also has -most- of the features of the Asus P8Z77 board, ie the buttons, debug LED, etc. It mostly lacks the oddball features, such as the wireless card you receive with it.

I will admit I liked the wireless card but I do have a USB wireless that I can plug into the new computer. I have the mother board booked marked. I'm actually about to add everything up to see my price and if it is within my range.

---------- Post added 2012-06-27 at 05:08 PM ----------

I'm under the impression for the same price you can get two 560ti (not regular 560), which would have more power than the 670, however has more power overhead.

I was under the impression too but someone posted a graph on the previous page stating otherwise.

[Drunkenvalley]

I'm under the impression for the same price you can get two 560ti (not regular 560), which would have more power than the 670, however has more power overhead.

SLI with two 560ti's is a waste of time with the attached issues.

[chazus]

I was under the impression too but someone posted a graph on the previous page stating otherwise.

I dont see any chart about that. All I see is a power consumption chart, that doesn't even include the 560ti (I guess you could assume 560ti uses more power than 560).

But the main concern is performance.

[Drunkenvalley]

But the main concern is performance.

Which is a silly concern. SLI brings a known issue: Microstutter.

[Usako]

Using the ASRock motherboard and the Gigabyte video card, I come in under 200 dollars on the budget. The budget is $1750, but I COULD go up to $4000, but I rather not use the unsub. loan to buy a computer. Here are the parts:

CPU:
Intel Core Ivy Bridge i5-3570K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116504

Power Supply:
Seasonic SS-560KM 560W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151098

Video Card:
Gigabyte GTX 670 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125423

Storage:

HDD:
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148840

SDD:
Samsung 128 GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147163

Memory:
G.SKILL X Series 8GB (4GB x2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231428

Heat sink:
Arctic Cooling 120mm Fluid Dynamic
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186058

Motherboard:
ASRock Z77 Extreme4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollFullInfo

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147157

Fans:
Rosewill 120mm Red LED x11
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835200050

CD/DVD/Blu-ray
ASUS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135247

Card Reader:
74-1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820223119

---------- Post added 2012-06-27 at 05:28 PM ----------

I will no longer be able to do SLI has I don't have in my budget for a second monitor so I can only purchase one video card. Actually within my budget now I can only get one video card altogether.

This will hopefully be my last edit to the list :P I hope everything looks good!

[n0cturnal]

Using the ASRock motherboard and the Gigabyte video card, I come in under 200 dollars on the budget. The budget is $1750, but I COULD go up to $4000, but I rather not use the unsub. loan to buy a computer. Here are the parts:

*snip*

I will no longer be able to do SLI has I don't have in my budget for a second monitor so I can only purchase one video card. Actually within my budget now I can only get one video card altogether.

This will hopefully be my last edit to the list :P I hope everything looks good!

That looks like a really good build. You can add a second monitor later, a single GTX670 can power 2 monitors without any issue.

[Drunkenvalley]

I hammered together a shopping list earlier, though I forgot why already. Anyway, it seems quite appropriate for the moment if you want my pitch.

Shopping list @ newegg
CPU: i5 2500k
Cooler: NH-D14
Mobo: AsRock Z77 extreme4
RAM: Mushkin Blackline 1600MHz @ 1.5v 8GB (2x4GB)
SSD: Corsair Force 3 120GB
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB
GPU: EVGA GTX 670
PSU: Seasonic X-650
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 II
Price: $1391.91

If you need a monitor to go with this I wholeheartedly recommend the U2312HM, personally...

[Usako]

Honestly I have a question. Is there a case out there that is black with blue LEDS or something along that line with this kind of airflow that is offered in this case?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147157

Because I would really like to do a black and blue theme, as it would remind me a lot of Tron, which is partly responsible for me going back to school and getting into programming.

I have looked and looked and I haven't found anything with those colors with that kind of air flow the case above linked.

I guess if I was desperate enough I could remove the red LED fans and replace with blue ones.

Anyway, to newcomers that may have not read previous posts, the reason for that case in my build is I need maximum airflow, as it gets really REALLY hot in my room. Its partly why my current computer is almost dead as it didn't have enough airflow with its current fans. Also I am getting the case because its big, and I can keep it FOREVER hopefully and use it for future builds. +6 years.

[Gouca]

Some suggestions:

Change your PSU to:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139012

It's as good in terms of quality, but offers the extra 90W which might be useful in future if you plan to add a second GPU / add a CPU with higher power consumption. Pick Samsung 830 or Crucial M4 as SSD. Their reliability is #1, no other can compete with them at the moment.

If you want a case with maximum airflow, take a look at Corsair R500:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139010

[Joxer]

I hammered together a shopping list earlier, though I forgot why already. Anyway, it seems quite appropriate for the moment if you want my pitch.

Shopping list @ newegg
CPU: i5 2500k
Cooler: NH-D14
Mobo: AsRock Z77 extreme4
RAM: Mushkin Blackline 1600MHz @ 1.5v 8GB (2x4GB)
SSD: Corsair Force 3 120GB
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB
GPU: EVGA GTX 670
PSU: Seasonic X-650
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 II
Price: $1391.91

If you need a monitor to go with this I wholeheartedly recommend the U2312HM, personally...

If i would be buying a completely new computer, and not already having Sandy Bridge, i would say go for Ivy Bridge straight away.
Now only speaking from reputations, but the only downside i have seen with Ivy Bridge, is that the temperatures tends to be higher than with Sandy Bridge, else it seems to be slightly better than the 2500K in every way.

I wouldnt recommend the Corsair Force 3 SSD..
I got one myself, and only reason i havent replaced it is due to my economy.
I have had too much problem with it. First bluescreens etc, then sudden drops in performance, even after updating firmware.
When i will be able to buy a new one, it will most likely be a Samsung 830, else the Crucial m4 have had some really nice reviews.

[Usako]

Some suggestions:

Change your PSU to:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139012

It's as good in terms of quality, but offers the extra 90W which might be useful in future if you plan to add a second GPU / add a CPU with higher power consumption. Pick Samsung 830 or Crucial M4 as SSD. Their reliability is #1, no other can compete with them at the moment.

If you want a case with maximum airflow, take a look at Corsair R500:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139010

I do like that case. I see that they have a black model, I would probably shoot for that one. I will most likely go for the Samsung SSD has all I have read is very positive reviews on it. The power supply isn't to much more than the one I had picked out, just a few extra dollars, so I believe that is do-able.

---------- Post added 2012-06-28 at 02:57 AM ----------

If i would be buying a completely new computer, and not already having Sandy Bridge, i would say go for Ivy Bridge straight away.
Now only speaking from reputations, but the only downside i have seen with Ivy Bridge, is that the temperatures tends to be higher than with Sandy Bridge, else it seems to be slightly better than the 2500K in every way.

I wouldnt recommend the Corsair Force 3 SSD..
I got one myself, and only reason i havent replaced it is due to my economy.
I have had too much problem with it. First bluescreens etc, then sudden drops in performance, even after updating firmware.
When i will be able to buy a new one, it will most likely be a Samsung 830, else the Crucial m4 have had some really nice reviews.

I keep going back and forth between the Sandy and the Ivy. I plan to do a very mild OC to 4.0 and leave it at that. As far as I understand that would not require me to raise the voltage any, so if I went with the Ivy it would still run cool.


Back to the subject of the computer case....I was sitting and thinking although I would love a blue and black build for the whole Tron theme, I could do a black and red theme to favor Rinzler. o.o LOL, I am somewhat indecisive. If you can't tell I am a girl :P I feel like I'm in a candy store shopping for these parts honestly :P Everything just looks so cool and shiny