High End Gaming build - Spec Me

GoogalyMoogaly

GoogalyMoogaly

GoogalyMoogaly

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Hi all.

I had a gaming PC that I was happy enough with, but then decided I wanted to try watercooling. Rather than mess around with my gaming PC I built a new for my watercooling experiement. This was all fien and well and I'm glad I did it this way as it wasn't without it's hiccups. However, I'm finding that I don't really use both PCs, it's rare I need a second PC to do something on (like video encoding) while gaming on the other one. So one sits idle.
So I'm looking to move to 1 REALLY nice gaming PC rather than an OK gaming PC and a good gaming PC.

At the minute I'm just trying to get a feel for what I could get and what it's likely to cost. I'm not 100% committing to this yet. So if it's a case of wait a month for this or that to be released that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Assuming I've not missed the offer I was thinking of going for 3 of the 120Hz 3D Samsung monitors for ~£500 (after claiming money back from Samsung). So I'd like a PC powerful enough to game across these three monitors.
I'll probably also get a new and likely more expensive Mouse and Keyboard.

My current systems, in case anything can be re-used are:

Watercooled system:
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T
Asus AM3+ M5A99X EVO motherboard
8GB (2 x 4GB) Corsair Vengence Blue LP
Asus GTX 480
Asus Xonar DG 5.1 soundcard
128GB Crucial M4 SSD
120GB Corsair Force 3 SSD
1TB Sasung F3 HDD
Antec Quattro 850W PSU
CoolerMaster HAF 932 case
LiteOn DVD-RW
Lamptron FC5 V2 fan controller
HeatKiller 3.0 CU CPU block
XSPC GTX 480 Razor GPU block
Black Ice SR-1 360 Rad
EK CoolStream XT 120mm Rad
Swiftech MCP35X pump
XSPC dual bay res for 1 DDC pump
4 x Gentle Typhoon AP-15s
Logitech MX518
Logitech Media Keyboard 600
Windows 7 Home Premium Retail

Air Cooled PC:
Intel i5 2500K
MSI Z68A-GD65-G3 motherboard
16GB (4 x 4GB) Corsair Vengence Blue/Black LP
2 x Palit GTX 570 (1280MB)
Creative Labs 5.1 soundcard
2 x 128GB Crucial M4 SSD
2 x 1TB Sasung F3 HDD
Corsair AX1200 PSU
CoolerMaster HAF 932 case
LiteOn DVD-RW
Blu-Ray drive
Scythe Kaze Master Ace fan controller
Silver Arrow CPU cooler
Logitech G5
Logitech Media Keyboard 600
Windows 7 Home Premium Retail

As you can see, I generally prefer Nvidia (I just seem to get on better with them) but as I was thinking of 2 x 4GB GTX680s it's hard to ignore the fact you could probably get 3 x 3GB 7970s for a similar price.
I expect I'll watercool the CPU using the SR-1 360 in the top of a HAF 932, not sure about graphics cards. If I do I was thinking of using an external 1080 rad with it's own stand. But not sure if I want to watercool the graphics cards due to the hassle, especially if I want to upgrade them at some point.

I'm tempted to go for an i7 IvyBridge chip (and Z77 or stick with Z68A?), but I'm not sure if this'll bottleneck my graphics card solution? If I want 3 x 7970s then I'll probably need to go with a X79 wont I? even if just for 3 x PCI-e lanes at decent speeds?

Hopefully from my brief discussions of GPUs and CPUs you can see what I'm aiming for. While I don't really have a budget in mind I'd obviously like to keep the cost as low as I can (hence the listing of current parts available for re-use).

I'm also tempted to get a half decent but not over ridiculous laptop that might cope with some light gaming. But really want the laptop to be portable.

If there are better monitors for triple screen setup that cost the same or less please feel free to suggest these too.

Thanks.
 
Hey there, Few things If your gunna go with a 3x Monitor setup I strongly advise you to not go with Gtx 570's because there lack of Vram.Get something like 2x 7850's but in this situation, why would you even go with x2 £200 Cards Perhaps you should just get a Single gpu Like a 7970 On a really good deal at the Moment or a Gtx 680 (If you prefer nvidia ans can justify the price difference.) or a 7950 to save even more money, then just Oc the beast!

Plus x3 7970's Is a lot beastlier then 2x Gtx 680's
 
Sorry, I might have been unclear in my original post. Part of the reason I'm thinking of building a new PC with either 2/3 x 7970s or 2 4GB 680s is to be able to make the most of 3 screens. I didn't think my 570s would handle it very well. I only mentioned them as I was listing my current PC specs.

So the main thing I'm thinking of upgrading is the graphics cards and then i'm thinking that it might be worth upgrading the CPU while I'm at it. If I can re-use any of the other bits then I will or buy new if there's something better that makes sense.

Hopefully that's cleared it up a bit.

Also, the PC will mostly be for gaming but I will likely want to do some video encoding from time to time too (mostly to make my DVD collection more convenient to watch).
 
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I would get the monitors now, regardless of whether you have spec'd a new PC. That offer will not last long and that rebate is only for a limited period too!
Awesome monitor btw.
 
Blimey, I thought people would have jumped at the chance to suggest a high spec machine for you bud!

My concerns would be...

1) Are those the screens any good for 3D?
2) Will 7950's do 3D decently on those monitors and with most games?
3) Is 3GB enough on 7950's, should you go for two 4GB 680's at that res?

Also.. if you are getting a beastly machine.. I would go with a revodrive rather than a regular SSD if you can fit one in the case :-) Unless of course that impacts on the available bandwidth for the graphics cards!!

Also.. I would get 32GB... just because you can lol.

Large external rads and housing with quiet fans.
 
Would try and pick up the monitors while the offer is still on. Other option would be
pick up one huge 30inch monster.

As for the graphics cards would be tempted to hang off a little while and just see how
much / how good the dual cards from Nvidia /AMD are.
 
I'm currently thinking i might go with:

Asus Rampage IV Formula Intel X79
Intel Core i7-3930K
2 x Palit GeForce GTX 680 Jetstream 4096MB
Asus Xonar D2X 7.1
Samsung Eyeinfinity Bundle - 3x S23A700D 23" 120Hz (although i'm wondering if I need 120Hz/3D, would I be better off with 3 x Asus VH242H or something like that?)

or should I get:
3 x Sapphire HD 7950 OC 3072MB and save nearly £200 (but 3 air cooled card might struggled with airflow?)

the re-use my case, SSDs, HDDs, RAM, PSU, Optical drives and cooling.

Or should I just get IvyBridge and put 2 680s in my Z68A?
 
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Well, I bought this in the end...

9s9yc3.jpg
 
Also.. he's not pictured the 3x 3D 120Mhz monitors. (And I still say he should have waited for either 4GB 670's or 680's.)

But goog's: Just put it together!!! If I didn't have to ride my bike instead of having my Audi sat on my drive.. I'd come have a look :-D
 
So would I if there were any 4gb 670s around. Or if the 4gb 680 I pre-order actually ever came into stock.

I got a bit impatient.

Still the beauty of PCs are that I can upgrade it at a later date.
 
Oh GoogalyMoogaly, that cost £2000??? Wow!
I also agree for triple monitor you should have got the 4gb
 
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