Gaming/Multitasking Build $2000 Budget

[caudeceus]

Hey guys, I need to upgrade my computer mainly for gaming and multitasking.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming with triple monitors (2x 27 inch Dell 2709W, 1x 30 inch U3011), Photoshop, multitasking, future proofing.


2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$2000 excluding tax and shipping.


3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. I will be travelling to Downtown, Seattle, WA sometime in July/early August, so I can buy some hardware there (no car, though!).


4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, min. 16GB RAM, PSU, case, video card(s), motherboard, 256 GB or better SSD HDD, cooling solution (I have never done water cooling before, so not sure if it's worth the hassle).

Update with parts based on suggestions:

Motherboard:
ASUS Sabertooth Z77 ATX LGA1155 DDR3 SLI 3PCI-E16 4PCI-E1 SATA3 HDMI DisplayPort USB3.0 Motherboard
Memory Express $249.99 | NCIX $249.99

CPU:
Core™ i7-3770K Processor, 3.50GHz w/ 8MB Cache
Memory Express $349.99 | NCIX $379.98

Video Card:
2x GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort
Memory Express $449.99 * 2 | NCIX $469.99 * 2

Memory:
Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB DDR3 1600MHz CL10 Dual Channel Kit (2 x 8GB)
Memory Express $129.99 | NCIX $134.03

Updated with the low profile version. Not sure if this is good. Perhaps there's a better 16GB brand out there? I want 2 * 8GB, so that I can upgrade to 32GB in the future.

Hard Drives:
Crucial M4 2.5in SATA III Solid State Drive, 256GB
Memory Express $209.99 | NCIX $209.99

+ Reusing old WD black & blue HDD for media storage.

PSU:
Corsair Professional Series Gold AX750 Power Supply
Memory Express $154.99 | NCIX $190.51

Case:
Still deciding on this. This shouldn't impact the performance, though.

Cooling Solution:
Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler
Memory Express $29.99 | NCIX $19.99

Any additional cooling solutions? Is this build suitable without water cooling, or is it better to go with water cooling?

Memory Express and NCIX are used as references. I will look into additional shops when I officially settle in on the parts.

Update: I will most likely purchase the parts from Memory Express using their price beat. I think it's possible to get everything together around $2000 after price beat.


5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Keyboard, mouse, monitors (2x Dell 2709W, 1x Dell U3011), Auzentech X-FI Prelude soundcard, Logitech Z5500 speakers, DVD drive, and HDD.


6) Will you be overclocking?
Possibly yes. Never overclocked before.


7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
2x 27 inch Dell 2709W (1920x1200), 1x 30 inch U3011 (2560x1600).


8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
By mid August.


9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
Crossfire or SLI support, USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s, eSATA, UEFI. Never done RAID before, not sure if it's better than my current setup of mirroring my HDD once in a while.

Does having no onboard items make the motherboard perform better? If so, I prefer one with no onboard video, and sound.


10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, Windows 7 Professional 64 bit from MSDNAA.


Thanks a lot for the suggestions!

Updated with parts recommended.

 

[450]

What kind of speakers are you using? You might be better off using onboard S/PDIF output or a USB soundcard as opposed to a internal soundcard.

 

[caudeceus]

What kind of speakers are you using? You might be better off using onboard S/PDIF output or a USB soundcard as opposed to a internal soundcard.

I am using Logitech Z5500. I was planning to upgrade this to a receiver with HDMI, so was thinking of getting a soundcard with HDMI. So you're saying it's not worth the money for a dedicated sound card, even though I'll be using this for blurays?

I will update the post with the speakers.

 

[Dangman]

I'm a little sleepy so this list is gonna look messier than my normal lists. Some general recommendations:

Core i5 3570K
GTX 670 SLI
16GB of DDR3 1600 RAM rated at 1.5V or lower
Stick with a Crucial M4, Intel 520, Plextor m3, Samsung 830, or Corsair Performance Pro series SSD
Corsair HX750 750W PSU.

As for quiet cases:
$140 - Corsair Obsidian Series 550D ATX Case
$144 - Silverstone RV03B-WA ATX case
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$178 - Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX case
$220 - Silverstone FT02S-W ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02B ATX Case

 

[450]

I am using Logitech Z5500. I was planning to upgrade this to a receiver with HDMI, so was thinking of getting a soundcard with HDMI. So you're saying it's not worth the money for a dedicated sound card, even though I'll be using this for blurays?

I will update the post with the speakers.

Do you use surround? How are your z5500s laid out currently?

 

[caudeceus]

I'm a little sleepy so this list is gonna look messier than my normal lists. Some general recommendations:

Core i5 3570K
GTX 670 SLI
16GB of DDR3 1600 RAM rated at 1.5V or lower
Stick with a Crucial M4, Intel 520, Plextor m3, Samsung 830, or Corsair Performance Pro series SSD
Corsair HX750 750W PSU.

As for quiet cases:
$140 - Corsair Obsidian Series 550D ATX Case
$144 - Silverstone RV03B-WA ATX case
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$178 - Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX case
$220 - Silverstone FT02S-W ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02B ATX Case

Thank you! I have updated my post with your suggestions, and a few questions.

Do you use surround? How are your z5500s laid out currently?

They are set up like a standard 5.1 surround sound system. 2 front, 1 middle, 2 rear. Output is coax from my X-FI Prelude soundcard.

You are probably right that I shouldn't get a new soundcard. I will reuse my X-FI Prelude.

 

[Dangman]

Motherboard:
Still open to suggestions.

Check out these mobos:
$190 - MSI Z77A-GD65 Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard
$195 - Asus P8Z77-V Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard
$190 - Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard

Also, the onboard video is now directly integrated to most Ivy Bridge CPUs out now. In addition, most of the mobos using the latest Intel chipsets, the Z77 and H77, will have video out capability. No mobo these days do not have integrated sound. Honestly having no onbaord items won't affect the performance too much,

Is an i7 better if I want to do heavy multitasking (ie: running an MMO such as GuildWars 2 at max graphics, Firefox with 100+ tabs, and Photoshop simultaneously or running games on 3 high resolution monitors)?

For the first scenario, yes the i7 3770K might help you more. For the second scenario, it depends on what exactly you mean by running games on 3 high resolution monitors. If you're talking about running three MMORPG clients with a single client per monitor, then yes you should have the i7. However if you're just talking about one game stetched acoress there monitors, then no you don't need the i7.

Should I get any aftermarket CPU cooling?

If you're overclocking, yes. I recommend the Coolermaster Hyper 212+ as a starter.

Video Card:
GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort
Memory Express $449.99 | NCIX $469.99

I am assuming it's not worth getting 2x GTX 670 in SLI mode?

Well I did recommend GTX 670 2GB SLI earlier.....

In any case, if you're actually planning on using all three monitors to play one game or multiple MMORPG clients per screen, then you should get GTX 670 2GB SLI.

Memory:
Corsair Vengeance Black 16GB 2X8GB DDR3-1600 CL10-10-10-27 1.5V Dual Channel Memory Kit
Memory Express $129.99 | NCIX $130.93

Not a good choice on account of the tall heatsinks of that RAM. The tall RAM heatsinks will interefere with a lot of 3rd party CPU HSF. So ditch this RAM and go for the low profile version of it (it's blue colored).

Is the AX750 worth the $15 premium over the HX750?

Yes.

Case:
Haven't looked into it yet. May look into a full tower. Does not necessarily have to be a quiet case, as I originally posted.

My recommended case list:
$80 - Corsair Carbide Series 300R ATX Case
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$100 - Antec 1100 ATX Case
$115 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case
$120 - Fractal Design Define R3 Arctic White ATX Case
$120 - Fractal Design Define R3 Silver Arrow ATX Case
$125 - Fractal Design Define R3 Black Pearl ATX Case
$120 - Lian Li PC-9F ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White ATX Case
$130 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black ATX Case
$130 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR Black Finish w/Orange Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$140 - Antec P280 ATX Case
$140 - Antec Performance One Series P183 V3 ATX Case
$140 - Corsair Obsidian Series 550D ATX Case
$144 - Silverstone RV03B-WA ATX case
$150 - Silverstone TJ04B-EW ATX Case
$155 - Thermaltake VN300M1W2N Chase MK-1 ATX Case
$160 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$162 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case
$164 - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$178 - Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX case
$220 - Silverstone FT02S-W ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02B ATX Case
$270 - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW ATX Case

]

 

[Sn0_Man]

To clarify, when you game do you just use the 30 Inch or do you use all 3 in some kind of eyefinity/surround setup?

Because, if you use all 3 together, then you are gonna have more success gaming on 7970's than on 670's. If you only use the U3011 for gaming, then the 670 plan is much better. (Also, depending on what games you play a single 670 might be enough for 1600p. But not really "future proof" i suppose).

MemoryExpress has decent CPU/MoBo combo's that can save you a lot of money. I'd recommend something like this bundle but I think the deal ends today. Sure, the mobo isn't top of the line but it has everything you need and the price is certainly right.

Don't forget to take advantage of MemoryExpress's price beat guarantee. Newegg.ca sells the FTW 670's for $409 so MemX will pricebeat down to... $400+tax (screw BC tax lol).

No, I don't work for MemoryExpress (lol) I just really like the store.

 

[450]

They are set up like a standard 5.1 surround sound system. 2 front, 1 middle, 2 rear. Output is coax from my X-FI Prelude soundcard.

You are probably right that I shouldn't get a new soundcard. I will reuse my X-FI Prelude.

I just asked because people sometimes get a set like the Z5500 and just cram all the speakers up front.

 

[caudeceus]

Check out these mobos:
$190 - MSI Z77A-GD65 Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard
$195 - Asus P8Z77-V Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard
$190 - Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard

Also, the onboard video is now directly integrated to most Ivy Bridge CPUs out now. In addition, most of the mobos using the latest Intel chipsets, the Z77 and H77, will have video out capability. No mobo these days do not have integrated sound. Honestly having no onbaord items won't affect the performance too much,


For the first scenario, yes the i7 3770K might help you more. For the second scenario, it depends on what exactly you mean by running games on 3 high resolution monitors. If you're talking about running three MMORPG clients with a single client per monitor, then yes you should have the i7. However if you're just talking about one game stetched acoress there monitors, then no you don't need the i7.


If you're overclocking, yes. I recommend the Coolermaster Hyper 212+ as a starter.


Well I did recommend GTX 670 2GB SLI earlier.....

In any case, if you're actually planning on using all three monitors to play one game or multiple MMORPG clients per screen, then you should get GTX 670 2GB SLI.

Not a good choice on account of the tall heatsinks of that RAM. The tall RAM heatsinks will interefere with a lot of 3rd party CPU HSF. So ditch this RAM and go for the low profile version of it (it's blue colored).


Yes.

My recommended case list:
$80 - Corsair Carbide Series 300R ATX Case
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$100 - Antec 1100 ATX Case
$115 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case
$120 - Fractal Design Define R3 Arctic White ATX Case
$120 - Fractal Design Define R3 Silver Arrow ATX Case
$125 - Fractal Design Define R3 Black Pearl ATX Case
$120 - Lian Li PC-9F ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White ATX Case
$130 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black ATX Case
$130 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR Black Finish w/Orange Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$140 - Antec P280 ATX Case
$140 - Antec Performance One Series P183 V3 ATX Case
$140 - Corsair Obsidian Series 550D ATX Case
$144 - Silverstone RV03B-WA ATX case
$150 - Silverstone TJ04B-EW ATX Case
$155 - Thermaltake VN300M1W2N Chase MK-1 ATX Case
$160 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$162 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case
$164 - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$178 - Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX case
$220 - Silverstone FT02S-W ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02B ATX Case
$270 - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW ATX Case

]

Thank you!

I have updated the decided to go with the Asus Sabertooth Z77 motherboard, changed the CPU to i7 3770k, and changed the RAM to the low profile version. Don't think the blue version exists for 2* 8GB, though. RAM is still subject to change, pending feedback.

Still need some suggestions on cooling solutions, besides the CPU heatsink. Are the fans from the case good enough under heavy load?

To clarify, when you game do you just use the 30 Inch or do you use all 3 in some kind of eyefinity/surround setup?

Because, if you use all 3 together, then you are gonna have more success gaming on 7970's than on 670's. If you only use the U3011 for gaming, then the 670 plan is much better. (Also, depending on what games you play a single 670 might be enough for 1600p. But not really "future proof" i suppose).

MemoryExpress has decent CPU/MoBo combo's that can save you a lot of money. I'd recommend something like this bundle but I think the deal ends today. Sure, the mobo isn't top of the line but it has everything you need and the price is certainly right.

Don't forget to take advantage of MemoryExpress's price beat guarantee. Newegg.ca sells the FTW 670's for $409 so MemX will pricebeat down to... $400+tax (screw BC tax lol).

No, I don't work for MemoryExpress (lol) I just really like the store.

Thanks, I was intending to go with Memory Express and price beat.

 

[Dangman]

I have updated the decided to go with the Asus Sabertooth Z77 motherboard,

I don't recommend that mobo because it's a bit overpriced for what it offers.

RAM is still subject to change, pending feedback.

Good choice. I was wrong about the blue 2x8GB set.

Still need some suggestions on cooling solutions, besides the CPU heatsink. Are the fans from the case good enough under heavy load?

Yes the fans included in most cases are good enough depending on well you cable manage, whether or not your home is that warm/hot, whether or not the fans are defective, and depending on the parts. If the case has an opening for a side fan, move the front fan of the case to the side and you'll be set. If you want, you can always just buy another fan for that side. Just go for the cheapest 120mm fan IMO.