Need help with a mATX gaming PC

[jaymo3141]

so this is my build so far. I've got about 1,600 to spend which has to take care of the pc the monitor and some speaker, so about 1,300 for the pc itself. I like this build because it's super compact and it's the only mATX that can fit two Video Cards for SLI. let me know what you guys think. thanks.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1FAg5
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1FAg5/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1FAg5/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($52.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z77MA-G45 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($86.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston Blu Red Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($90.15 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone SG09B (Black) MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1255.04
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-19 21:15 EDT-0400)

 

[liangr]

If you are spending only 300 for monitor AND speakers you most likely won't be doing triple monitor or single 2560x1440.

So if running 1080p you probably will be fine with one 760 or even 770, depending on what your planning play. If you go with a single card you can go with a lower wattage PSU. Extra savings can go elsewhere or you can hold onto it. In this particular case I would go with a 240GB EVO instead.

Also I would pick a cooler with bigger fans, noctua has the new Noctua nh-u14s. The SG09 says it holds 165mm max cooler heights and noctua says its 165mm, so you might have to check for clearance.

 

[vipz]

I'd get a modular PSU for instead of the TX750V2.

Also a 2.5" HDD instead of 3.5" unless you need a lot more than 1TB.

 

[jaymo3141]

So if running 1080p you probably will be fine with one 760 or even 770

but what about games like Crysis 3 and Battlefield? Won't I get higher FPS at Ultra settings with two video cards?

 

[Zap]

Go with 8GB RAM.

How about a single GTX 770 instead of two GTX 760? Then you can also get by with a much lower wattage PSU, easily 500W with lots of power to spare, and would still have great performance. But it kind of depends on the monitor resolution you get, and what games you play. 1080p? Get a 770 and call it a day.

This GURU3D GTX 760 review concluded:

Our recommendation as such is simple, with a single monitor setup like 1920x1080/1200 your maximum number of GTX 760 cards should be a maximum of one or just go for a GTX 770 or 780.
Now, if you have that nice 30" monitor with a 2560x1440 or 2560x1600 resolution, that's where a 2nd card could make the difference alright.

Also, why not get Haswell? Additionally, take advantage of the Micro Center combo deals for motherboard. You might end up with a higher end board for a similar price.

 

[Quartz-1]

Look at the Silverstone FT03 mATX case. I'd concur with getting a modular PSU, and that you'll only need one video card for 1080p - a 770 or 7970. I also recommend going for a 250 GB Samsung SSD.

I'll also point out that you will need to set aside some money for a decent keyboard and mouse.

 

[jaymo3141]

so if i do go with a 770 or 7970, should I leave room for another card a couple years down the line? or should i just upgrade the card and stick with one card the whole time. I havn't had a gaming PC in a long time so i'm a bit of a noobie. the last time i built a gaming PC it had an AMD single core 3500 in it. also i will look into a modular PSU didn't know that one wasn't modular. Another question, is it true that the i7 is unnecessary? i keep hearing that it's overkill and not worth the extra money. thanks again for your help guys i really appreciate it.

 

[kjeldoran]

My 2 cents.

You can probably get a different motherboard cheaper than superbiiz if you combo it with a CPU or vice versa get a 4670k with motherboard for the same price from microcenter.

As for the video card, I suggest a more powerful single video card if you have that option. Either get the gtx 770 or radeon 7970 or wait until the next amd card is released (which will be soon) in that price range. As for your other question, either get another one for sli/xfire later on or sell your old card and buy a newer one.

A lot of games will only take advantage of 4 threads which is why the i5 is recommended. If you need the extra threads, go for it.

 

[Zap]

so if i do go with a 770 or 7970, should I leave room for another card a couple years down the line? or should i just upgrade the card and stick with one card the whole time. I havn't had a gaming PC in a long time so i'm a bit of a noobie. the last time i built a gaming PC it had an AMD single core 3500 in it. also i will look into a modular PSU didn't know that one wasn't modular. Another question, is it true that the i7 is unnecessary? i keep hearing that it's overkill and not worth the extra money. thanks again for your help guys i really appreciate it.

For current games (and probably known upcoming games) the i7 doesn't have any big advantage over the i5.

Modular is not needed. It is useful, however, if you buy way more wattage than you need. PSU manufacturers try to scale the number of cables and connectors based on the wattage. If you are only using a single graphics card and a couple of drives, yes a 750W PSU will have several unused cable strands. However, a 450W or 500W PSU may have only one or two extra strands, which are easy to tie off and hide. Also, extra cabling can be lost or misplaced. Earlier this week I assembled a computer for a friend, who brought me all the parts. He initially couldn't find the extra cabling (Ultra X4 750W modular). He looked all day and finally found some of the extra cabling. He is still missing the extra PCIe power connectors, so if he ever goes dual graphics cards he is SOL. Just keep that in mind. Some people never lose anything for their PCs (bag of extra screws, manuals, driver discs, etc.) but some people ALWAYS ends up with nothing but what is in the computer case itself. Which are you?

Since you are such a self-professed "noobie" at PC gaming, you probably won't notice the difference. What resolution will your monitor be? If it isn't more than the common 1080p, just go with a single card. "Down the line" all depends on the games, pricing/availability of a matching GPU and of course what comes next. There are good reasons to go dual graphics cards, but so far you haven't given us one. In such a case, usually it makes more sense to upgrade to the next generation when you are ready.