new build advice

[roman797]

I am building a new PC, here is my list of components:

i5 3570k
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler
16GB (2 x 8GB) Corsair Vengeance LP Ram
Asrock z77 Extreme4
Corsair 400R Mid Tower
Corsair HX850 Modular Gold Certified PSU
Intel 520 240GB SSD
Dell U2713HM 2560x1440 WQHD Display

So here is my dilemma:

Video card

I wanted to build this PC for work now instead of waiting, and I was able to get good deals/discounts on many of the parts so far. However, I will not be able to do any gaming until after April 2013 because I will be swamped at work (tax season for accountants).

I was thinking about getting the MSI PE GTX 670 OC 2GB, but now I have purchased a higher resolution display than anticipated (couldn't pass up the deal $559) and I don't think this card will be sufficient for BF3 maxed out. I want to stick with nVidia because I don't have any experience over clocking, and from what I hear they have better support, drivers, and the OC ability is more straight forward. I will also be OC'ing the i5 to 4.3.

So this is what I am planning, build my system now without a video card, and wait for May or so and then buy a 7 series card (hopefully should be out by then). I also want to purchase a 2nd card later in the future for SLI, thats why I purchased the HX850 PSU, wanted a clear upgrade path.

So my question is, should I wait, and if so, will my monitor work without a video card (for work purposes) until later? Or should I possibly consider the GTX 670 or something else, then purchase a 2nd later in the future when prices come down? Patience is not a problem, I have been waiting a LONG time to build this rig.

Also, will the Asrock z77 Extreme4 allow me to use 2 high end cards for SLI?

 

[RamonGTP]

The monitor will work fine with the IGP for non gaming. Personally I wouldn't wait considering at this point you don't even know what exactly you're waiting for and how long that wait is going to be. But it all depends on how soon you want to start gaming on your new build.

 

[Ironhand]

I would through a 7950 in it and overclock it.

If you do end up waiting then I would wait and see what the latest offerings are from both sides of the fence and decide then.

 

[noid370]

You live AsRock? How is it working for you?

 

[roman797]

I went ahead and purchased a 4gb gtx 670 to try out. Now I am trying to decide if I should keep it or get a 7970 ghz edition instead. From all the benchmarks I have been reading, this card seems to have an edge. I wonder which card would be better at my resolution.

Also, Microcenter has the i7 3770k for $40 more than what I paid for the 3570k, I wonder if it would be better at my resolution. I will be playing online BF3 matches, I have heard a better processor would help here.

 

[RamonGTP]

7970GHz competes with a 680 and the better performer depends on the game/resolution.

 

[PRogers86]

I doubt most games would even take full advantage of 2GB at your resolution, let alone 3GB. I think you'd be better served with a 3GB 7970 than a 4GB GTX 670.

 

[RamonGTP]

I doubt most games would even take full advantage of 2GB at your resolution, let alone 3GB. I think you'd be better served with a 3GB 7970 than a 4GB GTX 670.

1440p is a pretty hefty resolution. Pushing quite a bit more pixels than my 1200p display and I can use up a good deal of my 2GB VRAM in some games. That said, I do think 3GB would be enough, and if the games he plays show better performance on the 7970, then I agree he should go that route. UNLESS... You ever plan on going dual GPU, in which case I would stick with nVidia since much of what I've researched between the two brands show that micro-stutter can be a real issue on AMD cards.

 

[Nauseous]

if you're not doing any gaming theres no reason not to wait because by the time you get out of tax season there might be something newer and better for the around the same price. The igp should be fine for just 2d stuff.

 

[bastage]

I dont believe intel graphics support dual link DVI.. If I am right then the onboard will not push a 1440p display as your max would be 1920x1200..

That said if not gaming for a few months then I would pick up a low end card to support the res for now so your work is pretty & when go get back into gaming after tax season then grab a high end card then..


edit: From http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.us.asp?Model=Z77 Extreme4&cat=Specifications

- Supports HDMI 1.4a Technology with max. resolution up to 1920x1200 @ 60Hz
- Supports DVI with max. resolution up to 1920x1200 @ 60Hz
- Supports D-Sub with max. resolution up to 2048x1536 @ 75Hz

So if its a 1440p or 1600p display you will need a stand alone GPU

 

[roman797]

Ramon, I see you have the 3770k. Do you think it would be good to switch? Is it a better overclocker. I will also be doing some light video and photo editing.

 

[RamonGTP]

From what I've seen, overclocking on the 3770k isn't any better than the 3570k. I went with the i7 because I typically hold on to a platform for several years before upgrading. I'll likely be keeping this one for at least 5 years with nothing more than an additional 680 thrown in there sometime next year to get me ready for Crysis 3.

From a gaming perspective, there is little to no difference between the two. The i7 does excel in video editing/encoding, but the i5 is still more than capable for the occasional video related task.

If you upgrade fairly often and/or only do occasional video editing, I'd say say save the $$$ and stick with the i5

If you plan on keeping this for a while and/or do more than occasional video editing, I'd splurge for the i7 and extend the life as long as possible before the next upgrade.