Something New 2k Gaming and Revit

[mlapgw]

I am starting to get the itch for something new.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming (everything), AutoCadLT, Revit 2013
2) What's your budget?
$2000
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Las Vegas
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.
Case, Motherboard, CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD, PSU
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Could reuse anything from my current build, if not I'll donate it to a friend. Selling stuff may be difficult, I don't like hassel and I don't have any heat.

This is what I have.
ASUS P6x58D | Intel 980x | Noctua NH-D14 | EVGA 680GTX FTW | 12 GB Ballistix Tracer | Soundblaster ZXR
Corsair HX750W | Crucial M4 512 SSD | Crucial M4 128 SSD | Cooler Master HAF 932 Blue

6) Will you be overclocking?
No
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
U2711 (2560 X1440)
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Next few months, I'll buy pieces every month
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.
Just need the normal features

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
No but don't include in the price of the hardware

 

[tiraides]

The above looks pretty good already.

Couldn't you simply overclock the processor (some more?), double up on the RAM, buy another GTX 680, and call it a day?

 

[mlapgw]

Yep, I can do that. I was considering it but wasn't certain about my 680 2gb card. I bought it before I knew I was getting the U2711.

I'm not sure if I can upgrade on the Ram. I put 6gb (3x2) of ballistx tracer in the other three slots. It didn't seem to like one of the slots. If I tested each slot in combos of three they worked. When I put all six in one slot did not.

 

[tiraides]

I just completed a refresher "check" on your current board and you may be better off with a platform change:

$570 - Intel Core i7-3930K
$205 - Intel DX79TO ATX motherboard
$260 - Corsair Vengeance LP 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3 1600 quad-channel kit
$850 - Two Gigabyte GTX 770 OC 4GB cards
=====
$1885 - Subtotal (not including shipping, taxes, or rebates)

Basically, the Intel X79 board offers more features than your Asus X58 board: more RAM slots, a higher RAM limit (64GB versus the Asus' 24GB), USB 3.0 support, and PCI Express 3.0, to name a few key ones. But I wonder whether the RAM or the motherboard is the source of your current "issues." You can easily buy new RAM kit and call it a day, but any issues with your motherboard may justify a complete platform change.

Consider the recently released GTX 770 a cheaper, retweaked GTX 680. If you're serious about gaming, I believe that two GTX 770s would be better than one GTX 780 or Titan. (They'd also be cheaper than one GTX 690.)

I personally don't like your piecemeal strategy, but if you insist on going that route, consider grabbing everything in the following order: Video cards, RAM, Processor and Motherboard (together). You should be able to reuse your CPU cooler, but check to ensure that you have the LGA2011 mounting kit/bracket.

As for the SSDs, I don't believe that they're worth replacing unless you're considering the Samsung 840 Pro. You'll see a more noticeable performance boost in the new video cards than the SSDs, which are already faster than any 7200RPM HDD.

You need to reconsider your reluctance to sell your old parts. You're probably a great friend and all, but that "hassle" is necessary to recoup some of your spent funds. (If you need a few pointers on selling your parts, send me a PM.)