I think I've decided on the motherboard! The ASUS Rampage IV Formula looks great! It's socket 2011 (which is what Ivy Bridge-e will be if I'm correct), good use of real estate, and will support both GTX 780s at x16. I also just learned a lot about RAM and QVL lists, and have realized I definitely don't need 32GB of RAM, not to mention many options for 32GB aren't compatible with my MBO. So I've gone with a quad 16GB 1866MHz setup.
I'm open for any suggestions to modify this build, as I won't be ordering anything for another month or so! So now is the time to make it as good as it can be!
I'm currently stockpiling money for this build, and should be building it in mid-September. Figured I'd get this post started now so I can get things going. I'm somewhat familiar with hardware knowledge, but missing on a few things.
Currently all I know I want to get is a GTX 780 and a top-tier intel i7. Probably some Seagate 1TB HDD, and a good brand SSD. I want to get a really good power supply, probably gold rated (because why not?), and the NZXT Havik 140 (pretty sure that's the massive but very cold fan Logan reviewed a while back I'm thinking of). RAM I'm not too picky with, probably a couple hyperX beasts or something. And then a case to fit this all with room to expand.
The only thing I really have absolutely no knowledge or clue what to look for is a mother board. I'll need the most help with choosing that.
Uses for this build: My goal is to play any game at max (or near max) settings with good fps. I want to be able to record or stream the gameplay without any hinderance to the fps or gameplay at all. I plan to have a triple monitor setup. Next is rendering. Currently my piece of junk takes about 4 hours to render a 17 minute 1080p video. I don't want that at all. Looking for impressive render speeds and good for editing all around.
So, that's it! *NOTE: This will all be shipping to Canada.* I can't wait to start ordering the parts for this, and hopefully I can dive into the fantastic Tek community and get some help with this.
Agreed - I am also waiting on Ivy Bridge-e but here is a good layout of the parts though http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rgKC .... the only thing that will change is the cpu and mobo
@Nord456 Thanks for the reply! Just looked those up. That's the next big release? Will the i7-4960X be worth the extra money compared to the i7-4930K for my needs?
@mfitz50 I'm not really too big on water cooling. The extra money doesn't seem so worth it to me. I'll need to be told a lot to be convinced on that one. Will the Phantom fit all that very well? I don't plan on moving this around a lot, so I'm okay with nice looking bulky one if it's nice and spacious. But all that for $2700 is pretty nice! Thanks!
I also haven't decided a single bit on a monitor(s). I plan to start with one and expand to 3 within a couple months.
lol that H110 prob not fit in the NZXT but the H100i will... sorry
I personlly use a H100i on my FX-8350 and in 30 Degree Heat i Max the Temp at 61 C, also not, no matter wat u do, u will need to but a After market Cooler for the socket 2011 Platform at intel dont supply one.
Also note that water cooling takes stress off ur mobo as the heat sink want be hanging from it.
And the agree i do on ragingh4voks comment on the performance increase, its not worth the 400 - 600 odd dollar increase in price.
@Nord496 nice looking build there... So Sandy Bridge is better than Ivy Bridge (for the price)? That cooler looks amazing.
Is the G skill Sniper series good? I haven't heard of that brand, how does it compare to Kingston HyperX?
I assume the SSD is nice (not incredibly knowledgeable on that front). The MSI GTX 780 is definitely nice since it's the least expensive compared to other 780s and the 2 of them combined would probably be pretty damn good.
This is coming together awesome so far. I want to plan the final build of this over the next month on here, so explain as much as you can to me why each component you suggest would be good for me! I've got the time to plan before I build it, so I may as well use it wisely and consider all options!
I can increase my budget when it comes to the time, as I do believe that waiting longer to make it even better will be worth it. Also, does anyone have monitor suggestions? Preferably some that look very nice in a triple monitor setup!
I've never seen what 1440p looks like. What is the difference in cost to afford compatible monitors for that? Is 1440p significantly different from standard 1080p?
1440p is 80% the pixels of 1080p, and going off of a standard 27" 1440p, and 24" 1080, it is 58% more pixel dense. You have the budget for a "brand-name" one, like an Ultrasharp or the Asus PB827Q (something like that). If you want more hardware, Korean panels can be had or about $300 lowest-end, to $400/450 for the really high-end ones, that can be even better than the "name brand" ones.
Ah so 1440p is just even more crystal clear then. When Logan does benchmarks for games in 1440p it's kinda low, and on other forums people say to decently run a triple 1440p monitor setup would take at least 2 Titans to run. I think I'll just stick with 1080p. As of now that's the best option if I want performance. I do want to get high quality 1080p monitors that work well in a triple monitor setup, and it doesn't matter if it costs more since I'm not going to be buying all 3 at once. I'm just starting with 1 and then another month or so after I get everything built I'll buy the other 2.
The monitor I showed is nice for triple monitor, as the bezzle is extremely thin and not thick like a lot of monitors. If you are wanting to go 1080p triple monitor, those are great, and reletively inexpenisve for the specs.
Thanks! I'll definitely keep those in mind, the reviews look pretty good, too!
Now just to further decide on the CPU (which I guess I'll have to wait for the release of Ivy Bridge-e for), the motherboard, and the chassis that will fit it all! I think I'm definitely decided on getting two MSI GTX 780s though!
So this is what I have planned so far: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/794/saved/2bdz
No CPU there since I plan to get an Ivy Bridge-e (Hopefully releasing next month). The fan, memory/ram, SSD, HDD, and Motherboard are all subject to change if anyone suggests even better alternatives.
I'm pretty happy with the 2 MSI GTX 780s and those 3 monitors. Nothing wrong with the power supply, may as well go big or go home, right? Nothing wrong with future-proofing myself.
The only thing missing is a chassis. If anyone has any good suggestions for one that this will all fit in very nicely, that would be great!