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1

Hey! I got into pc gaming last year since my old laptop blew out and I was fortunate enough to scrap together for a Asus g75. I've gotten really passionate about the hardware and dyi nature of things and as wonderful a machine the G75 is, I feel like its just not cutting it for me anymore. So, I've decided that I want to build a desktop and I would really like some help and opinions with what I should go with.

I've done as much reasearch and reading as I can as a full time student, but I'd really like some experienced input, so here I am.

Here's what I have so far:

CPU: i5-3570K @ 3.4GHz LGA1115

MOBO: Asus P877-V

Memory: 8gb (2x4gb) Mushkin Enhanced Redline

Storage: 120gb Intel 330 Series SSD for Boot and 2TB 7200 rpm Seagate Barracuda

Cooling: Corsair Hydro Series H55 Liquid CPU cooler  -Need suggestions for case cooler!

GPU: Sapphire HD 7970

(I would go with a GTX 680 if I could find it within a decent pricerange, but I do plan on using either SLI or Crossfire, although I've heard more bad things about Crossfire than SLI, so I would really like some input on this) 

PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Seris 850-Watt 80 Plus Bronze

Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 Mid Tower 

Display: Asus VS228H-P 21.5inch LED monitor

 

All of this together is running me about $1500 which is what my budget currently is. 
So here are my few questions:

I do want the best possible performance possible for gaming, and for CAD and a few other architecture programs and Photoshop.  I'd really like some opinions about the GPU. 

Do I have a sufficient power supply for future upgrades? What more cooling should I get? Because I'm in Southern California and it gets pretty hot around here. 

What OS would you recommend between Windows 7 and 8? I have used both and I had a lot of trouble upgrading and getting used to 8, but I'm actually alright with it now. 

I feel like I'm rambling a bit now, so I'll just leave it at that. Thank you for any help in advance!

ALSO, it would be even better if we could find something where I would have to spend less!

2

Get another SSD, maby a Samsung 840 or an Intel 520.

A bigger monitor will be nice to have, I recommend 23"-27".

Based on the pictures of the case it seems like it doesn't have that much cable routing options.

PSU will definately suffice your needs.

And lastly are you sure you really need crossfire 7970s (in the future), seems like overkill to me.

 

3

My biggest priority at this point is to keep within a range of $1600. And even better if lower.

I was thinking about simply upgrading to a 256gb SSD.

What other case would you recommed for good cable management?

And that GPU idea is just a thought for the future. I'll go for crossfire, or just upgrade to a better card, whichever is the best option at the time. I doubt I'll be doing that for a year or two though, ha. I just like having options (:

4

Nice build about the gpu.

it depends what you gonne do mainly wenn the main thing is gaming, then go for a 7970. cause it performs better then the GTX680, or there must for you be a reason to go for cuda..

but 2 7970 in crosfire would  be overkill i guess

if i was you i would chance the mainboard.to the Msi Z77 mpower. cause thats realy an awesome board, on that crosfire or sli would run fine.

the msi z77 mpower cost maybe a bit more then the Asus, but those boards getting hand testen with an i5 3570k on 4.5 ghz for 24 hours on full load, in the fabrick, so that gives you the guarantee, that you but a great board.

The board to mee also looks awesome, pitch black with a little bit of yellow.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130660&Tpk=msi%20z77%20m%20power&IsVirtualParent=1

 

 

5

1. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Nshg

or

2, http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Nsis

*

 http://goo.gl/virYQ

 

I 'd go for number 2, Sli and cf work equaly good/bad depending on the game and model of cards, manufacturer... Its best to avoid it...

6

Go with the 8350 build. The 8350 pretty much outperforms the 3570k when it comes to gaming. 

And get one graphics card, preferrably the most expensive you can get. Dual GPUs are still really buggy, IMO.