My 1st Build

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1

Hi guys!  New to the forum and I wanted to see if I'm on the right track with my 1st build.  I am build a computer for gaming and photoshoping as well as some light video work.  I will moslty be playing WoW, Skyrim, Metro 2033 and any new awesome titles for 2013 and Star Citizen when released.  Had a couple questions about a few components.  Heres the list:

Case - Bitfenix Colossus

Mobo - Asus Sabertooth z77

Proc - Intel core i7 3770k

Gpu - Evga gtx 670 4gb FTW

Ram - Corsair Dominator Platinum 1600 16GB 

Psu - Corsair AX750 750W 

OS and Games Drive - Kingston HyperX 120GB SSD

Cpu Cooler - Corsair H100i

Sound Card - Asus Rog Xonar Phoebus

UPS - CyberPower Intelligent LCD Series GreenPower UPS

 

Ok so my questions are:

Will the single GTX 670 FTW be able to handle gaming at 1080p in Surround?

If I SLI 2 GTX 670 FTW's do you think it could handle surround in 1440p?

Is that ram compatible with the Sabertooth z77, its not on the list but seems like I've seen others using it with the board.  Why would their be an issue and if there is what ramifications would it have to use it anyway?

I have concerns about the case, I really like the look and feel but I worry about heat levels as it has the door on the front, do you think I could have heat issues with the GPU?  I will be getting the windowed version of the case so I could put fans on the door although I don't want to. 

Do the fans on the motherboard push dust inside the thermal armor?  Do I need to have them installed at all, does it really help with cooling all that much?

Has anyone used the UPS I listed or does anyone suggest a different one?

Overall does this seem like a good configuration for what I plan to do with it?  

 

If I left anything out that you need to know sorry just yell at me and I'll provide the info. Thanks for you help!

 

 

 

 

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If I were you I'd crossfire two 7970's instead it'd give you better performance and I think the whole crossfire thing works a bit better than SLI, dunno for sure though.

Look at ADATA 128 or 120's, they've proven themselves to be pretty good, and throw in a big HDD if you haven't yet like a 1Tb WD Blue for 70$.

 

 

 

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Hmm, looks like ram is quad channel.  That wont do huh?  

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There is no such thing as "channel ram", just is stating how many matched dimms in a kit. Platnium is cool but a bit overkill, I would look into some better value ram with GSkill, Kingston, Munshkin or some lower end Corsair.

If you are worried about maxing games, I would get a 7970 vs a GTX670. The 7970 OC'd is alot faster then a 670. Also the extra VRAM will help with high resolution gaming. Might even be worth getting the Vapor X version with 6GB of VRAM. If you are using Adobe products definetly stay with the 670 but get the 4GB version.

You wont have cooling issues with that case, its a good case.

Last thing I noticed, you might want to get a bigger HDD with that SSD. You will fill 120gb in no time.

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Crossfire does not work better then SLI. SLI drivers are much better then Xfire, i've used both and xfire wouldnt run a few times will I have never had a problem with SLI.

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But you run the risk of having dimms that do interact well, thus causing BSOD. Also, dual channel kits if you plan on buying two arent usually cheaper. I find its usually a few dollars cheaper just buying the 4 sticks in a pack.

The motherboard is stating that it works in a dual channel configuration, not that the ram needs to be "dual channel". There is no such as "dual channel" ram but the cpu works best with pairs of ram sticks. Just like a 1366 proccessor worked best with three sticks of ram, if I used three sticks from a "quad channel" kit it would work just as if I had purchased a triple channel kit.

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i would definitely look for a case with a bottom intake fan mount as well as a front to ensure you have good ariflow coming in to help cool not only the ambient temps inside but also drawing air in and upwards towards the gpus a lil bit.

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I have also built many computers over a long while. Stating that ram is Dual channel, and that Quad Channel Ram wont work is wrong. That quad channel ram will work just fine. And if he does plan on overclocking, having matched Dimms will come into affect. He will be limited (when overclocking the ram) to the worse kit he bought, instead of buying a quad channel kit with a completely matched dimm set of four sticks where the best overclock he can get is what all the sticks are capable of. 

The 3770k is set to work best with TWO ram sticks, thus DUAL channel. Running a Quad channel kit will not affect it at all. It will still be running at dual channel capacity because thats what the CPU is built to do. 

Compatibility, it makes no difference. Everything is compatible. 

OP: sorry for the large amount of wasted space. That ram will work with your build with zero problems. If you want 16GB and dont want to just buy 2 x 8GB sticks I would recommend buying a quad channel kit over two dual channel kits (they are the same). But you will have less compatibility problems overall.

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You stated that the Stooth takes Dual channel ram only... that is incorrect. It will work with a quad channel kit just the same, it just wont be using quad channels.