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[CAN] Need Some Help
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[CAN] Need Some HelpPosted:

Incisive
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Joined: Aug 11, 201113Year Member
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Joined: Aug 11, 201113Year Member
Posts: 84
Reputation Power: 4
I'll be building a PC soon, and I've done a lot of research about all the hardware, but I'm still unsure about some components. My budget is around $2500 CAD, for everything including peripherals(have none). This will be my first desktop PC, and I plan to use it for gaming, programming and video editing. I don't plan on upgrading the CPU or motherboard for a long time, and I don't want to overclock anything until my hardware becomes fairly old, and could use the performance boost.

This is what I've put together: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

  • I might get another GTX 680 depending on how good the next series of graphics cards are, and how much I like PC gaming(current computer is garbage).


Some questions I have include:

  • Is the motherboard any good, or should I go with a better one?
  • Is the thermal paste included with the H100i CPU cooler any good?
  • Should I get a smaller case, or keep the current one for future upgrades?
  • Is the power supply too small to SLI two GTX 680s?
  • Is the monitor good for gaming?
  • Is everything compatible?
  • Are there any bottlenecks with the configuration?
  • What are your opinions on the build?


Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
#2. Posted:
r00t
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Joined: May 18, 201113Year Member
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Status: Offline
Joined: May 18, 201113Year Member
Posts: 16,419
Reputation Power: 24469
The thing about building PCs with the future in mind is that it's completely impossible. In your position, I'd cut the budget in half, build a "sweet spot" PC with one half, and put the rest away for a future build. In a matter of years (say... four), when your hardware is beginning to fall behind your expectations, build another PC, maybe re-using the case, hard drives, cooler, and power supply. You'll have much more flexibility this way.

To answer your questions:

-The motherboard is fine. There are many good options for an X79 board.
-The pre-applied thermal paste on sealed liquid coolers is actually great stuff.
-I would suggest a smaller case for this build, yes. Generally, you want to avoid using more than one graphics card.
-750w is fine for two 680s overclocked, but you can probably get a better price for another unit.
-The monitor is fine, but I would suggest something with IPS for productivity. I'd suggest one for anything, really.
-Everything appears to be compatible.
-No bottlenecks in sight.
-I've made my opinions clear, but there are a few improvements to be made.
  • Change the SSD to one with a 5-year warranty like the Samsung 840 Pro, OCZ Vector, OCZ Vertex 4, Corsair Neutron/Neutron GTX, Plextor M5 Pro, etc.
  • There are many better mechanical keyboards than the Razer Blackwidow.
  • A 670 is a much better buy than a 680 due to the fact that it overclocks better, making the two perform about equally when overclocked.
  • A quality 550w unit is better-suited to a build with a single 670 or 680. No need for 750w.
#3. Posted:
Incisive
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Status: Offline
Joined: Aug 11, 201113Year Member
Posts: 84
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Status: Offline
Joined: Aug 11, 201113Year Member
Posts: 84
Reputation Power: 4
r00t wrote The thing about building PCs with the future in mind is that it's completely impossible. In your position, I'd cut the budget in half, build a "sweet spot" PC with one half, and put the rest away for a future build. In a matter of years (say... four), when your hardware is beginning to fall behind your expectations, build another PC, maybe re-using the case, hard drives, cooler, and power supply. You'll have much more flexibility this way.

To answer your questions:

-The motherboard is fine. There are many good options for an X79 board.
-The pre-applied thermal paste on sealed liquid coolers is actually great stuff.
-I would suggest a smaller case for this build, yes. Generally, you want to avoid using more than one graphics card.
-750w is fine for two 680s overclocked, but you can probably get a better price for another unit.
-The monitor is fine, but I would suggest something with IPS for productivity. I'd suggest one for anything, really.
-Everything appears to be compatible.
-No bottlenecks in sight.
-I've made my opinions clear, but there are a few improvements to be made.
  • Change the SSD to one with a 5-year warranty like the Samsung 840 Pro, OCZ Vector, OCZ Vertex 4, Corsair Neutron/Neutron GTX, Plextor M5 Pro, etc.
  • There are many better mechanical keyboards than the Razer Blackwidow.
  • A 670 is a much better buy than a 680 due to the fact that it overclocks better, making the two perform about equally when overclocked.
  • A quality 550w unit is better-suited to a build with a single 670 or 680. No need for 750w.

Thanks for clarifying everything. Do you have any suggestions on a better X79 motherboard , monitor and case? I chose the Haf X because it has great airflow and a lot of room for the cooler, and any upgrades I may do, and would an IPS monitor still be good for gaming because of the slower response times/input lag? As for the 680. I only chose it because it's ~$100 off at a local retailer, and would it be better if I only have one graphics card and just upgrade as better ones come out, instead of buying another 680 when the price decreases?
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