Right but a i7 would break budget and what are you going to use it for? If the heaviest load your going ot put on it is gaming, is the $100 worth a few frames in certain applications?
Right but a i7 would break budget and what are you going to use it for? If the heaviest load your going ot put on it is gaming, is the $100 worth a few frames in certain applications?
If you aren't looking at putting this on a credit card, look at the Microcenter deals and I can pick it up and ship it to you with the bottles of mead I'm sending. Even with paying sales tax, Microcenter is cheaper on all the cpus listed in this thread and the motherboard combos can work out to a pretty good deal.
+1. I built a new system last year, and bought all of my components from Microcenter. I found the Intel I7 3770K about a hundred bucks cheaper at Microcenter than anywhere else...the problem was, it was in-store only. Luckily, my wife was working in Overland Park, KS, and they just happened to have a store there. She picked it up for me, and brought it back on one of her trips home. I went down there twice while she was there, and bought everything from Microcenter over my two visits...cheaper than Newegg, Tiger Direct, etc. I highly recommend them. I'm running a Gigabyte MB, and have been extremely happy with it.
I've built a few AMD based systems in the last 2 years or so and I wasn't impressed with them. Granted, I wasn't using Black Edition processors, so OCing wasn't really feasible. From what I've seen in the various systems I've built, Intel CPU's are far more capable than AMD, at least within the last 2 generations. I've also read in the last 6 months or so that the latest (leaked, so it's legitimacy could be questionable) AMD roadmap has them greatly reducing their presence in the desktop x86 market. That possibility has been bolstered by the amount of money they've thrown at R&D for the ARM mobile architectures. Until AMD makes a definitive move in one direction or the other I don't think I'd be pigeon-holing myself into an AMD based system.
Something else to posit: AMD CPU/APU 's don't officially support PCI-e 3.0 tech, so you'll be limited in your Gfx expansion. ASUS has done some funny architecture with one of their system boards to take 4 PCIe 2.0 slots and get 1 PCIe slot up to 3.0 speeds, but it's not technically a 3.0 slot.
Something else to posit: AMD CPU/APU 's don't officially support PCI-e 3.0 tech, so you'll be limited in your Gfx expansion...
And that ain't good. No worries, I like Intel.
I'm pretty set on the Intel Haswell i5-4670k processor, but I'm having a really hard time deciding on a motherboard... I SO like the looks & layout of the Asus Sabertooth:
What do we think of the ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer? The layout is good & the price is right at $109.99 after a $20.00 rebate.:
As opposed to this MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming, which is $157.99 after $10.00 rebate.:
What is the difference between the 2?
[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 03-24-2014).]
Don't discount the last gen i7 and i5 chips either! After seeing the crazy heat output of the Haswell processors, and somewhat limited overclocking results compared to the Sandy Bridge E and Ivy Bridge chips I chose to go the Sandy Bridge E route for my last build. A big part of the increased power consumption / heat increase with the new Haswell chips is due to the more powerful integrated GPU, something that will be wasted as you already have your SLI video cards. Clock for clock, you are looking at about 10-15% best case scenario with Haswell vs. Sandy Bridge E / Ivy Bridge. As such, I would not hesitate at all to check through the classifieds for other users who are selling their old 2600k / 3770k systems. Still lots of life in these processors, and they run cooler, overclock better, and can be found for sub $200 prices.
I've built a few AMD based systems in the last 2 years or so and I wasn't impressed with them. Granted, I wasn't using Black Edition processors, so OCing wasn't really feasible. From what I've seen in the various systems I've built, Intel CPU's are far more capable than AMD, at least within the last 2 generations. I've also read in the last 6 months or so that the latest (leaked, so it's legitimacy could be questionable) AMD roadmap has them greatly reducing their presence in the desktop x86 market. That possibility has been bolstered by the amount of money they've thrown at R&D for the ARM mobile architectures. Until AMD makes a definitive move in one direction or the other I don't think I'd be pigeon-holing myself into an AMD based system.
Something else to posit: AMD CPU/APU 's don't officially support PCI-e 3.0 tech, so you'll be limited in your Gfx expansion. ASUS has done some funny architecture with one of their system boards to take 4 PCIe 2.0 slots and get 1 PCIe slot up to 3.0 speeds, but it's not technically a 3.0 slot.
I've done a couple AMD builds and to be honest bleed a little more red than green or blue. While I agree that Intel chips are more advance, AMD isn't really lacking behind as much as people make it seem in real world use. If you are interested in AMD, I recommended the FX-8320. Just a down clocked 8350 that once overclocked the difference is moot. The cool thing AMD is pushing right now is Mantle which will help a lot with their older FX chips but your running Nvidia cards so that won't really apply to you. Even though AMD boards don't have 3.0 PCI-e, it really isn't a killer.
I know I've asked earlier in the thread but, What are you going to do?
Surf pron in 1080p...
Medium-to-highend gaming. Multitasking (streaming downloads while gaming, listening to music, watching a movie and surfing the net all at the same time)
A medium-high system. Ideally with nothing I don't need, like a fast cool processor but with no video imbedded, a good-looking motherboard with just USB & Ethernet, (no sound, no video out, etc.), and fast memory. Including shipping my budget is $600 FIRM.
[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 03-24-2014).]
IIRC, ASRock is the Asus budget brand. They're alright in my book. MSI, Gigabyte, and EVGA are also good brands.
I was considering suggesting an AMD based setup, but figured you were pretty set on an Intel chip. Plus, Intel does have the edge in performance... although you do pay for it.
From what I've been told, it's common for the I/O shield to be missing, too. Last time I read Newegg's open box policy, it basically said you should expect everything but the mainboard to be missing, and if anything does get included it's a bonus. Just FYI.
I'm starting to settle on a build. Store or prices are not set in stone, but this is the rough draft:
The CPU:
The Cooler:
The Board:
The Memory:
I went with overkill on the cooler for overclocking and future upgrade to the i7 4770k. I also went with plenty of headroom on the memory for the same reason. Start at 1600MHz and then upscale (2400MHz) later for the i7 4770k.
I think that girl may need that heatsink, cuz she's probably pretty hot.
Oh, you mean computer stuff...
Your list looks good to me. Although, if you want the best CPU cooling for your buck, there are some heatsinks that out-perform that CM unit, and at a similar or lesser price. The Noctua NH-U14S is the current "king of the hill", and is in the $70-75 price range. The Scythe Ashura is almost as good as the Noctua, but can be had for around $55. That CM unit should work fine, though.
You're gonna post pics of this beast when you get it assembled, yes?
Oh, BTW I snagged one of THESE off eBay. The processor should be here tomorrow.
[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 03-27-2014).]
