Build me a computer, geeks!

[Xican]

I'm thinking I want this rig to still be able to handle anything in 5 years. Maybe not top of the line, but able to handle it still. I realize technological development could completely throw that idea under the bus, but that's the goal.

Is it really possible that a cheaper graphics option will be as effective? Tom's Hardware showed the gap in the 770 and 760 as being fairly significant, about 15% on the top end, which is where I'll be concerned about it being out-dated 3-4 years down the road. Keeping in mind, I chose high end because I want to get the best possible performance now and not have to worry about it falling off any time soon. I have the money that it isn't really a concern for me, so I don't mind spending it, but if you guys feel there's a similar alternative that won't cost a lot, I'm okay with saving a little cash. Haha.

Kulaf, the reason I chose not to do any SLI setup is that I've never actually used one before and would have no idea how to set it up. I'm told with Crossfire/SLi it can be a pain to optimally configure it.

[Kulaf]

Here's a build from a guy I follow:

Gaming 1470

MoBo: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 – $144.99
CPU: Intel i5 4670k – $239.99
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 1600Mhz 2x4GB – $71.99
GPU: ASUS DirectCU II GTX 770 – $409.99
SSD: Samsung 840 PRO 256GB – $239.99
HDD: WD Caviar Black 1TB – $89.99
PSU: Corsair TX650M – $89.99 Review
Heatsink: Noctua NH-C12P SE14 – $74.99
Case: Antec P280 – $109.99
--------------------------------------------------
Estimated Total Price – $1472

[Kulaf]

I'm thinking I want this rig to still be able to handle anything in 5 years. Maybe not top of the line, but able to handle it still. I realize technological development could completely throw that idea under the bus, but that's the goal.

Is it really possible that a cheaper graphics option will be as effective? Tom's Hardware showed the gap in the 770 and 760 as being fairly significant, about 15% on the top end, which is where I'll be concerned about it being out-dated 3-4 years down the road. Keeping in mind, I chose high end because I want to get the best possible performance now and not have to worry about it falling off any time soon. I have the money that it isn't really a concern for me, so I don't mind spending it, but if you guys feel there's a similar alternative that won't cost a lot, I'm okay with saving a little cash. Haha.

Kulaf, the reason I chose not to do any SLI setup is that I've never actually used one before and would have no idea how to set it up. I'm told with Crossfire/SLi it can be a pain to optimally configure it.

It's as simple as connecting a cable between the two cards and letting the drivers do everything else.

[Kulaf]

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-4 ... MD-FX-8350

CPU comparrison between the AMD FX-8350 and the i5-4670k.

[Xican]

I may just try the SLi approach, then... Any idea how the 2 660's would match up versus the 770 in the long run? I was thinking if I found the 770 ever lacking I could always SLi it later, as an option for increased performance down the road, too. But I honestly haven't followed technology enough in the last 5 years to know if that will ever be a concern.

Would 2 660's still be a 'high end option' for now and the immediate future?

[Kulaf]

I don't want to talk you into SLI as I don't know what games you like to play or whether SLI is even supported by them. I was merely presenting a cost effective solution that could offer large performance gains over a single more expensive card due to scaling.

Go through some of the games you play and see if they support SLI and see if it would be the right solution for you.

[Kulaf]

Here is a benchmark of the GTX 760's in SLI 2-way for Bioshock Infinite at 2560 x 1440.

Scored for the GTX 760 SLI 2-way = 74
Score for the Geforce Titan = 65
Score for the GTX 770 = 52

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/ge ... ew,14.html

[Kulaf]

Yes, you could always buy a 770 now and SLI it later. That is always an option.

[Xican]

The one game I play the most is probably League of Legends... Which I've heard has some issues with SLI. Not that it matters, any of these graphics cards will run it at optimal performance with no problem at all. For the most part, my gaming ranges a lot. I'm just trying to get something that I won't have to worry about on top tier games for the next 5 years. If that means getting the 770 now and then adding a second later, well... That's fine by me if it'll keep me fully functional for a long time.

I'm going to have to seriously consider whether I'd be better to go with the 760 two-way or a 770 with the potential upgrade later to two-way. It's a $300ish difference, but I feel like offers more long-term performance. It's just a matter of whether that long-term is really worth it. I tend to build a new rig every 5 years or so. If the 760s can get me there, I'd be happy.

[Minute]

I wouldn't say you can't squeeze more numbers out of an SLI rig on a benchmark but I've never been a fan of SLI. Uses a ton more juice, generates a ton more heat, costs a lot more, are often a pain in the ass, and has never once made a visual difference to me in any game.

[Ddrak]

Tom's Hardware showed the gap in the 770 and 760 as being fairly significant, about 15% on the top end

15% perf never really made anyone want a whole new rig. You're talking 50fps instead of 60fps here, or 25 vs 30. Not that much different.

Your call though. It will be faster, just not by much.

Dd

[Xican]

If I'm going to be potentially going the SLI route with either the 760 or 770, would I be better off getting a 1000w power supply? I'm looking at this, right now since I imagine dual cards would lead to some high PSU demands.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... ing%201000

Thoughts?

[Kulaf]

PSU calculator:

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psuc ... orlite.jsp

Just punch in what you want.

[Xican]

Thought I would post a brief little update on this. I'm not going to be ordering until probably mid-September, as I'm getting the peripherals (keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers) through my company, when they're doing a bulk order of new computer stuff. Right now, I've taken everyone's advice and this is what I'm looking at. Let me know if anything sticks out to anyone as obviously bad, incompatible in some way, or just something they know would be better in a relative price range.

Case: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 6811129021
MOBO: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 6813128514
GPU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 6814130932 (probably SLI'ing it at a later date)
CPU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 6819113284
PSU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 6817182239 (I fully admit, I'm getting this because it looks cool in the case and meets all my power needs - but mostly for the pretty)
SSD: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 6820171701
HDD: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 6822236339
RAM: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 6820231445

I'm also getting a bracket for the SSD. I've got varied reports on the odds of a 2.5" fitting nicely into the 3.5" bays on the 900 case and the $6 isn't going to break my bank. Does it matter if I go plastic or steel for those? The case itself is largely steel, so I figured that was the better choice.

Anything I've missed? Something look painfully stupid in that list?

[Kulaf]

I'd spend the extra 42 bucks and get the Samsung 840 Pro SSD. It's a much better drive where speed is everything.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 6820147193

[Minute]

Xican, get a fast SSD in the same price range. That drive you listed isn't even in the high performance list. Hell even the 840 Pro is near the bottom, though I can vouch for it's speed & stability. Don't get that drive holmes!

http://www.harddrivebenchmark.net/ssd.html

[Minute]

Performance #'s on this are amazing for the price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 9SC240GEDA

[Xican]

The OCZ Vector series was listed pretty high on the passmark page. Would that be a better option? It's only $260 right now. It's a pretty big step up from both the Samsung Pro and the Sandisk I listed according to Minute's list.

[Xican]

Was looking at this one in particular...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820227916

[Kulaf]

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/665?vs=730

Samsung still better.