Critique my gaming build please

[Target2]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$1500-2000

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

The US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Only brand preference really is I'd rather use nVidia cards.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Don't intend to use any current parts

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

Not really

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I might. I don't know much about overclocking but I have been looking into it.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

ASAP



I have taken a screenshot of the build for you. I'm sorry if you can't see it but it was the only way I could get it all to fit. I didn't add a DVD burner because I definitely wouldn't be able to get it to fit with that but I am going to get one.

I plan on getting another 480 and maybe even a liquid cooling system whenever I get my next grant refund next semester.

 

[MisterDonut]

So excessive for gaming. This looks like the same guy in another post...he had a GTX480 already too. If it's the same guy, nobody is going to tell you any different =/. If you aren't, you're spending way too much. An i7-870 with a single GTX480 will destroy 1080p. Hell, a GTX460 destroys that resolution. Get a GTX460 1GB + i7-870 setup...

 

[mfenn]

I plan on getting another 480 and maybe even a liquid cooling system whenever I get my next grant refund next semester.

:hmm:

You could've, you know, just listed out the parts in plain text.

I agree with SP12. SLI GTX 480's are just a silly waste of money for 1080P. Also a GTX 480 is not (IMHO of course) $200 faster than a GTX 470.

Here's a much more reasonable build:
i5 760 + P7P55D-E Pro $360
G.Skill DDR3 1333 4GB $82
GTX 470 $270 AR
Samsung F3 1TB $75
DVD Burner $20
XFX 850W $108 Apromo AR
Antec Nine Hundred $90 AR
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $100
Total: $1105

This build still leaves open the option for SLI (x8/x8 is only a couple percent performance hit) while costing $600 less (after you add a monitor to this build).

 

[davidrees]

I think it is a reasonable system, but I think you are over spending on your motherboard and CPU and the PS is not enough if you decide to add another 480.

This is what I run:

i5/750
8GB RAM
Gigabyte P55-UD3R
MSI GTX480

So a couple comments.

1. Your monitor - I don't know that particular model, but it looks pretty average. I would either go with a larger monitor like a 27" 1080 (I use a 2ms LG 27" and I love it) OR, jump up to a 120hz 23" (since that seems to be the only size for 120hz these days.

The monitor is important and if you are going to game on a 480, take advantage of it.

2. CPU is important, but I think you getting diminishing returns from your $600 CPU/mobo combo. I would seriously consider dropping down to an 1156 socket. Yes, the bigger socket has a little more power, but I don't think it is worth it and I have seen evidence that hyperthreading does not really help gaming and the i5/750 (or 760) might be a superior choice - you can usually OC them to 4GHZ with a good air cooler and you can roll the money you save into a better monitor and PSU.

3. Don't listen to the people who say you don't need a 480. I went from a 4870x2 (which just died) to a GTX 480 and I love it. My K/D ratio is up in BC2 and if you are a serious gamer, you want the uncompromising power of this card. Also, I am surprised at how not loud this card is. I put an Arctic Cooling unit on the ATI card because the stock fan shrieked like a banshee but the 480 is surprisingly quiet - and my whole system is all about quiet.

4. a 1000W PS might work for a SLI 480 rig, but if you OC your CPU or the cards and add any other devices, you are going to be on the edge. I would look at the 1200W units if you think you really want to SLI.

As for people who say 480 SLI is a waste of money, there are a few things to consider:
1. Multi-Screen Gaming
2. 120hz screens
3. Newer games WILL take everything that a 480 SLI unit can put out
4. Second card can run physx
5. If you do media transcoding or similar work, the 480s will be amazing with the right software.

Additionally, I dont know the Anted 900/1200 series cases that well, but I personally don't like the looks and I wonder if they have any sort of filtration? I hear the Silverstone cases that use the 90 degree rotated motherboard (so your video cards basically hang down from the roof of the case) offer the best cooling for 480s. Food for thought, but don't be afraid to invest in a nice case like the FT02