New high end build

[flydigital]

Hi all,

Time for a new build Existing system is 2600K on 3xWQHD with single GTX 770, will be retired from main duties and be used elsewhere.

Would like to see stable 50-60fps in games like BF4 on higher settings in 3xWQHD (currently getting about 25-35fps on mid/high settings with low AA).

Hoping for some advice on my potential build here. I prefer quiet, energy efficiency (& low heat), high performance and most importantly- good stability and no fuss. Budget is not really a factor but $2500 is my current max target. Too scared to go water cooled and spring a leak, so will be sticking with higher end air cooling. Any feedback/opinions are VERY welcome. Thank you!

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Gaming, Development/Coding, 2D Graphics, 3D Modeling, Audio Processing, just about everything...

2. What YOUR budget is.
$2500

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

5. IF YOU have a brand preference.
Intel CPU

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Will be using existing GTX770-4GB and adding another for SLI, using 3x27" WQHD Monitors

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Light/Moderate Overclock

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
3xWQHD (in surround for gaming, non-surround otherwise)

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
1-2 weeks

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
Windows 8.1

Current build item list: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=25190225

Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit - OEM
Model #:WN7-00615
$99.99

Fractal Design Define R4 Black Pearl w/ USB 3.0 ATX Mid Tower Silent PC Computer Case
Model #:FD-CA-DEF-R4-BL
$99.99

ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:Z97-A
$144.39

EVGA GeForce GTX 770 DUAL SuperClocked 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Video Card 04G-P4-3774-KR
Model #:04G-P4-3774-KR
$409.99

CORSAIR HX Series HX850 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply New 4th Gen CPU Certified Haswell Ready
Model #:CP-9020032-NA
$169.99

Intel Core i7-4790K Haswell Quad-Core 4.0GHz LGA 1150 Desktop Processor BX80646I74790K
Model #:BX80646I74790K
$339.99

HyperX 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 Desktop Memory XMP Model KHX24C11K4/16X
Model #:KHX24C11K4/16X
$179.99

Samsung 840 EVO MZ-7TE500BW 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) 500GB
Model #:MZ-7TE500BW
Item #:N82E16820147249
$249.99

WD BLACK SERIES WD2003FZEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Model #:WD2003FZEX
$144.99

ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818AAT (DVD-E818AAT/BLK/B/GE)
Model #VD-E818AAT/BLK/B/GE
Item #:N82E16827135304
$21.99

Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler
Model #:NH-D14
$78.99

Subtotal: $1,940.29

 

[DSF]

Just a few comments.

- Unless you know something I don't about RAM speed in your specific applications you're probably wasting money. DDR3-1600 will be just about the same and cost less. Also, I would get 2x8GB rather than 4x4GB. It's usually a better idea to leave slots open when possible.

- At such an enormous resolution it's probably the video processing that's holding you back rather than the CPU power, even in a CPU-heavy game like BF4. Have you done any testing to see whether you're CPU-limited or GPU-limited? I ask because buying a new CPU and putting an upper midrange card in SLI might be a waste of money if what you need is as much graphics power as possible.

- The Define R4 is a great case, but you have to be realistic about your aims here. Quiet, cool, SLI and overclocking don't all fit in the same sentence sometimes. Don't expect this PC to be silent, or even whispering. When you're in the middle of a game it's probably going to make some amount of audible noise. Most likely you'll lose awareness of that as you get into the game of course.

- There's no need to spend $170 on a PSU, even for an SLI system. Great PSUs go on sale fairly regularly at Newegg and Amazon, the trick is just that the deals rotate around among manufacturers and models. You can get an equivalent product for probably about 50-70% of what you've budgeted as long as you don't get locked into one part too early.

Just as a couple examples, there's a Corsair here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139051
Or a Seasonic here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151107

750W would be fine for an SLI system with a bit of overclocking. If neither of those PSUs excites you I would bet dollars to donuts there will come an even better deal within the next two weeks before you purchase. You have to keep your ear to the ground and be ready to act quickly though, oftentimes they only last for a day or two.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

3x1440p surround gaming with a GTX770? You're going to need something beefier to handle that. I'd say a couple of R290(X)/GTX780(TI)'s in Crossfire/SLI at least.

Meanwhile, I don't think your 2600K needs an upgrade. Its still pretty potent, especially with a judicious overclock. Bump RAM and add an SSD if you haven't already.

 

[mfenn]

3x1440p surround gaming with a GTX770? You're going to need something beefier to handle that. I'd say a couple of R290(X)/GTX780(TI)'s in Crossfire/SLI at least..

Agree. GTX 770 is a pretty lackluster value to begin with because it really doesn't have the power to drive a display that would cause it to need 4GB of VRAM in the first place.

OP, you're looking at spending $1000 minimum on GPUs to drive the resolution that you want. Note that this isn't going to be quiet while gaming unless you go with a full custom water loop.

Overall:
- OS: Good
- Case: Not enough cooling for the GPU setup you need. Something with a more free-flowing front like the Corsair 730T for $140 would be good (note that there are other cases in this class that would be equally as good).
- CPU/mobo: Fine, but you can take advantage of some i7 4770K combos to get a lower price for the equivalent performance. This i7 4770k + Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H combo is a good deal at $455.
- GPU: As mentioned above, you need a lot more graphical horsepower to do what you want. Pick up a pair of these Sapphire R9 290X's for $1060.
- PSU: Nice, but at $170, way overpriced for what it is. This EVGA SuperNova G2 850W (SuperFlower ODM) is $115 AR.
- RAM: As mentioned above, unless you run RAM benchmarks as a hobby, DDR3 2400 is a waste. A Team DDR3 1600 16GB CAS9 1.5V kit is $137.
- SSD : Nice, but the Corsair MX100 480GB is close enough in performance and costs $217.
- HDD : WD Black HDDs are comically overpriced for the performance they offer when compared to other 7200 RPM drives. You can pick up a nice enterprise-class Hitachi 2TB for $90.
- ODD : Overpriced for a DVD burner. This Samsung is $15 AP.
- HSF: Good.

 

[flydigital]

Thanks a bunch for the advice... you guys are awesome.

I need to rethink this a bit!

 

[flydigital]

I ended up getting another 770 SC 4GB for SLI and did a light 4.2GHZ overclock on my 2600K. Was worried my 750 watt PSU might be too small but have had no issues.

Getting ~50fps stable in BF4 in 3xWQHD with ultra settings except MSAA off, Post-Processing AA LOW.

Turning the AA settings up to max in single WQHD gives me 100+ frames but I honestly can't see a visual difference. Frames are slightly smoother in actual gameplay but with 60hz monitors its really no effective difference now in either surround (lower AA settings) or single (AA max).

To compare, it looks like 2x SLI 780ti's for $1500 would let me put AA up to max and get ~60-70fps. Not much difference really for such a higher cost (for my needs at least).

Anyway, I'm happy and this will hold me over until next year at least. Thanks again for the advice all.