So I finally decided to upgrade to the Ivybridge and I'm basically rebuilding my entire desktop. So far the parts I have are: Motherboard: DZ77GA70K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121605 Processor: i7-3770k http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501 RAM: 2x Crucial Ballistix 4G DDR3 1600MHz Dimms (Fry's had a nice sale on these a few weeks ago) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148507 Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148012 Still TBD: PSU (I'll get the PSU based off my GFX card power needs) GFX card I was wondering if I should go for a PCIe 3.0 x16 card or just go with a last gen PCIe 2.0 x16. I don't really want to spend much more than $300 on a single card and I eventually want to use both GFX slots so I want SLI/xFire compatibility. Will I regret getting a 1GB card instead of a 2+ GB card? Right now... I'm looking at the Radeon HD7850 as something that mostly fits my description but I was looking for more input as I am not much of a GFX card knowledgeable person. Can I get something better in my range? Do I really need the PCIe 3.0? What kind of performance comparisons can I get out of earlier generation cards that would still be within my price range? Thanks, Fiku
These motherboards are far better for right around the same price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131821 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131819 Either of these graphics cards will fit what you want: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130687 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127608 The 570 is an average of 15% faster
I got that Mobo/processor combo BC I got it for < 1/2 of MSRP through Intel Store. I kinda wanted to keep the entire build < $800 if i allocate ~100 for the PSU that leaves me with ~$300 for the GFX card
Can you get same deal off intel but with 3570k? Cause purely for gaming, 3570k is exactly the same as 3770k only 100$ cheaper. for around 300$ id recommend 7870 example - 289$ after rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161404
I was about to post the same thing, if you can get the same "deal" but with the 3570k you can save a lot of money. If you only intend to game and not do any hard audio/video encoding, or something that needs a lot of hyper threading or processor power, go with the 3570k. That's what I did, in fact -- Microcenter has the 3570k for 189.99 which is less than $100+ than the 3770k, I was about to put that extra money in my pocket for later when I decide to upgrade my graphics card probably at the end of the year. I own the 570, its the "first" batch that came out, so not the HD version, only has the 1.2+GB memory and that's the only "issue" I have with it is that I'd like more VRAM. Also, do NOT skimp on a power supply, its usually the last thing people look at getting and they go the "cheap" route. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT buy a cheap PSU! If anything, the PSU should be one of the main things put money into. Corsair, Silverstone, Seasonic, are very good ones. If you aren't going SLI/Xfire then you will need minimum 500 watt, but if you plan on going SLI/Xfire in the future then I recommend 850+. I actually went and bought a electricity monitor from Home Depot because I wanted to see how much power I pulled from the wall compared to my X58 system and while at 4.5GHZ playing BF3 on High/Ultra (~85% CPu power and 100% CPU power) I only pull 285 watts, so if I totally maxed out (which... playing BF3 technically I do max out my system) I only pull ~300 watts. I could get away with a 500Watt power supply, but again - I'm using my old 850Watt power supply from my old X58 system. I kind of started rambling there, but TL;DR -> Don't skimp on a PSU, get a GFX card with 2GB+ VRAM, and see if you can get a 3570K + MB combo if you don't need the "extra" processing power.
lol Im dumb. For some reason I was thinking the 7870 was just "meh", but looking at a comparison between it and the GTX570, the 7870 has quite a bit more horsepower in its hardware, and uses less electricity. The 7870 also has the much better 2GB of vram. I personally wouldnt buy anything under 2GB of vram anymore unless you absolutely have to in order to meet your budget. Games are already taking up more than 2GB in some cases. I had to disable some stuff in SKyrim because I was choked for video memory and I have 2GB even, I really want a 4GB card but need to wait a while in order to get one. You could get by on a 1.2GB vram card if you dont care about running 4xAA/16xAF on ultra detail settings in 1080p though. I would still try and build for doing that just so you have room as the years go by to keep slowly lowering your settings until the card is completely obsolete. If you build for only running medium now, in a year or two you already wont be able to play anything.
I would also go with this for your PSU, but it wont support crossfire/SLI: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121094 Need to step up to this power level if you want to run dual graphics cards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121088 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182084
I figured I'd probably end up going down the 78xx series route I'm surprised no one really pushed any GTX cards. I do have an old 650W power supply from my last computer (which ran the 5870). I'll see if i can just use that until i can afford another card.
Its because ATI cards are the "better bang for your buck" right now. I only buy Intel and nVidia, my first 2-3 builds were AMD/ATI only but I swapped and never looked back. Its only preference. I love the GTX cards, but since you are on a budget, ATI would be "better" for you.
^^^ This is what I was going to say also. I would recommend the card I got with my build but it is more than the price you have allotted for a video card. IMO this isn't a bad area to go a bit out o budget if at all possible because it can last longer if you spend a bit more rather than running on medium and the card being obsolete in 1-2 years. It mmay save you money in the long run if you plan on spending 300 now and another 300. In a few years time to upgrade again.
I'll do it. I heart the GTX option. So what the ATI has faster option- I have had better luck (thats right, I said it!) with Nvidia. Your mileage may vary.