Possible new PC for Xmas

[faded 13]

Alright so I'm looking to buy and make one of these PCs.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tL2t - Right now I'm leaning to buy this one.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tL2J

If anyone has any suggestions or recommendations let me know please.

[colekern 1364]

I think you might get better performance with the 7970's. The second is what I recommend, but let me ask you something first: what makes you lean towards the 670's?

P.S. If the answer is "I just want an Nvidia card", don't feel weird. I've done the same thing.

[faded 13]

I think you might get better performance with the 7970's. The second is what I recommend, but let me ask you something first: what makes you lean towards the 670's?

P.S. If the answer is "I just want an Nvidia card", don't feel weird. I've done the same thing.

Well since this is my first ever PC build I don't really have experience with video cards but I've watched videos of benchmarking GTX 670 SLI vs HD 7970 Crossfire and almost every video it says that the GTX 670 SLI is better for games that I will be playing such as BF3.

[colekern 1364]

Well since this is my first ever PC build I don't really have experience with video cards but I've watched videos of benchmarking GTX 670 SLI vs HD 7970 Crossfire and almost every video it says that the GTX 670 SLI is better for games that I will be playing such as BF3.

Hold up, I checking some benchmarks.

[colekern 1364]

After seeing the benchmarks, I'm thinking you might wanna go with the 670's.

BUT!!!

Let me ask a question on Tom's hardware. I'm worried that fan cooling might not be enough.

Also, do you have a monitor or HD tv? Or a speaker system?

Edited December 23, 2012 by colekern

[faded 13]

After seeing the benchmarks, I'm thinking you might wanna go with the 670's.

BUT!!!

Let me ask a question on Tom's hardware. I'm worried that fan cooling might not be enough.

Also, do you have a monitor or HD tv? Or a speaker system?

What type of cooling fan do you suggest? Water cooled? Also I don't want to spend more than $40 on one if I don't have to. And I am getting an HD TV for Christmas as well and I have an Acer 1024 x 768 moniter and speaker system.

[colekern 1364]

What type of cooling fan do you suggest? Water cooled? Also I don't want to spend more than $40 on one if I don't have to. And I am getting an HD TV for Christmas as well and I have an Acer 1024 x 768 moniter and speaker system.

I don't know yet, I'm just going to ask Tom's if fan cooling is enough.

[faded 13]

I don't know yet, I'm just going to ask Tom's if fan cooling is enough.

Thanks man I really appreciate your help. It really means a lot to me. Also how about this cooling system: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/arctic-cooling-cpu-cooler-acfz11lp

[colekern 1364]

Also, I'd recommend this card instead: http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=02G-P4-2670-KR

The reason? EVGA Has the best customer support in the business. That, and free borderlands 2. Make sure you order it from their website though, as that's the only way you can get Borderlands 2 for free. And it's one of the best games of the year.

[faded 13]

Also, I'd recommend this card instead: http://www.evga.com/...=02G-P4-2670-KR

The reason? EVGA Has the best customer support in the business. That, and free borderlands 2. Make sure you order it from their website though, as that's the only way you can get Borderlands 2 for free. And it's one of the best games of the year.

Ok what do you think about these coolers:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-cpu-cooler-kuhlerh2o620

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/arctic-cooling-cpu-cooler-acfz11lp

[Kyzahh 127]

What type of cooling fan do you suggest? Water cooled? Also I don't want to spend more than $40 on one if I don't have to. And I am getting an HD TV for Christmas as well and I have an Acer 1024 x 768 moniter and speaker system.

I'd rather a 1080p monitor than an HDTV just for pcgaming. Depends on if you want to use it for TV as well I suppose.

[colekern 1364]

I just noticed this, but that power supply will be cutting it close if you overclock. I'd recommend getting this power supply instead: http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enthusiast-Series-Bronze-TX750/dp/B004MYFODI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356306180&sr=8-2&keywords=750w+PSU

It's a little more expensive, but you need to be sure that the Power supply can power 2 cards.

[colekern 1364]

Ok what do you think about these coolers:

http://pcpartpicker....er-kuhlerh2o620

http://pcpartpicker....cooler-acfz11lp

Let's just see what the guys at toms say first.

[colekern 1364]

And the results are in...

Fan cooling should be enough, just as long as you don't stack the 2 graphics cards on top of right on top of each other. You need to space them out a bit on your motherboard.

Your case already includes a fan for the rear and top, so I'd recommend getting 2 of these for the front: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835214037

[faded 13]

Let's just see what the guys at toms say first.

Also can you explain to me how to overclock the video cards?

[faded 13]

Ok and instead of those fans I put this one in: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/arctic-cooling-cpu-cooler-acfz11lp

So will I still need those other 2 for the front?

And this is the final build for the PC: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tPMd

[colekern 1364]

Also can you explain to me how to overclock the video cards?

I would, but I actually have no idea.

[colekern 1364]

Ok and instead of those fans I put this one in: http://pcpartpicker....cooler-acfz11lp

So will I still need those other 2 for the front?

And this is the final build for the PC: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tPMd

You can't get those fans because they, sadly, won't fit. Get 2 120mm fans. Go on Newegg and pick one out, then I'll tell you if they're good.

Once that's done, you'll have two front fans, a top fan, and a rear fan for a total of four fans.

But after adding in the two fans, then that's a great build and I couldn't recommend it more. Good job picking everything out!

[faded 13]

Ok how about 2 of these: http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo

And also will I need any of that thermal gel stuff to put on the CPU or whatever it's for?

Edited December 24, 2012 by Fade

[faded 13]

Also I'm curious what FPS do you think I would get with this build for ArmA2/DayZ? If I overclock it and everything.

[colekern 1364]

Also I'm curious what FPS do you think I would get with this build for ArmA2/DayZ? If I overclock it and everything.

I'd recon you'd max out at 40 fps. In any other game, you'd max out at 60, but this is, well, an arma 2 mod.

[colekern 1364]

Ok how about 2 of these: http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo

And also will I need any of that thermal gel stuff to put on the CPU or whatever it's for?

Those fans will be great. Also, yes, get thermal paste.

One more thing. It was brought to my attention that you may be able to save money in the long run by only buying one card. Frankly, I don't really think you care about that all that much, but the guys at Tom's just wanted you to know.

[faded 13]

Also another question :D Since I will get the 2TB HDD and the 120GB SSD, which one do I use for what. I understand that you should install Windows 7 on the SSD because it is much faster however, would I put all my games, music, etc on the SSD or on the HDD?

[colekern 1364]

Also another question :D Since I will get the 2TB HDD and the 120GB SSD, which one do I use for what. I understand that you should install Windows 7 on the SSD because it is much faster however, would I put all my games, music, etc on the SSD or on the HDD?

what I do with mine is I install games that I regularly play on my SSD, then put games that have short load times, or games I don't really play all that much on my Hard drive using program called steam mover: http://www.traynier.com/software/steammover

The reason? Saving space. As for music, movies, and similar stuff, store it on your hard drive. Also, put your favorite web browser on your SSD.