New build desktop this time, tips please

[knutte]

So I keep going between 3 options. I will try to write what I think of the different options which might be completely wrong so please correct me and add any input.

1. Single G4GB TX 690. So this has 4 gig but 2 GPU's so that is a limit of 2 GB vram per GPU. Might not be an issue now but from my understanding certain games might demand a lot of vram (skyrim with a lot of mods etc...) and I do love skyrim. Plus 2013 games might demand more, option then would I guess be sticking in another 690.

2. GTX 680 SLI. Comes out at around the same price, 4 GB per GPU and scores the same if not better at most benchmarks. Availability seems uncertain, waiting for PCS online support to come on so I can ask them when these are back in as I want to order fast track. I do not possess the ability to wait for something good lol

3. 7970 Crossfire. Doing really well on benchmarks BUT so much talk about dodgy drivers, not very good crossfire support in some games etc... I'd rather not have to encounter too much issues as I deal enough with that at work lol

I think ive changed my mind around 5 times today on this Thank you OCD.

Opinions so very welcomed

 

[keynes]

certain games might demand a lot of vram (skyrim with a lot of mods etc...)

1- I though the VRAM will be more beneficial for higher resolutions and 2gb should be plenty for Skyrim, dou have any links regarding the vram and performance for skyrim?
2- I think PCS is still offering the jetstream 4gb (not sure) but if that is the case the gtx 680 2gb should perform better than the 4gb version in 1 screen.

 

[knutte]

No links, just got the information from scrolling through what feels like a million different forums today. Just people saying skyrim with a lot of mods was vram heavy. They do offer the 4gb version of 680 just not able to order it on fast track at the moment

 

[Chriso]

You don't need to go for most exspensive overkill gpu's out atm you could go for sli 2gb nvidia gtx 670's they only lose 10% performance from it's bigger brother the 680 and they will run any game smooth for a long time. I imagine alot of companies will be releasing new products soon but I think sli 670 will save you alot of money and run super smooth on ultra everything.

 

[ilike2burnthing]

Case
COOLERMASTER HAF XM - GAMING ENTHUSIAST CASE + USB 3.0 - same

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-3770 (3.4GHz) 8MB Cache - step down from K, no need to overclock for gaming

Motherboard
ASUS® MAXIMUS V GENE: M-ATX, INTEL Z77 ROG MOTHERBOARD - changed to support faster RAM, also cheaper

Memory (RAM)
16GB KINGSTON HYPERX BEAST DUAL-DDR3 2400MHz X.M.P (4 x 4GB KIT) - faster RAM, beneficial for games for exactly the same price as 1866MHz

Graphics Card
4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 680 - 2 DVI, HDMI, DP - 3D Vision Ready \
2nd Graphics Card ------------------------------------------------- your second option
4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 680 - 2 DVI, HDMI, DP - 3D Vision Ready /

Memory - 1st Hard Disk
120GB INTEL® 520 SERIES SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 550MB/sR | 520MB/sW) \
2nd Hard Disk ------------------------ £67 cheaper than a single 180GB Intel 520 SSD, bigger (obviously) and can be put in RAID 0
120GB INTEL® 520 SERIES SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 550MB/sR | 520MB/sW) /

3rd Hard Disk
1TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD1002FAEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm) \
4th Hard Disk ------------- done by accident actually, the website won't allow a single 2TB drive for some reason, possible error?
1TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD1002FAEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm) /

RAID
RAID 0 (STRIPED VOLUME - 2 x same size & model HDD / SSD) (£9) - want to RAID 0 the SSDs, but is it possible to do the SSDs and the HDDs?

1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W ENTHUSIAST SERIES™ TX750 V2-80 PLUS® BRONZE (£86)
Processor Cooling
Super Quiet 22dBA Triple Copper Heatpipe Intel CPU Cooler (£19)
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs
USB Options
6 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System
Genuine Windows 8 Professional 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£109)
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Warranty
3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£69)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
Quantity
1 - the above block is the same

Price: £2,189.00 including VAT and delivery. - with the same cards your build comes to £2,283.00; my suggested build is over £100 cheaper but seemingly a better setup

Unique URL to re-configure: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/intel-ivy-bridge-pc/_RHAOyRORs/


Hope that helps!