a build to budget $1500 with some future proofing - input appreciated

[azhummer]

My budget: $1500
My needs: ~60fps with Ultra settings on BF3 & FC3 with 1080p resolution
Hopes: to be able to get about this performance on upcoming FPS games for 2-4 years by SLI'ing and OC'ing my CPU..

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yyAT


Input appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[Blade of Grass]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G45 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($91.33 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Corsair Neutron Series GTX 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($277.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: NZXT Switch 810 (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($168.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1296.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-20 21:02 EST-0500)

It's $20 more than a 3570K for a 3770K.
And the G45 has better audio than that sound card.

 

[seumasbeathan]

If would recommend more than a 660ti, either a 670 or a 7970 would be my choice.

Here is my list http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yGPW

 

[jamesriley94]

I personally wouldn't get the Switch.

It'll look stupid with an H100i

 

[seumasbeathan]

^Very god point, maybe just go with stock cooling for a while and then go custom loop?

 

[azhummer]

many seem to be recommending MSI mobos and a 670 over a 660ti.. a few questions related..


1. whats the big diff between these 2 boards? is it worth it for the "thunderbolt"?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130665
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130645


2. based on the 670 recommendations i'm looking at the Galaxy GTX670.. am i thinking right in this thought - the 2gb for single monitor setup and 4gb for eyefinity/nvidia surround?

Thanks all!

 

[seumasbeathan]

Well even the 2gb would be able to handle multiple monitors but yes 4GB is more for multiple monitors, for a single monitor you should never need more than 2GB, at 1920 x 1080 that is

 

[njallday]

Only get a 670 if it's around $350 (I got mine recently for $320 open box from Amazon). Otherwise, 7970 all the way.