I haven't posted here in ages and I finally got a job ($7.80 USD an hour for 15 hours a week.)

 

I've been long due for a new computer (see specs in my sig) and I'm thinking about either going with an ASUS G75VW gaming laptop for $1250+tax and stuff, so about $1300, or building a computer for the equivalent price (including monitor, keyboard, case and Windows... And possibly wifi card.)

 

Along with gaming I'm also gonna be processing and storing large amounts of raw audio. Just something to keep in mind. I do plan on overclocking, though.

 

What I've got so far is:

 

Intel i7-3770K Ivy Bridge @3.5GHz: $300 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819116501

 

ASUS P8Z77-V PRO: $200 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131819

Or

MSI Z77A-GD65: $150 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813130643

 

GPU: I'm not sure yet, I may add more monitors later on, so AMD Eyefinity looks tempting compared to having to SLi two cards for a third monitor in extended desktop mode.

 

RAM: Pretty much what ever a good speed and priced 8 or 16GB set is.

 

Storage: I'm thinking about an SSD for Windows, possibly one for games, and a big platter drive.

 

Case: What ever will fit everything, has airflow and won't break the bank.

 

Cooling: :help:

 

Monitor: ASUS and Samsung appear to have some of the cheapest priced 22 inch 1080p monitors I've found.

 

And I think that's it for now. Remember, my budget is $1300 USD.

After doing some reading, I see that IB has a heat issue when pushed to +-4.5GHz. So I've decided to go with a 2600K instead of a 3770K, which also adds some reduction in total cost.

 

Here's what I've come up with using your suggestions as a starting point:

 

Intel i7 2600K @3.4 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

 

ASUS P8Z77-PRO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131819

 

Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) @2133 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233245

 

EVGA 02G-P4-3664-KR GTX 660 Ti FTW Signature2 2GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130837

 

OCZ Agility 4 128GB SSD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227807

 

WD 1TB Caviar Black 7200RPM 64MB Cache http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

 

Corsair H100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181017

 

Corsair HX750 Modular PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

 

Corsair Carbide 400R Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008

 

Lite-On CD-DVD Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106276

 

ASUS VS238H-P 23 inch 1080p monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236175

 

One thing I should have mentioned from the start is that I'll probably be buying what ever the final revision of this is about 3 months down the road.

 

A question regarding nV cards and multi monitor set ups: Is it possible to get an Eyefinity style experience with 3 monitors on a single card, or does it require SLi-ing still?

Argh checked for him Newegg had 500 GB Vrap for 79 bucks but just ended.

A question regarding nV cards and multi monitor set ups: Is it possible to get an Eyefinity style experience with 3 monitors on a single card, or does it require SLi-ing still?

Can someone please answer this question?

I believe the new cards can with 3d vision. A 670 or 680 would be recommended.

Looking at the benchmark graphs on nVidia's website, the jump between the 670 and the 660 Ti is marginal compared to the jump from the 660 to the 660 Ti. From the graph it also appears that the 660 Ti (stock) edges out the 580.

 

I did measurements of my desk relative to the size of the monitor I plan on buying, and it looks like I won't be fitting more than 1 monitor on there :wacko2:

 

Also, is there any difference in overclockabilty between the 2500K and the 2600K?