Seeking input and advice on new gaming rig.

[hansy1401]

Hi guys!

I am planning to build a rather beefy gaming system this august, and I have made sort of a plan already, but I am not sure about all the details, and hope that someone here might be able to help me clear a couple things up. The primary use for this rig will be to play Guild Wars 2 with nVidia surround (5760x1080 + accesory display), maybe in 3D, but not sure about this at the moment.

So, the system i have planned thus far is:

ASUS RAMPAGE IV EXTREME, Socket-2011
Intel i7-3820 with OC.
Corsair Dominator DDR3 1866MHz 16GB Platinum
2x GTX 680 in SLI/3x GTX 670 SLI
Corsair AX 1200W PSU
2x Corsair Force 3 120 GB in RAID 0 (got one of these already in my current system)

So, the main thing i am concerned about, is the CPU. From what i have gathered, there is not very much difference between a 3820 and a 3930k when it comes to gaming. Is this correct? Also, not certain about 2-way SLI GTX 680 or 3-way SLI GTX 670. What would you guys recommend?

I should probably also say that i will make a custom water cooling loop, and i will be cooling the GPUs, cpu and mobo.

I think I've said everything that needs to be said, but if you need more info, just yell out!

[Luay79]

Not sure about 3D with 5760x1080, and neither is Nvidia!

original 3D vision kit is now obsolete and a newer 3D vision V. 2.0 has been released, with only one product from Asus, US$669 VG278H that supports it. The 3D glasses are included with the screen with no option of buying the monitor alone so if you're buying for 5760x1080, then you have to pay for two more glasses without using them except maybe for single-screen multi-player, or for two friends coming over for a LAN party.

Another reason to scrap this idea is that current generation GPUs do not perform at an acceptable level in 3D and 5760x1080 resolution even if it's GTX 680 quad-SLI, meaning they can not perform at ultra setting (which is what you are aiming for) at 5760x1080 resolution, while maintaining 120 FPS to compliment a 3D monitor's 120hz refresh rate.

For what is on offer today GXT 670 SLI for 3D 1920x1080 display (constant 120FPS @ ultra settings) or GTX 670 Tri-SLI for 5760x1080 on a 60hz TN panel, or ISP if you prefer accurate colors to response rate (constant 60FPS @ ultra setting). I would go for a high-end TN panel such as the Asus VK278Q (w/ webcam in the middle) and two VE278Q on each side.

[hansy1401]

Pretty much the answer i was expecting on the 3D.

I am however planning to go for 120hz monitors, being so fluid and all. For instances there is the Samsung S23A750D, that is a good 120hz monitor, without support for nvidia 3D.

But even if i won't be able to push 120 fps over 5760x1080, it will still be smoother than a 60 hz, if i'm not completely wrong.

[Dzzope]

690 under water? same price and save room on a dual 680 set-up..

on the CPU, you'll see little advantage of any sb-e chip over sb or ib.. not the best place to spend more money (if it's costing more)
the 3820 is right between a 2600k and 3770k in performance.. Really you'll see little-no difference at this level of a chip..
Even an i3 or phenom II perform similarly when it comes to games(not that I'm suggesting either)
Ideal chip for a gaming/general use/photo+video editing build is the i5 3770k/2500k, it's more power than anything but the most demanding of uses will ever need and even then you want to be doing alot of it to justify going higher.

I realize you have a very nice budget to throw at this.. but if the rig is only for gaming then going dual 690's/tri 680's would serve you better than the big CPU..