Budget build (sort of)

[Trik'Stari]

Ok, since I am getting my money back from my motherboard, I am trying to explore all possibilities for upgrading my system.

 

My goal is to game with at least two gtx 660's (I have one now, the other one would be bought later on down the road). Right now my current motherboard won't support SLI (only crossfire) so I'm looking for a build suggestion for a motherboard and cpu to switch out. I am going to be replacing only the motherboard and cpu, here is what I have to work with.

 

Seasonic x-series 750watt psu

evga gtx 660 ftw 2 gig edition (dual fan)

WD black 1tb 7200 hdd

Samsung 840 evo 128 gig SSD

Corsair Air 540 case

Corsair h110 dual 140mm AIO watercooler (2 corsair 140's that came with it, and 2 noctua 140 pwm fans, soon to be replace by 4 noctua industrials lol)

 

So my issue is that I'm going to have to either buy a second windows key since I'm changing the motherboard and cpu, or figure out how to game on Linux (is that realistically doable with most current AAA titles?(mmo's, fps, etc).

 

What I am looking for is the best possible board and cpu combo for dual sli gaming (amd or intel board and cpu I don't care) for under $400 US dollars. I'd like to get it under 300 if I could, but That's probably unrealistic. I would prefer something red or just plain black if possible, hate to nitpick. (Edit: why does no one make purple boards with UV lights?)

 

Can't wait to see what you guys come up with.

[ciprian97pop]

 

 

Can't wait to see what you guys come up with.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

 

CPU:  AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor  ($139.99 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard:  Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($156.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

Total: $296.97

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-04 12:15 EDT-0400)

[Trik'Stari]

I was just looking at that board on newegg, I don't like that it's pcie2.0, I know everyone says modern boards cant saturate 3.0 or whatever, but could you; using two gtx 780's or better, play on ulta with 4k on that board and cpu?

[Bartelsh]

 

So my issue is that I'm going to have to either buy a second windows key since I'm changing the motherboard and cpu, or figure out how to game on Linux (is that realistically doable with most current AAA titles?(mmo's, fps, etc).

 

 

why would you get a new windows key? you can still use your current install right?

[Trik'Stari]

not if you buy a new motherboard and CPU I thought @Bartelsh

[Bartelsh]

I was just looking at that board on newegg, I don't like that it's pcie2.0, I know everyone says modern boards cant saturate 3.0 or whatever, but could you; using two gtx 780's or better, play on ulta with 4k on that board and cpu?

 

dont get 2.0. its old and not as upgradable. its better to get the newest stuff

[Bartelsh]

not if you buy a new motherboard and CPU I thought @Bartelsh

does that cause a problem? diddnt know that

[Trik'Stari]

@Bartelsh I thought if you get a new motherboard and cpu, when you reinstall windows it makes you get a new activation key because its technically a new computer

[Bartelsh]

@Bartelsh I thought if you get a new motherboard and cpu, when you reinstall windows it makes you get a new activation key because its technically a new computer

 

hmm didnt know that, thanks