From the benchmarks I saw, by the time you hit resolution and texture setting levels that actually utilize more than 2 GB VRAM, the actual GPU on the GTX 760 is unable to process frames fast enough to make it worthwhile. The benchmarks that I saw only utilized 3 or 4 games, but by the time there was more than 2 GB VRAM in use each game was down around or under the 20 FPS rate on the 760.

First, the build looks awesome.

Second a couple things aren't making sense to me:

-Is there any specific reason you went all the way back to a sandy bridge CPU? Is it for the better OC?

-Any particular reason you got a triple channel memory kit when your MB/CPU combo only handles dual-channel? If you install that third stick of RAM you will immediately lose the dual channel functionality and performance will drop down to single-channel data rates.

-Did you get a good deal on the GPU (and what did you spend on the build overall)? I actually almost got the same model GPU, but decided on a 2 GB version of the GTX 760 after my research showed the card does not have enough power to reach the levels where 4 GB is beneficial.

That is bad news!

Thanks for the tip though. I'll be down in Ontario on a business trip, so it would kinda be pointless to drive over to Tustin if the deal isn't there. I'll definitely have to call ahead to find out.

Wow, I didn't know they could do that... I've been planning my whole build around grabbing a 4670k during my next trip to the area where my closest MicroCenter is (400+ miles away in SoCal). I would be incredibly disappointed if I found out they don't actually offer the advertised prices.

Where was your MicroCenter and did they give any explanation as to why they refused to honor the advertised price?

Why didn't you grab one of MicroCenter's CPU deals at the same time you got the great deal on the video card?

What about the HDD cage kept you from being able to install the 2nd SSD?

Would a RAMDisk really help that much over performance of the SSDs?

Nice looking build and I look forward to seeing some of the benchmark results. Would it be possible to include the price of the custom wiring in the breakdown?

Is there any specific reason the radiator was oriented with the tubing towards the back of the case?

The tubing appears to the running really close to the back panel fan.

I thought AS-5 was one of the better thermal paste options out there? What paste(s) would be more highly recommended?

A single one of those monitors costs more than what my completed build will reach!

Very, very impressive build. Well done with the cable routing and case organization to optimize for both airflow and a clean finished product. Well done Philip!

Intel seems to be sticking with each socket for only two processor lines these days... Broadwell should still use 1150, but I expect Intel will switch to a new socket for Skywell.

I'm in a similar situation (Currently operating on an old Socket 739 Athlon64 in one PC and LGA775 Presler model, Pentium D 930 in another) looking to build a new PC.

My initial intention was to definitely go with Haswell as I didn't expect such a big price difference between the two, but now I'm not sure. Haswell obviously has some performance upgrades over IvyBridge, but are they worth the extra price?

The bigger difference in my mind is the platform change. In the end you have to ask yourself, "Do I want to build my new PC on a dead socket and thereby limit my upgrade-ability or pay a little more but have the potential to upgrade just the CPU but not MB at a later date?"