Need a recommendation setting for new comp

[Elenion]

I used MPC in previous desktop so I'm planning to use again unless someone knows a better one for Windows 7 64bit

Here is my new desktop:

i7-3770k
GTX 670 4gb
16gb RAM

1. What codec should I grab? I used CCCP for last desktop.
2. What settings are optimal for my new comp?
3. I also watch animes using VLC on Macbook Pro, how's VLC on Windows compare to MPC?