Got full part's list ready. Looking for advice/criticism

[kt401]

This will be my first complete system overhaul since 2007. I'm really excited!

Please take a look at this and let me know what you think folks.

• Case: Corsair 350D Window
• PSU: Corsair AX760i (760 Watt Digital)
• Cables: Corsair black individually sleeved cable kit
  
• Mobo: eVGA X99 MicroATX
• CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core (4.0GHz+ overclock)
• CPU Cooler: Corsair H100 (w/ Arctic Silver 5)
• Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB DDR4-2400 (2x 8GB)
  
• GPU: eVGA GeForce GTX 970 w/ ACX 2.0
  
• HDDs: 2x Samsung 850 EVO 500GB (in RAID-0)
  
• Keyboard: Razer BlackWidow Tournament Stealth
• Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma

Price is roughly $2100 for everything and will be Amazon Prime'd. The machine will be used primarily as a VM workstation and for gaming. I am fully open to suggestions on everything except for the form factor. Thanks folks!

 

[Termie]

I assume you mean the H100i cooler, not H100,correct? Also, Arctic Silver isn't all that great. The best is probably Noctua NT-H1.

By the way, you probably should use a 4x4GB DDR4 kit. With 2x8GB, you lose the quad-channel capability of the X99 platform.

Also, if you want to go EVGA, get the SSC version of the 970. It's preferable to the other EVGA models due to a better designed cooler.

 

[kt401]

D'oh... I didn't even realize what I was doing with the RAM. I saw future expandability. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll update it.

Yes, I meant the H100i. Also thanks for the GPU and thermal compound tips. How does everything else look?

 

[kt401]

• Case: Corsair 350D Window
• PSU: Corsair AX760i (760 Watt Digital)
• Cables: Corsair black individually sleeved cable kit
  
• Mobo: eVGA X99 MicroATX
• CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core (4.0GHz+ overclock)
• CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i (w/ Noctua NT-H1)
• Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB DDR4-2400 (4x 4GB)
  
• GPU: eVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC
  
• HDDs: 2x Samsung 850 EVO 500GB (in RAID-0)
  
• Keyboard: Razer BlackWidow Tournament Stealth
• Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma

 

[DownTheSky]

At that price range I'd say 32GB RAM is better than 16. Or you can get 2x8 now and 2x8 later.

 

[mnewsham]

At that price range I'd say 32GB RAM is better than 16. Or you can get 2x8 now and 2x8 later.

Well he said he will be using it for potential VM work, so more RAM isn't a bad thing, but with 16GB you have more than enough for a few VMs without too much hassle, you'll be hard pressed to use more than 8GB for gaming and regular day to day work, that leaves 8GB for VMs. If he plans on trying to run several VMs that each need 4GB+ RAM, then yeah, 32GB seems reasonable, but if he doesn't really see that happening then 32GB is a waste of money more than anything else as it wont do a thing for gaming.

 

[Termie]

• Case: Corsair 350D Window
• PSU: Corsair AX760i (760 Watt Digital)
• Cables: Corsair black individually sleeved cable kit
  
• Mobo: eVGA X99 MicroATX
• CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core (4.0GHz+ overclock)
• CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i (w/ Noctua NT-H1)
• Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB DDR4-2400 (4x 4GB)
  
• GPU: eVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC
  
• HDDs: 2x Samsung 850 EVO 500GB (in RAID-0)
  
• Keyboard: Razer BlackWidow Tournament Stealth
• Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma

All good now, other than the discussion on RAM above. Up to you on whether you need 32GB. The mATX x99 boards unfortunately only have 4 slots, so you'll be at capacity with a 4x4GB kit. Full ATX boards typically have 8 slots.

I assume you're sure you don't need a numpad on that keyboard, right? I have the full-size version of that board, and use it for more than just gaming. Couldn't get by without a numpad.

One last comment - I assume you know this, but RAID0 adds additional risks to data than running a single SSD. It will provide much higher sequential speeds, however. You might consider a single 1TB 850 Evo unless you really want to push for extreme SSD performance.

 

[kt401]

There wont be any crazy VM work. At the most, maybe 2-3 lightweight Linux instances running at a time. 32GB is more than I'll need and at the current price point (~$400), I don't think it's worth it.

I have a small keyboard tray. With my current keyboard, I only have 4" of room for the mouse which is annoying. I agree that the numpad is handy but I'm okay with sacrificing it for more space. I'll get used to it.

Yes, I am aware of the risks with RAID0. I have a FreeNAS box which I will use for storing VM snapshots, important documents and other essential data. The games and applications that I'll have on this machine are easily replaceable so I have a lot more to gain than lose. Thanks for the heads up though!

Any other advice?

 

[MongGrel]

Also, Arctic Silver isn't all that great. The best is probably Noctua NT-H1.

Overall it looks pretty good to me.

Just a minor point.

I haven't done a major overhaul in awhile myself , but I also stopped using AS-5 long ago and put NT-H1 on everything these days personally.

*edit* looks like ya changed that one anyways, NM

I've been running a couple smaller EVO SSD's myself (120's) in RAID0 quite awhile now for boot , is up to you I imagine, but I haven't had a problem in the last year or so on a smaller hardware RAID one.

Have a larger old school one Areca hardware raid controller still running 4 x 1 TB WD RE3s in RAID10 for many years now for my backups, seems your doing that all ready so you look good to rock

 

[kt401]

I just realized Corsair released the H100i GTX a few days ago. Haha... Good timing!

 

[MongGrel]

I've never used liquid cooling myself, still use a NH-D14 myself.

There was another one I had pondered using, I'd have to look it up.

This one I guess, haven't followed on if they had put em up again.

http://www.swiftech.com/H240-X.aspx

http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/h240-x-cpu-liquid-cooling-kit-released.html

http://www.overclock.net/products/swiftech-h240-x-cpu-liquid-cooling-kit

Linda looks it's not around these days I guess.

 

[MongGrel]

NM.

 

[kt401]

That is crazy expensive for such a small radiator!

 

[kt401]

You know I really like the Swiftech H220-X but can't seem to find it for sale anywhere.

 

[schmuckley]

Y U mATX EVGA?
really could save some by halving storage..
I have not seen a single thing about EVGA x99
Don't hate, Jacob..
What's wrong with Assus mATX offerings?

I just don't understand..
Gets big platform..
wants uATX
I appreciate that that's how it is..just can't get my head around it.
..and somehow i came up with same system for $900
oh..no GPU
and i already have ssds.

edit: I see no Asus mATX x99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=x99+motherboard&N=100007627%20600533617%20600009017&isNodeId=1
Options are limited to 4 motherboards..and your uncore definitely will be.
Only 2-3 motherboards OC uncore properly..none are mATX

If you're looking for criticism:
Crucial sticks aren't that good since ddr2 d9 days..mistake there..,You are gimping performance by insisting on mATX..and the money you're spending on storage is outrageous.
You should RAID 0 2 128/256GB ssds for OS/programs and buy a platter disk for storage.

 

[kt401]

No offense, but I have absolutely no idea what you just said.

 

[schmuckley]

No offense, but I have absolutely no idea what you just said.

Is English a 2nd language for you?

The OP's posts have consistently shown a much stronger command of the English language than you care to demonstrate. You're in no position to comment on others' grasp of the lanuage after that mess of broken sentences and "text speak" you posted above.

You're nearly at the end of your rope here, you best make sure that all your future posts are on topic.

mfenn
General Hardware Moderator

@ mfenn,You are most definitely out of line, sir.

My grasp of the English language got "A-s" in college English
You want to take aim on me? It will backfire on you, sir.
I provide true and relevant content.

 

[kt401]

It is as a matter of fact, but I'm pretty good at it.

Didn't mean to be rude, I apologize. You wrote a lot and threw a lot of technical terms around, but didn't really say much. How is my platform "big"? What's wrong with the mATX form factor? What's wrong specifically with eVGA's offering? What's wrong with the SSD's I've chosen? What $900 system are you talking about? Most importantly, what do you recommend?

 

[schmuckley]

I already recommended it.
a) Do not limit yourself to 4 mobos by insisting on mATX
b) 2 128gb ssds in raid 0 + platter for storage=cheaper+ more effective
The system I am talking about will be:
2x 128gb 840 pro in RAID0 (already owned)
5820K
Gigabyte x99 SOC Champion
Some Mushkin 2800Mhz RAM like..$50 a stick http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...667&cm_re=mushkin_2800-_-20-226-667-_-Product
HD 7950 (already owned)
Only 2 motherboards will overclock the cache properly..and the SOC Champion is the lesser of the 2 in price.
There are 0 mATX motherboards that OC cache properly.
Cache makes a big difference with x99

 

[DigDog]

corsair just came out with a new H series that is super swag, google it.

 

[mfenn]

Well he said he will be using it for potential VM work, so more RAM isn't a bad thing, but with 16GB you have more than enough for a few VMs without too much hassle, you'll be hard pressed to use more than 8GB for gaming and regular day to day work, that leaves 8GB for VMs. If he plans on trying to run several VMs that each need 4GB+ RAM, then yeah, 32GB seems reasonable, but if he doesn't really see that happening then 32GB is a waste of money more than anything else as it wont do a thing for gaming.

Taking on the additional platform costs of X99 seems really silly unless you're going to go with more than 32GB of RAM. Below that, and you might as well just go Z97, VM hosts are rarely CPU-limited.

 

[kt401]

VM hosts are not, but the VMs themselves will greatly benefit from the two additional cores.

 

[mfenn]

VM hosts are not, but the VMs themselves will greatly benefit from the two additional cores.

Can you give us a little more detail at the tasks that you plan to virtualize?

 

[kt401]

I already recommended it.
a) Do not limit yourself to 4 mobos by insisting on mATX
b) 2 128gb ssds in raid 0 + platter for storage=cheaper+ more effective
The system I am talking about will be:
2x 128gb 840 pro in RAID0 (already owned)
5820K
Gigabyte x99 SOC Champion
Some Mushkin 2800Mhz RAM like..$50 a stick http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-667-_-Product
HD 7950 (already owned)
Only 2 motherboards will overclock the cache properly..and the SOC Champion is the lesser of the 2 in price.
There are 0 mATX motherboards that OC cache properly.
Cache makes a big difference with x99

I stated earlier that the small form factor is very important. The PC will be moved around a lot. I'm well aware that that there are better priced and better performing boards outside of the mATX form factor. The board you recommended is Extended ATX which requires a full tower cases. No bueno.

I also stated earlier that I have a FreeNAS box on my home network for storage. I don't want or need a platter drive in this computer. 1TB of incredibly fast storage will allow me to install all the applications and games I want, while allowing my VM's to really stretch their legs.

What's wrong with Crucial memory? You stated that they haven't been good for a while but I haven't read any bad reviews. They are cheaper than the Mushkin memory you recommended.

I've never heard of overclocking the CPU cache. What are the benefits of doing this?

 

[mfenn]

What's wrong with Crucial memory? You stated that they haven't been good for a while but I haven't read any bad reviews. They are cheaper than the Mushkin memory you recommended.

There's nothing wrong with Crucial memory. It works the same as any other RAM at the given specs. As a subsidiary of the three surviving DRAM makers, they get their hands on the top bins as well.

I've never heard of overclocking the CPU cache. What are the benefits of doing this?

The L1 and L2 cache runs at the core clock frequency, and the L3 runs at the uncore clock frequency.

That being said, I haven't seen any benchmarks that correlate increased L3 clock rate with higher performance. Not saying they aren't out there, but I haven't seen any.