High-End Gaming System

[3xVicious]

Hello everyone,

I recently decided it was time for a new gaming system seeing as how my Alienware Laptop (Biggest mistake I ever made) is hanging on by a thread after 5 years of use.

My plan is to build a new Desktop PC that will last me for 3 - 5 years, by then I'll be finished with college and hopefully with a job in order to buy a new one.

This system will be used for a plethora of things, besides the standard use all computers go through, I'll be using Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, listening to music, and most important of all! Heavy Gaming! Games like Starcraft II, Diablo III, Bioware's new MMORPG and plenty of first person shooters.

I don't really have a price range because I see this as a huge investment, all though I don't want to spend something like $4,000, I'd be comfortable anywhere from $2,000 and $2,500.

I'll be buying all my parts from the United States (Newegg and Amazon). I've always been an AMD/nVidia Fanboy, but I've heard Intel has really stepped their game up since Dual Core when it comes to gaming. I'm also a Western Digital Fanboy, but seeing how they haven't jumped on the SSD bandwagon yet, that point is moot.

I've searched a few threads here and there but for the most part I'm behind on the times. So I really need help figuring out what my best choices are for getting as close as possible to a 3-Year Obsolete-Proof system. As far as Resolution goes I enjoy 1920x1080 on my laptop though I rarely get a chance to use it on newer games. I'd prefer a nice Monitor with amazing clarity and resolution for games.

I'd like to get this built as soon as possible, however since I've heard I have to wait a few more months for Sandy Bridge Motherboards to become available once again, I have no choice but to wait till April at the very least.

Computer Case:
SilverStone RV02B-EW 0.8 mm Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - $178

Processor:
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.40GHz Processor with 8 MB Cache - $330

Graphics Card:
EVGA GeForce GTX 580 Superclocked 1536MB GDDR5 PCI-E 2.0 Graphics Card - $520

Motherboard:
ASUS MAXIMUS IV EXTREME LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard - $350

Memory:
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 – $100 x 2

Solid State Drive:
Intel 510 Series 2.5" 120GB SATA III 6GB/s 34nm MLC Solid State Drive - $280

Hard Drive:
Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache Internal Hard Drive - $65

Sound Card:
None

Power Supply:
XFX Black Edition 750W ATX12V Power Supply - $130

Optical Drive:
LG WH10LS30 10X Internal Blu-Ray Burner - $97

Heatsink Fan:
COOLER MASTER V6 RR-V6SV-22PR-R1 DynaLoop CPU Cooler w/ Universal Bracket - $53
Cooler Master 120mm Red LED Case Fan R4-L2R-20CR-GP - $10

Monitor:
ASUS VG236HE 23" Full HD 3D Widescreen LCD Monitor - $340

Operating System:
Windows 7 Professional Upgrade - $65

Total Price: $2,633

While completely unnecessary, I figured I'd post the Equipment I'd be using on this machine...

Gaming Keyboard:
Logitech G19 Programmable Gaming Keyboard with Color Display - $145

Gaming Mouse:
RAZER Mamba Black 7 Buttons USB Laser Gaming Mouse - $110

Gaming Headset:
RAZER Megalodon Gold-plated USB Connector Circumaural 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset - $150

Gaming Mousepad:
Razer Vespula Dual-Sided Gaming Mouse Mat - $30

This build isn't final, it really depends on whether the GeForce GTX 590 will be released before the new Sandy Bridge Motherboards are distributed and how much the price will be. I'm also looking into the new Intel SATA III SSDs, specifically the 120GB set at $280. I'd also really like you're input on a High End Heat Sink that looks nice and doesn't take up space from the memory.

For my Processor I'm still not sure on which one to choose, so long as the difference is less than $100, I'd prefer the faster one. On Memory, I heard that Sandy Bridge only does Dual Channel. Otherwise I'm fine with Triple Channel, or even 2 Dual Channel Sets.

If I need to save money in the end I'll probably downgrade the extra Hard Drive and I'm undecided on the Sound Card, I've heard it isn't necessary anymore but if I had to choose one it would probably be the ASUS since I've heard good things.

I definitely want a SSD Boot Drive anywhere from 120GB or Higher, but I heard that Intel was releasing an SATA III sometime this month, now I'm not sure how much it'll cost but if its cheaper then $400 I'm all for it. Otherwise I'd love suggestions on other SATA III or FAST SATA II SSDs.

As for Monitors I'm not sure anymore, I don't want anything bigger then 27" and even then its a bit overboard. I'd be happy with a 23" or a 21" I'm far more interested in the quality. If you can suggest a Monitor at around 200, 300, and 400 dollars, that'd be great.

Please keep in mind that since I won't be upgrading till Sandy Bridge is ready that I'm open to all suggestions, not of those components are set in stone, if a better video card comes out between now and then, than I'm all for it... I all open for any suggestions or criticisms you all have.

 

[strep3241]

If you are going to use the HDD for data storage, then there is no point in getting a Velociraptor. Just get a standard 7200rpm drive and use the SSD for the boot drive.

I would personally go for the i7 2600. And since you do not plan on overclocking, you should be able to use the stock heatsink. I have heard that they are much better now and I have also heard SB cpu's run cooler as well.

For the motherboard, you don't have to wait for the replacement SB motherboards if you don't want to. Although myself, I would probably wait for the replacement boards. Not all of the SATA ports are affected so just use the ones that are not affected.

IMO, a sound card is worth it if you really enjoy listening to music. It sounds much better than my onboard sound. I am using a Creative x-fi extreme gamer and I love it.

 

[mnewsham]

Here is a monitor for you.

If you are getting an SSD right this minute then i guess get this. Though you should probably wait for the new generation if you are already waiting for SB.

This is a fine motherboard (when it comes back)

In my opinion velociraptor is a waste and would get this instead.

SB likes 1.5v RAM you wont really get a tangible difference with that ram honestly cheap 1333Mhz RAM is fine. this is a good set.


Heatsink

Sound card isnt needed, i use an external DAC for my headphones but my headphones need more then your average headphones, for the normal user onboard sound is fine.

The i7-2600k is a waste of money for anything except video/photo work and VM's

that's all iv got right now if more comes to me i'l post.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

a CPU with Turbo modes (e.g. Core i5-2500), you can overclock, but just a bit. In short, you are limited to an overclock of 4 processor bins above and beyond the highest turbo frequency.

the K-series of CPUs, with the Core i5-2500K and Core i7-2600K chips are fully unlocked and will let you overclock them as far as the CPU and/or your cooling can sustain.

Heres a example

 

[mnewsham]

a CPU with Turbo modes (e.g. Core i5-2500), you can overclock, but just a bit. In short, you are limited to an overclock of 4 processor bins above and beyond the highest turbo frequency.

the K-series of CPUs, with the Core i5-2500K and Core i7-2600K chips are fully unlocked and will let you overclock them as far as the CPU and/or your cooling can sustain.

Heres a example

I assumed OP meant 2500k and 2600k BUT if he didnt then he should only get a "K" series chip. good catch.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Mobos

ASUS SABERTOOTH P67 SATA6Gb/s USB3.0 ATX
ASUS P8P67 EVO CF/SLI 8x/8x 4xUSB3.0 Bluetooth
GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD7 CF/SLI (2*16x,2*8x) 6xUSB3.0
ASUS MAXIMUS IV EXTREME 3-Way SLI 8xUSB3.0 E-ATX

Cooling
Zalman CNPS10X Performa CPU Cooler
Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU Cooler

Lamptron Fan Controller, 6 Channels, Up to 45W each
AC Fluid Dynamic .3k-1.35k RPM Max 57 CFM w/ 4 Pin PWM
Panaflo 120mm x 38mm

For the HDD i would make a change

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB SATA<--------------- Storage
OCZ Vertex 2 SF 3.5&#8243; 180GB SATA II SSD <-------------OS drive


Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X + Turbulence II Series 8GB - 2 x 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133<----------RAM can require manual configuration within the BIOS to reach its full potential or function properly! Not much of that happening with a non K version

 

[3xVicious]

I actually mentioned that I do not Overclock, which is why I didn't want to go with a i5 2500K or i7 2600K. Since I've never overclocked in my life. I'm mainly confused between choosing a i5 2500 or a i7 2600.

As for the Hard Drive, I assumed the a 10,000 RPM drive would be much faster? I move files around a lot and while I don't have a lot of Media compared to most, I do have around 200 Gigs. I also backup files in an External Hard Drive so I want a fast transfer between my External and Internal Hard Drive. Is the VelociRaptor still not recommended?

I'm also confused about the OCZ SSD, I was actually deciding between that and Intel but I heard that if you order the OCZ you would not be getting the speeds it specified, something about changing chips or something?

 

[3xVicious]

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X + Turbulence II Series 8GB - 2 x 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133<----------RAM can require manual configuration within the BIOS to reach its full potential or function properly! Not much of that happening with a non K version

Would G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 be better? And if I decided the get a K Version, can I use the memory at stock settings or do I actually have to Overclock? Something I've never done before. Also would two sets be beneficial in a Gaming System or can Sandy Bridge systems not even handle that properly?

 

[yottabit]

Honestly if you have $2500 and you want a gaming computer that can last over the next 3-5 years. I don't think you need to spend all that money on a Gtx 580, esp. not at the resolution you mentioned and those games. Unless you absolutely HAVE to max everything out at full AA and AF. I think a 6950/70 or 570/560Ti would be great for you, and then a couple years down the line you will have the money to buy a new video card. I honestly can't see an i7 2600k being outdated for games in 3-5 years the way technology has been going lately, especially if you plan on overclocking it. It's the video card that is hard to future proof.

 

[mnewsham]

I actually mentioned that I do not Overclock, which is why I didn't want to go with a i5 2500K or i7 2600K. Since I've never overclocked in my life. I'm mainly confused between choosing a i5 2500 or a i7 2600.

As for the Hard Drive, I assumed the a 10,000 RPM drive would be much faster? I move files around a lot and while I don't have a lot of Media compared to most, I do have around 200 Gigs. I also backup files in an External Hard Drive so I want a fast transfer between my External and Internal Hard Drive. Is the VelociRaptor still not recommended?

I'm also confused about the OCZ SSD, I was actually deciding between that and Intel but I heard that if you order the OCZ you would not be getting the speeds it specified, something about changing chips or something?

The new 25nm NAND chips have some quirk but it seems to be on the lower capacity models, find a review site that did a review most of them (if not all) had the 120 GB version and it performed quite well. As to overclocking Sandybridge is ridiculously easy to overclock, just change the multiplier from the base to 40, or 41 or 42 depending on your cooling and how much you want to risk it (not much of a risk) besides, if you dont want to mess around with that almost EVERY motherboard comes with an OC tool that will Auto OC everything for you.

And yes a 10k RPM HDD is faster it wont matter as most of the stuff that needs the speed will be on the SSD

 

[yottabit]

Would G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 be better? And if I decided the get a K Version, can I use the memory at stock settings or do I actually have to Overclock? Something I've never done before.

With the K series (and all sandybridge in fact) all the overclocking is done through the CPU multiplier, so most people just leave their DRAM at stock. Sandy bridge moved the FSB clock generator off the motherboard and onto the chip

Honestly about hard drives if you want to move around lots of large files the key factor for you is the platter density. The newer, larger 7200 RPM drives are so much faster than what you are probably used to, and certainly anything thats in your laptop. My Western Digital 1TB Blues that are probably considered "old" now can do ~140 MB/s transferring large files between each other, and prob about 120 on average. And I only paid about $60 each for them...

 

[mnewsham]

Would G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 be better? And if I decided the get a K Version, can I use the memory at stock settings or do I actually have to Overclock? Something I've never done before.

RAM speeds are not that important RAM voltages are MORE important.

 

[3xVicious]

The new 25nm NAND chips have some quirk but it seems to be on the lower capacity models, find a review site that did a review most of them (if not all) had the 120 GB version and it performed quite well. As to overclocking Sandybridge is ridiculously easy to overclock, just change the multiplier from the base to 40, or 41 or 42 depending on your cooling and how much you want to risk it (not much of a risk) besides, if you dont want to mess around with that almost EVERY motherboard comes with an OC tool that will Auto OC everything for you.

And yes a 10k RPM HDD is faster it wont matter as most of the stuff that needs the speed will be on the SSD

Well that saves me a quick $150. As for Overclocking, if its truly that easy than I'll definitely go with a i7 2600k. Is 1.5v still recommended for that or is the 1.65v fine? I picked those Memory Sticks earlier because it a 9-11-9-28 Timing.

 

[mnewsham]

Well that saves me a quick $150. As for Overclocking, if its truly that easy than I'll definitely go with a i7 2600k. Is 1.5v still recommended for that or is the 1.65v fine? I picked those Memory Sticks earlier because it a 9-11-9-28 Timing.

1.5v is what is needed, and the 2500k is a better deal there is NO need for gaming to get the 2600k no reason at all.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

If you are not that much into gaming with this machine, get an IPS panel, if you are a hardcore gamer then get a 120Hz LCD. Also consider a 500Hz or > polling rated mouse.

 

[3xVicious]

Gaming will be a major point of this system, but I also mentioned I'll be doing Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects and I heard that the i5 doesn't have Hyperthreading while the i7 does. I mean if the i5 actually has better benchmarks than the i7 than I'll choose the i5, but if i7 isn't recommended because its considered overkill, I don't mind overkill.

 

[mnewsham]

Gaming will be a major point of this system, but I also mentioned I'll be doing Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects and I heard that the i5 doesn't have Hyperthreading while the i7 does. I mean if the i5 actually has better benchmarks than the i7 than I'll choose the i5, but if i7 isn't recommended because its considered overkill, I don't mind overkill.

It isn't overkill but hyper threading is useless for gaming so you gain hyper threading for 100 bucks but gain no real performance in games.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

What's more important, Adobe Photoshop & After Effects or Gaming?

and +1 for a Samsung F3 1Tb

 

[yottabit]

1.5v is what is needed, and the 2500k is a better deal there is NO need for gaming to get the 2600k no reason at all.

for what he's doing (trying to future proof) I do think he should get the 2600k. In the next 3-5 years I foresee having a cpu with only 4 logical threads a big downfall... hyperthreading will at least help the CPU still be competent at 8 core tasks, much like the i3's are still relevant today

 

[mnewsham]

for what he's doing (trying to future proof) I do think he should get the 2600k. In the next 3-5 years I foresee having a cpu with only 4 logical threads a big downfall... hyperthreading will at least help the CPU still be competent at 8 core tasks, much like the i3's are still relevant today

He can get the cheaper CPU today and save the 100 for Ivybridge.

 

[3xVicious]

Well if the i5 is truly better for Gaming, than I'll go with that. As for the monitors, I am a Hardcore Gamer so if a 120Hz monitor is better for it, than I'm all for it... But I only found 120Hz in 3D Monitors, the highest I found otherwise is 75Hz. So I'm assuming a 3D Monitor is recommended even if I wouldn't use the features?

 

[mnewsham]

Well if the i5 is truly better for Gaming, than I'll go with that. As for the monitors, I am a Hardcore Gamer so if a 120Hz monitor is better for it, than I'm all for it... But I only found 120Hz in 3D Monitors, the highest I found otherwise is 75Hz. So I'm assuming a 3D Monitor is recommended even if I wouldn't use the features?

All 120hz are 3d monitors (that's what makes it 3d displaying two pictures at 60hz each=120hz) but you dont need to use 3D to use the 120hz refresh rate.

 

[3xVicious]

ASUS VG236HE 23", Acer GD235HZ 23.6" or LG W2363D-PF 23

All three seem to be decently priced, I was leaning towards LG because of their experience in Monitors/Televisions, but I have no idea. Any Suggestions?

 

[mnewsham]

The ASUS has the best rating the Acer has the most rating but the LG has poor ratings.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

If you really want to get technical on those monitors/LCDs check out some forums on them... those people really know their stuff.. from what I can vaguely recall, the Acer was the first 1080 @ 120Hz and the Asus *i think* has the same guts..