Luxury System Build $2-3k for Gaming/Scientific Computing/Simulations

[TheChuckster]

Any suggestions???

$180 COOLER MASTER HAF X Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225

$429.99 ASUS Rampage IV Extreme LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131802

$569.99 Intel Core i7-3930K Sandy Bridge-E 3.2GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116492

$349.99 CORSAIR Vengeance 64GB (8 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233384

$185.99 ASUS Xonar Essence STX Virtual 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Express x1 Interface 124 dB SNR / Headphone AMP Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010

$89.99 Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 140mm and 120mm SSO CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608024

I should preface this by saying I'm doing less gaming and more programming today than I was while I was in college so I'm planning on keeping my Geforce GTX 560 and waiting until the next generation of cards arrive from Nvidia (7-series?). I'm really in favor of having an LGA 2011 socket because the upcoming Ivy Bridge-E CPUs will support it (looking to upgrade to hex-core Ivy Bridge when it comes out). I'm pretty set on having a six-core CPU since I do scientific computing projects that are highly multi-threaded involving heavy-duty linear algebra and the like as a professional electrical and aerospace engineer.

The motherboard and RAM might be overkill (call me out if they are)!!!

The high-end sound card is definitely not overkill though since I am a headphone/music addict. The Cirrus Logic DAC on that sound card, along with an actual impedance-matched headphone amplifier, swappable opamp chip socket, and EMI shielding make it THAT much better for me than integrated or any brand-name **** from Creative.

PROBLEM: I can't seem to find the perfect case. The HAF X is pretty good -- everyone speaks highly of it -- except the front panel is made out of plastic and it is not so silent. I do like its large cooling fans though (> 200 mm). I'm really looking for a quiet aluminum full-tower case with USB 3.0 front panel. A built-in SSD mount would be nice as well. If you have any suggestions for something that would better fit these criteria, please let me know.

You might notice a missing optical drive, hard drive, and SSD. I already have these items from my old build, and so I am recycling them. I don't care for Bluray (shiver me timbers! ). I also have a 750W Corsair power supply (made by Seasonic) that I plan on using. Let me know if this is not adequate power for what I'm doing.

NOTE: I plan on OC'ing the CPU to 4.5 GHz on air cooling -- notice the Noctua fan. Is there a better air cooler out there? I don't plan on going to water.

 

[MysteriousRJC]

Is there an emoticon for drool? Insert here.

 

[dmoney1980]

my suggestions:

Case: Corsair 650D $180 after rebate, plus 10% off code - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139006

CPU Cooler: Phanteks dual 140 $89 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835709011

other than that, looks great!

nevermind the 650D case. Just noticed your motherboard is E-ATX. You'd have to move up to the 800D to get support for that

 

[T_Yamamoto]

My suggestion, total waste of money.
Board is overkill, ram is overkill
Do you really think you're going to use all 64? Do you really need those extra features on the board?

 

[KentState]

My only recommendation is to get a less feature packed MB. I went the overkill route and ended up turning most of the features off in the BIOS. Get one of the cheaper Asus MB that support 8 memory slots and put the extra dough towards your next video card.

 

[mfenn]

My only recommendation is to get a less feature packed MB. I went the overkill route and ended up turning most of the features off in the BIOS. Get one of the cheaper Asus MB that support 8 memory slots and put the extra dough towards your next video card.

:thumbsup: Good suggestion.

OP, given what you're doing, a hex-core definitely makes sense. However, you can save a bunch of money while not loosing any performance by making a few smart cuts:

- CPU: Good
- Mobo: Overkill. What you're doing doesn't really need a massive E-ATX board. Add to that the fact that "tweaker" boards like the Extreme IV are made for high-OC death runs and emphasize performance over stability, and the board starts looking like a really bad choice. Something like the ASUS P9X79 LE will do what you need very stably for $240, and makes it so that you don't have to get an E-ATX case.
- RAM: If you really need 64GB, you can do it for less money and with none of the clearance issues that the Vengeance DIMMs have if you get 8 of these low-profile, low-voltage DDR3 1600 DIMMs.
- Sound card: Misguided. If you want good sound, you need to get outside of the EMI storm that is a computer case. Get a good external DAC like a NuForce and call it a day.
- HSF: Fine
- Case: When you lose the E-ATX requirement, your choices get a lot nicer if you want a quiet case. The Corsair 550D, Fractal Design R4, and Antec P280 are all good choices.

Also don't worry about upgrading SB-E to IB-E (unless work is paying for it or something). You'll be looking at 20% gains at most for another ~$600.