New build advice for new member

[Mini Hep]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to build a high end gaming system that will also be used for game development in the near future, specifically programming.

Right now i don't really have a budget, but i am not willing to go all out and get the x79 chipset and lga 2011 cpu's.

I prefer Intel CPU's and i am going to migrate to Nvidia graphics. I also prefer ASUS Mobo's/Graphics Cards but i am open to any suggestions.

No keyboard/mouse/speakers/monitor required although i will be running everything on a 1920x1080 resolution with a second monitor of the same resolution in the near future. Games will only be running on one screen though.

No Overclocking, except maybe on the graphics card, but even then i will not be stuffing around with voltages.

No software needed

Here's What i have so far:

Mobo: Asus P8Z77-V Deluxe or WS (Normal P8Z77-V if ssd cache not needed)
Graphics: ASUS GTX680-2GD5( x 2 Eventually)
Hard Drive: I plan on keeping my current hard drives
SSD Cache: OCZ SSD Cache SYN-25SAT3-64G (Might not need)
Memory: G.Skill 8GB (With room to go to 16GB)
CPU: Intel Core i7 3770K (New Ivy Bridge Processor)
Optical Drive: Will be using my current one
Power Supply: Undecided
Case: Corsair 650D
Cooling: If Required

My current hard drives and optical drives are:

HDD's: Seagate 1TB SATA2/SATA3 3/6Gb/s 7200RPM 32MB Cache + 500GB
Optical Drive: LG BH10LS30 Blu-Ray Read/Writer

This build will be built once the new ivy bridge processors come out

As of now i have a few questions:

1. Will the 32MB cache HDD and 8~16GB Memory be good enough to warrant not getting the SSD Cache?

2. Is the 3770K to over the top?

3. What size power supply should i use?

4. Will any of this require air/liquid cooling even without overclocking/changing voltages?

I'm hoping this build will last me about 2 ~ 2.5 maybe even 3 years without having to upgrade again.

Thanks for any help guys.

 

[paperwastage]

1) i'd still go with the SSD cache (or a larger 120GB SSD for OS-only)...

2) if it fits your budget... it'll be a good performance-value (or the 2500k/2600k if retailers drop those prices when Ivy-Bridge comes out)

3) 500 (single GPUs)-700W(dual GPUs)

4) no matter what, unless you're comfortable with hitting 60+ C stock voltage stressed, i'd still get a <$30 cooler

 

[Mini Hep]

Thanks for the help, I've decided to go with the cache and the i7 3770k.

1. So will the 700W psu be enough to power everything else as well, including the dual GPU's?

2. Any suggestions for a cooler?

Thanks again for the help

 

[lehtv]

1. Will the 32MB cache HDD and 8~16GB Memory be good enough to warrant not getting the SSD Cache?

2. Is the 3770K to over the top?

3. What size power supply should i use?

4. Will any of this require air/liquid cooling even without overclocking/changing voltages?

1. What 32mb cache hdd? Amount of memory has nothing to do with SSD caching

2. For gaming, 3570K should give identical results for $100 less. But 3770K will benefit you in heavily multithreaded applications. I don't know whether your game development / programming tools benefit from hyperthreading.

3. Ivy Bridge processors will be 65W TDP and if you don't OC, that's not going to change. GTX 680 consumes less than 200W. A 500W PSU for a single GPU configuration, 750W for dual GPU would be enough.

4. If you don't plan to overclock, you won't need anything better than the stock Intel cooler. But if you're intending to build a quiet/silent rig, as it would seem from your choice of case, you'll probably want an aftermarket cooler.

Mobo: Asus P8Z77-V Deluxe or WS (Normal P8Z77-V if ssd cache not needed)
Graphics: ASUS GTX680-2GD5( x 2 Eventually)
Hard Drive: I plan on keeping my current hard drives
SSD Cache: OCZ SSD Cache SYN-25SAT3-64G (Might not need)
Memory: G.Skill 8GB (With room to go to 16GB)
CPU: Intel Core i7 3770K (New Ivy Bridge Processor)
Optical Drive: Will be using my current one
Power Supply: Undecided
Case: Corsair 650D
Cooling: If Required

Mobo: all Z77 chipset motherboards support SSD caching (Intel SRT)
Graphics: SLI will not be needed for 1080p; in 2-3 years you will want to upgrade to a faster single GPU instead. I'd recommend waiting for custom cooled 680's.
SSD cache: I can't say if it's better to cache an SSD or use it as a boot drive... depends on what you're caching, I suppose. For most people, a 128GB boot drive is a better idea, or 256GB if you have a big budget and want to fill it with stuff importnat to you e.g. games or project files.
Memory: Good as long as it's 1600mhz CL9 which can be had for $45 (any faster than that isn't worth the $)
CPU: Good.
PSU: let's see closer to the date you're building it
Case: Good.
CPU cooler: E.g. CM Hyper 212 Evo, CM Hyper 612 PWM or Scythe Mugen 3.

 

[mfenn]

1. What 32mb cache hdd? Amount of memory has nothing to do with SSD caching

He's referring to the amount of DRAM cache that HDD's have on board. They only exist to provide a bit of working space for the controller. They are so laughably small that the performance benefit of increasing the amount of cache on the HDD is nil.

OP, I agree with lehtv's analysis. In general usage and especially software development, you will see a far bigger bang for your buck from having a nice 128GB or 256GB SSD than you would from adding a second GTX 680.

Speaking of the GTX 680, I agree with lehtv that high-end cards in SLI are pointless for a middling resolution like 1080P. If you were talking about a 2560x1440 or 2560x1600 monitor (great for development by the way), I could see the reasoning.

 

[lehtv]

He's referring to the amount of DRAM cache that HDD's have on board

Right, of course. Brainfart

 

[Mini Hep]

Ok, so I've been doing some research and have read what you guys are saying. I'm dropping the ssd cache idea all together.

I also agree with just getting the one graphics card for now until i upgrade to a better resolution screen, which would probably be the point i will get a 128GB ssd, and consider the second graphics card.

I can also save on the psu as my current one is already 700W and should be more then enough to run everything. This also applies to the case.

I have decided to go for the i5 3570 as im pretty certain from what I've read that hyperthreading wont really benefit me at all while programming and since i wont be overclocking at the K version would be a waste.

Memory is now going to be Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9.

Is it still feasible to get a cooler for the i5?

As for motherboards would i benefit at all from getting the asus p8z77-ws or should i save and just go with the normal p8z77-v?

 

[Mini Hep]

Forget i said anything,

I decided to go with the p8z77-v and will get a <$30 cpu air cooler.

Thanks for all your help guys

 

[lehtv]

I can also save on the psu as my current one is already 700W and should be more then enough to run everything. This also applies to the case.

That's good. (In fact, Corsair 650D has gone up to $150 + $20 shipping so I would've recommended against that anyway.)

Just checking - what make/model is the PSU?

I decided to go with the p8z77-v and will get a <$30 cpu air cooler.

So you will or will not be overclocking? The only difference between z77 and h77 chipsets is that the latter can't overclock. It can do everything else. Although this is not necessarily the only difference between specific z77 and h77 motherboards, it's a chance to save a bit of cash if you're indeed not planning to overclock.

 

[Mini Hep]

The PSU is, Cooler Master Extreme Power+ 700W V2.3 according to my receipt.

No i wont be overclocking at all, i was thinking about changing clock speed on the 680 but the new GPU boost feature will probably be more reliable.

I didn't even check the h77's and since i wont be overclocking, and doing some research, it would definitely be better to get the h77. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Mini Hep]

One thing I'm not sure about the h77 though is in the specs on the ASUS website it doesn't seem to support SLI which i will be considering when i upgrade my monitor, which wont be anytime soon, but eventually.

Therefore wouldnt i save more buying the z77 now, instead of the h77, then the z77 later? Unless of course I'm mistaken and the h77 does support SLI

 

[lehtv]

The PSU is, Cooler Master Extreme Power+ 700W V2.3 according to my receipt.

I can't find any reviews on that one, but if its siblings are any good indicators, it's not a very good power supply.

hwsecrets extreme power plus 500W test
hwsecrets extreme power plus 600W test

The 500W model's ripple suppression was out of ATX specification at 390W load. The 600W model had serious problems with +12V regulation already at 480W load. Most of the power that a gaming PC uses is +12V. In effect, you're looking at power supplies that should be rated for 80% of their stated wattage at most. By extrapolation, your 700W unit is in reality a 550W unit.

You should be fine running this single GPU system off of your old PSU, but it definitely wouldn't be wrong to upgrade the PSU to something respectable while you're at it.

One thing I'm not sure about the h77 though is in the specs on the ASUS website it doesn't seem to support SLI which i will be considering when i upgrade my monitor, which wont be anytime soon, but eventually.

You're right, H77 doesn't support x8/x8 pcie. Sorry about that, go with Z77 if you do intend to upgrade the monitor to 2560 wide.

 

[Mini Hep]

Hmm, ill consider getting a corsair tx-650 which should still run the dual gpu system for under $100, any suggestions?

 

[lehtv]

TX650 has two PCIe connectors. For SLI/Crossfire you'll need four unless coupling cards that only need one 6-pin connector (e.g. HD7850 or HD6850). But it is capable of powering more power hungry cards as well, you just need molex->pcie cable adapters for that.

Here's a brief list of suggestions:

XFX 650W $60 AR (2 x 6-Pin, 2 x 6+2-Pin)
OCZ ZT750W $75 AR (4 x 6+2-pin, fully modular)
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 910W $85 AR AP today (2 x 6-Pin, 2 x 6+2-Pin, can accommodate a third card with cable adapters, 7 year warranty)
XFX 750W XXX $100 AR (4 x 6+2-Pin, semi-modular, 80+ Silver)

 

[mfenn]

One thing I'm not sure about the h77 though is in the specs on the ASUS website it doesn't seem to support SLI which i will be considering when i upgrade my monitor, which wont be anytime soon, but eventually.

Therefore wouldnt i save more buying the z77 now, instead of the h77, then the z77 later? Unless of course I'm mistaken and the h77 does support SLI

Bolded the key words. By the time you would want SLI, you would be better off upgrading to a faster single GPU and putting the then pokey GTX 680 out to pasture.

 

[Mini Hep]

Hmm, the xfx 750 is probably the way i will go. And yeah when the time comes to upgrade my monitor, ill have to ensure that there arent any new gpu's coming out,and if there are ill just wait instead of going with sli.

 

[lehtv]

Hmm, out of the options I offered I thought XFX 750 would be the least compelling choice. But it's not a bad one

 

[mfenn]

Hmm, out of the options I offered I thought XFX 750 would be the least compelling choice. But it's not a bad one

I agree. I don't think it's $40 better than the XFX 650W.