New build - how does this look?

[Rangoon]

From Blain's guide to build advice posts:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$2500

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Not really, but I do have positive histories with:
• Intel (and years ago, AMD)
• Corsair
• WD
• nVidia
• Antec
• OCZ
• EVGA

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

I'm basically building two computers out of one, but I'll treat this like a new build except where indicated.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

Yes, and have done what feels like about 70% of my total research so far.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Yes, overclocking

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

1920x1080 on one display and 1920x1200 on a second.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Within about two weeks.

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.

Lay it on me.


Case : Cooler Master HAF X 932 or 942 or Antec P193
I currently have a P182 which I love. Helped a friend build a rig with a coolermaster case, and liked that one as well (can't recall the exact model).

PSU : Corsair Professional Series HX1050
Will this be enough? The price of the 1200W is just that much harder to stomach.

MB : Asus Maximus IV Extreme-Z

CPU : Intel Quad Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz

Cooling : Still looking for a good liquid cooling solution. I'd like to be able to cool the CPU and one or two video cards at least, probably RAM too. My research is behind in this area and it'll be my first time with liquid cooling.

GPU : EVGA GeForce GTX 570 HD 2560MB in SLI
or possible 1 GTX 580, and either now or later a second 580. I do want to have at least 2GB of video ram on each card. This would also be my first SLI setup, if I go that route.

RAM : Corsair XMS3 8GB DDR3 1600Mhz

SC : Creative 7.1 Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium

SSD : OCA Vertex 240GB SATA III
does Vertex 2 or 3 make a huge difference?

HDD : Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200 RPM
(this I already have)

ODD : Blu Ray
I'd like to be able to play 3D Blu Ray, and write DVDs. Another area lacking in my research so far.

Display 1 : Panasonic TCP50ST30 50" plasma, 3D, 1080p, 1080 lines of MPR
this I have ordered already

Display 2 : DoubleSight 263N 26.5" LCD, 1920x1200
This I already have.

Sound System : ?
I already have a nice Creative 7.1 system from many years back which is still working well. I would like to hand that one off to the secondary system, though, and get something new for this build. Not sure what. 7.1, though, unless a 5.1 system seems better for some reason.

Mouse : Logitech G9
Might want to get a new one in this same series.

Mouse Surface : XTRAC PADS Ripper Optical Mouse Pad
This I already have.

Keyboard : Logitech G15
Might want to get a new one in this same series.

Microphone : Logitech USB desktop microphone
This I already have.

OS : Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
This I already have.

I'd appreciate any opinions or advice. I do need to get another LCD for the secondary computer (this build being the new primary). But for now I guess my biggest questions have to do with the video cards and power supply.

Is it time to take the SLI plunge? Seems like microstutter has been greatly reduced. I do have my primary 1920x1080 display to run for games, but would like to also have the 1920x1200 LCD as a second display (EVE Online for example, flight sims 2D windows, and to have a browser open on the 2nd display during games). I don't intend to ever stretch a 3D game across the two displays. I also would like to try some 3D gaming, since the Panasonic has that capability. I also would like to be able to run max settings (of course) and to be able to record through Fraps at the same time in at least most situations. So I heavily emphasize graphics power, but at the same am still hesitant to go with two GTX 580s, especially if I want above-standard video RAM available on each card. The two 570s might be the sweet spot for me in that sense. But I would rather spend more and get two 580s than be frustrated given my graphics experience goal.

The question then becomes how much power do I really need? I also need to make sure I have the power available in the box in my house, but before that I need to sort out what I need for the plasma screen and the video cards (plus everything else).

Thanks!

 

[mfenn]

It isn't necessary to spend $2500 to game at 1080P, even in 3D.

i5 2500K $215 - i7 2600K is worthless for gaming
GA-Z68XP-UD3 $110 - no need to spend a bunch of money on a mobo
G.Skill DDR3 1600 8GB $30 - $30, how can you say no?
6950 2GB x2 $490 AR - can potentially unlock to 6970
Crucial M4 128GB $210 - more reliable than an OCZ
HDD - keep the one you have, though you might want to consider a second drive dedicated to FRAPS
LG BD-RW $65
Corsair 750TX $70 AR - will handle 6970 CFX just fine
Antec P280 $140 - most up to date version
Total: $1330 AR

This is without the custom water cooling loop. Head over to the Cases and Cooling forum and aigo will hook you up.

 

[Rangoon]

Thanks, mfenn.

I suppose I'll also be doing some video and audio work, but the primary use is for gaming and recording games.

I would think that the i7 would help with CPU-limited games like RTS and some flight sims, though, wouldn't it?

It also seems like a lot of people are still struggling with frame rates on some games, and if I intend to play them at max settings as well as record them smoothly, I want to do what I can to cover my bases. It's possible that I'll wind up with overkill on 90% of the games out right now. That said, I'm also trying to be reasonable. And if I can get away with as much for less, then I have more money left over for the next upgrade.

My intention with the motherboard was for overclocking ease and stability, but I'll take a look at the one you linked. I'm still not convinced about returning to AMD yet for video cards. Don't they still have issues with physics and slow driver updates, as well as more heat and noise? how does crossfire compare to SLI currently for overall support of titles and microstutter?

Thanks for all of the tips. I didn't even know about the P280.

 

[fastamdman]

The i5 is better in a price to performance aspect and FPS wise it does just about the same as the i7 does. For the price, the 2500k is a better deal currently. If you have the extra cash and do things that will use the extra cores, feel free though. I have a 2500k and it does just fine. Also ordered a 2600k though for folding at home

The thing that will help most for frame rates is the GPU. A nice 2500k overclocked to 4.5 with a hyper 212+ cooler will do you well. I would look into 30 dollar cases too The antec 300 is amazing.

 

[lehtv]

For a dual-GPU setup I would definitely consider a better case for cooling purposes. P280 isn't built for cooling, it's built for silence. Take a look at Fractal Design Arc Midi, Corsair 500R, Silverstone Raven RV02. For custom water cooling though I don't know which case works best for you.

I would think that the i7 would help with CPU-limited games like RTS and some flight sims, though, wouldn't it?

Only if the game takes advantage of more than 4 threads. Very few games do. BF3 online is one example that benefits from 2600K (on medium settings but not ultra, see here).

 

[Rangoon]

It's true I can actually focus on function alone with the case in this build. I plan on putting it in a cabinet, so the appearance is irrelevant.

 

[Arachnotronic]

The Core i7 2600K is probably worth it only if you're doing non-game thread heavy stuff. I don't think there are any games that really care much about at the 4 physical core level.

Go nab yourself an awesome deal on the 2500K and call it a day.

Now as for graphics, I'd recommend a single GTX 580 now and then add to it later when needed. By the time you need a 2nd GTX 580, they'll be dirt cheap on FS/FT. However, I would nudge you to consider 2x Radeon 6970s right off the bat.

 

[fastamdman]

The 580s can already be had for 350-400 used

 

[mfenn]

However, I would nudge you to consider 2x Radeon 6970s right off the bat.

Look up a few posts.

It's true I can actually focus on function alone with the case in this build. I plan on putting it in a cabinet, so the appearance is irrelevant.

Please don't do that. You can get the case with the best airflow in the world, but it will all be for naught if you suffocate it in an enclosed space.

 

[mfenn]

I would think that the i7 would help with CPU-limited games like RTS and some flight sims, though, wouldn't it?

No, not really. Hyperthreading is great for things like web servers that have a ton of threads or rendering where you are waiting for memory access most of the time. It is not so good for physics and AI calculations.

It also seems like a lot of people are still struggling with frame rates on some games, and if I intend to play them at max settings as well as record them smoothly, I want to do what I can to cover my bases. It's possible that I'll wind up with overkill on 90% of the games out right now. That said, I'm also trying to be reasonable. And if I can get away with as much for less, then I have more money left over for the next upgrade.

If there is any game out there that cannot be run smoothly on a pair of unlocked 6950's, you pretty much aren't going to be running it smoothly with any "reasonable" setup. The few percent difference between that and GTX 580 SLI isn't going to make the difference between playable and unplayable.

I'm still not convinced about returning to AMD yet for video cards. Don't they still have issues with physics and slow driver updates, as well as more heat and noise? how does crossfire compare to SLI currently for overall support of titles and microstutter?

I think that you're dating yourself a little here. AMD has been lower heat and noise than Nvidia ever since the HD 4000 series. AMD also has a monthly driver release schedule, with hotfixes in between as necessary. Nvidia is a lot more scattershot. Both still having issues with scaling and microstutter in some games, but it's not like one is better than another on average.

 

[Rangoon]

Please don't do that. You can get the case with the best airflow in the world, but it will all be for naught if you suffocate it in an enclosed space.

I understand what you're saying. I'm trying to get a better setup in the room where I am. For what it's worth, I have had zero temp/stability issue with my current computer in the same cabinet. I am using an overclocked GTX 285 and an e8400 at 3.8GHz. I have extremely little dust, and the cabinet is next to a very cold wall. Seems to work fine.

No, not really. Hyperthreading is great for things like web servers that have a ton of threads or rendering where you are waiting for memory access most of the time. It is not so good for physics and AI calculations.

Thanks for the explanation. The 2500K does sound like a good option.

 

[dakU7]

It isn't necessary to spend $2500 to game at 1080P, even in 3D.

i5 2500K $215 - i7 2600K is worthless for gaming
GA-Z68XP-UD3 $110 - no need to spend a bunch of money on a mobo
G.Skill DDR3 1600 8GB $30 - $30, how can you say no?
6950 2GB x2 $490 AR - can potentially unlock to 6970
Crucial M4 128GB $210 - more reliable than an OCZ
HDD - keep the one you have, though you might want to consider a second drive dedicated to FRAPS
LG BD-RW $65
Corsair 750TX $70 AR - will handle 6970 CFX just fine
Antec P280 $140 - most up to date version
Total: $1330 AR

This is without the custom water cooling loop. Head over to the Cases and Cooling forum and aigo will hook you up.

I'd get this and buy a nice 1600p monitor with the rest of the money.

 

[mfenn]

I'd get this and buy a nice 1600p monitor with the rest of the money.

You mean 2560x1600? 16:10 forever!

I agree though. A nice monitor is a "good" way to blow of money on a PC. "Good" in that you are getting still spending a lot of money, but at least you get something tangible for it.