New build- Input requested

[Boyo]

I plan on building this work/gaming computer in September. It will be used for multitasking and gaming. Programs used will be video encoding, Photoshop, Adobe Editing, multiple Chrome windows and COD4, Black Ops and Halo. My budget will be $2000-$2500 and only a new WD Caviar Black 2TB HDD will be kept. My old rig will go to my dad. I will be overclocking and playing games in 1280x1024 resolution. I like Asus mobo's and Corsair memory.

Asus P6X58D 1366
Intel I7 930
XFX Radeon HD 5870
Corsair Dominator 3x2GB
Kingston SSDNow V+ 128GB
Corsair 850HX PSU
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Corsair Obsidian 800D

 

[mfenn]

Holy crap, I don't think you'll need $2K for that build!

What you have right now is decent, but two things that I would definitely change are the RAM and SSD. Dominator is good RAM, but it is too expensive for what it is. Some G.Skill is just as good and much cheaper. The SSDNow V+ doesn't use that great of a controller. I would go with a Sandforce drive like the OCZ Vertex 2 or Agility 2.

You should also consider a P55 based build if you don't think that you will do something like >2-way SLI/CFX. That'll end up being much cheaper and allow you to go for 8GB of RAM.

 

[jchu14]

take the budget you didn't spend and get a new monitor or two! Your gaming experience and productivity will greatly enhanced. Two of these dell U2311H e-IPS monitor @ $289 each would be glorious.

 

[Sp12]

I second getting a new monitor. PSU and vidcard are probably a bit overkill.

 

[darkewaffle]

Use that budget, get yourself a nice monitor. Then get a system.

 

[Boyo]

OK. I will get an upgrade to the monitor. What size is recommended? I am also changing the SSD to an OCZ Vertex 2 120GB.

How would the build look then?

Asus P6X58D 1366
Intel I7 930
XFX Radeon HD 5870
Corsair Dominator 3x2GB
OCZ Vertex 2 120GB
Corsair 850HX PSU
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Corsair Obsidian 800D
Monitor...

 

[mfenn]

jchu's suggestion of a U2311H is a good one considering the graphics work that you will be doing. If you want to spend a little more, you can always go with it's bigger brother the U2410.

 

[Boyo]

jchu's suggestion of a U2311H is a good one considering the graphics work that you will be doing. If you want to spend a little more, you can always go with it's bigger brother the U2410.

Great. Thanks for the advice on the monitor. I'll take a look at that one. Is the build solid after those changes???

 

[mfenn]

Great. Thanks for the advice on the monitor. I'll take a look at that one. Is the build solid after those changes???

I think the 850HX is a bit overkill, but it is solid.

 

[darkewaffle]

Everything that you listed in your previous post looks good. Depending on how big/intense the graphics + video work you do are, you may benefit from more than 6GB of RAM. What kind of projects are you talking about?

Also for overclocking you'll be wanting a good HSF. For high end, you're looking at a Noctua NH-D14, a Cogage Arrow, a Thermalright Ultra Extreme+, or a Prolimatech Megahalems. They're all within a degree or two of each other normally; personally I chose a NH-D14. For midrange, a Cooler Master Hyper 212+ or Scythe Mugen2 or some of the smaller Noctua units.

Also fans. I don't know what comes in the Corsair case, but it's something to think about.

For monitors, the dell ultrasharp series have been good choices for a few years now. NEC also makes a number of excellent units, and HP's Z24RW are worth considering as well. The most important thing to consider is the panel used; you'll almost certainly be wanting an IPS panel.

 

[Boyo]

Everything that you listed in your previous post looks good. Depending on how big/intense the graphics + video work you do are, you may benefit from more than 6GB of RAM. What kind of projects are you talking about?

Also for overclocking you'll be wanting a good HSF. For high end, you're looking at a Noctua NH-D14, a Cogage Arrow, a Thermalright Ultra Extreme+, or a Prolimatech Megahalems. They're all within a degree or two of each other normally; personally I chose a NH-D14. For midrange, a Cooler Master Hyper 212+ or Scythe Mugen2 or some of the smaller Noctua units.

Also fans. I don't know what comes in the Corsair case, but it's something to think about.

For monitors, the dell ultrasharp series have been good choices for a few years now. NEC also makes a number of excellent units, and HP's Z24RW are worth considering as well. The most important thing to consider is the panel used; you'll almost certainly be wanting an IPS panel.

Thanks for the advice. I am changing the RAM from the 6GB Dominator to Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1600 4x2GB. Does the W7 Home Premium 64bit have a RAM limit?

I am also ordering the Thermalright 120 Ultra Extreme. Plus 8x120mm Fans for cooling.

I am going to look for a Dell Ultrasharp 23" or 24".

 

[Sp12]

Thanks for the advice. I am changing the RAM from the 6GB Dominator to Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1600 4x2GB. Does the W7 Home Premium 64bit have a RAM limit?

The X58 platform runs in triple channel mode, but can downstep to dual or single channel. However, using 4 memory modules forces it into either 2+2 or 3+1 mode, which hinders performance in comparison to native triple channel.

If your projects aren't too complex 6GB is likely more than enough.

Additionally, those Corsair rams use 1.65 volts, which can put stress on the IMC, disregarding the reduced overclocking headroom and increased power consumption. Does the ram have to be Corsair?

 

[Boyo]

The X58 platform runs in triple channel mode, but can downstep to dual or single channel. However, using 4 memory modules forces it into either 2+2 or 3+1 mode, which hinders performance in comparison to native triple channel.

If your projects aren't too complex 6GB is likely more than enough.

Additionally, those Corsair rams use 1.65 volts, which can put stress on the IMC, disregarding the reduced overclocking headroom and increases power consumption, does the ram have to be Corsair?

No, if the Dominator really has no real world performance edge over regular DDR3 1600 RAM, then I would be willing to switch to another brand if it was as good as Corsair has been to me for years.

Thanks for the tip on the Corsair RAM. I will get rid of those and wait for a better suggestion.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the advice. I am changing the RAM from the 6GB Dominator to Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1600 4x2GB. Does the W7 Home Premium 64bit have a RAM limit?

Yes, but it's 16GB for the 64-bit version.

 

[Sp12]

Thanks for the tip on the Corsair RAM. I will get rid of those and wait for a better suggestion.

The G.Skill in the first post are 1.5 volts. The timings may be worse, but for some reason DDR3 timings don't really impact real-world performance.

Do you feel like your projects are complex enough to be pushing 6GB?

Also, how multithreaded are your programs? Are you looking to spend all/most of your budget, or is less more?

 

[Boyo]

I am currently suffering at 2GB of RAM so I really want to make sure that I am covered for my programs. Plus I heavily multitask, so I need power. But if 6GB of RAM is sufficient, I can go with that. I read a lot of G. Skill recommendations on here. I will spend my entire budget.

 

[Sp12]

I am currently suffering at 2GB of RAM so I really want to make sure that I am covered for my programs. Plus I heavily multitask, so I need power. But if 6GB of RAM is sufficient, I can go with that. I read a lot of G. Skill recommendations on here. I will spend my entire budget.

Well, if you need more you can always plop in another 3x2 kit and get 12gb.

Will spend or can spend? It makes more sense to aim for a good build more often than a single ultra-highend build rarely.

How much are you paying for the i7-930?

 

[Boyo]

I think I am going to stick with 3x2GB of RAM for now. I am paying $289 at Newegg for the I7 930.

 

[Sp12]

I agree on the ram.

Hmmm that's not a bad price, but do you live by microcenter? They have the 930 for 200$.

Though I doubt it's right for your situation, I do want to mention the Xeon 5620, which can be had from ewiz for 370$. Basically, it's 32nm (vs. 45), 80w TDP (vs. 130), has 12mb of cache (vs. 8), but runs at 2.4 (vs. 2.8). It's also 80$ more expensive and has a x19 multiplier vs. x21. That cache and lower energy consumption (and therefore potentially better OC) may be worth it, but might not be.

 

[Boyo]

Thanks for the help on the RAM. I actually do live near a Microcenter and had no idea they were going for $200.00 there. THANKS. I think I will just stick with the 930, but thanks.

 

[Sp12]

For 200, I definitely agree on the 930.

 

[Boyo]

OK, so here is my new build with updated changes. Any further suggestions?


Asus P6X58D 1366 $309
Intel I7 930 $200
Thermalright 120 Ultra Extreme $59
XFX Radeon HD 5870 $399
Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1600 3x2GB $169
OCZ Vertex 2 120GB SSD $349
WD Caviar Black 2TB (Own)
Corsair 850HX PSU $169
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit $99
Corsair Obsidian 800D $299
Dell U2311H e-IPS Monitor $289

 

[darkewaffle]

If you've got a .edu email address or know someone with one, you can get Win7 Pro for $30. Also at that price I'd personally be going with a Seasonic X-750 PSU, but you can't really go wrong with either of them. Looks good all in all though.

 

[Sp12]

I'm still not sold on the 300$ mobo/Corsair kit, but all the components are compatible and such. I would wait for mfenn's approval.

Only specific thing is that the 470 recently had a pretty big price drop, and for 300$ it will get you 90% of the performance of the 5870, at 75% of the cost.

 

[Boyo]

Wow, I do know someone with an .edu address and had no idea you could pick up Win7 Pro for $30.00.....Also, I will look into the GTX 470. Is it really that fast? Thanks.