Review request - gaming system thoughts

[sjlinn]

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

This machine will be used almost soley for gaming. Games include:
Civ 5, SC 2, Borderlands and Guild Wars 2 (when it finally comes out)

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

$1500 (not including monitor)

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

US

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.

No real preference but I've read that Intel/nVidia are best for gaming so that's the way I went.

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

I have a CoolerMaster ATCS case which I'm going to try and use and if it doesn't work out, I'm planning to purchase an Antec 300 Illusion.

SilverStone SST-ST75F 750W modular PSU. I purchased it a while ago but it looks as if it should work. http://www.directron.com/st75f.html

I'd very much welcome some feedback on whether or not the case and PSU will work.

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

Over the past month I've combed AnandTech and similar sites gather information.

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

I definitely want to overclock CPU and GPU. If I can get 4.1, 4.2 on air cooling that would be fantastic.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

My monitor choice is still up in the air. At minimum 1900 x 1080/1200. I've toyed with a 120Hz 3d monitor and the long awaited Asus 27" would be SWEET but not sure if I can drop $500+ after dropping $1500 for the new rig. This would be another area I'd welcome input.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

I have Civ 5, SC 2 just waiting to be played and I can't with my current P4, AGP AMD 1950 setup. That said, I'm dying to pull the trigger!

Here is my new setup thoughts:
i7-950
SCMG-2100 Scythe SCMG-2100 Rev B CPU Cooler
GA-X58A-UD3R Gigabyte 1366 X58
OCZ3G1600LV6GK OCZ Gold 6GB (3x2GB)
OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G OCZ Vertex 2 2.5" 120GB SATA 2 MLC SSD
F3 HD103SJ Samsung 1tb sata2 7200rpm
(2x SLI) GV-N460OC-1GI Gigabyte GeForce GTX 460 1GB
UH10LS20 OEM LG Black Blu-ray Disc Combo SATA model
Slightly under $1500 from Newegg and Micro Center

Thanks in advance for your feedback. Ready, set, go!

 

[fffblackmage]

Considering 8x/8x has an insignificant impact on an SLI setup (especially with two modest GTX460), you could do an i5+P55 build which would leave you enough money for that 3d 120Hz monitor.

 

[sjlinn]

Considering 8x/8x has an insignificant impact on an SLI setup (especially with two modest GTX460), you could do an i5+P55 build which would leave you enough money for that 3d 120Hz monitor.

I was looking at that option and yes, an i5-760 would save $60 but what MB would you recommend? Seems like most SLI 8x/8x boards are ~180-200. The X58-UD3R is $199. RAM is $119 which seems preety cost effective against dual channel, although I probably could get 8gb at the same price.

 

[fffblackmage]

ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i $150 ($130 AR)

 

[mfenn]

ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i $150 ($130 AR)

Good choice.

OP, if you want Nvidia, I'd probably just get a GTX 480. However, 6870 CF is AMD's highest performance option right now and just sips power even compared to the GTX 460! The money that you save by going with 1156 will more than make up the additional cost of the 6870s.

 

[sjlinn]

Good choice.

OP, if you want Nvidia, I'd probably just get a GTX 480. However, 6870 CF is AMD's highest performance option right now and just sips power even compared to the GTX 460! The money that you save by going with 1156 will more than make up the additional cost of the 6870s.

So is the general consensus changing to recommend the new AMD 6870 GPU? I saw it did well in Anand's new benchmarks but only in CF. I just want the most powerfully gaming experience (within the 200-250/card price range), don't care if it's nVidia or AMD.

 

[mfenn]

So is the general consensus changing to recommend the new AMD 6870 GPU? I saw it did well in Anand's new benchmarks but only in CF. I just want the most powerfully gaming experience (within the 200-250/card price range), don't care if it's nVidia or AMD.

I'm not quite sure what you're on about. My (and Anand's) conclusion was that the 6870 is just as good of a value as the GTX 460 1GB.

We actually have it really good in the midrange right now. From $130 to $250, you just pick how much you want to spend, and there will be a good value card at that price point.

 

[sjlinn]

Thanks, I may just go the 6870 route. Any thoughts on reusing my existing PSU? I think it should be able to handle the load but I'd like some feedback?

 

[sjlinn]

Also, do you have a dual channel RAM recommendation?

 

[mfenn]

Thanks, I may just go the 6870 route. Any thoughts on reusing my existing PSU? I think it should be able to handle the load but I'd like some feedback?

Your Silverstone is fine to reuse.

Also, do you have a dual channel RAM recommendation?

Sure do. G.Skill DDR3 1600 4GB. There's no real need to go to 8GB for gaming, but DDR3 1600 does give some nice headroom playing around with the dividers (which you will need to do in order to hit 4GHz+).