Sandy Bridge-E Build, need advice.

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
C

chronaden

Junior Member
Nov 24, 2009
4
0
0
Hello, im putting together a fairly high-end build for gaming and overclocking, but I have some questions and would like som generel input.
smile.gif


The build:

CPU: INTEL CORE I7 3930K
Cooler: Corsair H100
Motherboard: ASUS RAMPAGE IV EXTREME
RAM: CORSAIR 16GB DDR3 VENGEANCE QUAD 1866MHZ CL9 (4X4GB)
Graphics: 2 x ASUS GEFORCE GTX 580 DIRECTCU II 1536MB
Monitor: ASUS VG278H 27" WIDE TFT LED 3D 120HZ (1920x1080)
Tower: CORSAIR MIDITOWER OBSIDIAN 650D
PSU: CORSAIR AX 1200W PROFESSIONAL SERIES MODULAR
SSD: INTEL 510 SERIES 2.5" 250GB SSD SATA/600 MLC 34NM
Optic: LG BLURAY BD-R 12X RETAIL INTERNAL BLACK
Keyboard: CORSAIR VENGEANCE K60 FPS MECHANICAL GAMING KEYBOARD
Mouse: CORSAIR VENGEANCE M60 FPS GAMING MOUSE

Question 1:
I have the option to go 3 x 6970 instead of 2 x 580. What will this give me in raw gaming performance?

Question 2:
Will the Rampage IV Extreme take a dedicated soundcard in between my 2 x triple slot 580's (See picture here: http://www.overclock3d.net/gfx/articles/2011/11/11161824731l.jpg) - The cards will go in the 1st from top and the 3rd PCI-E slot.

Question 3:
If I can fit a dedicated soundcard, can you recommend a good non-creative that have optical out?

Question 4:
Will it give me anything (in terms of overclocking) to upgrade the RAM from the Vengeance 1866 to Dominator 2133 ($150 extra)

Question 5:
Is there any real alternative to Corsair 650D, i've been doing alot of research, and this case seems to be the best around that can fit both an e-atx and the Corsair H100

And please write if you have suggestions to different components or etc!
 
Last edited:
Ken g6

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
Moderator
Dec 11, 1999
16,695
4,658
75
1. Probably.
2. I don't know much about sound cards.
3. I'm sure it won't.

Now for some better advice.
1. Please answer the questions [thread=80121]in this thread[/thread].
2. Why do you think you need an SB-E over and above a regular 2500k?
3. Why do you think you need 2 GTX580s over and above 2 570s or unlocked 6950->6970s?
4. You may prefer a Crucial M4 SSD to your Intel. Or maybe not - I haven't looked at that price range in detail.
 
D

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Advice: don't do it.

Stick with a 2500K or 2600K, under-$200 motherboard, 8 GB RAM, 2 x video cards.

You'll probably want to replace the video cards with 28nm AMD 7xxx or Nvidia 6xx cards next year anyway.

Sound: what will you be connecting to? Motherboard analog audio should be fine for PC speakers up to $200-300. For optical digital to a receiver, some motherboards do have Dolby Digital real-time encoding for game audio but many do not.
 
P

paul878

Senior member
Jul 31, 2010
874
1
0
Money don't seem to be a concerns to you, go for it, get yourself a super-size E-penis.
 
V

volcane

Member
Nov 1, 2011
43
0
0
You can get a 2500k + Z68 board + 8GB RAM for less than the price of a 3930k processor. Pair that setup with a single 6950 2GB card, and it will be more than adequate for gaming at 1920x1080 resolutions.
 
C

chronaden

Junior Member
Nov 24, 2009
4
0
0
Money is not the primary concern for this build, I figured out something with my job. So I don't need alternatives on the whole system, just individual parts.
 
lehtv

lehtv

Elite Member
Dec 8, 2010
11,897
74
91
If the primary concern is performance, then as mentioned you get very high performance in games with 2500K + Z68. I don't see any reason to spend more. Better idea, if cash is no issue, is to upgrade your components incrementally in the future to keep the PC's performance up to date. E.g. gtx 570 sli or 6950 crossfire now -> upgrade to nvidia kepler SLI in 6 months. If you find you get bottlenecked in certain games, perhaps consider upgrading to Ivy Bridge.

On your budget I'd get Seasonic Platinum 1000W power supply. Plenty of power for any overclocked dual-GPU setup, less $ than AX1200 but better in every way except capacity.
 
flopper

flopper

Senior member
Dec 16, 2005
739
19
76
as stated a 1155 system cost less and give the same performance.
I go 3x6970 as it allows a better gaming than 2x580.
the new Intel cpu is a working machine not for gaming or oc.
 
BTRY B 529th FA BN

BTRY B 529th FA BN

Lifer
Nov 26, 2005
15,194
403
126
lehtv said:
If the primary concern is performance, then as mentioned you get very high performance in games with 2500K + Z68. I don't see any reason to spend more. Better idea, if cash is no issue, is to upgrade your components incrementally in the future to keep the PC's performance up to date. E.g. gtx 570 sli or 6950 crossfire now -> upgrade to nvidia kepler SLI in 6 months. If you find you get bottlenecked in certain games, perhaps consider upgrading to Ivy Bridge.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

And as stated in your Guru3d forum thread post, the 800D has terrible airflow. I own an 800D. IMO it's more designed for traditional h20/liquid cooling.

Stick with the 650D
 
F

fastamdman

Golden Member
Nov 18, 2011
1,335
70
91
1155 is still a better idea IMO because you can upgrade to IB later on down the road. If you want to drop cash, do it on gtx 580s or 590s and SLI them.

A 2500k or a 2600/2700k would be perfect for this setup.

IF YOU MUST go SBE then go with the 3960x or go home :)
 
V

volcane

Member
Nov 1, 2011
43
0
0
If you insist with that setup, why not go with a higher resolution monitor or multiple monitor?

Put all that graphics power to good use, rather on a single 1920x1080 monitor.
 
F

fastamdman

Golden Member
Nov 18, 2011
1,335
70
91
Agreed, IMO he would be better off with a 2600k z68 setup and multi monitors. But then again he could have a space restraint so who knows.

From the sound of one of his posts it kinda sounds like his work is giving him money or buying the rig, I dont know which but the way he says "Money is not the primary concern for this build, I figured out something with my job." It makes me think his work is going to pay for it but I dont know.

If you wanna spend frivolously then you should go for a 3960x and do it right. Otherwise a mutli monitor 2600k z68 setup would be nice.

If you are dead set on your 3930k setup I would recommend going with 1600mhz ram. When running all 4 channels, its easier on the IMC to run lower rated ram. It's also easier to get the system 100% stable that way too and it's cheaper.

As for the monitor, look into IPS panels.
 
lehtv

lehtv

Elite Member
Dec 8, 2010
11,897
74
91
Another thing to consider is a badass Dell IPS panel like a 2560x1440 U2711. So sharp and good quality image, acceptable response time for gaming. I would kill to have that monitor.
 
F

fastamdman

Golden Member
Nov 18, 2011
1,335
70
91
lehtv - would you really kill to have that monitor? I think we can work something out if so, pm me.

In all honesty, IPS panels are amazing and all your gpu power would be great for them. I am rocking an asus VE series and love it, shoulda bought the VS series though but oh well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom