Advice on New BuildPost Date: 2012-05-31 |
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capmeo23 
Newbie 
Joined: 30 May 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9 |
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 Topic: Advice on New BuildPosted: 31 May 2012 at 11:38am |
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Looking to purchase a gaming computer for my son. Have limited knowledge on gaming computers. Was hoping for some good recommendations on a build.
Thank you Budget - $3500-$4300 Expectations - Strictly a gaming computer. Would like high end graphics and maxed settings Usage - Playing primarily Diablo III some Starcraft and City of Heroes Special needs - Would like a good cooling system Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master 942 HAF X Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 3930K 3.2GHz (Unlocked CPU for Extreme Overclocking) (Six-Core) Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth X79 (Intel X79 Chipset) (Features USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s) System Memory: 16GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) Power Supply: 1000W Digital Storm Certified (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition Highly Recommended) Expansion Bay: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (120GB Solid State (By: Corsair) (Model: Force GT Series CSSD-F120GBGT-BK) (SATA 6Gbps) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (1TB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (Model: Black Edition) Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: Blu-Ray Player/DVD Writer (Play Blu-Ray and Burn DVDs) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 2GB (Includes PhysX) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex 240mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (Extreme-Performance Edition) H20 Tube Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a FrostChill or Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System Selected Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With Zalman Performance Fans (Up to 6 Fans) <b></b> Internal Lighting: - No Thanks Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Noise Reduction: - No Thanks LaserMark: - No Thanks Boost Processor: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires Pro/Deluxe/Sabertooth Motherboard) Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s) Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory Boost OS: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows 7 CD) |
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bprat22
DS ELITE 
DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!) 
Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
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Posted: 31 May 2012 at 11:48am |
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Hi capmeo23.....Welcome to the forums.
Couple of things...need to know what size monitor and resolution you play with. The X79 platfrom in Dreadnought level 3 is really more than you need for gaming. It's quad channel memory and the i7-3930k 6 core cpu are more for video editing, rendering, 3D modeling and other apps that suck up RAM usage. Nothing wrong with it and if budget allows then go for it. Start with the Dreadnought level 2 , go with sli, 2x 670 and see what you think. If this is a rig for 23/24" monitor with 1920x1080 resolution then the sli 670 will max out the gaming for alot less( $500) than sli 680 and almost the same performance. With the hafX case, you picked the best for air cooling. Those Zalman fans are very noisy and not needed with the HafX case, which is great as-is. Hope this helps. Here's the build I was talking about. Thought I had to go but not for a few minutes.  Config # 694460 Cost $ 2902 Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master 942 HAF X Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 3770K 3.50 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core) (Requires Z77 Motherboard) Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 (Intel Z77 Chipset) (Features Thermal Armor and Thermal Radar) System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) Power Supply: 1050W Corsair Pro Silver 1050HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) Expansion Bay: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (120GB Solid State (By: Corsair) (Model: Force GT Series CSSD-F120GBGT-BK) (SATA 6Gbps) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (1TB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (Model: Black Edition) Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 2GB (Includes PhysX) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 Extreme Performance H20 Tube Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a FrostChill or Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System Selected Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: - No Thanks Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Noise Reduction: - No Thanks LaserMark: - No Thanks Boost Processor: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires Pro/Deluxe/Sabertooth Motherboard) Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s) Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory Boost OS: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows 7 CD) Virus Protection: - No Thanks Office: - No Thanks Game: - No Thanks Display: - No Thanks Surge Shield: - No Thanks Speakers: - No Thanks Keyboard: - No Thanks Mouse: - No Thanks External Storage: - No Thanks Exclusive T-Shirt: FREE: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Large) Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 10-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed Warranty: Life-time Expert Customer Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty I believe this would be about $900 cheaper for the same gaming on a 24" monitor. Good Luck
Edited by bprat22 - 31 May 2012 at 12:10pm |
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capmeo23
Newbie
Joined: 30 May 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9 |
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Posted: 31 May 2012 at 12:36pm |
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Thanks very much bprat22 - I will also need a monitor 24"-27" range. This is adddition to budget above. I see a lot of people are recomeending the Dell Ultrasharp. Would appreciate a recommendation on this as well.
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bprat22
DS ELITE
DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!)
Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
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Posted: 31 May 2012 at 1:01pm |
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Others will weigh in, but I game on last years version of the Dell UltraSharp U2312hm and its great. If you go 27" then the resolution jumps to 2560x1440. This res. Requires more video power but the games you mentioned I believe would still max out. Games like BF3 and Metro2033 on the 27" would drop the fps into the 50's at times maybe a bit lower on maxed out settings. Still very good gaming.
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capmeo23
Newbie
Joined: 30 May 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9 |
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Posted: 01 Jun 2012 at 7:43am |
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I would appreciate some opinions on the below changes to the build:
I was considering utilizing a wireless card for internet acess, if so do you think I should utilize the ASUS P8Z77-V DELUXE MOBO? Also, did some research on the Noctua cooling system, very nice system. Should I keep that or go with the Vortex 240mm liguid cooling? Lastly, from a performance standpoint is upgrading the GTX 750 from 2GB to 4GB worth it? I will probably go with the Dell UltraSharp U2312h monitor. Thanks again. |
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FrankW
DS Veteran 
Joined: 22 Feb 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2254 |
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Posted: 01 Jun 2012 at 8:26am |
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Hi capmeo23,
If I was going wireless I would pick the Deluxe Mobo that includes Wireless and Bluetooth. That saves you from using a slot for the card. Then if the internal fails for some reason you can add a card later. They both offer the same version of wireless. The D14 Noctua is a proven reliable design. The Vortex offers a few degrees better cooling with the 3930. The D14 is a huge big radiator with two fans that partially blocks some of the memory sticks. DS has stated a preference for the Vortex style of cooler for the 3930. The Vortex is a more complex system with a pump and reservoir of liquid. It is a closed system that doesn't require any maintenance. The Vortex is easy but expensive to replace. The only thing that can fail on the D14 is one of the two 120mm fans. So go with slightly better cooling but more potential problems with the Vortex. Or, go with slightly less cooling but simpler design of the D14. Frank Edited by FrankW - 01 Jun 2012 at 8:28am |
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kane860
Senior Member 
Joined: 09 Dec 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 612 |
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Posted: 02 Jun 2012 at 7:29pm |
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I would def go with the Noctua D14 over the Vortex.. I would only recommend any kind of liquid cooling if you plan on going with stage 4 or higher..
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System:
HAF X942 / i7 3930k 6-core cpu / ASUS P9x79 Deluxe MOBO 16gb DS ram / Corsair 1050HX PSU / Two - Intel 320 series 120gb SSD's WD Caviar Black 1TB HDD / GTX570 2.5gb GPU / Noctua D14 Cooler |
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