Finally Ready to Go PC

Hey folks. Glad to finally be posting on the forums here. It means I'm getting really close in my decision. :)

A little background: Been into gaming all my life, but by necessity of my profession (designer) I've also been a Macintosh junkie all my life. As you well know, those loves don't go hand-in-hand.

Because WoW was available on mac, I started playing it over 5 years ago, and stuck with it for about two years. After that, EVE for about 2 years. Since then I've been out of the MMO world, but desperately waiting for something interesting enough to pull me back in.

Well it's looking like Guild Wars 2 will be just the thing, and sadly it ain't coming to my Mac. So here we are. Time to game an MMO the right way. My hope is to build a rock solid machine that can run with the reliability I've come to expect in my Macs, but with the speed needed to push the most dense MMO battleground/raid activity.

I've made an attempt at what I think looks like a good machine, but I'd love any advice. Feel free to pick apart. I'm especially smitten with the Slade, if for no other reason than its nice, minimal casing.

Thanks guys. I'm pumped!

Budget:
Under $2,000

Expectations:
Run the latest MMO's at full settings for the next few years.

Usage:
Gaming only.

Special Needs:
Want it quiet, minimal, not flashy.

Ticket Number: 687514
Total Price with Instant Savings: $1,967.00

Specifications:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Corsair Obsidian 550D
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i5 3570K 3.40 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core) (Requires Z77 Motherboard)
Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 (Intel Z77 Chipset) (Features Thermal Armor and Thermal Radar) <b></b>
System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 850W Corsair TX850 V2 (Dual SLI Compatible) <b></b>
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) <b></b>
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
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: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 2GB (Includes PhysX) (Overclocked EVGA 02G-P4-2672-BR) <b></b>
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex Liquid CPU Cooler (High-Performance Edition)
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) <b></b>
Boost Video Card: FREE: Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability <b></b>
Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Boost OS: FREE: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system <b></b>
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: - No Thanks
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

You really want to add another drive that is not a SSD (solid state drive) for your files.  I'm not as familiar with new SSD tech, but if they're the same as old, then you develop bad spots after re-writing on them enough.  You want probably a 7200 RPM drive for your secondary.  Note:  This means C:\ will be your SSD, which you should not use for anything besides the OS itself.  D:\ will be your HDD storage drive, for programs and all other files.  Also it's probably a little overboard to do a Stage 2 overclock on your CPU with your intended use.

Don't put your games on the SSD.  Over time the constant write/rewrite on the drive will ruin it.  A 7200 RPM HDD will be more than fast enough for your games.

Hi Rettic.....You've been getting some great advice.  I'm kinda late to this, but here's my thoughts.

Originally posted by Rettic Cool. Makes sense. I'll either add an HDD storage for games or just switch to it entirely. And thanks @Tacquan. Checked out your rig.. looks like a beast. Definitely similar to mine in a lot of ways but I'm just cutting a few more corners to keep the cost down. I noticed you chose not to overclock your video card even though it's free. Is there a drawback to doing this I'm not aware of? Also, if I decide to add a second graphics card to this rig in the future, does anyone see potential issues?

Originally posted by FrankW Hi Rettic, Follow bprat22's suggestions. Todays SSD is very reliable and your computer will probably be retired before you have read/write failures with your SSD. The best choice on DS is the Intel 520 model. If money is a consideration you might consider the Corsair SSD. The 180Gb is a great size but the 120Gb will also do the job. Load your OS and the games that you play most often and you will be good. You can move games back and forth between a HDD and the SDD. Frank

FrankW is 100% correct. Trim will be automatically performed with Windows 7 on the Intel 520. No need to give it a 2nd thought. The whole point of an SSD is faster read/write speeds. Load the OS and the games you play on the SSD. Otherwise your just wasting the technology.

With A 120GB SSD Drive:

The Win 7 OS will and BF3 with updates will use 70 GB of the 120GB SSD.

You can use a 120GB SSD to run the OS and a few games. At a later date you can always get an HDD.

Thanks again for all the help so far, guys.

Another few questions I have since doing more research:

- @bprat22 recommended the Noctua D14 air cooler over the standard factory, which makes sense. But why not go H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex Liquid cooler for essentially the same price (actually $30 less) than the D14. Is liquid cooling not always better?

- I'm becoming more conscious of avoiding overheat issues. Will the stage 2 over clock on the i5 processor generate any level of extra heat that outweighs the benefits?

I DID IT . Order is in the bag. Thanks for all the help guys. Big shout out @bpratt22, @Tucquan, @FrankW, and @Becks for the great feedback.

(@bprat22 - I did decide to stick with the 550D case after some reassurance from DS that cooling will be fine, and I'll just mod it in the future if/when I go SSL. But thanks again for the HAFX rec… I'm just too much of a sucker for minimal design.)

The sexy lady is as follows:

System Configuration:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Corsair Obsidian 550D
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i5 3570K 3.40 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: 850W Corsair TX850 V2 (Dual 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: - No Thanks
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(s): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 2GB (Includes PhysX) (Overclocked EVGA 02G-P4-2672-BR)
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
CPU Boost: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires Pro/Deluxe/Sabertooth Motherboard)
Graphics Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Memory Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
OS Boost: FREE: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial 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 (Small)
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

Way to go Rettic ! Looks like a really nice rig. You'll be slaying dragons and shooting the enemy in awesomeness (-:

Now the dreaded wait begins.. Time to build the crib and getting ready for your best friend .... The UPS man !

Hi Rettic, you did good with your build. You made compromise where it wouldn't hurt and came up with good performance within your budget. Good job.

Frank

Good to know about the 550d and D14.    Thanks.  

After much work this weekend, the crib room is completely ready and waiting for the new baby. I'm hoping it might possibly show up this week since it's already on Stage 5 as of last Friday.

Just because I know you guys will appreciate my gushing more than my poor coworkers, here's where I landed on the hardware/periphs to accompany my Slade:

Keyboard - Corsair K90

Mouse - Razer Naga - I've actually had this one for a while and enjoy it.

Headset - Corsair 1500 - Want to see if I'm happy with the USB route, though I know it's not top of the line. If I feel it's lacking I'll invest in a proper sound card and go analog through it.

Monitor - Samsung S27B550V 27" - Tried the Dell Ultrasharp 23" first and just wasn't satisfied with how small it looked on my desk…decided 27" was the way to go and this one was a comparable price with overall good reviews. The Ultrasharp was definitely a little more true of a picture, but for gaming I think the Samsung will be great.

Thanks for indulging me. Back to the waiting game. I'll be sure to post pics of the space when I get the rig.

Edited by Rettic - 04 Jun 2012 at 8:00am

Guys, GUYS, my Slade should be showing up today. I feel like I've been in labor for the past week…longest delivery of my life.

They'll sort you out - no doubts.

Originally posted by Rettic I've put in a support ticket to DS for the latest Portal 2 BSOD. We'll see what they say.

That BSOD is your computer trying to tell you The Cake is a Lie.



Sorry... couldnt resist.


Edited by xii - 22 Jun 2012 at 12:27pm

Thanks for the help Alex.

THE CAKE IS NOT A LIE!

I just re-seated my memory and video card per your suggestion, and uninstalled all the drivers for my peripherals, and suddenly everything is working beautifully!

Portal 2 runs at full blast without a hitch.
BF3 now lets me into multiplayer at ultra-settings.
No strange crashes or restarts.

Now I'm going to carefully installed one driver at a time for my peripherals and test the same games. If I don't find that a driver is the culprit, I'll assume something just got shaken in shipping.

Getting excited again.

Hey folks, just wanted to share the pics I promised. Just loving this machine… the GTX670 hasn't even batted an eye at a game I've thrown at it. Ultra everything, 60+ frames. It's killer.

Behold the nerd throne.

I approve of these pictures.

What kinda keyboard?