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Advice on My Config

Post Date: 2010-11-26
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cs1971 View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		  Quote cs1971 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Advice on My Config
    Posted: 26 Nov 2010 at 5:16pm
Hello All,

I've been lurking out here for a while now and I'm getting close to committing on a purchase.  Before I do though I'd like some advice.  I read through !ender_'s guide a few times and it has helped me alot (thanks !ender_!).

Budget: $2500

Expectations: 60% Work, %40 Play.  I am a software developer.  I login a few times a week via citrix to my desktop at work.  I also do some web development on my own.  I like a good game every now and then (1st person shooter or sim).  I might burn a dvd or cd once or twice a year.  I have my iphone for music.  I have a PS3 with Netflix/Hulu if I want to watch a movie or show.  Still I probably game more on my PC than the PS3.  I'm old school in that I like a keyboard and mouse more than the console.  I bought my last box in 2004 getting ready for Duke Nukem Forever if that tells you anything...

Special Needs:  My current machine heats up my 10' x 12' office about 10 degrees more than the rest of the house.  Plus its fairly loud.  I'd like to minimize both of those as much as possible but I realize its a trade off.

Here's what I have put together so far.  I will follow the build up with a few questions:

http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=462649

I will follow this up with the rest of my post - it looks like this is going to get cutoff.

Thanks for any advice,
Chris
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cs1971 View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		  Quote cs1971 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 26 Nov 2010 at 5:18pm
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Black OPS Assassin Edition
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: EVGA X58 SLI 3 Edition (USB 3.0 & SATA 6Gb/s) (Model: 131-GT-E767)
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 750W Digital Storm Certified (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition Recommended)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (1TB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (64MB Cache) (Model: Black Edition WD1002FAEX)
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: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 1.5GB (Includes PhysX) (EVGA Black Ops 015-P3-1583-AR)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 1: High Performance Cooler (Compatible With i5/i7/AMD Processors)
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: Noise Suppression Package Stage 1 (Optimized Airflow & Fan Speeds Only)
Boost Processor: FREE: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Cooling Upgrade Recommended)
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
Benchmarking: - No Thanks
Install/Test 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 5-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: FREE PROMO: Life-time Expert Customer Care with 5 Year Limited Warranty

Maybe its just my machine but it looks like I can't post much more than this at a time?  My questions follow...
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!ender_ View Drop Down
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Posts: 4219 		  Quote !ender_ Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 26 Nov 2010 at 5:28pm
id spend the money a little differently
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=462730
make sure you get the processor cooled properly first.. for your gaming use id guess that a 480 would be enough but if you are up for spending more, go for it
 
its unlikely you would actually need noise supression with HAF case as they are pretty quiet already.. and if you get an assassin case you definitely wouldnt need it
 
most of your noise will come from your video card, and theres no way to get that quiet unless you water cool it =(
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cs1971 View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		  Quote cs1971 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 26 Nov 2010 at 5:34pm
Some questions:

  • I don't care about SLI, is the current mobo the right choice?
  • I thought about putting the OS on a 40Gb Intel SSD and then having the 1TB drive for games, etc... but would that really get me anything?
  • If I read right, the Assassin now comes with AP181 Air Penetrators for the standard chassis fans.  Am I right about that?
  • What level of CPU cooling do I need with this config?  The Noctua NH-D14 for Stage 2 looks nice but is it overkill?
  • I have a LightScribe DVD burner on my current machine.  I thought about putting it on myself when I get the new one.  Should I just add a new one to the build or send this one to DS and have them add it?   Probably a dumb question but I don't know if it would affect the Noise Suppression Stage 1 configuring they do.  I suppose they'd wrap its wires up so all is nice and tidy...(I just want this right! Confused%20Wink)
I may post another question if I think of it but this is where I'm at right now.  I welcome any thought or suggestions.

Thanks!
Chris
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cs1971 View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		  Quote cs1971 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 26 Nov 2010 at 5:58pm
Thanks !ender_,

If I was single I'd get the HAF but the wife wants something a little less industrial-looking.  She's still not crazy about the size of the FT02.  I couldn't find a 500Gb option in the drop down but I'd happily choose that if I can.  Also, I'll take the Asus Sabertooth into consideration.  My current board is an Asus but I was thinking about trying EVGA this time.  The reason I went with a 580 is that I have read that they don't run quite as hot or loud as the 480?  Maybe I'm wrong.

Thanks again for your feedback!
Chris
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!ender_ View Drop Down
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Posts: 4219 		  Quote !ender_ Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 26 Nov 2010 at 6:05pm
mobo the right choice?
yes, even with sli it would be
 
I thought about putting the OS on a 40Gb Intel SSD?
thats up to you, if you are using the pc for a lot of work, it should make things quicker for you, but the cost effectiveness is yours to decide
 
If I read right, the Assassin now comes with AP181?
dunno, will have to ask dso on that one.. im not a fan of the case
 
What level of CPU cooling?
u12p and d14 are basically the same, the 14 will give you a few more degrees off at a pretty high premuim. again your choice, but currently it doesnt make much sense to look outside of noctua solutions
 
I have a LightScribe DVD burner?
should you add your own burner after you get it? you could i guess, dont see why not, you will have to know how to dig out the power cable and have your own sata cable ready
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cs1971 View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		  Quote cs1971 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 26 Nov 2010 at 6:26pm
Thanks for the quick feedback!
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!ender_ View Drop Down
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Posts: 4219 		  Quote !ender_ Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 26 Nov 2010 at 7:03pm
Originally posted by cs1971

If I was single I'd get the HAF but the wife wants something a little less industrial-looking. 
 
no comment other than tell her the pretty case is an extra $200 bucks
 
Originally posted by cs1971

I couldn't find a 500Gb 
 
its there keep looking
 
Originally posted by cs1971

The reason I went with a 580 is that I have read that they don't run quite as hot or loud as the 480?
 
correct on both counts, it performs better too, just have to cough up the extra money


Edited by !ender_ - 26 Nov 2010 at 7:04pm
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wcboltman View Drop Down
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Posts: 173 		  Quote wcboltman Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 26 Nov 2010 at 10:42pm
Try this: ticket number: 462996

Comes in at $2377 and should meet all your needs.  I would get an SSD for your OS no question.  Go with the 580 the 480 runs hot, is loud, and 20% less performance than the 580.

The FT02 is a great case.  Read the reviews from verified owners on Newegg.  Great, classy look, quiet, and great air cooling. 
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Posts: 1514 		  Quote maxyme Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 26 Nov 2010 at 11:56pm
Well the 580 is a good improvement to the 480 especially for $30 extra but for $230 extra not so much. I mean yea it performs slightly better than the 480 and is cooler and uses the same amount of power. But its not a outstanding difference like between the 460 and 470 or 470 and 480. Its the same manufacturing process and just some optimizations to the card. Definitely worth $30 but with the $200 markup due to high demand its just not worth it.
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Posts: 1074 		  Quote MagiK Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 1:02pm
Maxy, the 580 uses less power than the 480.  That is one of it's big selling points....it allows lower fan speeds for quieter operations too.Smile

And no, it is not worth the $200 premium demanded at this time...in my opinion.


Edited by MagiK - 27 Nov 2010 at 1:03pm
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maxyme View Drop Down
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Posts: 1514 		  Quote maxyme Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 10:04pm
well i've seen some reviews and it says its very close to the same temps and power usage. Since they added some new cores and stuff it stayed relatively the same.
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Posts: 1074 		  Quote MagiK Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 10:18pm
Nope no new added cores, they just enabled cores that already existed on the GF100 chip.  They also rearranged the layout of the fast and slow transistors.

But the power usage is definitely lower than the 480 at stock speeds.  Not by 100 watts but by maybe 20 if I remember the numbers I read.  (I may be off on that)
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maxyme View Drop Down
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Posts: 1514 		  Quote maxyme Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 10:21pm
yea srry thats what i meant by adding cores.
And well i guess its good to know the exact stats but still not much a difference.
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Posts: 1074 		  Quote MagiK Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 10:27pm
I think 20 watts is a lot, it certainly will make a difference on heat output and noise for cooling.

Decided to look it up
Per the Nvidia Website
Max Power draw for the GTX480 = 250watts
Max Power Draw for the GTX580 is 244watts

So the max draw difference may not be dramatic at 6 watts, It apparently did impress people because of the Higher performance of the 580 vs the 480.  STILL not worth a $200 price premium in my opinion.


Edited by MagiK - 27 Nov 2010 at 10:35pm
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maxyme View Drop Down
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Posts: 1514 		  Quote maxyme Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 28 Nov 2010 at 6:39pm
well at least we can agree on something haha. but yea the stats pretty much are the same except slightly brtter performance since its the same manufacuring process
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Posts: 8 		  Quote cs1971 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Nov 2010 at 12:30pm
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the comments.  I want the 580 but don't think its worth the extra $200.  But with my small room, heat and noise have been quite a pain.  Can anyone that has a 480 or 580 give me a rough idea of what kind of noise and heat levels I'll be looking at?  I'm in a 10' x 12' office.
 
Thanks!
Chris
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cs1971 View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		  Quote cs1971 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Nov 2010 at 12:32pm
I should add by "rough idea" I mean something to compare to like a vacuum cleaner or fishtank pump Smile
 
Thanks,
Chris
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MagiK View Drop Down
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Posts: 1074 		  Quote MagiK Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Nov 2010 at 12:41pm
Less than a vacuum cleaner more than a fish tank  Hahaha  (assuming you don't have a tank large enough for Shamu)

In a 10x12 office you should be ok, Im in a 10x15 office so it gets about the same acoustic result (furnishings may change the results)


Edited by MagiK - 29 Nov 2010 at 12:51pm
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wcboltman View Drop Down
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Posts: 173 		  Quote wcboltman Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Nov 2010 at 12:47pm
Originally posted by cs1971

Can anyone that has a 480 or 580 give me a rough idea of what kind of noise and heat levels I'll be looking at? 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4-Bhiha-3w


Edited by wcboltman - 29 Nov 2010 at 12:48pm
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cs1971 View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		  Quote cs1971 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Nov 2010 at 1:49pm
Thanks!
Meep.
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!ender_ View Drop Down
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Posts: 4219 		  Quote !ender_ Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Nov 2010 at 2:12pm
Sound is way too relative to quantify, bad news for this conversation. Id go with what you can afford
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Posts: 1074 		  Quote MagiK Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Nov 2010 at 2:16pm
Sound like any other energy level is quantifiable and measurable.  The 580 is quieter than the 480 under similar loads.  The 580 is comparable to the AMD/ATi 5870 card under similar loads.  Pretty straight forward comparison.

Going with what you can afford is always good advice if you ask me.


Edited by MagiK - 29 Nov 2010 at 2:17pm
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Posts: 4219 		  Quote !ender_ Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Nov 2010 at 2:21pm
Haha yes, sound can be measured...but to try and explain the sound level comparison of something like 480 vs 580 to someone who doesn't have a thorough understanding of decible measurement is a fools errand
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Posts: 1074 		  Quote MagiK Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Nov 2010 at 2:38pm
Which is where all the fear and paranoia comes from. Reviewers comments on how loud the 480 fan was got so blown out of proportion some non-technical people thought it would be like having a lawnmower in their computer room.  It is a loud card but not ridiculously so.....not like having a jet engine next to your ear or having Def Leppard cranked up.
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