Build.....input appreciated

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http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=499642

My old computer has died and here is the configuration that I've put together.  I use this computer for gaming primarily, but I use it for some business purposes also.  None of these business purposes are intense and don't require this configuration.  I do also do some personal/family photoshop work and I also do some HD video editing of family movies, etc..  This is mostly for gaming however.  My questions:

1.  General opinions regarding the configuration.
2.  I have a 300Gb Velociraptor and 1Tb Caviar Black from my old computer that I may also use in this system.  Would it would be better to use the old Velociraptor and forgo the SSD?  If not, would it be better to get a cheaper HDD and then get one of the newer Intel SSDs that will eventually be out?
3.  Is this cooling configuration adequate?  I had originally planned on getting a LC system, but I had planned on getting the Frostchill.  I am not certain from the posts here whether that will get me a significantly better advantage than the air cooler I've selected.  I would love to get the Stage 6 LC, and I can afford it, but I really don't WANT to spend that money.  Is this selection adequate, and if not, what LC selection is most appropriate?
4.  Is this SLI configuration the best, or should I consider a Crossfire system or single card in this configuration.
5.  Thanks:)

Originally posted by atomic864 2.  I have a 300Gb Velociraptor and 1Tb Caviar Black from my old computer that I may also use in this system.  Would it would be better to use the old Velociraptor and forgo the SSD?  If not, would it be better to get a cheaper HDD and then get one of the newer Intel SSDs that will eventually be out?

That (early model) 300GB VelociRaptor is actually a little slower than the 1TB CB. The newer 450GB and 600GB VR models are a tad faster, but even then these are conventional HDD numbers and the differences are so minute as to be pointless compare to SSDs. A good SSD will have literately 50-100 faster latency and small file performance, and twice the sequential speeds.

My opinion is to just stick with any old conventional HDD for now (be it the VR, CB, or a new one), and get a G3 Intel SSD in the future.

What res you gonna be gaming at? you might not have benefit from sli.

I like your build, but I like mine better cause it has more room and better ariflow, and it comes with one 570, so that if you didn't need the second you can save some $, but if you see you need a second, system supports it so you can just drop a second one in yourself, its real easy to do:

Here you go Ticket# 500500 --- $2824 (To see this build click here)

Copy of Specifications:
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 2600K 3.40GHz (Unlocked CPU for Extreme Overclocking) (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 Deluxe (Intel P67 Chipset) (New & Improved B3 Revision Without SATA 3G Issue)
System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (160GB Solid State (By: Intel) (Model: X25-M MLC Edition) (Extreme Performance)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (1TB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (64MB Cache) (Model: Black Edition WD1002FAEX)
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 570 1.2GB (Includes PhysX Technology)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Noctua NH-D14 Extreme Performance (Does NOT fit on the regular EVGA X58 3X SLI)
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: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red)
Enhancements: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 4.0GHz to 4.7GHz (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: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 5-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Customer Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty

if you tell us what res you gaming at we could know better what kind of gpu power you need, so that you don't waste any money.

I looked at a review of the HAF case you put in your mockup DST.  I like it a LOT.  However, I also like the FT02, and I am running this in a dusty room.  I like that the FT02 is positive pressure, with all of the intakes running through an air filter.  I also like the fact that it has noise reducing materials already in the case.  I'm not sure from looking at the review whether the HAF will deal with dusty environments as well, but I agree, I really like the case.  I see the advantages of the HAF, but for some reason I also really like the theory of how the FT02 is set up, with the low to high continuous airflow.  It makes sense from a thermal standpoint.

I think I am going to switch the cooler to the larger NH-D14.  I have seen that it is superior in OC situations on other chips, although I really don't think it either would be a problem with the 2600k :)  If I choose the FT02, will there be any problems with clearance?

I would love to wait until the higher end chips come out later this year.  I REALLY would.  But I need a computer now unfortunately:(  I am very disappointed by this.

So, in regard to the SLi configuration, do you think I really need it, or am I wasting money?  Even the 580 in single configuration is cheaper than the 570 SLi.  And you can also configure the 6970 or 6970 CF in for less than the 570 SLi.  Currently, I am playing Rift mainly.

Thanks!

Rift came out 2 weeks ago, so I'm not sure about new vs. old.  And in all honesty, I'm not sure if it supports SLi or not :)  Sounds like I need to research that.

It seems like the decision is whether to go SLi (solved by whether Rift supports it, and if so probably 970 SLi, not 6970 CF?) and in the case.  You have nearly convinced me regarding the case.  I really, really like the HAF X (942?), and that's the one I looked at.

I am not kidding, dust is not evident in the room that the computer is in, but it is a real problem:)  I know that fan size does not necessarily correspond to the air flow, but in general, if I do not add the additional top 200 fan then this case should still be a positive pressure build right?  If not, then it will suck dust in, even more with an open case.

Two additional things:

1.  I wasn't counting in the PS fan.  It's a Corsair, is that intake or outflow?
2.  Does the side intake on the HAF X have filter included in the case?

Again, thanks for the help:)