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First gaming build! Some questions...

Post Date: 2012-05-01
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plastk View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		  Quote plastk Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: First gaming build! Some questions...
    Posted: 01 May 2012 at 11:44am
My first post, so be gentle! Please let me know if there is any other info you need to help!

Budget:
Around $2000, but flexible.

Expectations:
Quiet, fast-loading, gaming-only rig. Intent is to upgrade to a 2-card (quad-SLI) solution in the near future (GTX 690?). Single-monitor system.

Usage:
- 100% for gaming.
- No tinkering/overclocking planned (aside from the current, temporary GFX card).

Special Needs:
- Excellent gaming performance without wasting money on anything else.
- Plan is to upgrade later to 2x GFX cards (Quad SLI, GTX 690?)?
- Quiet is a huge plus
- Want super fast loading (OS and games)
- Wifi

Questions
- Will this case/mobo/power supply support 2x (quad SLI), probably 2x GTX 690's?
- Is the i5 IB chip + Z77 mobo going to hinder my gaming performance at all?
- Is it worth it to get the sound proofing if I don't plan on using anything aside from the stock fans?

Saved Ticket #: 682698

Specifications:

Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Corsair Carbide 300R
Not married to this case, I just like the look. Concerned about it fitting 2 large SLI'd cards. Also concerned about noise.

Processor: Intel Core i5 3570K 3.40 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core) (Requires Z77 Motherboard)
Based on what I've heard, this is all I'll need for gaming. Anything else is overkill. Is this true?

Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V DELUXE (Intel Z77 Chipset) (Higher Overclocks and Unique Wi-Fi Features)
Chose this for the built in wifi and SLI support.

System Memory: 16GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified
I like lots of memory "just in case", I know I probably don't need this much.

Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 1000W Digital Storm Certified (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition Highly Recommended)
Seems like this should be sufficient for any of dual SLI cards if I want to get two of them?

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: Configure HDD Set 1 to a Raid 0 Config - Stripe Performance (Requires Two HDDs)
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (120GB Solid State (By: Corsair) (Model: Force GT Series CSSD-F120GBGT-BK) (SATA 6Gbps)
Basically 2 SSD's in Raid0. I really want fast boot/load times and have no real need to a lot of storage capacity.

Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
I just need something basic here.

Video Card(s): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB (Includes PhysX Technology)
Just a temporary graphics card until a future upgrade. Just needs to be able to run Diablo 3 smoothly.

Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio

Extreme Cooling: Standard Factory Heat-sink and Fan
I assume this is enough?

CPU Boost: Standard Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Automatic Overclocking
No real desire for overclocking.

Graphics Boost: FREE: Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability
Since this is a temporary card, I figured why not get the most out of it.

OS Boost: FREE: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system
Seems good?

Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)
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bprat22 View Drop Down
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 May 2012 at 12:52pm
Hi pastk...Welcome to the forums.
 
Here's the build I'd recommend th get started and I'll explain.
 
Config # 682742   Cost  $ 2024
 
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master 942 HAF X
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 P8Z77-V DELUXE (Intel Z77 Chipset) (Higher Overclocks and Unique Wi-Fi Features)
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: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB (Includes PhysX Technology)
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: Internal Chassis Lighting System (White)
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

 
The Hafx case is tops in cooling and quiet.  The 300r only has two small fans which won't get it done and no fan on top where the heat goes.  The HafX with front 230mm and top and side 200mm fans will cool it great and the larger slow moving fans move lots od air quietly.
 
I really wanted to change cpu to 3770 but for strickly gaming and your budget left it.  It'll work just fine.
 
I did drop ram to 8GB, the most gaming needs. 
 
I changed the 2 SSD in RAID 0 to a SSD and HDD out of habit but you can tweek it.  Raid 0 from all I've read is a terrible idea.  If one drive dies you lose data on both, but others can talk of that.
 
Psu I changed to 1050HX.  More efficient and the 7 year warranty tells of its quality.
 
I did add overclocking and the D14 to cool it.  I just think for a great gaming rig and the money you plan on spending, why not.  It does boost gaming.
 
I don't know what size monitor you mean, but a 2x gtx690 is probably way overkill.  A sli 680 will play most games even on a 30" 2560x1600 monitor with little problem.  But, your call as always. 
 
Check it out and see what you think.  Just something to get you started.  Good LuckBig%20SmileBig%20Smile


Edited by bprat22 - 01 May 2012 at 12:54pm
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plastk View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		  Quote plastk Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 May 2012 at 2:47pm
Thank you for the awesome response! Loving the case/PSU advice. I always forget that the first thing in my systems to go is the power supply.

For the raid 0 SSDs, I'm willing to take the risk of loss of data for speed in this case as nothing will be kept on the drive other than games.

In regards to the overclocking the CPU: my concern there is that it will reduce the lifetime of the system. Is that even an issue with the setup you proposed? I was against it at first, but I must admit, that kind of increase is very tempting.
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plastk View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		  Quote plastk Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 May 2012 at 3:39pm
Here is my updated build!

#682824

Added overclocking, the recommended PSU and case, and upped the graphics card to the 560 GTX to last me a bit longer before doing my crazy GFX upgrade ;)

Hoping to place an order within the next few days, so any other feedback is completely welcome!

Only real remaining questions (unless there are other concerns with this build) are:

* Should I be concerned about the life-time of my CPU with the overclocking?
* Will this case/mobo fit 4 GFX cards if I decide to go that route?


Here is the (trimmed down) detailed info:

Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master 942 HAF X
Processor: Intel Core i5 3570K 3.40 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core) (Requires Z77 Motherboard)
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V DELUXE (Intel Z77 Chipset) (Higher Overclocks and Unique Wi-Fi Features)
System Memory: 16GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 1050W Corsair Pro Silver 1050HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
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: Configure HDD Set 1 to a Raid 0 Config - Stripe Performance (Requires Two HDDs)
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (120GB Solid State (By: Corsair) (Model: Force GT Series CSSD-F120GBGT-BK) (SATA 6Gbps)
Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card(s): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 1GB (Includes PhysX Technology) (EVGA 01G-P3-1460-BR)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 Extreme Performance
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (White)
CPU Boost: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires Pro/Deluxe/Sabertooth Motherboard)
Graphics Boost: FREE: Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability
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)
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bprat22 View Drop Down
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 May 2012 at 4:08pm
Overclocking done right like DS does it, the cpu should have a long happy life. This setup will not do 4x gpu.   For that, the X79 platform with 40 lanes of picie would be required.    This will do tri-sli with the Extreme mobo.    
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FrankW View Drop Down
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Posts: 2254 		  Quote FrankW Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 May 2012 at 5:15pm
Hi plastk,

Unless you have some application you have not stated there is no way you are going to use the power of 4 GPUs. Even with a single 30" monitor at 2550 x 1600 you can get by with 2 680 and 3 680 at most. Are you thinking 3D??

You want a powerful computer but I think you are making a mistake with the CPU. I would step up to the 3770. You also don't want to put SSD in RAID. A single SSD is going to be so fast that any gain from RAID-0 is not going to be seen.

With a good cooler you want to go stage 2 OC. It improves performance slightly but you might want to get as much performance as you can. Even with a gaming computer the CPU is still the brains of the system and the faster the better. While gaming is highly GPU oriented but the CPU still contributes to the final results. With the DS OC you will get long life with the CPU.

Frank
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