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Help on my First DS Build

Post Date: 2012-05-27
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seanm View Drop Down
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Joined: 27 May 2012
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Posts: 6 		  Quote seanm Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Help on my First DS Build
    Posted: 27 May 2012 at 11:44am
This is my first build with DS and I am pretty psyched at what I've been seeing. My "unsure" areas are really in Cooling, Video Card(s), and hard drives. Though I'm sure there are other aspects I overlooked too. So what do you guys think? What would you change also can anyone recommend a really beautiful monitor (27" or so).      

Budget:
$6000

Expectations:
Maximized performance and stability with room to upgrade as I go.

Usage:
Play Skyrim, Diablo 3, or Totalwar games on maximum settings.
playing with Rendering, Photoshop, and CAD.
Watch movies and listen to music.

Special Needs:
quiet is a plus, but superior cooling and longevity take precedent.

Saved Ticket #: [692967]

Specifications:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Corsair Obsidian 550D

Processor: Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 3960X 3.3GHz (Six-Core) (Extreme Performance)

Motherboard: ASUS Rampage IV Extreme X79 (Intel X79 Chipset) (Features USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s)

System Memory: 32GB DDR3 1600Mhz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)

Power Supply: 1200W Digital Storm Certified (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition Highly Recommended)


Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (300GB Solid State (By: Intel) (Model: 320 Series)

Optical Drive 1: Blu-Ray & DVD Writer/Reader (Burn + Play Blu-Ray & DVDs) (12x BD-R)

Internet Access: !PROMOTION: Killer 2100 (Optimized for Online Gaming) Lag and Latency Reduction

Video Card(s): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 4GB (Includes PhysX)


Sound Card: Creative Labs Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion (Includes Front I/O) (PCI-Express Slot Based)

Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 5: Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System: CPU & Chipset

Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans

Enhancements: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks

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
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)
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bprat22 View Drop Down
DS ELITE
DS ELITE

DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!)
Email address used to purchase matched with forums account email.

Joined: 08 Jun 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 May 2012 at 2:05pm
Hi seanm....Welcome ot the forums.
 
Please don't take offense, but it looks like you picked the most expensive parts hoping to get the most.  It doesn't always work.  But in the end is always your decision.
 
Take a look at this config and I'll explain.
 
Config# 693138      Cost $ 4626
 
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 P9X79 DELUXE (Intel X79 Chipset) (Features USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s)
System Memory: 32GB 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 (240GB Solid State (By: Intel) (Model: 520 Series)
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: Creative Labs Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion (Includes Front I/O) (PCI-Express Slot Based)
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: 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 Professional (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 the best for air cooled systems and without water cooling the video cards, it is an air cooled setup for the most part.
 
I changed i7-3960x Extreme to the i7-3930k for $500 cheaper.  Unless your really into rendering. modeling, etc. then the extra money for just a larger cache just isn't worth it.
 
The 1050HX psu is a better unit and does carry a 7 year warranty.
 
The killer 2100 card from all I've heard is a waste so I dropped it.
 
I changed the 320 series SSD to the newer 520 series. 
 
I changes the gtx690 to a sli, 2x gtx680.  It'll give you the same performance and much better heat control.  The 680's kick all the heat out the back of the case.  The 690 has two gpu's mounted to a single card with a fan in the middle.  Half the heat goes out the back and the other half will dump into the case.
 
The stage 5 cooling is great but not really needed.  It is more a luxury, but if it's what you want then go for it.  I would recommend the 240mm Vortex I put in.  It is a sealed unit and  gets the job done and has zero maintenance.  
 
This build saves you $1000 and gives you the same gaming on your 27" monitor.
 
See what you think and best of luckBig%20SmileBig%20Smile
 
 
 
 


Edited by bprat22 - 27 May 2012 at 2:06pm
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seanm View Drop Down
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Joined: 27 May 2012
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6 		  Quote seanm Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 May 2012 at 5:05pm

bprat thank you for all of the great advice. No offense taken :) you solved my graphics card and harddrive dilemmas and helped me trim some fat too.

I'm an architecture student so I guess my idea of playing with rendering is what most people consider serious. I just got tired of the 16hr waits lol

As far as the case goes I am really a fan of clean lines.

The cases like Obsidian Series 800D or 550D or anything simple and smooth looking really.

   What would I have to run for cooling if I wanted to use a case like that and wanted to overclock everything?...

I really like the idea of zero maintenance in the 240mm Vortex are there closed systems that cover more (chipsets or video)? would adding a second dedicated cooler work? or am I going into overkill mode?

I take it that the The 1050HX psu will allow me to upgrade as I go without incurring too much strain and still runs fairly quiet?

I really appreciate all the help!

Keep the hits comin'

 

 
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bprat22 View Drop Down
DS ELITE
DS ELITE

DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!)
Email address used to purchase matched with forums account email.

Joined: 08 Jun 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 May 2012 at 5:28pm
The 550D or 800D will work, especially withe the new Kepler cards, gtx670/680 kicking the heat out the back. Plus with the 240mm Vortex they will mount the rad on top with its fans, where these cases have no fans.   
 
The HafX has much better airflow which is important and why we always recommend it, but DS will make it work.    If DS sees the need to add fans to the 800D, which is primarily a great water cooled case, then they will let you know.  More fans do mean more noise. 
 
 There is no sealed units like the Vortex for the video cards and chipset. Not really needed.      The psu is good to go.   If you planned on going to a tri-sli, 3x video setup you could go with a corsair 1200w, but this should do it. The other advantage of the newer cards is they take less juice to run.   
Another case to check out is the 500R which, like the Hafx, has a 200mm fan in the side panel blowing fresh air onto the video cards and the chipset to a lesser degree.
Most any case will work, but some do work alot better. 


Edited by bprat22 - 28 May 2012 at 6:34am
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