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Looking for new Gaming Rig

Post Date: 2012-04-15
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Asangard View Drop Down
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Posts: 2209 		  Quote Asangard Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Looking for new Gaming Rig
    Posted: 15 Apr 2012 at 12:10pm
I purchased from DS 2 yrs ago and it is time for a new rig.
 
Budget 2500 - 3000
 
I do not need a Monitor, Keyboard or mouse at this time.  Current Monitor is a Dell U2410 with resolution of 1900 x 1200.  May consider upgrading to a larger monitor at a later date.
 
This rig will be used for gaming (aprox 95% of the time) and surfing the web the other 5%.
 
Current Rig is liquid cooled (both CPU and GPU).  But I would prefer air cooling this time around.  Easier for me change, add or upgrade components. 
 
2 cases I am cosidering are the Cooler Master HAF X 942 and the Cooler Master Storm Trooper.  I am leaning towards the Storm Trooper as it has dust filters, fan control, external SSD docking bay and can add up to 4 additional fans.  I would add 2 fans at the bottom of the case and posible switch the 200mm fan at the top for 2 120mm fans.
 
I am not sure which CPU or GPU to go with so I look forward to your suggested builds and a big thank you in advance.
 
 
 
 
All evil comes from within,
Not from Without,
Therefore, the 1st step on the Holy Warrior path,
Is to recognize thyself as thy 1st enemy.
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bprat22 View Drop Down
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 15 Apr 2012 at 12:56pm
Hi Asangard....  Here's a build a touch over your $3000 budget but has great gaming for a long time.  I'll expalin after.
 
 
Config # 675961   Cost $ 3030
 
 
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 P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 (Intel Z68 Chipset) (Features Intel Quick Sync Technology)
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 (500GB Seagate Barracuda (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache)
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: 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 2GB (Includes PhysX)
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
Boost Processor: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires Pro or Deluxe Series 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 5-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Customer Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty
 
 
I put in the HafX case, the best air cooled case. This cases 230mm front fan is quiet and will move more air at a slower rpm than the Storm Troopers 2x 120mm fans.  The HafX has a side 200mm quiet fan that blows right on the gpus.  With the HafX there would be no reason to add all the 120mm fans you mentioned.  It's great as is.  All the fans except the back have filters.
 
The HafX has a sata dock where HDD screws to the sled.  If you want Hot Swap for a little quicker change, it is in the config page Expansion Bay. 
 
The fan control on the Trooper is to turn down noisy fans.  Not needed on the HafX.
 
 
The i7-2600k and z68 V-Pro/gen3 mobo are all you need for great gaming.
 
I put in the sli, 2x gtx680 which is a bit overkill for your monitor but would be needed if you move up to the 27" or 30" Dell UltrSharps at 2560x 1600.  Not sure what games you play but the single 680 on the 24" will max out most games, with gpu intense  BF3 and Metro 2033 on Ultra settings dropping below 60fps on occasion when things go crazy, but averaging above 60fps for smooth gaming most of the time   Same for sli 680 with the 27-30" .
 
There are new Z77 mobo's out in the config. They are more $$, $88 I think, so you'd have to check if the features are right for you, like Wifi, Native USB 3.0, more fan control and oc'ing in Bios and more USB 3.0 ports. 
 
The D14 cpu cooler is quiet, cools great and is very reliable.  That and the 2600k make stage 2 overclocking a good fit.
 
See what you think and good luckBig%20SmileBig%20Smile
 

Edited by bprat22 - 15 Apr 2012 at 1:03pm
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Asangard View Drop Down
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Posts: 2209 		  Quote Asangard Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 15 Apr 2012 at 1:48pm
Thanks for the quick and great response.  I will take a look at it.
All evil comes from within,
Not from Without,
Therefore, the 1st step on the Holy Warrior path,
Is to recognize thyself as thy 1st enemy.
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Asangard View Drop Down
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Posts: 2209 		  Quote Asangard Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 7:59am
Hi bprat22.....  Thanks again I like the build.  There are a couple of things I am considering.
 
I am considering the Z77 boards.  Either the P8Z77-V Deluxe or the Sabertooth Z77. The Sabertooth is a little less expensive and has a better warrenty.  I don't need the WiFi that is built into the Deluxe model.  What is your opionion of these 2 boards?
 
If I do go with a Z77 board I think I would wait till the release of the new 3rd generation Ivy Bridge CPUs do out the end of this month. 
 
Also I think I would go with just 1 GTX680 for now.  I can order a 2nd one when/if I upgrade my monitor.
 
Also I am considering going with the Corsair Force GT Series 120GB SSD for my main drive.  Then either get the 500GB Seagate Barracuda or use my 300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor (power on 301d 3h) from my current computer as a 2nd Hard Drive.
 
Looking forward to your thoughs on these ideas.
 
 
 
 
All evil comes from within,
Not from Without,
Therefore, the 1st step on the Holy Warrior path,
Is to recognize thyself as thy 1st enemy.
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bprat22 View Drop Down
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 8:39am
Hi Asangard....It's getting tough to recommend or not certain mobo's.  They're changing fast and furious and I always advise one to study the specs under each board in the config builder.  That being said, the Z77 is replacing all else and is the way to go.  Alot of the features of Z77 some won't care about and others will love.
Things like Native USB 3.0 which is faster, more USB 3.0 ports, better oc'ing and fan control in Bios and a better interface in Bios and WiFi in some models.   For your needs, and you don't want WiFi, go for the sabetooth and save some money.  It is rated very good with it's better components, warranty, etc.  I never liked the armor of the sabertooth line.  Being an old service guy, I like to eyeball the board.  But, it fares well in testing even without the active fans one can use to take full affect of it's channeled cooling.  Go for the sabertooth and pocket some $$$.
 
It is so close you mught as well wait for ivy bridge cpu.  But, the main benefit is for PCIe3.0  which your setup will not need.  If you added another gpu down the road and then another card in another pci slot like sound card, etc then the Pcie 3.0 would help keep gpu's working at their best.   But, it is so close why not.
 
SSD's I don't know too well. My take, all DS provides will get the job done, just that some like 520 series are newer and faster.  Same for HDD.  The 1TB Black Edition is liked for it's extra speed, but they all work great.
 
Hope this rambling helps.Big%20Smile 
 
 
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Asangard View Drop Down
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Posts: 2209 		  Quote Asangard Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 1:34pm
Attention Alex....  With the new Z77 chipset I was wondering if you might be offering a Z77 motherboard that supports dual SLI/Crossfire where both run at 16x instead of 8x/8x.  Such as the ASUS P8Z77 WS motherboard.
All evil comes from within,
Not from Without,
Therefore, the 1st step on the Holy Warrior path,
Is to recognize thyself as thy 1st enemy.
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Alex View Drop Down
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Posts: 16314 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 2:23pm

Not at this time as we're waiting for ASUS to release their Maximus board. It should be out hopefully soon and will do dual 16x.
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Asangard View Drop Down
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Posts: 2209 		  Quote Asangard Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Apr 2012 at 9:29pm
Thanks Alex.  I will be ordering from DS but I want to see what the new Ivy Bridge CPUs have and I would like a Z77 board that can dual 16x.  If it fits in my Budget of coarse.Big%20Smile
 
Also thanks bprat for you advise.  It really has been helpful.
All evil comes from within,
Not from Without,
Therefore, the 1st step on the Holy Warrior path,
Is to recognize thyself as thy 1st enemy.
Back to Top
bprat22 View Drop Down
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Apr 2012 at 3:49am
Hi Asangard...  I understand the dual x16 setup, but a dual x8 is all cards today will use especially with PCIe 3.0 with ivy bridge chip  doubling the bandwidth. 
 
But the future is a big unknown so why not..Big%20Smile
 
Best of luck
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