Need configuration advisePost Date: 2010-06-10 |
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paintguy 
Newbie 
Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2 |
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 Topic: Need configuration advisePosted: 10 Jun 2010 at 9:41pm |
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I am a novice configuring a rig for my 13 yr old son. Been doing a lot of reading for the last few months trying to understand what I need. I have kids starting college soon so I need this build to be expandable in the future: 2nd or 3rd video card, sound card, SSD, 2nd optical drive or blue ray, not sure what else. Here's my first attempt:
Ticket Number: 413718
Chassis Model: Ironclad Processor: Intel Core i7 960 3.2GHz (Quad Core) Motherboard: EVGA X58 FTW3 Edition 3X SLI System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance
Power Supply: 1000W Digital Storm Certified (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) Optical Drive 1: DVD�R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x) Internet Access: High Speed Network Port Video Card: 1x ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Asetek Liquid CPU Cooler (240mm Radiator) Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With Zalman Performance Fans (Up to 6 Fans) Boost Processor: FREE: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) Speakers: Logitech 2 Piece (Black Edition) Amplified Speaker Set Keyboard: Razer Lycosa Gaming USB Desktop (Multimedia Keyboard) Mouse: Razer Lachesis Gaming Mouse (High-Speed Gaming Grade) Here's my reasoning:
Case - I live in the country, dusty, this case has max filters
processor - as most advise worth the investment
MB - capable of 6 core in future
PS - capable up to 3 GPU's
HD - basic for now
GPU - liked the Geforce 480 but heat is a concern o n the MB, especially if upgrading to 2 or 3. 5870 lower heat and power needs.
H2O - like the heat reduction capability, not sure which Asetec unit DS uses
Upgraded fans - heat kills electronics, more is better
Keyboard/mouse - is this worth it?
As my kids say I'm a paint nerd and not computer wise. You guys know what you are doing.
 Any help would be appreciated. |
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paintguy
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Cretae
DS Veteran 
Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7331 |
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Posted: 10 Jun 2010 at 11:38pm |
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Not too bad for a "novice". You've done some homework. The Ironclad is not the best choice available here. The Storm Sniper has built in filters in the form of a very fine mesh, and 3 huge 200mm fans to move air. The i7 930 is exactly the same processor as the 960 with a lower factory clock. when DS overclocks the 930, it will perform the same as a stage one OC'd 960. The 960 is a waste of $.You're better off with the Corsair power supply for better reliability.
The Asetek actually does not perform as well as either of the Noctua air coolers. And if it leaks....
If you get the better case, you won't need a fan upgrade. The Zalmans are noisy.
The price of the speakers speaks for itself. Logitech makes a surround sound 5.1 set for about $90 that is a good value. If you don't care for surround, there are much better 2 and 2.1 solutions available.
You're better advised to go somewhere you can actually touch the keyboard and mouse for the best fit for the user as to size and feel. If a Best Buy is around, it has both those products and several others to choose from. The mouse is a good one, but may be overkill. I've heard complaints about the keyboard before, but I don't know.
What is the screen resolution of the monitor he'll be using? Some video cards are overkill for what you're trying to power.
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Coolermaster Storm Sniper
Intel Core i7 930 3.8GHz OC EVGA X58 LE 6GB DDR3 1600Mhz Ram 750W Corsair 1TB HDD 1x ATI RadeonHD 5870 1GB Noctua Dual 120mm I can make my mind think... anything.... |
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DST4ME
DS ELITE 
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 11 Jun 2010 at 1:52am |
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if you want to be able to add 4 gpus and have sound card and etc, then you need the classified, the ftw edition will max out at tri sli and won't have room for any other pci cards, like sound card. you also need bigger psu and etc:
Here you go Ticket# 413762 --- Price: $2553 (To see this build click here) Price after current promotion $2553 Copy of Specifications: Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master HAF 932 Exterior Finish: - Not Available Trim Accents: - Not Available Processor: Intel Core i7 930 2.8GHz (Quad Core) Motherboard: EVGA X58 Classified 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire) System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) Power Supply: 1500W Silverstone (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Recommended) Expansion Bay: - Not Available Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) 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: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480 1.5GB (Includes PhysX Technology) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 1: Noctua Dual 120mm Fans High Performance Cooler (Compatible With ONLY i7 Processors) H20 Tube Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a FrostChill or Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System Selected Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With Zalman Performance Fans (Up to 6 Fans) Internal Lighting: - No Thanks Enhancements: - Not Available Chassis Mods: - Not Available Noise Reduction: - Not Available Boost Processor: FREE: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Cooling Upgrade Recommended) Boost Video Card: - Not Available Boost Memory: - Not Available Boost OS: - Not Available Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-Bit Edition) Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based) Virus Protection: - Not Available Office: - Not Available Benchmarking: - Not Available Install/Test Game: - Not Available Display: - No Thanks Surge Shield: - No Thanks Speakers: Logitech 2 Piece (Black Edition) Amplified Speaker Set Keyboard: Razer Lycosa Gaming USB Desktop (Multimedia Keyboard) Mouse: Razer Lachesis Gaming Mouse (High-Speed Gaming Grade) 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: 3 Year Limited Warranty with Life-Time Customer Support (3 Year Labor & 1 Year Parts) my question is, are you sure you need to go tri sli? |
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paintguy
Newbie
Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 11 Jun 2010 at 11:36pm |
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Thanks for all the great advice, saved me big $ onthe cpu, something more to play with. My son and I will be going to BB to look at the keyboards and mouse. Here's my nest attempt:
Ticket Number: 413968
Total Price with Instant Savings: $2,524.00 Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=413968 HAF-X about the best as I can see, completely expanable, high volume cabinet, high quality air flow with std fans and designed with Nvida for the new 480 cards. A little pricey though.
930i
EVGA X58 classifiied 3X sli, don't think 4X sli will ever be an option. 3X would be a stretch. Do want some extra slots though if we go to 3X one day. Can a MB expansion be done if needed for extra slots? There is more than enough room in this case. Is a lower cost MB an option if expansion is possible?
1000W Corsair - enough for 3X sli, sound card, maybe LC and a faster internet port? Trying to save a few here if I can.
80 GB SSD - intel. Here's the candy for the cpu $. I've read intel is a good choice, any comments? May be small but I can suppliment with a HD when needed or if price continues to fall another SSD. Is this SSD large enough for awhile?
Geforce 480 - with the haf-x case designed with nvida some of the heat concerns are less. I like intel chips better anyway.
CPU cooler - Noctura NH-D14
More Q's:
1. If only going to 3Xsli capabiity with maybe 2 other cards is this the best MB for me?
2. Enough power with 1000W?
3. Is the SSd a good value, I know it is lightning fast compared to a HD.
4. cpu cooling. Still like the theory of LC but have similar concerns. This air cooler is a monster. Worried about damage to the MB during shipping and just moving the rig around. How do the LC options here rate besides costly. Would it be better to get the stock cpu cooler and upgrade with other options outside what DS offers?
5. What about noise reduction - something I liked about the ironclad. Worth the $80, The rig will double as fun and school so noise is a big concern. A humming machine will be a distraction during homework.
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paintguy
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Cretae
DS Veteran
Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7331 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 12 Jun 2010 at 10:39pm |
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1. The Classified is one of the best motherboards around. It has 5 PCIe slots and one PCI slot. I adhere to the view that by the time one just has to have that second gpu, a newer, faster, better series of cards will be out that will better define the upgrade path in the way the ATI 5000's and the nVidia 400's have. Since this idea pretty much dispenses with 2x, 3x never even crosses my mind. In this context, your mobo has all you will need. 2. See above. However, 1000W was enough for 2x 5870, need 1200/1250 for 2x 480. One of my major concerns with CF/SLI personally is power consumption.
3. The SSD is the best upgrade you can get for performance after the OC. The Intel is the cream of the crop. 80g is plenty if you use the drive wisely, and only expect it to handle your OS, main apps, and the handful of games you are currently playing.
4. LC is not necessary for the vast majority of users. most of those I've seen order it seem to me motivated by bragging rights/eye candy. Rediculous amount of money to pay for that IMO. DS packs your case so well, you will not believe it. They use foam rubber around/between sensitive components, and then use an expanding foam to lock case contents in place for shipping. Then the whole case is locked in place by more expanding foam inside the carton.
5. The Haf series and the Sniper are designed with such massive fans so they can move a lot of air without very much noise at all. The Noctuas are whisper quiet. I have a Sniper with a Noctua 120mm Dual right next to me under my desk, and I can barely hear it at all.
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Coolermaster Storm Sniper
Intel Core i7 930 3.8GHz OC EVGA X58 LE 6GB DDR3 1600Mhz Ram 750W Corsair 1TB HDD 1x ATI RadeonHD 5870 1GB Noctua Dual 120mm I can make my mind think... anything.... |
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