New build - any suggestions?Post Date: 2010-09-21 |
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Belly 
Newbie 
Joined: 21 Sep 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10 |
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 Topic: New build - any suggestions?Posted: 21 Sep 2010 at 2:56am |
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Hello,
First time messing around with building a custom PC here. I must say, the community and company look really great and trustworthy. So, below is my configuration thus far; I'm looking for some input on the hardware components as that's not my strong suit. I'm kinda newb when it comes to custom rigs. Anyway, I'll be using this PC for gaming. I mostly play MMO's; casual FPS play. I just want to find a good rig that will last me a long long time, and will give me some sort of ability to run everything on HIGH graphics :D Specifications: Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Black OPS HailStorm Edition Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 960 3.2GHz (Quad Core) Motherboard: EVGA X58 SLI 3 Edition (Intel X58 Chipset) (Features USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s) (Model: 131-GT-E767) System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) Power Supply: 1000W Digital Storm Certified (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition Highly Recommended) Expansion Bay: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (1TB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (64MB Cache) (Model: Black Edition WD1002FAEX) 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: H20: Stage 5: Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System: CPU & Chipset H20 Tube Color:Black Tubing with High-Performance Fluid (UV Lighting Reactive) Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: - No Thanks Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Noise Reduction: - No Thanks Boost Processor: FREE: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (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) Total cost = $3079 Questions: GPU Worthy? Should I overclock? CPU Worthy? Worth overclocking? Considering this hardware, are there any recommendations to use otherwise? Thanks in advance :) Edited by Belly - 21 Sep 2010 at 3:48pm |
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!ender_
DS Veteran 
Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4219 |
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Posted: 21 Sep 2010 at 8:47am |
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down to i7 950, its the same chip for less money
1000w is too much for 1 gtx 480 and too little for 2, so go up to 1200w or down to 750w
stage 5 is an odd place.. take cpu+gpu cooling first, chipset doesnt really help unless you are in to the extreme range of overclocking
the hailstorm case is pretty expensive for no reason, id suggest building in the "special deals" section instead
overclocking the gpu is up to you, it means more stress, less life, more noise. if you liquid cool it it removes most of those drawbacks
no reason to take the 64mbb cache over the 32mb cache for your hard drive, it wont make a difference
please read through the guide in my signature for additional help / tips
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Belly
Newbie
Joined: 21 Sep 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10 |
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Posted: 21 Sep 2010 at 3:13pm |
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Thanks for the input. I read your guide, which I should have when I first came to the forums, and it was definitely helpful.
Moved down to i7 950, 750W PSU, and 32mb cache hard drive as you suggested; saved a good amount of money. Also for the liquid-cooling, I went for stage 6 CPU/single video card cooling, and took up DSO's offer of free overclocking. As for the chassis, I would've gone with the Assassin. It looks great, but the window is on the right side :( I want to look at the pretty guts with the tower to my right. Just preference I guess. Thanks again for the input, will edit my original post for reference :) |
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!ender_
DS Veteran
Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4219 |
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Posted: 21 Sep 2010 at 3:39pm |
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or you can just repost with your new config, that can be helpful to other new users and it can be confusing to critique things when you edit the first post instead of reposting
so if you do decide to edit at least post your new config idea as a response as well
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Belly
Newbie
Joined: 21 Sep 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10 |
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Posted: 21 Sep 2010 at 3:50pm |
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Doh, I should've known better.
OP is back to original specs haha. Here is my up-to-date spec: Total cost = $2845 Specifications: Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Black OPS HailStorm Edition Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz (Quad Core) Motherboard: EVGA X58 SLI 3 Edition (Intel X58 Chipset) (Features USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s) (Model: 131-GT-E767) System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) Power Supply: 750W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible) Expansion Bay: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (1TB Hitachi/Seagate (7200 RPM) (32MB 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: - No Thanks 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: H20: Stage 6: Sub-Zero LCS Dual Loop: CPU & Single Video Card H20 Tube Color:Black Tubing with High-Performance Fluid (UV Lighting Reactive) Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: - No Thanks Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Noise Reduction: - No Thanks Boost Processor: FREE: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Cooling Upgrade Recommended) Boost Video Card: FREE: Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability 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) |
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!ender_
DS Veteran
Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4219 |
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Posted: 21 Sep 2010 at 4:12pm |
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looking pretty good, ill say though, that there is a lot more power that could be had in that price range, the hailstorm case is unduely expensive in my opinion as is liquid cooling on a build where you are playing lower demand games, for the money you would save dropping those two, you could get a 950 and dual 480s on air but liquid cooling is a preference, nothing wrong with taking it if thats what you want, it at least move the case down into the special deal section |
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Belly
Newbie
Joined: 21 Sep 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10 |
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Posted: 21 Sep 2010 at 4:32pm |
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Yeah, you're right. I've messed around a bit with other cases and could upgrade to 1200W PSU and SLI 480's using the SilverStone TJ09 case, as well as upgraded LED fans. For the CPU (same i7 950) fan I took your advice in your guide and chose the Noctua Dual 120mm. All of this for only a $1 difference!
Considering I don't (and shouldn't) have overheating issues, I suppose it's best to leave out the liquid cooling and go for something that's less bank-breaking. Thoughts on the TJ09 case? I haven't found any info on its dimensions. Time to browse the web I guess. Thanks! Edit: Also considered the Cooler Master CM 690 II case, and the CM Elite 430 Edited by Belly - 21 Sep 2010 at 4:46pm |
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!ender_
DS Veteran
Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4219 |
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Posted: 21 Sep 2010 at 5:01pm |
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no those lower cm cases are a bust, best to sick with the 932 or haf x, or really all the cases in the same price range as the 932
the lower ones are just too small
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Sarah
Newbie
Hardcore Gamer Joined: 07 Jun 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 879 |
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Posted: 21 Sep 2010 at 5:03pm |
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I mentioned this in another thread as well, if you do decide to stick with the Stage 6 Cooling we are now highly suggesting the use of the Hailstorm case for this particular cooling setup. We do advise against the other cases as they will require a radiator to be mounted externally which greatly increases the risk of shipping damage.
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Belly
Newbie
Joined: 21 Sep 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10 |
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Posted: 21 Sep 2010 at 5:17pm |
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Thanks again for the input, Ender.
@Sarah - I think at this point I'll be avoiding liquid-cooling. If I do end up going with liquid-cooling in the future, I'll take your advice :) |
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