New Rig

I highly recommend dropping the 3930k to the 3820. DS is still able to OC this processor despite it not being fully unlocked.

The 3930k is for users who do lots of video rendering/editing stuff i know nothing about. Unless you are doing lots of video rendering, or CAD work you DO Not Need the 3930k (unless you just want it)

So i would drop the processor down and either save the money or spend it on a nice keyboard/mouse/monitor/headset whatever you want, "i recommend NewEgg for all your accessories, very good deals"

Look at my build that got ordered tell me what you think, it is more expensive but it is a possible option for you

Ticket Number: 684084
Total Price with Instant Savings: $4,420.00

Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=684084

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 3820 3.6GHz (Turbo Mode up to 3.8GHz) (Quad Core) <b></b>
Motherboard: EVGA X79 FTW (Intel X79 Chipset) (Features USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s) <b></b>
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)  <b></b>
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (1TB Western Digital/Seagate/Hitachi/

i called and changed the order to stage 2 OC which DS said would be no problem with this CPU and i have stage 6 full Liquid cooling CPU and Graphics but if you dont want to spend the money or the minimum maintenance the H100 will do you fine 

Ticket Number: 688627
Total Price with Instant Savings: $3,561.00

Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=688627

Specifications:
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 3820 3.6GHz (Turbo Mode up to 3.8GHz) (Quad Core) <b></b>
Motherboard: ASUS P9X79 DELUXE (Intel X79 Chipset) (Features USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s) <b></b>
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)  <b></b>
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) <b></b>
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) <b></b>
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Creative Labs X-Fi Titanium HD 24-bit 96KHz <b></b>
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Corsair H100 Liquid CPU Cooler (240mm Radiator) (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 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: - No Thanks
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

I also like the x79 plateform because of socket LGA 2011 so when Ivy-Bridge E rolls around you will be able to upgrade.

This system will gives you years of enjoyment and use

Hi blankcc,

For your use I don't see any reason to go with the X79 platform. Take a look at this build. It has a bigger SSD, air cooled (quieter), much better GPUs and the WiFi is included in the Mobo. You don't need a sound card unless you have a sound system. The on board sound is all you need for gaming. You are set for up to three GPUs.

Frank

Configuration: 688877 Cost: $3707

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 3770K 3.50 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: 1200W Corsair Pro Gold Series (CMPSU-1200AX) (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (180GB 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: 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: Phanteks PH-TC14PE 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/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

Edited by FrankW - 16 May 2012 at 5:31am

Sorry tju76. Just another way to go.

Frank

Hi blankcc,

When we talk single GPU we normally refer to the 670/680 GPU. The 690 is a single card that has two slightly detuned 680s mounter on a single card frame and is in SLI. The SLI strap is internal to the card.

So if you buy a 690 you are getting a SLI setup. If you buy two 670/680s you are getting a SLI setup. The only advantage of the 690 is for those who don't have a SLI mobo. The disadvantages of the 690 are:

1. The card is $1000 and if you have one side of the card fail, you have to spend another $1000 to replace it.

2. The two GPUs have their clocks slightly detuned.

3. The 690 frame has one card mounted to the backplate and the heat from the back GPU is dumped out the back of the case. That is a good thing. The front GPU has no access to the back plate and it dumps its heat directly into the case. Even though the thermals of the 600 series cards are lower they still have a lot of heat to dissipate. To me this is a bad design and not worth my money.

4. I mentioned that you have to replace the whole 690 card if one side of it fails. To do that with DS warranty you have pay for a new card and have them send it to you. You then get a refund for the new card after DS receives your defective card. Or, if you don't want to shell out a $1000 to get a replacement, you have to remove your 690 and send it to DS. After they receive the defective card the new 690 will be shipped. This way you are with out your computer for a week or so, maybe more. With dual 670/680 cards you simply remove the defective card and send it in for a replacement. You game along with a single care until your second card arrives.

Frank

Edited by FrankW - 16 May 2012 at 3:08pm

Hi blankcc,

No problem with the questions. We provide information and it is your choice what you want to do. We want you to have the best computer you can buy for your money.

In regards to the Z77/X79. With the X79 for sure you don't need a 6 core CPU and the 3820 is only partially unlocked so with DS you are limited to a Stage 1 OC. With the Z77 the 3770 is a K model and unlocked for higher OCs. The Z77 is Ivy Bridge and the X79 is Sandy Bridge E. You can go either way and have a good system but the Z77 is the latest from Intel with PCIe-3 and cheaper than the X79. If you were doing heavy duty processing then the X79 6-core would be the best choice. For gaming my choice would be the Z77 with the 3770K CPU just because it is the newest and cheaper.

If 16Gb of memory is important to you then go for it. You won't use 8Gb for gaming. The 1600Mhz ram is a sweet spot for ram speeds. You can go with faster ram but you don't need it and it cost more. To take advantage of the 200Mhz speed you will have to have a high Vcore voltage and you don't want that. Leave the 2000 memory to the super clockers.

The D14 is a great cooler and maybe a little quieter than the Phanteks. The reviews I read gave the Phanteks a slight edge on temps but only like a degree or two. They are both a good choice. I saw a recent post that DS doesn't have the Phanteks right now so go with the D14.

Frank

Hi blankcc,

When you receive you system all the SLI setting will be set and you will be ready to game. The software from Nvidia is simple and all you have to do is set options. If one card fails you would have to remove the SLI strap (that is simple) and reset the Nvidia options to non SLI. Remove the defective card and send it in for replacement. When you get the new card you just reverse the operation. You might at some time have to delete and load new drivers. But you might have to do that with a single card also. SLI use to have a lot of software problems but I don't think that is the case today. You always have DS to help out and this forum. DS has many customers who never had SLI or OC their CPU and they are all doing OK.

Frank