Author Topic: Building a new computer  (Read 1576 times)

Offline MalusSciurus

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Re: Building a new computer
« Reply #20 on: August 20, 2012, 12:58:14 AM »
Ok so here's my latest build update... I'm pretty sure this is what I'll get but I would like you guys to check over this so I don't make a configuration mistake

CPU: i7 3770k Ivy Bridge
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12
Mobo: ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
RAM: G.SKILL Ares Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3 1866
GFX Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 680 4GB
SSDs: SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256D/AM 2.5" 256GB x 2
HHD: Seagate Barracuda ST3000DM001 3TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache
BluRay Drive: ASUS Black 12X BD-ROM
PSU: CORSAIR HX Series HX850 850W
Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 650D
OS: Windows Home Premium 64bit OEM

So I'm planning on OCing the CPU to around 4.2 GHz so the Noctua cooler should be more than enough.  I checked out the Noctua website to see if the cooler would block any of the RAM slots but it says it doesn't with my mobo but I'm still going to keep my fingers crossed.  I've also decided to play around with RAID 0 for my SSDs so that will be a fun experience.  As for the PSU I know that's a bit much but I plan on popping in another GeForce 680 GTX 4 gb in 2-3 years.  So far I can only find one article about dual 4 GB 680GTXs under full load and they list it topping out at 659 watts.  Also I plan on getting more HDDs in the future so I figure it can't hurt picking up a beefy PSU. 

Offline datora

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Re: Building a new computer
« Reply #21 on: August 20, 2012, 06:10:56 AM »
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Is it truly conceivable that you'll use anything like 32 GB RAM?  I ask because 16 GB is incredibly generous and hard to saturate.  Since the rest of your rig is targeted for cutting edge performance with today's tech, I would consider investing in robust 2 x 8 GB 2133 sticks which would take some overclock load, either to try and bump their MHz up or their timings down.  Combined with your RAID 0 endeavor and pushing the CPU, this might be worth considering if you really want to dance on the top performance edge, especially if the CPU can go even to 4.5 GHz.

If you find yourself short on RAM, you can add in another 2 x 8 GB down the road a bit.  Prices will only drop.

Agreed that 850 W for PSU is substantial.  I would be interested in seeing how much load you actually put on it once you ramp up the clock a bit.  My suspicion is you'll be comfortably under 700 W unril/unless you add the second GPU.

I think that you will not be able to find a matching GPU in 2 years.  the tech will advance too far and you'll have to buy two new ones at that time.  Might even have to upgrade PSU then ... but I also think power use will improve by then too.  So, who knows.

The price range you're in, I don't see you being concerned too much about shaving $50 or so off, so dropping the PSU to 720 or 750 W probably isn't worth the effort, apart from the fact that if you are using too little of it's capacity (under ~60% I think?) then it's efficiency falls off pretty dramatically.

Overall, I don't see any major issues.  The above is more like musings.  Personally, I'm not sure I trust 3 TB tech yet.  If money really isn't much of an issue for you, consider 2 x 2 TB Western Digital Caviar Black for greater reliability.  You can always change those out in a year ... just fill 'em with archival material, shelve them and replace with the most reliable 3 or 4 TB models available for late 2013 or early 2014.
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Offline Freedom Kira

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Re: Building a new computer
« Reply #22 on: August 22, 2012, 10:02:39 PM »
Heh, the 32GB was my suggestion from the previous page. Basically said that since the 16GB he was planning to get would cost him $150, and there exists a 32GB for $50 more, why not? His budget is like 100x that, anyway.

Offline Tatsujin

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Re: Building a new computer
« Reply #23 on: August 22, 2012, 10:30:07 PM »
I'm also thinking two sticks of high-end RAM as a starter would be much better than dealing with 4 sticks of average-type of RAM. This is pointed towards high-end computers to get the most out of your system. You can always add two additional sticks later in the future when you get the money. I also, from my experience, don't recommend two GPU's. Get one around 300-400 dollars (660-670 GTX) and it should last you 3-4 generations easily. A 850W PSU is not recommended for a single GPU, 650W-750W is the core target for a single GPU.


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Offline datora

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Re: Building a new computer
« Reply #24 on: August 23, 2012, 01:06:10 AM »
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Actually, I might have pulled the trigger a bit quick on the WD Caviar Black drives.  Don't get me wrong: they're pretty fantastic.  But, I personally always filter by budget, and these are a great deal for their price.

However, if you really want to go with reliability & have the extra $$$s to invest, then consider looking at:

Western Digital RE4 WD2003FYYS 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s

The RE4 line would be my current top choice for reliability, if I could afford them.  I don't think anything beats them at this time, and I would certainly be interested if someone could suggest something even better.  Pure, academic interest at his time, though.  Recently spent my savings down to very dangerous levels and won't be doing any upgrades for at least the rest of this year.  :-[
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Offline Freedom Kira

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Re: Building a new computer
« Reply #25 on: August 23, 2012, 03:45:47 AM »
I'm also thinking two sticks of high-end RAM as a starter would be much better than dealing with 4 sticks of average-type of RAM. This is pointed towards high-end computers to get the most out of your system.

I can't say I agree there. The difference you get from greater RAM speed and lower latency is hardly noticeable in modern computers. Sure, you might see a difference in the DDR days, but this is 2012.

I upgraded from 8GB of CL7 RAM to 32GB of CL9 RAM (same speed) and haven't noticed a difference in performance. This is on a server-like system, though, so I get more out of the large RAM capacity at higher task loads.

Offline Tatsujin

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Re: Building a new computer
« Reply #26 on: August 23, 2012, 04:35:15 AM »
I'm also thinking two sticks of high-end RAM as a starter would be much better than dealing with 4 sticks of average-type of RAM. This is pointed towards high-end computers to get the most out of your system.

I can't say I agree there. The difference you get from greater RAM speed and lower latency is hardly noticeable in modern computers. Sure, you might see a difference in the DDR days, but this is 2012.

I upgraded from 8GB of CL7 RAM to 32GB of CL9 RAM (same speed) and haven't noticed a difference in performance. This is on a server-like system, though, so I get more out of the large RAM capacity at higher task loads.
Ah, are you using an SSD in that case? RAM speeds do matter in just some categories.


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Online kitamesume

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Re: Building a new computer
« Reply #27 on: August 23, 2012, 03:34:21 PM »
how much was his budget again? 3K?

imho

hexa + CF HD7950 + GT640(physx) and a stripped M4 128gb(who the hell needs 512GB of SSD space!? dump those installers onto a black drive for gods sakes!) = under 3K >,> just sayin. with a simple IVB i7-K though it'll drop down to around $2.5K =D
although GTX670 SLI would be the most cost effective =P.


edit: overkill units aside, a single GTX670 paired with an IVB i7 can max it out, 16GB(2x8GB 1600mhz) and a raid-0 128gb M4 would be a great candidate for performance boosts, plus leaving room for extra ram sticks for later on. also ram speeds over 1600mhz is irrelevant now a days, before they were necessary for overclocking since the FSB was tied to them, aside from benchmarks and other heavy programs theres hardly anything that scales well with ram speeds over 1600mhz to justify the extra premium on them.
storage wise two 2TB blacks in raid-1 would have both performance and reliability although overkill. extra storage can be afforded via WD reds 2TB in raid-5, they arent as reliable as blacks though.
PSUs on the other hand, single GPU units wouldnt eat anywhere near 500watts unless you're running one with an overclocked i7-3930K though this would only push it to about 600watts, double GPUs would only need roughly 600watts and again 800watts with an i7-3930K in it.

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« Last Edit: August 23, 2012, 05:15:48 PM by kitamesume »

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Offline Freedom Kira

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Re: Building a new computer
« Reply #28 on: August 24, 2012, 04:20:59 AM »
Ah, are you using an SSD in that case? RAM speeds do matter in just some categories.

Good call. I am. But so is this guy.

Offline raandomer

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Re: Building a new computer
« Reply #29 on: August 25, 2012, 05:05:39 AM »
CPU: i7 3770k Ivy Bridge
HT can lower fps for a few games, and for most games it give no benefits. Money is better spent getting a 3570k
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CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12
never really been a fan of down blower style hsf, goes against case flow most of the time. I'd go with a silverarrow or d14 if you dont mind having a massive hsf or just grab a h80 if you want a neater look (but you'll need to swap out the loud oem fans)
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Mobo: ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
decent board, should do you fine
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RAM: G.SKILL Ares Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3 1866
crazy overkill for a gaming pc, but ram is dirt cheap so why not
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GFX Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 680 4GB
get a 670 with a 680 pcb (the default 670 board is disgusting), will perform similar to a 680 once clocked
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SSDs: SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256D/AM 2.5" 256GB x 2
I dont see why you would need more that 256gb for a boot drive, even with a super steam account, just go with 256gb, also raiding is a stupid idea for most consumer level pc
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HHD: Seagate Barracuda ST3000DM001 3TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache
here is where your suppose to dump all your stuff
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PSU: CORSAIR HX Series HX850 850W
good psu
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Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 650D
if you want the best air cooling case (without sounding like a jet engine) I'd recommend a rv02-e (gaming look) or ft02 (sleek look). But with 3k+ budget i dont see why you wouldnt go all out and get a x2000f (this is the rolls royce of cases)