System Builder Marathon, Sept. '09: $2,500 Performance PC
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- System Builder
- Performance
Last response: in Reviews comments
Crashman
September 28, 2009 6:01:06 AM
Reader suggestions and previous test results defined most of this month’s highest-priced build. Will the extra planning and testing pay off in clear overclocking and performance superiority? We use Radeon HD 4890s, SSDs, and 8GB of RAM to find out!
System Builder Marathon, Sept. '09: $2,500 Performance PC : Read more
System Builder Marathon, Sept. '09: $2,500 Performance PC : Read more
More about : system builder marathon sept 500 performance
burnley14
September 28, 2009 6:14:02 AM
jj463rd
September 28, 2009 6:17:30 AM
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DjEaZy
September 28, 2009 6:23:36 AM
Anonymous
September 28, 2009 6:30:27 AM
The Quality of video on ATI streem is shit on sticks and doesn't even support high profile.
The last build was a bit too odd for me but this one seems like a very nice chose of parts and on a larger screen set up makes a lot of sense the loss of i7 for AMD only build was a bit sad but the addition of those great SSD kind of makes up for me along with the nice chose of case and cooling. That case looks like it is very nice to work on.
The last build was a bit too odd for me but this one seems like a very nice chose of parts and on a larger screen set up makes a lot of sense the loss of i7 for AMD only build was a bit sad but the addition of those great SSD kind of makes up for me along with the nice chose of case and cooling. That case looks like it is very nice to work on.
Score
-7
dirtmountain
September 28, 2009 6:31:28 AM
Anonymous
September 28, 2009 6:37:49 AM
@Dirtman
http://www.80plus.org/manu/psu/psu_detail.aspx?id=25&ty...
Check your sources because you have it wrong
CMPSU-850HX ATX12V 850 90.38% Gold
http://www.80plus.org/manu/psu/psu_detail.aspx?id=25&ty...
Check your sources because you have it wrong
CMPSU-850HX ATX12V 850 90.38% Gold
Score
1
one-shot
September 28, 2009 6:39:26 AM
dirtmountain
September 28, 2009 6:40:22 AM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Newegg says differently. I did check sources.
Newegg says differently. I did check sources.
Score
0
dirtmountain
September 28, 2009 6:42:32 AM
So does Jonnyguru
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=...
I guess you just can't believe everything you find on a brands site.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=...
I guess you just can't believe everything you find on a brands site.
Score
0
WINTERLORD
September 28, 2009 6:43:31 AM
IzzyCraft
September 28, 2009 6:44:22 AM
dirtmountainhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139011Newegg says differently. I did check sources.
You going to believe newegg a site that is known to make mistakes in labeling products over the actual official site of the group that freaking does the testing and certification
http://www.80plus.org/manu/psu/psu_detail.aspx?id=25&ty...
http://www.80plus.org/manu/psu/psu_reports/CORSAIR_CMPS...
It's gold...
Score
0
IzzyCraft
September 28, 2009 6:46:04 AM
Your PSU calculations do not include transient loads, which happen too quickly to measure on a Kill-a-watt. 1000HX was the better choice.
Either water cool the GPUs or use a case with better air flow. Perhaps 90C is within spec (although I'm not aware of any published official max temps for 4890s)but it doesn't seem like a good idea to me.
What's with the limited choice for a case anyway? You seem to want to experiment? CM Storm Scout has handles, or Lian Li Lancool has great air cooling and radiator hose grommets.
I did like the inclusion of the Swiftech kit.
Either water cool the GPUs or use a case with better air flow. Perhaps 90C is within spec (although I'm not aware of any published official max temps for 4890s)but it doesn't seem like a good idea to me.
What's with the limited choice for a case anyway? You seem to want to experiment? CM Storm Scout has handles, or Lian Li Lancool has great air cooling and radiator hose grommets.
I did like the inclusion of the Swiftech kit.
Score
2
one-shot
September 28, 2009 6:58:16 AM
Corsair says it's Silver
http://www.corsair.com/products/hx850/default.aspx
So...I guess it's really Gold?
(sarcasm)
http://www.corsair.com/products/hx850/default.aspx
So...I guess it's really Gold?
(sarcasm)
Score
0
tipmen
September 28, 2009 7:01:19 AM
Crashman
September 28, 2009 7:15:43 AM
dirtmountainSo does Jonnyguruhttp://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.p [...] 2&reid=153I guess you just can't believe everything you find on a brands site.
80 plus is an independant rating site, the 850HX was upgraded to Gold status so unless you're using an old unit you should be fine.
ProximonWhat's with the limited choice for a case anyway? You seem to want to experiment? CM Storm Scout has handles, or Lian Li Lancool has great air cooling and radiator hose grommets.I did like the inclusion of the Swiftech kit.
This editor never uses external radiators because they're too easily damaged, ugly, and make transportation difficult. The only choice not mentioned was the HAF932: There's one in the lab, it's enormous and cheaply built.
Also, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the ventilation of the case used. It's remarkable. It's darned near perfect. The GPU's run hot for two reasons: HD 4890's are horribly inefficient and there's not much space between them.
The other option would have been to face the PSU fan towards the cards so it could draw warm air away from them.
Score
4
WINTERLORD
September 28, 2009 7:40:10 AM
this thing is truely alswome anyway you slice it. eye candy galore, and im sure anyone who won this thing would be more then happy. and what makes this beast realy shine is how much performance it gets not only in gaming but alswome productivity/ap[plication scores as well. all the way around it is alswome. also very interesting to see AMD parts stacking up like this in a high end gaming. very interesting.
Score
0
masterjaw
September 28, 2009 7:49:16 AM
anamaniac
September 28, 2009 8:05:19 AM
Wow...
I would take this over your last $2,500 Intel system no doubt!
This thing is a work of art.
Excellent work.
Wait wait wait... why would I want a phenom when i have a i7? I don't know, but this system is that cool.
I love the case used on it too. Tri-4890, 2x80GB SSD etc. even on a 2.5k budget is admirable.
Making me wonder were all the money on my build went...
Also nice to see a cheap motherboard being promoted. I paid over $300 for my mobo, and I regret it (good overclocking mobo... crappy overclocker cpu). >_<
Keep up the good work.
I would take this over your last $2,500 Intel system no doubt!
This thing is a work of art.
Excellent work.
Wait wait wait... why would I want a phenom when i have a i7? I don't know, but this system is that cool.
I love the case used on it too. Tri-4890, 2x80GB SSD etc. even on a 2.5k budget is admirable.
Making me wonder were all the money on my build went...
Also nice to see a cheap motherboard being promoted. I paid over $300 for my mobo, and I regret it (good overclocking mobo... crappy overclocker cpu). >_<
Keep up the good work.
Score
1
anamaniac
September 28, 2009 8:14:14 AM
proro1974
September 28, 2009 8:15:19 AM
toxxel
September 28, 2009 8:28:49 AM
Crashman
September 28, 2009 8:45:45 AM
toxxelNice build, the computer fully assembled makes the case look cramped. Then again I didn't expect to see water cooling which is a plus. Definitely a good system though I would have loved to see last sbm included in the graphs like the other systems for this price point.
It wouldn't be fair to compare a big system to a tiny system when both are overclocked, especially when the tiny system had to be undervolted just to run at stock speed.
The $1250 PC has such a comparison only because the builder used a big cooler both times.
Score
0
Stardude82
September 28, 2009 9:25:39 AM
The $650 and the $1250 systems all had AMD? Why shouldn't the $2500 system have an i7? Also, the on board RAID on the AMD boards has been disappointing. An ICH10R southbridge again gives Intel an advantage here as well.
If I had the system I'd hock one of the vid cards for a decent RAID controler.
If I had the system I'd hock one of the vid cards for a decent RAID controler.
Score
-7
nikaan
September 28, 2009 9:45:06 AM
fudgeboy
September 28, 2009 9:47:48 AM
Crashman
September 28, 2009 10:29:20 AM
verrul
September 28, 2009 11:20:55 AM
jerryt74332
September 28, 2009 11:36:03 AM
neiroatopelcc
September 28, 2009 11:49:26 AM
ArticleRAID 1 adds neither capacity nor performance.
Not really true. Some raid controllers utilize both/all drives for read operations instead of just one. Yielding read speeds close to a striped raid set. I'm not aware of any software controllers doing so, but there's not really any technical restriciton to doing it.
Score
1
demodus
September 28, 2009 11:50:34 AM
Crashman
September 28, 2009 11:53:49 AM
neiroatopelccNot really true. Some raid controllers utilize both/all drives for read operations instead of just one. Yielding read speeds close to a striped raid set. I'm not aware of any software controllers doing so, but there's not really any technical restriciton to doing it.
That's the difference between theory and practice. Rather than comment on theory, the editor considered only the wide range of Tom's Hardware RAID controller reviews.
Score
-1
vaker5
September 28, 2009 11:56:15 AM
neiroatopelcc
September 28, 2009 12:00:01 PM
CrashmanThat's the difference between theory and practice. Rather than comment on theory, the editor considered only the wide range of Tom's Hardware RAID controller reviews.
Regardles of what a reviewer chooses, claiming that raid 1 doesn't provide performance is incorrect. Most of the time it won't show any performance increase, but that's dependant on the controller, not on the raid 1 marketing term. I've got a 16 drive eonstor system 4 meters away, which supports improved read speed on raid 1 setups. Though we admittedly utilize a raid with parity and spares instead, the feature does exist in practice.
Score
2
neiroatopelcc
September 28, 2009 12:00:58 PM
ElectroGoofy
September 28, 2009 12:41:11 PM
proro1974
September 28, 2009 12:44:59 PM
ElectroGoofy
September 28, 2009 12:55:51 PM
With a budget of $2,500 you would have thought they would have gone for the best.... an i7.
Was looking forward to seeing what kind of i7 based computer they could put together for $2,500, but I guess they went with and AMD
But yea, I am happy for the AMD fanboys, there haven't been many AMD based computers lately
Was looking forward to seeing what kind of i7 based computer they could put together for $2,500, but I guess they went with and AMD
But yea, I am happy for the AMD fanboys, there haven't been many AMD based computers lately
Score
-5
ElectroGoofy
September 28, 2009 12:57:23 PM
avatar_raq
September 28, 2009 1:35:09 PM
Very nice system, although the assembly was a little complex, but nothing an enthusiast can't handle.
When I started to read this article I thought amd won't suit such a high-end system, but seeing how the extra cash was diverted to a powerful GFX setup and storage and the gaming results it achieved, I changed my mind.
When I started to read this article I thought amd won't suit such a high-end system, but seeing how the extra cash was diverted to a powerful GFX setup and storage and the gaming results it achieved, I changed my mind.
Score
2
pocketdrummer
September 28, 2009 2:11:23 PM
dark_lord69
September 28, 2009 2:13:39 PM
Awesome build, I wish I had money to spare like that.
I can't even dish out $350 for upgrades.
I'm surprised it's an AMD system. (Although I do feel that the core i7 processors and motherboards are overpriced.)
RAID 0 Solid State!! OMG!
8GB of RAM!!
4890 X3!! WOW!!
I would do anything to win a pc like this!
I can't even dish out $350 for upgrades.
I'm surprised it's an AMD system. (Although I do feel that the core i7 processors and motherboards are overpriced.)
RAID 0 Solid State!! OMG!
8GB of RAM!!
4890 X3!! WOW!!
I would do anything to win a pc like this!
Score
-1
neiroatopelcc
September 28, 2009 2:17:29 PM
pocketdrummerWhat about previous overclocked version vs new overclocked version?Isn't the benchmark sort of skewed?
There's a comparison article on the way comparing the builds, and I assume where applicable it'll include the last builds as well.
@ dark_lord69 : 8GB memory is quite affordable, and if you already have 2x2gb (I would assume any build from mid-end 2006 and now has that), it's very simple to upgrade. You may want to wait till october and get a win 7 64bit to go with it though - and then it's not so cheap anymore.
Score
-1
skora
September 28, 2009 2:39:07 PM
Since the rational in the conclusion to spend this much is to enhance the gaming experience, here's a suggestion for next quarter. Build a system around Nvidia's 3D glasses. Include a monitor or HD TV in the cost since it needs the 120mhz refresh rate, and see what you can come up with. I think the debate is over for mainstream water vs big air, save the money and stick with the air.
Score
0
neiroatopelcc
September 28, 2009 2:47:02 PM
skora
September 28, 2009 3:28:35 PM
neiroatopelcc said:
120mhz refresh? bloody hell! And I thought 200hz was fast!LOL, thank you for pointing out my typo. Soon, your monitor will have windows 3.11 installed on it!
The principal behind needing 120hz is each eye has to see 60hz so it doesn't recognize a difference from a regular monitor. The glasses will close tiny shutters on one eye for 1 hz while the other eye sees the screen. Then the lens switch for 1 hz and the screen shows a slightly different picture so the brain will precieve depth. It does this back and forth, the brain never realizes the 1hz blackout for each eye, and your gaming experience is enhanced. Haven't done any research in a while, so I don't know if faster refresh rates effect performance or not.
Score
-1
neiroatopelcc
September 28, 2009 3:35:44 PM
skora said:
LOL, thank you for pointing out my typo. Soon, your monitor will have windows 3.11 installed on it!The principal behind needing 120hz is each eye has to see 60hz so it doesn't recognize a difference from a regular monitor. The glasses will close tiny shutters on one eye for 1 hz while the other eye sees the screen. Then the lens switch for 1 hz and the screen shows a slightly different picture so the brain will precieve depth. It does this back and forth, the brain never realizes the 1hz blackout for each eye, and your gaming experience is enhanced. Haven't done any research in a while, so I don't know if faster refresh rates effect performance or not.
I know how they work. I see very poorly on one eye, and found out those kinds of hardware didn't work for me (back in 96 when matrox introduced similar ones), so I ofc tried to understand why.
In any event - I've actually got 3.11 in a vmware mashine on this pc, so it's already there
Score
-1
jerreece
September 28, 2009 3:39:40 PM
dirtmountainThe Corsair CMPSU-850HX is rated Silver, not Gold. Nice build, good results, great work.
dirtmountainhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139011Newegg says differently. I did check sources.
Why are you people giving this guy thumbs down? He's spotted an error and is apparently right.
http://www.corsair.com/products/hx850/default.aspx
Corsair claims it is Silver. They made it, they are the ones who have to stand behind their claims. So I'd be most inclined to go by their information.
Score
-1
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