System Builder Marathon: TH's $2000 Hand-Picked Build
Tags:
- System Builder
- Performance
- Build
- Product
Last response: in Reviews comments
Crashman
December 27, 2010 4:00:04 AM
The first $2000 build in this quarter's SBM series provided astonishing performance overall, but a few disappointments forced us to consider alternative parts. Today, we see how much improvement we can make when we hand-pick the configuration, TH-style
System Builder Marathon: TH's $2000 Hand-Picked Build : Read more
System Builder Marathon: TH's $2000 Hand-Picked Build : Read more
More about : system builder marathon 2000 hand picked build
dogman_1234
December 27, 2010 4:15:30 AM
Tamz_msc
December 27, 2010 4:46:46 AM
Related resources
- Memory trouble with X58A-UD3R - 09/10 TH's $2000 Hand-Picked Build - Forum
- Looking at System Builder Marathon (or any other PC) for New Build - Forum
- Are System Builder Marathon Rigs Suitable for a First Build? - Forum
- With Tom's System Builder Marathon in mind: Build a Infinite Budget PC - Forum
- Help! System Builder Marathon, Q2 2014: Our Budget Gaming PC - Forum
hardcore_gamer
December 27, 2010 6:03:50 AM
Anonymous
December 27, 2010 7:25:07 AM
gti88
December 27, 2010 7:32:35 AM
scook9
December 27, 2010 8:48:35 AM
scrumworks
December 27, 2010 9:19:56 AM
Luay
December 27, 2010 10:13:29 AM
"Familiarity in overclocking and a third PCIe x16 graphics card slot that operates in x8 mode when occupied are two reasons why we chose the X58A-UD3R over the similarly-priced Asus Sabertooth X58."
Ok, fine. Wouldn't hurt to familiarize anew with a better board and that 3rd slot wasn't used anyways. Megahalems over Noctua? Seasonic over Corsair AX?
Or was it last minute budget cuts to make it less than $2000?
Ok, fine. Wouldn't hurt to familiarize anew with a better board and that 3rd slot wasn't used anyways. Megahalems over Noctua? Seasonic over Corsair AX?
Or was it last minute budget cuts to make it less than $2000?
Score
-2
nerrawg
December 27, 2010 11:37:15 AM
scrumworksDecent review but it seems that in nvidia setups, even the same CPUs can somehow overclock better. And the speed of RAM has negligible or no effect on overall system performance so no point tuning that component.
What do you mean, this was the same model processor but not the same one. They got a new one for this build - so how does that show that the graphics have anything to do with the overclock? If anything it says exactly what is stated in the article, that the overclockability of the i7 950 varies between each sample quite a margin.
NVidia or for that matter AMD graphics have no effect on the CPU overclock.
Score
5
Yuka
December 27, 2010 11:51:58 AM
elbert
December 27, 2010 12:14:07 PM
I would like to see an E5620 $2000 build. I suggest cutting 2 SSD to get this beast under $2000. Should win the gaming and CPU tests with no problem.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
The ASUS Rampage III I understand works well with this server CPU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Due to the low multiplier on the E5620 we will need some highly OCing RAM. Would like have used the 2000 patriot but it breaks the budget.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Three AMD 6950's and it would be great to have a small scaling test. I would like to see what benefit the third card adds. I choose this GPU because many reviews say its the best FPS for the dollar.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
ASUS black DVD burner.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
An Antec Three Hundred Illusion case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Antec CP-850 850W. The PSU has only 4 PCI-E but the Sapphire's come with a 6 PIN to 4 PIN Power Cable and
a 8-PIN to 4 PIN x2 Power Cable.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
H&S Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.B.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Build total $2000
If you want to try for 4.8GHz change the CPU to an E5630, 2 X 6970's, and get the patriot 2000 RAM for a $2000 build.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
The ASUS Rampage III I understand works well with this server CPU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Due to the low multiplier on the E5620 we will need some highly OCing RAM. Would like have used the 2000 patriot but it breaks the budget.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Three AMD 6950's and it would be great to have a small scaling test. I would like to see what benefit the third card adds. I choose this GPU because many reviews say its the best FPS for the dollar.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
ASUS black DVD burner.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
An Antec Three Hundred Illusion case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Antec CP-850 850W. The PSU has only 4 PCI-E but the Sapphire's come with a 6 PIN to 4 PIN Power Cable and
a 8-PIN to 4 PIN x2 Power Cable.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
H&S Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.B.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Build total $2000
If you want to try for 4.8GHz change the CPU to an E5630, 2 X 6970's, and get the patriot 2000 RAM for a $2000 build.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Score
2
Anonymous
December 27, 2010 12:47:01 PM
@ Luay: "Ok, fine. Wouldn't hurt to familiarize anew with a better board and that 3rd slot wasn't used anyways. Megahalems over Noctua? Seasonic over Corsair AX?
"
"better board"--clearly your opinion. That Gigabyte board is an excellent board.
Megahalems: They liked the cooling performance of it with the 4.35MHz i7-950 and saw no reason to change. And it is to laugh at your "Seasonic over Corsair AX"--guess who builds the Corsair AX?
""better board"--clearly your opinion. That Gigabyte board is an excellent board.
Megahalems: They liked the cooling performance of it with the 4.35MHz i7-950 and saw no reason to change. And it is to laugh at your "Seasonic over Corsair AX"--guess who builds the Corsair AX?
Score
3
tapher
December 27, 2010 1:23:39 PM
nerrawgWhat do you mean, this was the same model processor but not the same one. They got a new one for this build - so how does that show that the graphics have anything to do with the overclock? If anything it says exactly what is stated in the article, that the overclockability of the i7 950 varies between each sample quite a margin.NVidia or for that matter AMD graphics have no effect on the CPU overclock.
This debate is easily enough resolved; pop the processor out of the original build and swap it into this build. See if it will overclock to the same degree in this configuration as it did the 1st. I'd like to know!
Score
0
jaquith
December 27, 2010 2:28:47 PM
I've never been a CF {Crossfire} fan, and this build is just another illustration of SLI vs CF. As far as Delta - they offer excellent CFM BUT are EXTREMELY loud @ 46.5 dBA / 3400 RPM - therefore they MUST be run on a fan controller. Anything above >30 dBA is loud and annoying.
CM R4-BMBS-20PK-R0 -> {76.8 CFM} 32 dBA / 2000 RPM
Delta AFC1212D-PWM -> {113.11 CFM} 46.5 dBA / 3400 RPM
Next, I also not a big fan of transverse mounted cases; thermal dynamically 'I get it' but the design pulls the more dusty ground air and the space is often cramped which defeats any advantages.
I absolutely loath the GA-X58A-UD3R MOBO, and instead would have opted for either EVGA or ASUS. Example ASUS P6X58D-E.
CM R4-BMBS-20PK-R0 -> {76.8 CFM} 32 dBA / 2000 RPM
Delta AFC1212D-PWM -> {113.11 CFM} 46.5 dBA / 3400 RPM
Next, I also not a big fan of transverse mounted cases; thermal dynamically 'I get it' but the design pulls the more dusty ground air and the space is often cramped which defeats any advantages.
I absolutely loath the GA-X58A-UD3R MOBO, and instead would have opted for either EVGA or ASUS. Example ASUS P6X58D-E.
Score
0
youssef 2010
December 27, 2010 2:34:31 PM
youssef 2010
December 27, 2010 2:43:20 PM
g00fysmiley
December 27, 2010 3:11:51 PM
nice build, i actually agree with using a new processor and hsowing how it can overclock to. it shows real world performance and how you shouldn't bank on your parts being able to do much mroe beyond stock. overclocking is a bonus, i myself do it, but if i buy a part and it operates at stock speeds fine well... to be fair that is really what i paid for so while it may impact me buying that companies products down the road i can't rma or complain much
Score
0
Haiku214
December 27, 2010 3:17:52 PM
SB is a mainstream processor? Lol! Again, the i7 2600K will beat all the i7 900 CPUs except the $1000 6 core ones. So the i7 2600K will be faster than the i7 950 and below CPUs. Remember that it has 3.4 GHz quad core HT and the i7 950 only has 3.0 GHz stock clock. That in itself will make SB faster plus it should be around %10 faster clock per clock against nehalem.
Score
-2
tbhall77
December 27, 2010 4:08:38 PM
K2N hater
December 27, 2010 4:41:06 PM
jaquithAs far as Delta - they offer excellent CFM BUT are EXTREMELY loud @ 46.5 dBA / 3400 RPM - therefore they MUST be run on a fan controller. Anything above >30 dBA is loud and annoying. CM R4-BMBS-20PK-R0 -> {76.8 CFM} 32 dBA / 2000 RPM Delta AFC1212D-PWM -> {113.11 CFM} 46.5 dBA / 3400 RPMcitation]
A fan controller would lower its CFM potential and lifespan. Believe me, it's nice to have a highly overclocked box on cheap fans but after 1 year you'll find yourself begging for silence.
A fan controller would lower its CFM potential and lifespan. Believe me, it's nice to have a highly overclocked box on cheap fans but after 1 year you'll find yourself begging for silence.
Score
0
chfireball
December 27, 2010 4:53:54 PM
chfireball
December 27, 2010 4:54:03 PM
jcamel24
December 27, 2010 4:59:21 PM
joelmartinez
December 27, 2010 6:17:08 PM
Crashman
December 27, 2010 6:37:56 PM
Formata
December 27, 2010 8:37:37 PM
f-14
December 27, 2010 9:33:44 PM
redgarl
December 28, 2010 12:35:00 AM
redgarl
December 28, 2010 12:36:55 AM
karma831
December 28, 2010 4:18:11 AM
Tamz_msc
December 28, 2010 4:38:07 AM
Luay
December 28, 2010 4:40:23 AM
Pixel13@ And it is to laugh at your "Seasonic over Corsair AX"--guess who builds the Corsair AX?
Without guessing, and according to Corsair, Corsair builds the AX series from the ground up, not Seasonic. Even if it was, Corsair makes better cables.
Asus Sabertooth X58 is specifically a 2xGPU gaming/overclocking mobo that beats the UD3R, or any X58 board, in these specific tasks. IMO, If you're not using a 3rd PCI-E slot and reducing lanes as this build, you can't do better.
Noctua was the heatsink recommended by Tom's in the gift guide.
Score
-1
jj463rd
December 28, 2010 7:13:32 AM
dEAne
December 28, 2010 8:24:01 AM
enzo matrix
December 28, 2010 11:24:15 PM
Newegg has made this entire build into an $1800 combo deal:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...
I don't really like some of the items here. It's just not what I want out of 2K. I would rather sacrifice a little performance for a higher quality case, a modular PSU with a 7 year warranty (the selected Seasonic has a 3-year), and a bit more quiet.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...
I don't really like some of the items here. It's just not what I want out of 2K. I would rather sacrifice a little performance for a higher quality case, a modular PSU with a 7 year warranty (the selected Seasonic has a 3-year), and a bit more quiet.
Score
1
elbert
December 29, 2010 2:20:50 PM
Enzo MatrixWat? a $385 processor that is less powerful than the one used in this build AND it likely doesn't overclock well? Or do you just think it will overclock better because while reducing the frequency, they also reduced the TDP to match?
Less powerful at stock but OC is limited my the motherboard in this case. The E5620 being a 32nm CPU can run stock 4.3GHz stable if the motherboard allows. The i7's shouldn't be run more than 3.73GHz for long term use. The E65x0 can run 4GHz+ stable long term use. Clock for clock the E56x0 beat the i7's due to memory bandwidths. These 2 CPU's beat the 6 core i7's in gaming so yes these 2 CPU's will have no problem beating the i7's.
Here it owns the i7 930 at 4GHz. This review show what the E5620 can do but the E5630 is the real beast at OCing.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/xeon-e5620-overcloc...
Score
1
Crashman
January 21, 2011 1:48:33 AM
Anonymous
February 1, 2011 1:29:50 PM
Crashman
February 1, 2011 7:05:30 PM
Anonymous
February 2, 2011 5:28:33 AM
realbabilu
February 7, 2011 11:30:51 PM
Crashman
February 8, 2011 12:39:23 AM
Related resources
- Solvedwhy is the system builder marathon 2013 based on mini itx plat form? Forum
- SolvedNo Newegg SuperCombo for the current System Builder's Marathon? Forum
- System Builder Marathon, Q1 2014? Forum
- System Builder marathon $500 Forum
- System Builder Marathon, August 2012: $1000 Enthusiast PC Forum
- New $1000 gaming system or System Builder Marathon, Q4 2012: $1,000 Forum
- Real Winners of the System Builder Marathon marc. 2012? Forum
- System Builder Marathon Giveaway Winner announcments? Forum
- "System Builder Marathon" $1200 Rig? Forum
- How to enter the System Builder Marathon competition ? Forum
- Next System builder Marathon Forum
- System Builder Marathon Contest Forum
- System builder marathon notebook edition Forum
- Card Alternative from the System Builder Marathon Article Forum
- System Builder Marathon, May '09: $1,300 Enthusiast PC Forum
- More resources
!