I7 980x system build

[tigger561]

I am looking to build a FAST I7 980x system and have been out of the HW loop for quite some time and any help would be greatly appreciated.

MOBO: I am looking for a reputable solid motherboard that supports 24GB of RAM (fastest MHZ possible with least latency as possible). I will not be over clocking as I need something solid.

STORAGE: I’m looking @ 4 of these SAS 2.0 Cheetah 15K.7 SAS 6-Gb/s SED 300-GB Hard Drive 171MB/sec - http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?name=st3300557ss-chta-15k.7-sas-sed-300gb-hd in a raid 0 (yes I know no redundancy) – Any recommendations for anything fast would be appreciated. I do not trust SSD yet and don’t feel is solid as SAS just yet and they are expensive.

RAID: Looking for good SAS RAID card to support the drives for best throughput and maybe later run in raid XX – Any recommendations again would be greatly appreciated. I was thinking this:
http://www.adaptec.com/en-US/products/Controllers/Hardware/sas/performance/SAS-5405Z/

CASE: Something with 5 Bays (4 for drives 1 for CD/DVD RW) + 4 SAS hot swap bays may be separate purchase from case

VIDEO: I don’t care about the video.

POWER: Open to suggestions - solid please

It's for custom app that's only CPU/RAM/IO killer and want every bit of performance as possible.

Any recommendations for any or all of above are greatly appreciated.

 

[tecmo34]

■CPU: Intel Core i7-980X Extreme Edition Gulftown 3.33GHz LGA 1366 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80613I7980X
■MOBO: ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
■RAM: G.SKILL PI Series 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7T2-12GBPI
■HDD: You already have what you were looking for picked out.
■GPU: XFX HD-567X-ZNF3 Radeon HD 5670 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - If gamming is involved on this system, you'll want to go with a better GPU
■PSU: SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
■DVD: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - Just in case you needed one
■Case: ZALMAN PROFESSIONAL GS-1000-BK - Has everything you already need!!

 

[tigger561]

■CPU: Intel Core i7-980X Extreme Edition Gulftown 3.33GHz LGA 1366 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80613I7980X
■MOBO: ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
■RAM: G.SKILL PI Series 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7T2-12GBPI
■HDD: You already have what you were looking for picked out.
■GPU: XFX HD-567X-ZNF3 Radeon HD 5670 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - If gamming is involved on this system, you'll want to go with a better GPU
■PSU: SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
■DVD: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - Just in case you needed one
■Case: ZALMAN PROFESSIONAL GS-1000-BK - Has everything you already need!!

The info is greatly appreciated.

I don't think i was clear on the RAM. I need 24GB of RAM. That particular MOBO's Memory Support List only has 24GB support @ 1333 MHZ which is hardly the fastest (non overclocked) MHZ possible. So MOBO and RAM is a no-go unless i'm missing something.

CASE did not have a good review (several peeps say it runs hot); it also says 2nd HDD plane will cost you almost $50 w-shipping; i probably need 3 (one for each drive?) that does not make financial sense and also does not mention that it supports SAS drives but it does not matter since it runs hot it's out.

 

[tecmo34]

Motherboard:
1) Where do you see it only support 24GB @ 1333 because I can't find where it spells it out (I'm not saying it doesn't... I just can't find for my own reference)

2) Also, here are your options on 24GB sets... http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%201052357243&name=24GB%20%286%20x%204GB%29 - They are either DDR3 1333 or DDR3 1600 Cas9, which isn't the best. I would gather to say 12GB of Cas7 will still meet your needs but you know the application, so if it requires 24GB, you can pick one of the 4 sets.

Case:
1) No problem on the case... I just know it had hot-swap drives and the DigitalStorm adds always look need with that case

2) Here is a case that calls out SAS and hot-swap but it is more expensive... ABS TIGAS Full Black Anodized Aluminum Super Full Tower Computer Case, Front Access 10x Hot-Swappable SATA/SAS HDD with independent Power Switch - Newegg reviews don't seem to bad but I don't put much stock in them either though.

 

[tigger561]

Motherboard: If you go to ASUS site and look at their motherboard they have a Memory Support List (Can't link to it) there isn't anything tested that runs higher than 1333. If you go to Kingston's site and put in that motherboard you also don't get anything over 1333.Would def. go with your suggestion but am confident will MAX out 12GB very fast. IS Cas9 the only option for 24GB? How do I know which ram work with the motherboard you suggested? Does the 1600 actually run at 1600?

Case: That case is overkill. I need a basic 5 bay case that stays cool and 4 hotswap SAS bays; Maybe something like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816212010&cm_re=sas_hotswap-_-16-212-010-_-Product

Thanks for all your help.

 

[tecmo34]

I would purchase two of these... SNT SNT-SAC2131TL 3x3.5" Hard drive in 2x5.25" Bay SAS/SATA Trayless Backplane Hot Swap RAID Cage and place it into the Antec 1200, which will come in less than $260 (just replace two of the 3 bay hard drive trays in the case).

I'll have to do more research on the RAM. I've only seen CAS9 for 24GB of RAM at DDR3 1333 or DDR3 1600. I'm confident any DDR3 1333 CAS9 will work with the motherboard but 24GB of DDR3 1600 CAS9, I'm not sure. You would have to manually adjust the settings but I would be 100% positive before I would throw down $1,000 on RAM. You might want to contact ASUS directly for feedback or review/post on their forum for additional help in the RAM matter... just some additional resources.

 

[GhislainG]

While most X58 motherboards support up to 24GB of DDR3 memory, do you trust that it will be as stable as a server with a Xeon processor and server grade memory? Unless the memory vendor certifies that 24GB will run reliably at 1600 MHz, you probably are on your own. I have yet to find a review where 24GB of memory at 1600 MHz was successfully tested over an extended period of time. If you find a solid combination, please let us know.

 

[tigger561]

The case Antec 1200 and SNT SNT-SAC2131TL 3x3.5" Hard drive in 2x5.25" Bay SAS/SATA Trayless Backplane Hot Swap RAID Cage both look awesome! Thank you so much.

As for the RAM and MOBO; I will also be doing some more research but in the interim can you point me a solid MOBO that will happily take i7-980X and 24 RAM combo that works without a doubt?

 

[tigger561]

While most X58 motherboards support up to 24GB of DDR3 memory, do you trust that it will be as stable as a server with a Xeon processor and server grade memory? Unless the memory vendor certifies that 24GB will run reliably at 1600 MHz, you probably are on your own. I have yet to find a review where 24GB of memory at 1600 MHz was successfully tested over an extended period of time. If you find a solid combination, please let us know.

You're absolutely right...at this point can't trust 24GB @ 1600Mhz that i can find; guess it's more research and if nothing comes of it...will go with something that's certified to work.

Will def. post anything worth posting. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Proximon]

It's really not up to the RAM or MB. Gulftown simply only supports DDR3 1066. 1333 is technically an overclock of the memory controller.

Unless your software is particularly different, it will probably run faster on 1066 CL7 than it would on 1333 CL9, given 24GB.

I too think your usage sounds like it would benefit more from a workstation build. Two of these Xeons for instance
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117146

MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131374

 

[GhislainG]

Proximon, you probably meant two E5520 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117185

 

[Proximon]

You're right. Sorry, I was getting constantly interrupted during the last post

 

[tigger561]

.