System Builder Marathon, March 2011: $2000 Performance PC
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Nick-of-time availability on revision B3-based P67 motherboards makes it possible for us to explore Intel's Sandy Bridge architecture in the fastest configuration competing in this quarter's System Builder Marathon. Is the result an overwhelming victory?
System Builder Marathon, March 2011: $2000 Performance PC : Read more
System Builder Marathon, March 2011: $2000 Performance PC : Read more
More about : system builder marathon march 2011 2000 performance
wribbs
March 22, 2011 4:31:27 AM
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dragonsqrrl
March 22, 2011 4:34:27 AM
Wow, nice system this time around. Excellent performance and efficiency, although I personally would've chosen a nicer case for a $2000 system. I know you guys have your reasons, and for the purposes of a purely price/performance oriented build it makes sense to skimp on the aesthetic qualities of a case, but for me personally, it's still nice to see a high-end case complement some high-end hardware.
Score
1
toxxel
March 22, 2011 4:35:12 AM
sparky2010
March 22, 2011 5:02:09 AM
illuminatuz
March 22, 2011 5:04:21 AM
dertechie
March 22, 2011 5:09:03 AM
That system looks familiar. Very familiar. Almost. . . have you been spying on me?
I built a system exactly like that, except with an 2500K, P8P67 Pro, single 6950 2GB, single SSD, DVD rather than BD, H50 and a cheaper PSU. Tears through Metro 2033 maxed at 1920x1200 like butter. When prices on 6950s fall some more I'll add a card and see if they can handle Eyefinity.
I built a system exactly like that, except with an 2500K, P8P67 Pro, single 6950 2GB, single SSD, DVD rather than BD, H50 and a cheaper PSU. Tears through Metro 2033 maxed at 1920x1200 like butter. When prices on 6950s fall some more I'll add a card and see if they can handle Eyefinity.
Score
-1
illuminatuz
March 22, 2011 5:14:43 AM
and its possible.. just take a nice gtx 560ti rather two amd sli and take 8 gig ram.. since anything above 8 gig will give diminishing returns and 500 gb hdd is more than enough i think.. buy a cheaper case, (punch holes to make it cooler
) thats it.. same cpu same mobo and everything else same. you can also opt for cheaper 1155 mobo. i think gigabyte's got some.. or asus maybe.. no need for some two pcie and crap.. you can take a higher gpu.. say like gtx 580 or 6990.. well sli will give value if you are going for long term.. and you can install server's power.. they are cheap and of higher quality (thats what i heard from my pc vendor). i think there better be another marathon where there are the best pc at lowest cost.. that would make more sense rather giving budget.. so that people can know what they can make with the money they got.. since not all have exactly 1000$ or 2000$ there are people from other countries as well following www.tomshardware.com so keep up the good work fellas ^_^/~~
) thats it.. same cpu same mobo and everything else same. you can also opt for cheaper 1155 mobo. i think gigabyte's got some.. or asus maybe.. no need for some two pcie and crap.. you can take a higher gpu.. say like gtx 580 or 6990.. well sli will give value if you are going for long term.. and you can install server's power.. they are cheap and of higher quality (thats what i heard from my pc vendor). i think there better be another marathon where there are the best pc at lowest cost.. that would make more sense rather giving budget.. so that people can know what they can make with the money they got.. since not all have exactly 1000$ or 2000$ there are people from other countries as well following www.tomshardware.com so keep up the good work fellas ^_^/~~ Score
-3
tapher
March 22, 2011 5:36:47 AM
andy5174
March 22, 2011 5:44:21 AM
Zeh
March 22, 2011 5:54:26 AM
joshyboy82
March 22, 2011 6:00:50 AM
bombat1994
March 22, 2011 6:12:34 AM
this test really should have been done with bios flashes. that what enthusiasts generally use with 6950's. but still nice to see just how powerfull the 2600k is.
how would a system like this perform if watercooled. i presume it will kill most of the gpu heat problems and the cpu should stay bout the same
how would a system like this perform if watercooled. i presume it will kill most of the gpu heat problems and the cpu should stay bout the same
Score
0
dertechie
March 22, 2011 6:16:02 AM
Everyone suggesting the 6990, why?
Crossfired 6970s give the same performance, OC about as well, cost the same $700, and you can be in the same room as them without ear plugs. My old Pentium D's fan was annoying, the 6990 is apparently even worse.
Now, water cooled 6990s (yes, plural), now you're talking, but then we're into $3,000+ territory, and 5 DisplayPort monitors with good vertical viewing angles on top of that (read: 5x 24" IPS, $2500, minimum).
These are 1GB 6950s. Without a BIOS for a 1GB 6970, you can't flash those, and AMD has not released a 1GB 6970. We also never know when/if they'll start fusing off extra shaders now that specs are finalized.
Crossfired 6970s give the same performance, OC about as well, cost the same $700, and you can be in the same room as them without ear plugs. My old Pentium D's fan was annoying, the 6990 is apparently even worse.
Now, water cooled 6990s (yes, plural), now you're talking, but then we're into $3,000+ territory, and 5 DisplayPort monitors with good vertical viewing angles on top of that (read: 5x 24" IPS, $2500, minimum).
bombat1994this test really should have been done with bios flashes. that what enthusiasts generally use with 6950's. but still nice to see just how powerfull the 2600k is.how would a system like this perform if watercooled. i presume it will kill most of the gpu heat problems and the cpu should stay bout the same
These are 1GB 6950s. Without a BIOS for a 1GB 6970, you can't flash those, and AMD has not released a 1GB 6970. We also never know when/if they'll start fusing off extra shaders now that specs are finalized.
Score
0
Rizlla
March 22, 2011 7:15:05 AM
legacy-za
March 22, 2011 7:22:19 AM
silverblue
March 22, 2011 7:41:02 AM
Good to see the HD103SJ in there. Just bought one of these myself, though astonishingly, the UK price is even cheaper - £38 ($61) - though I haven't found one without shipping costs of at least £5 ($8).
Excellent build, definitely worth it over the previous $2,000 system. I can't help but wonder how well those 6950s will perform once AMD's drivers really make use of the VLIW4 architecture, so there's another potential bonus. Now if only this was available in the UK...
I did my own comparison for the UK, using various matches thrown up by Google. Unfortunately, I can't find the Illusion variant of the Three Hundred, plus the SeaSonic PSU seems a bit too expensive/difficult to find. I opted for an Antec 850W PSU at £104 ($166, assuming conversion £1 = $1.60). The cooler was £40 at the cheapest ($64). My prices came to £1,490 approx. including all shipping. That'd come out at about $2,400, so it's not a massive hike over US prices.
Excellent build, definitely worth it over the previous $2,000 system. I can't help but wonder how well those 6950s will perform once AMD's drivers really make use of the VLIW4 architecture, so there's another potential bonus. Now if only this was available in the UK...
I did my own comparison for the UK, using various matches thrown up by Google. Unfortunately, I can't find the Illusion variant of the Three Hundred, plus the SeaSonic PSU seems a bit too expensive/difficult to find. I opted for an Antec 850W PSU at £104 ($166, assuming conversion £1 = $1.60). The cooler was £40 at the cheapest ($64). My prices came to £1,490 approx. including all shipping. That'd come out at about $2,400, so it's not a massive hike over US prices.
Score
0
bombat1994this test really should have been done with bios flashes. that what enthusiasts generally use with 6950's. but still nice to see just how powerfull the 2600k is.how would a system like this perform if watercooled. i presume it will kill most of the gpu heat problems and the cpu should stay bout the same
Just wait until tomorrow ;-) Don isn't quite as shy about flashing his bits!
Score
0
The Greater Good
March 22, 2011 8:03:30 AM
The Greater GoodThe price of entry? Only most of your information. I would bet Tom's makes more off the people's information entering the contest than the cost of the actual system. Just a thought...
Here's another thought: read the contest rules
Clearly stated: "The information you provide will only be used to contact you if you win."
We do these contests as a way to thank our readers. We use hardware from Newegg to put these builds together. It's worth substantially less to them once we're done with it. So, they allow us to give it all away. The entry info is accessible to exactly one person at Bestofmedia. It never leaves the company; I never even see it myself.
Hope that helps set your mind at ease =)
Best,
Chris
Score
2
nitrium
March 22, 2011 8:43:39 AM
SpadeM
March 22, 2011 9:05:42 AM
mr wizzard
March 22, 2011 9:12:27 AM
Luay
March 22, 2011 9:20:24 AM
If I were your boss I would make that order of two extra 2560x1600 displays as an appreciation of your hard work! Speaking of which;
$100+ extra just for NF200 is questionable, unless you're going for a third 6950 @5670x1080, and re-test @ 5760x1080, and reach a minimum of %180 scalability, then I take it back!
$100 extra for i7, for a gamer, is a waste. 2500K ftw.
$100 extra for SSDs in Raid is Pretty hardcore, meaning no value (for me at least.
$100 extra for BD-R: When the software comes out, I'll buy it.
I'd use 300 out of this $400 saving to invest in either a third 6950 if my first wish becomes reality, or, more realistically, noise dampening:
1) Gold Seasonic X-Series 850 PSU (more quite and efficient)
2) Silverstone Raven 2 Evolution case (equal air intake for both 6950s= less heat and fan noise from the top card)
3) Noctua NHC14 cooler. (minor decrease in performance, but anything stronger is overkill for sandy bridge as you mentioned, and a massive decrease in noise)
If I was your boss, I would also enter contestants living outside of the US, under the condition that they have a US address you can ship to
$100+ extra just for NF200 is questionable, unless you're going for a third 6950 @5670x1080, and re-test @ 5760x1080, and reach a minimum of %180 scalability, then I take it back!
$100 extra for i7, for a gamer, is a waste. 2500K ftw.
$100 extra for SSDs in Raid is Pretty hardcore, meaning no value (for me at least.
$100 extra for BD-R: When the software comes out, I'll buy it.
I'd use 300 out of this $400 saving to invest in either a third 6950 if my first wish becomes reality, or, more realistically, noise dampening:
1) Gold Seasonic X-Series 850 PSU (more quite and efficient)
2) Silverstone Raven 2 Evolution case (equal air intake for both 6950s= less heat and fan noise from the top card)
3) Noctua NHC14 cooler. (minor decrease in performance, but anything stronger is overkill for sandy bridge as you mentioned, and a massive decrease in noise)
If I was your boss, I would also enter contestants living outside of the US, under the condition that they have a US address you can ship to
Score
4
Darkerson
March 22, 2011 9:27:58 AM
dertechie These are 1GB 6950s. Without a BIOS for a 1GB 6970, you can't flash those, and AMD has not released a 1GB 6970. We also never know when/if they'll start fusing off extra shaders now that specs are finalized.
Wrong. I have one of these 1GB XFX Radeon 6950's, and I was able to edit and flash the unlocked bios in order to enable the extra shaders. Ill admit, it didnt do a whole lot by itself, but coupled with a healthy overclock, I cant complain. Most of the tools necessary are on techpowerup.com.
Score
0
Anonymous
a
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Motherboard
March 22, 2011 9:35:49 AM
Why is everyone dead set on AMD GPUs these days? I realize it uses more power and is expensive; but, my 580 smokes any of the AMD cards out there currently. I suppose each to his own, personally, I have never found the heat and power consumption to be issues that I would give up horsepower for. Custom cooling options keep my (single)580 at 45C at load.
Score
-3
miltduds
March 22, 2011 9:46:29 AM
nevertell
March 22, 2011 10:10:05 AM
jfby
March 22, 2011 10:37:53 AM
I built my first computer in 2001, and another in 2004. Since then I've only bought parts to replace ones that died until last year when I built an Intel Core i7-930 system. I can say now is the most exciting time as far as I can tell with performance wide spread across the spectrem and available to many more than it has ever been before with a relatively small budget.
Score
1
shoelessinsight
March 22, 2011 10:51:23 AM
Thank you for running all the tests with C-States both on and off. That was a wonderful bit of information about Intel's impressive work toward high energy efficiency.
I don't think I've been as impressed with a lineup of processors since AMD released their first dual-core processors.
The system builder articles are always a good read and are always well done, but I was especially satisfied by this one. Thanks again!
I don't think I've been as impressed with a lineup of processors since AMD released their first dual-core processors.
The system builder articles are always a good read and are always well done, but I was especially satisfied by this one. Thanks again!
Score
1
joytech22Not surprised with this at all.Does it really cost that much to send a system somewhere? I'm not poking fun here it's a serious question, Or is there some law in the US that stops people from sending stuff out?Just curious.
It's not about the cost of sending the systems--if that were the issue, we'd offer them internationally, no question. The problem is tax-related; we have to stay within the letter of the law.
Score
0
deadheadbob87
March 22, 2011 11:17:19 AM
HighPies
March 22, 2011 12:06:12 PM
cangeliniHere's another thought: read the contest rules Clearly stated: "The information you provide will only be used to contact you if you win."We do these contests as a way to thank our readers. We use hardware from Newegg to put these builds together. It's worth substantially less to them once we're done with it. So, they allow us to give it all away. The entry info is accessible to exactly one person at Bestofmedia. It never leaves the company; I never even see it myself. Hope that helps set your mind at ease =)Best,Chris
Please dont say readers when only half your readers may enter the contest. thank you
Score
-3
dragonsqrrlI personally would've chosen a nicer case for a $2000 system. I know you guys have your reasons, and for the purposes of a purely price/performance oriented build it makes sense to skimp on the aesthetic qualities of a case, but for me personally, it's still nice to see a high-end case complement some high-end hardware.
It's made of high-quality steel and I think it looks very nice.cangeliniJust wait until tomorrow ;-) Don isn't quite as shy about flashing his bits!
I did not know that about Don! And now that I know, I wish I didn't!SpadeMSmall question here ... did u raid those 2 SSDs on the sata 3 ports or the sata2 ones? And if you did go with sata 3 ... is there any real benefit given the fact that the controller on the ssds are sata 2?
Given that this system was ordered before the P67 was recalled, I think there's a huge benefit to having the drives connected to the first two ports
nitriumOn page 9 Test Settings, you have the previous $2000 PC listed with HD6870's using Nvidia Forceware 260.99 drivers. One of those is wrong.
Fixed, thanks.Score
1
KT_WASP
March 22, 2011 12:34:12 PM
I'm actually glad to see the Antec Three Hundred Illusion case in this build. It proves a point that even a highend system can be housed, in what most people would consider, a budget oriented case.
I have always built to a specific budget in mind and the one area I know I can save money is a case. I see, all the time, people working within a tight budget and sacrifice interal hardware quality/performance in order to buy a $100+ case. (granted this article's budget was greater then most people's build budgets).
Money, in my opinion, is always better spent on what goes inside a case and not the case itself. As long as a case has enough fan locations in the proper places and big enough to house your selected components, then that case is perfectly adequate to do the job.
I always say to myself that "The next build I will buy a higherend case"... But, when that time comes and I have to make a decision between a nice case or a higher-end CPU, MB or GPU.. well, I always go for the latter. For example, my current $1,400 PC is housed within a $39 HeC Blitz case that has room for all my components and has five 120mm fan positions.. it was the choice between a HD 6870 1GB + nicer case, or a HD 6950 2GB + the budget case. I don't regret my decision one bit!
So, kudos to you for taking the risk with the lower priced case and having it work out!
I have always built to a specific budget in mind and the one area I know I can save money is a case. I see, all the time, people working within a tight budget and sacrifice interal hardware quality/performance in order to buy a $100+ case. (granted this article's budget was greater then most people's build budgets).
Money, in my opinion, is always better spent on what goes inside a case and not the case itself. As long as a case has enough fan locations in the proper places and big enough to house your selected components, then that case is perfectly adequate to do the job.
I always say to myself that "The next build I will buy a higherend case"... But, when that time comes and I have to make a decision between a nice case or a higher-end CPU, MB or GPU.. well, I always go for the latter. For example, my current $1,400 PC is housed within a $39 HeC Blitz case that has room for all my components and has five 120mm fan positions.. it was the choice between a HD 6870 1GB + nicer case, or a HD 6950 2GB + the budget case. I don't regret my decision one bit!
So, kudos to you for taking the risk with the lower priced case and having it work out!
Score
3
jfem
March 22, 2011 12:39:15 PM
hangfirew8
March 22, 2011 1:30:02 PM
robwright
March 22, 2011 1:54:12 PM
kkiddu
March 22, 2011 2:40:08 PM
Krnt
March 22, 2011 2:44:36 PM
kkiddu
March 22, 2011 2:46:23 PM
I know Antec cases are very solid and excellent quality, however it seems that many of them, even with bottom-mounted PSUs, lack cable management holes. They won't be as solid, but I'd check out the Rosewill gaming cases; most of them have better cable management, and some have that USB 3.0 port.
At twice the budget of my typical build, this is a nice system. I'd love to win it. My non-FPS titles don't need that much graphics muscle, so I'd probably take out one GPU and sell it for the scratch to buy a case with better cable management.
Actually, doesn't the winner just get the parts, not the assembled system? I'd build it in the Enermax Hoplite I've got waiting for my next build...
At twice the budget of my typical build, this is a nice system. I'd love to win it. My non-FPS titles don't need that much graphics muscle, so I'd probably take out one GPU and sell it for the scratch to buy a case with better cable management.
Actually, doesn't the winner just get the parts, not the assembled system? I'd build it in the Enermax Hoplite I've got waiting for my next build...
Score
0
hmp_goose
March 22, 2011 3:21:16 PM
proton9
March 22, 2011 3:48:50 PM
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