High performance gaming/multi-tasking build

[untiltheend]

So I have a build that I have been playing around with but have not pulled the trigger on. My budget is around $1500 or a little more. I want to know what you guys think of my build so far. Also, if you guys come up with any good ideas please share. I am looking for a high performance gaming build that I can multitask with.

I have yet to choose a PSU because I am unsure on how much power I am going to need.

!!!Components I have!!! *not included in the budget*

CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&cm_re=HAF_932-_-11-119-160-_-Product

MONITOR: ASUS VW246H Glossy Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) Built-in Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049&Tpk=Vw246%20LCD%20Monitor

I also have a keyboard and mouse.

----------------------------------------------------------
The Build UPDATED 6/15/10 10:11AM

#COMBO# MOBO & CPU

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423
= $484.98

GPU HIS H587F1GDG Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161301
=$424.99
RAMG.SKILL Ripjaws Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8T-6GBRM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231304
=$164.99
HEATsink IDEAS?? *Progress*
=$N/A
HDD SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
=$69.99
OPTICAL ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
=$22.99
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
=$9.99

TOTAL about $1,127.98
If you guys see anything worth changing then tell me I am open to ideas!
PSU recommendations please!
Budget trimming help please!


Any good combo deals that you find would help also!

Any opinions on my optical drive or HDD?


Thanks again!

 

[Hereisphilly]

Go for a i7 930, its cheaper than the 950, and if you want 950 speeds, just overclock it up to that.

Swap out the mobo for a GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R - $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] =x58a-ud3r
Its the cheaper, newer, OCs better, and comes with the latest interfaces (usb3 and sata 6gbps), will have no problem supporting the GPU.

That HDD isnt as fast at others, as it doesnt have 500gb platters. Samsund F3 1TB is a great drive, and if you need more space, just get two i guess
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=samsunf%20f3%201tb

With a potentially overclocked CPU and a 5970, you are lookign at 750w PSUs and above

Try this one, very good Unit
XFX Black Edition XXX 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003&Tpk=xfx%20750w

 

[untiltheend]

Thanks Hereisphilly!

That mobo sure looks good and so does the HDD. I am def gonna substitute them into my build.

As for the PSU. I was told that I should always go for a corsair psu. People have told me that many psu's out there are not reliable. Im guessing since you recommended it that it must be an exception.

Also, is 750W enough juice for upgrading to an xfire at some point in the future?




Lastly, does anyone have any opinions on my Ram and/or Heatsink choice? The reviews are good on the RAM so I am thinking that it is a good set of memory for gaming. The heatsink I am unsure of but seems good.

 

[Niklas_13]

If you want to save some coin i would do something like this. I know you want the bigger dick with the HD 5970 but for that monitor its really over kill and less your hooking up 2 or 3 monitor the full power of the card will be wasted.





SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223C - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151192
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$21.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192


Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822148433
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433


EVGA 015-P3-1480-AR GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814130552
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy
-$7.00 Instant $509.99
$502.99
1
Nvidia Free Just Cause 2 Coupon
Item #: N82E16800999242
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$59.99 Saving $59.99
$0.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130552


Mushkin Enhanced Redline 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 998805
Item #: N82E16820226121
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$25.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$239.99
$214.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226121



ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131641
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139011
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
-$40.00 Combo $429.98
$369.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.422624



Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930
Item #: N82E16819115225
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.B CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835242001
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$12.99 Instant
-$8.00 Combo $364.98
$343.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.374131
Subtotal: $1,533.93

 

[geofelt]

With only a 1920 x 1080 monitor, the 5970 is way overkill. a 5870 would be more suitable.

For your psu, pick a corsair unit that has the number of pci-e 6/8 pin connectors that your graphic card requires.
for a 5870 550vx http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
If you insist, for a 5970 650Hx http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

Do not get seduced by crossfire. Get the best single card you need up front. If, in the future you might need something better, just sell the old card, and get the next best thing. Only if you are contemplating a 2560 x 1600 monitor should you consider crossfire.

 

[untiltheend]

I know you want the bigger dick with the HD 5970 but for that monitor its really over kill and less your hooking up 2 or 3 monitor the full power of the card will be wasted.

EVGA 015-P3-1480-AR GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Yeah, I might have gone overboard with the GPU...I just wanted the top of the line. However if you are right and there is no reason for me to have it with my monitor then maybe I will downgrade. My only question is why the GTX 480 over the ATI 5870?

Get a GTX 480.

Why?

With only a 1920 x 1080 monitor, the 5970 is way overkill. a 5870 would be more suitable.

For your psu, pick a corsair unit that has the number of pci-e 6/8 pin connectors that your graphic card requires.
for a 5870 550vx http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
If you insist, for a 5970 650Hx http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

Do not get seduced by crossfire. Get the best single card you need up front. If, in the future you might need something better, just sell the old card, and get the next best thing. Only if you are contemplating a 2560 x 1600 monitor should you consider crossfire.

Thanks for the heads up on the GPU. You said "only" for my monitor. Is it not good? I mean would you recommend it for this gaming build? also, I like your PSU recommendations. The 550w will have enough juice for my build if I go with the HD 5870?

 

[reely989]

If there is a microcenter anywhere in your area, you should make the drive and get the i7 930 for $200. That is a steal, and a good way to trim cost.

 

[a4mula]

If you want to save some coin i would do something like this. I know you want the bigger dick with the HD 5970 but for that monitor its really over kill and less your hooking up 2 or 3 monitor the full power of the card will be wasted.

Then you go on to recommend a 480... really?

Budget trimming:

i7-860/ASUS P7P55D-E Pro $450
It's a quick $100 dollars saved and it's going to run neck and neck with the 930. The only thing you lose is future hexacore support.

GPU: 5830 $215.00
You could slap a $100 4850 in there and be just fine. 1920x1080 is a cakewalk. I'd personally go with a 5830 which gives you more than enough gpu to push everything today and everything tomorrow at that resolution. That's $500 saved.

Cooler: CM 212+ 29.99$
TRUE is dated and even in its prime was a hit or miss proposition. Half the time you had to grind the gd heatplate down because it'd ship with so many defects and warps that the stock cooler was better. If you're in love with the TRUE as many die hard fans are, look up the Venomous-X instead. It's the new generation of TRUE with pre-lapped block and pressure mounting.

RAM: Corsair XMS 8-8-8-20 2x2GB 114.99
RAM is RAM is RAM. If one thing is absolute in today's computing it's that people throw away money left and right on over priced RAM that shows absolutely no benefits in benchmarking or real life applications.

PSU: Anything from Corsair, Antec, PC&Power, ABS, Silverstone or Seasonic
If you do end up going with a 480 or 5970 (god forbid) make 750w your baseline for single card, 1000w for sli/crossfireX. If you stick with a 58xx series then 650w for single 850w for crossfire. Make sure you have the correct amount of 8-pins for what you need!

 

[geofelt]

Read this article for a good idea where graphics cards fit: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/graphics-card-geforce-radeon,2646.html
Faster is always more FPS or higher minimum FPS(which is probably more important). But--- there are diminishing returns.

There is nothing wrong with a 1080P (1920 x 1080) monitor. It has slightly fewer pixels than a 1920 x 1200 monitor, but it also costs less. There are always some games like crysis that are difficult to play with maxed out settings. Unless you regularly play one of those, a 5870 will be a very good card.

The GTX470 or 5850 which are just a notch slower that the 5870 would be fine, and the GTX480 is a bit faster than the 5870. Pick according to your ATI vs. NVIDIA bias or price.

Corsair 550w should be fine for the 5870 ; here are the official requirements:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-5000/hd-5870/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-5870-system-requirements.aspx

As to the rest, I like the i7-930 approach. I like 6gb of ram which is easier to configure with the X58 motherboards. The cost differential vs P55 and i7-860 will probably be minimal when all parts are considered.

 

[Niklas_13]

If you want to save some coin i would do something like this. I know you want the bigger dick with the HD 5970 but for that monitor its really over kill and less your hooking up 2 or 3 monitor the full power of the card will be wasted.

Then you go on to recommend a 480... really?

Budget trimming:

i7-860/ASUS P7P55D-E Pro $450
It's a quick $100 dollars saved and it's going to run neck and neck with the 930. The only thing you lose is future hexacore support.

GPU: 5830 $215.00
You could slap a $100 4850 in there and be just fine. 1920x1080 is a cakewalk. I'd personally go with a 5830 which gives you more than enough gpu to push everything today and everything tomorrow at that resolution. That's $500 saved.

Cooler: CM 212+ 29.99$
TRUE is dated and even in its prime was a hit or miss proposition. Half the time you had to grind the gd heatplate down because it'd ship with so many defects and warps that the stock cooler was better. If you're in love with the TRUE as many die hard fans are, look up the Venomous-X instead. It's the new generation of TRUE with pre-lapped block and pressure mounting.

RAM: Corsair XMS 8-8-8-20 2x2GB 114.99
RAM is RAM is RAM. If one thing is absolute in today's computing it's that people throw away money left and right on over priced RAM that shows absolutely no benefits in benchmarking or real life applications.

PSU: Anything from Corsair, Antec, PC&Power, ABS, Silverstone or Seasonic
If you do end up going with a 480 or 5970 (god forbid) make 750w your baseline for single card, 1000w for sli/crossfireX. If you stick with a 58xx series then 650w for single 850w for crossfire. Make sure you have the correct amount of 8-pins for what you need!

Why a GTX 480 vs a HD 5970 @ 1920x1080, because the HD 5970 would be a waste at that rez and the GTX 480 is 200 bucks less so that would help cut the cost of the rig down without proformence loss.

He could go HD 5870 and be ok also but he wanted to cut the cost of the rig by a few hundered bucks, and IMO the GTX 480 is a better card then the HD 5870 @ DX11

IMO that HD 5830 is a bad call for a 1920x1080 rez even my HD 5850 wont push some of the games out today with all the eye candy on pasted 35 fps ( AVP / Crysis )
just for a few.

Also why not just go with a i5 750 turn off turbo and OC to 3.4 gigs would be enough CPU power Hell even leave to stock, He really dont need the HT that the i7 860 offers.

 

[untiltheend]

Cooler: CM 212+ 29.99$
TRUE is dated and even in its prime was a hit or miss proposition. Half the time you had to grind the gd heatplate down because it'd ship with so many defects and warps that the stock cooler was better. If you're in love with the TRUE as many die hard fans are, look up the Venomous-X instead. It's the new generation of TRUE with pre-lapped block and pressure mounting.

The CM 212+ seems like a great cooler. Thanks!

Just wondering if this cooler is of lower quality/outdated/not as good?
COOLER MASTER Intel Core i7 compatible Hyper N 520 RR-920-N520-GP 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057


Also, does anyone have an opinion on this HD5870 made by HIS?

HIS H587F1GDG Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161301

If no good, a recommendation on a good HD5870? please

 

[Niklas_13]

The CM 212+ seems like a great cooler. Thanks!

Just wondering if this cooler is of lower quality/outdated/not as good?
COOLER MASTER Intel Core i7 compatible Hyper N 520 RR-920-N520-GP 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057


Also, does anyone have an opinion on this HD5870 made by HIS?

HIS H587F1GDG Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161301

If no good, a recommendation on a good HD5870? please

I tend to stick with Sapphire or XFX

 

[untiltheend]

I tend to stick with Sapphire or XFX

I see.. The reviews for this HIS card are pretty good I think I may stay with it. Unless HIS is total garbage and shouldn't use it.




P.S. The 200$ i7 930 is a great deal!!! I am def running over to my local microcenter to pick one up!!!

 

[Niklas_13]

I see.. The reviews for this HIS card are pretty good I think I may stay with it. Unless HIS is total garbage and shouldn't use it.




P.S. The 200$ i7 930 is a great deal!!! I am def running over to my local microcenter to pick one up!!!

Its not that its a bad GPU the other companys tend to have a better waranty and service.

 

[untiltheend]

Its not that its a bad GPU the other companys tend to have a better waranty and service.

Nice! thanks. im def gonna shop around.



One more question, does this Harddrive come with its own SATA cables? If not can someone link me to em.

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

 

[geofelt]

Nice! thanks. im def gonna shop around.



One more question, does this Harddrive come with its own SATA cables? If not can someone link me to em.

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

No it does not. But not to worry, the motherboard will include several.

 

[a4mula]

The CM 212+ seems like a great cooler. Thanks!

Just wondering if this cooler is of lower quality/outdated/not as good?
COOLER MASTER Intel Core i7 compatible Hyper N 520 RR-920-N520-GP 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057


Also, does anyone have an opinion on this HD5870 made by HIS?

HIS H587F1GDG Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161301

If no good, a recommendation on a good HD5870? please

The Hyper N520 is a capable hsf. The problem is it's surpassed by the less expensive and easier to install CM 212+. Newegg recently cranked the price up but they can still be found for 29.99.

I have an HIS 5870. When I bought it it was the cheapest 5870 available and they were all reference design. All the same I figured. Not quite. Bios are still manufacturer specific. I had to flash to Sapphire bios(a VERY scary proposition for a $400 gpu that was in limited stock at the time) in order to get triple monitor eyefinity running with an adapter. Also my card wouldn't overclock at ALL, zip, nada, nothing. Not a single processor or memory increase could be had w/o introducing massive screen tearing on one of my monitors. This aspect I believe has more to do with Eyefinity and ATI drivers than it does the gpu itself, but it's worth noting.

Now... with those things being said, there's nothing wrong with my card. It runs fine and it does everything it should without complaint. But I still wish I had dropped a few extra bucks on the Sapphire (for their naturally higher Displayport output) or the XFX, which people claim have better overclocking potential.

 

[SpeedHunter_2010]

i saw u dont have a heatsink and i dont know it someone recomanded one , but i got some for u : first would be the noctua nh-d14 , second thermaltake frio , third cooler master V8 and if u want a low end liquid solution ( low end for liquid but high end compared with the air coolers ) would be the corsair h50

 

[Hereisphilly]

i saw u dont have a heatsink and i dont know it someone recomanded one , but i got some for u : first would be the noctua nh-d14 , second thermaltake frio , third cooler master V8 and if u want a low end liquid solution ( low end for liquid but high end compared with the air coolers ) would be the corsair h50

I wouldnt rate the coolermaster v8 very highly, its getting quite old. Thermaltake frio is ok, but there are better coolers out there for less. And the corsair h50 is a bit of a mixed bag, its quite loud, and doesnt produce amazing temps.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/lga-1156-heatsink,2535-14.html

Above is a list of decent coolers, but the glaring omission is the prolimaech megahalems, which, although being expensive, provides some of the best temps around