New build critique [~$2300]

[hops]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within 1-3 weeks

BUDGET RANGE: $2300 total cost after rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: 3D CAD modeling/rendering (Solidworks, Pro-E), Finite Element Analysis, gaming, listening to music (high quality), music archiving, home theater use (HDMI to 60” LCD in living room), and some minor photoshop usage.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Completely new build, so I need all parts

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: No preference, although I’ve done all my research with newegg.com. I’m located in the US.

PARTS PREFERENCES: No preference. Reputation and warranty carry weight.

OVERCLOCKING: Not in immediate plans, but maybe in the future.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: I might consider it once the 5870 comes down in price. If my current setup is performing fine I won’t bother with it.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I’ve been looking at 1920x1200 monitors around 24” in size. I’m open to suggestions, as I am admittedly clueless in this area.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: The main thing I want to ensure is that all my components play nice with one another. This build is close to the recommended “Enthusiast” setup on this site, save some minor changes. I’d like this build to have a useful life around 4 years. I won’t be opposed to upgrading components every once in a while. I need a stable system that runs cool and quiet – as much as is possible given my demands. This will be my first build, so insight on any component choice is most appreciated.

NEWEGG WISH LIST
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=11977451

CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX

MOBO: ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 AM3 AMD 890GX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

GPU: XFX HD-587X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8T-6GBRM
Cas Latency 8
Timing 8-8-8-24-2N
I was looking at G.SKILL 4GB units, but for the slight price difference I just assume go with 6GB. Thoughts? Feedback is appreciated.

SSD: Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M160G2XXX 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

There is a potential to add another TB drive if I need the storage..I need to look into RAID as I have no experience with it.

CASE: COOLER MASTER Storm Sniper SGC-6000-KXN1-GP Black Steel, ABS Plastic, Mesh bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready

MONITOR: ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor

I have no idea if this is any good. I'll probably make a list and visit a store to see which one I like in person.

DVD: SAMSUNG 24x DVD Burner - Bulk SATA Model SH-S243N/BEBS LightScribe Support - OEM

I may add a Bluray in the future...can't see using it now though.

KEYBOARD: Logitech 920-000914 Black USB Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard

OS Windoze 7 Professional

TOTAL AFTER REBATES = $2196

I'm a little under budget, but I have to account for cables, etc.

I didn't include a CPU cooler as I don't plan on overclocking right off the bat.

Does anyone have experience with the ASUS onboard audio chip? Is it any good? I'm wondering if I'll be happy with it or if I need to get a sound card.

Thanks for taking the time to look this over...

 

[mrhoshos96]

odd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
hdd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236047
gpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161329
psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003
memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226121
ssd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227543
case & mouse: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.443468
cpu&mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.434526
1-too lazy to put names anyway i was goin to put a gtx 480 but it runs too hot so a 5870 will do fine
2-an i7 930 will do a much better job at gaming


Subtotal: $2,108.90 with out $60 rebate

 

[hops]

Thanks for the feedback.

I had compared the x6 to the i7, but chose the 3.2GHz x6 over the 2.8GHz 930. I know there is no shortage of opinion on which one is better. Would going with the 2.8GHz i7-930 cause much of a hit to my rendering/modeling time? If it wouldn't then I would opt for the better performing gaming chip, but single thread performance is important. Looks like I'm back to where I started! I might look at the making the 960 work for my budget...

 

[mrhoshos96]

u can see here http://www.anandtech.com/show/3674/amds-sixcore-phenom-ii-x6-1090t-1055t-reviewed/1
that the i7 860 (same performance as the i7 930) beats the x6 1090t at all the benchmarks except 2 or 3 of them but if u overclock the i7 930 3.2ghz+ it can beat the x6 1090t in any benchmark also the 960 isn't worth it just oc that 930 and it can beat it

 

[redechelon]

I was going to say... If you model/render, it would be silly not to overclock (I know, of course everyone on this forum will say this.) Really though, overclocking has got to a point of being so mainstream and so encouraged by Intel and AMD that it's almost expected. People talk of risks, but really if you just take the time to read for a few hours, you get safe, significant performance jumps for free. Most 930's reach 4.0GHz with ease... that's nothing to ignore. The Thuban X6's OC very well too.

BTW, I have the VW246H, not the VW266H, and I highly recommend it.

 

[redechelon]

Oh, also... Not sure if you're partial to that 5870, but here are a few deals.

HIS 5870 @ $370
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161329&cm_re=5870-_-14-161-329-_-Product

Or, if you're willing to spend $30 extra, this GTX 480 is $430 w/ Resident Evil 5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127502&cm_re=gtx_480-_-14-127-502-_-Product

Combo Deals are your best friend.

 

[hops]

u can see here http://www.anandtech.com/show/3674/amds-sixcore-phenom-ii-x6-1090t-1055t-reviewed/1
that the i7 860 (same performance as the i7 930) beats the x6 1090t at all the benchmarks except 2 or 3 of them but if u overclock the i7 930 3.2ghz+ it can beat the x6 1090t in any benchmark also the 960 isn't worth it just oc that 930 and it can beat it

Yeah, after spending way too much time doing research today I've talked myself out of the x6 and the 960. Again, really appreciate the insights.

 

[hops]

I was going to say... If you model/render, it would be silly not to overclock (I know, of course everyone on this forum will say this.) Really though, overclocking has got to a point of being so mainstream and so encouraged by Intel and AMD that it's almost expected. People talk of risks, but really if you just take the time to read for a few hours, you get safe, significant performance jumps for free. Most 930's reach 4.0GHz with ease... that's nothing to ignore. The Thuban X6's OC very well too.

The more I read into it, the more it seems like I would OC the 930. I need to update my list to include some sort of cpu cooling I'm sure, as I've read the i7's tend to run hot, especially while overclocked. Any recommendations on CPU coolers?

BTW, I have the VW246H, not the VW266H, and I highly recommend it.

Right on. Thanks. I might look at going to the 24" to save a few $$.

 

[redechelon]

The more I read into it, the more it seems like I would OC the 930. I need to update my list to include some sort of cpu cooling I'm sure, as I've read the i7's tend to run hot, especially while overclocked. Any recommendations on CPU coolers?



Right on. Thanks. I might look at going to the 24" to save a few $$.

Sweet, glad you're going to OC.
My favorite CPU coolers are (in order of cheapest to most expensive):

Cooler Master Hyper 212+ - about $20 if you can find a good deal, otherwise $30
Sunbeamtech Contact Core Freezer 120mm - about $40, you would need a bracket for socket 1366
Megahalems - about $60

Here's a nice list of temps: http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2521&page=5

Do you live near a Micro Center? ($199 i7-930 / $20 Hyper 212+)

 

[hops]

Sweet, glad you're going to OC.
My favorite CPU coolers are (in order of cheapest to most expensive):

Cooler Master Hyper 212+ - about $20 if you can find a good deal, otherwise $30
Sunbeamtech Contact Core Freezer 120mm - about $40, you would need a bracket for socket 1366
Megahalems - about $60

Here's a nice list of temps: http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2521&page=5

Do you live near a Micro Center? ($199 i7-930 / $20 Hyper 212+)

Thanks for the info. No MicroCenters in Oregon...too bad as that seems like a pretty good price. In the next week or so I'll probably scour various sources and piece together my system as items are on sale.

Here is my current setup:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=9669689

Still not sure if this mobo is any good for OC:
ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Xtreme Design w/SLI, 6-Core Ready,SATA 6Gb+USB 3.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641

Is this one worth the extra $$? What's the difference? They seem pretty similar:
ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614

 

[mrhoshos96]

yes it does oc very well look here
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/asus_p6x58d-e_review/3
a 4.2ghz oc (but if u want that u will want to get a good cooler as mentioned earlier the prolimatech megahalms rev.b)

and for your question no it's not worth the extra dollars