Quick look over to see if I'm good to go / minor ?'s

[Papadrom]

CPU:
Intel Core i7-930 289.99
Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225

MOTHERBOARD:
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R $209.99
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

RAM:
$154.99 after Rebate & combo
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

GPU:
$699.99
GIGABYTE GV-R597D5-2GD-B Radeon HD 5970 (Hemlock) 2GB 512 (256 x 2)-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Dual GPU Onboard CrossFire Video Card w/ Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125303

SSD:
OCZ Vertex 2 60gb $155 - $135 with rebate
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227550

HDD:
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $74.99
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

CASE:
HAF X $199
COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225&cm_re=haf_x-_-11-119-225-_-Product

PSU:
Corsair 850W Modular $189.99 after rebate and combo
CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

DVD: $20.99
ASUS Black 22X DVD+R 12X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 12X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-R 40X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache E-IDE/PATA CD/DVD Burner – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135210

so far with Taxes and Shipping - its 2503.70

The graphics card is probably overkill huh. I could probably do with a lesser card and save 100-200 dollars.. my original thought was to SLI GTX460 but didn't want to be stuck at 2 cards.. so I thought GTX470 - but then the price isn't to much different. I think I'd rather get the power on one card and maybe add more later... say after 6xxx comes out and prices for 5xxx cards come done and I feel a second one could even benefit me.

I'm pretty certain I could air cool the system with one GPU card , but I'll probably need to consider an upgrade from stock parts, any suggestions - whether case or gpu/cpu fans.. I also need to get monitors and windows 7.. I have an employee purchase program that my come through for windows. I'm looking up articles right now for monitors.

SAMSUNG B2430H Glossy Black 24" 5ms Full HD 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 70000:1(1000:1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001388&Tpk=N82E16824001388
$229 x 3 = $687

SAMSUNG P2770H Rose Black 27" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 70000:1(1000:1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001379&Tpk=N82E16824001379
$349 x 3 = $1047

Anyone game on three monitors enough to know if
A) 27" is worth the extra cost ~ $400 over 24"
and
B)if these monitors are good choices for three way gaming?

I'm leaning toward the 24 inch... across 3 screens it'll be wide as it is!
I'm trying to keep it close to 3K and my game of choice is FFXIV - I had a seperate thread on the subject
but I've done quite a bit of work since then.

Thanks to anybody who even just takes the time to read this.

just remember mini display port to DVI converter. so I added one of those, and the more I think about it - since I am focusing on monitors that are 1920x1084.. I'm probably not going to come close to taxing that card.. even if I use 3 monitors... I want to be able to play say FFXIV 3760x1084 with the highest settings possible... maybe the card will help.. it will probably be bottlenecked by something else before then...

 

[iRaiden]

CPU:
Intel Core i7-930 289.99
Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225

MOTHERBOARD:
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R $209.99
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

RAM:
$154.99 after Rebate & combo
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

GPU:
$699.99
GIGABYTE GV-R597D5-2GD-B Radeon HD 5970 (Hemlock) 2GB 512 (256 x 2)-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Dual GPU Onboard CrossFire Video Card w/ Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125303

SSD:
OCZ Vertex 2 60gb $155 - $135 with rebate
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227550

HDD:
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $74.99
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

CASE:
HAF X $199
COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225&cm_re=haf_x-_-11-119-225-_-Product

PSU:
Corsair 850W Modular $189.99 after rebate and combo
CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

DVD: $20.99
ASUS Black 22X DVD+R 12X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 12X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-R 40X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache E-IDE/PATA CD/DVD Burner – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135210

so far with Taxes and Shipping - its 2503.70

The graphics card is probably overkill huh. I could probably do with a lesser card and save 100-200 dollars.. my original thought was to SLI GTX460 but didn't want to be stuck at 2 cards.. so I thought GTX470 - but then the price isn't to much different. I think I'd rather get the power on one card and maybe add more later... say after 6xxx comes out and prices for 5xxx cards come done and I feel a second one could even benefit me.

I'm pretty certain I could air cool the system with one GPU card , but I'll probably need to consider an upgrade from stock parts, any suggestions - whether case or gpu/cpu fans.. I also need to get monitors and windows 7.. I have an employee purchase program that my come through for windows. I'm looking up articles right now for monitors.

SAMSUNG B2430H Glossy Black 24" 5ms Full HD 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 70000:1(1000:1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001388&Tpk=N82E16824001388
$229 x 3 = $687

SAMSUNG P2770H Rose Black 27" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 70000:1(1000:1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001379&Tpk=N82E16824001379
$349 x 3 = $1047

Anyone game on three monitors enough to know if
A) 27" is worth the extra cost ~ $400 over 24"
and
B)if these monitors are good choices for three way gaming?

I'm leaning toward the 24 inch... across 3 screens it'll be wide as it is!
I'm trying to keep it close to 3K and my game of choice is FFXIV - I had a seperate thread on the subject
but I've done quite a bit of work since then.

Thanks to anybody who even just takes the time to read this.

just remember mini display port to DVI converter. so I added one of those, and the more I think about it - since I am focusing on monitors that are 1920x1084.. I'm probably not going to come close to taxing that card.. even if I use 3 monitors... I want to be able to play say FFXIV 3760x1084 with the highest settings possible... maybe the card will help.. it will probably be bottlenecked by something else before then...

To start off, that is going to be one holy mother of awesomeness build.

I have 3 20" monitors in eyefinity. 3x 27" monitors would be overkill in my opinion.

Absolutely have a look into LED monitors too. The bezels are very thin and they're lighter, brighter, greener, and just plain better.

For an eyefinity setup, you want the thinnest bezel you can possibly get.

I would have you take a look at these.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009206

With three of these you would have an ultimate eyefinity tri monitor setup.

Also, when you have 3 of the same monitors, you're able to set bezel compensation to make your games look much better.



Oh, and if you don't want the 5970, I would reccomend:
2x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477&cm_re=5850-_-14-150-477-_-Product

or

2x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125326&cm_re=5870-_-14-125-326-_-Product


The 2x 5850 setup should be sufficient though.


Remember though, if you're monitors don't have a DisplayPort input, you're going to need an ACTIVE adapter, not passive.

If you want a DisplayPort to DVI active adapter, it will be around $100 from what I've found.
If you'll settle for DisplayPort to VGA, you can get an active adapter for around $30.

I have this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815310003&Tpk=sapphire%20adapter%20displayport

It works, but doesn't look nearly as good when viewing web pages compared to Digital inputs.




I have the HAF X and it's absolutely incredible in both looks and performance.


If you want excellent processor cooling, get:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181013&Tpk=h70
and use two scythe gentle typhoon fans in a push/pull config.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185092&cm_re=gentle_typhoon-_-35-185-092-_-Product


I hope I helped. =)

 

[rikishi19]

Here's some G Skill RAM at exactly same price, but better latency for you to consider:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231352&cm_re=g_skill_6gb_ddr3_1600-_-20-231-352-_-Product

 

[iRaiden]

Good find, rikishi


Also, for about the same price check out the i7 950. Prices cut in half.

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-3-06GHz-LGA1366-Desktop-Processor/dp/B002A6G3V2

 

[rikishi19]

Yeah, whenever I see someone planning on getting corsair RAM, I have a look for competitors (especially G Skill/Patriot/Kingston) as it is well known corsair are regarded as the top brand, but they are riding on that at the moment and they charge a premium, so you can nearly always find a better performing product for the same/lower price.

Just make sure to stay away from a few poor rep brands.

 

[Papadrom]

I'm so excited I got some responses - I'm looking up all of the suggestions right now.

I didn't know exactly how the active / passive display port needs worked until now. Thanks iRaiden for the heads up.

and rikishi19

looking at your suggestion since the Corsair memory is comboed with the power supply for -40$, both the PSU and RAM have a $20 rebate on top, so I were to change memory - it would be 60$ more... although I could look for another combo deal, is the better latency in your opinion worth the effort / money - i mean well I've already come this far right

shame these are out of stock - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104190&cm_re=kingston_6gb_ddr3-_-20-104-190-_-Product although not quite the latency values as the G-skill

still looking at the monitors and holy crap - the i7 950 @ 50% off .. I'm impressed by that one iRaiden

you may be right about the 2x 5850's .. it would scratch 140$ off the top... I think I read from a poster on a thread somewhere never to start a build in xFire or SLI.. I am going to continue to ponder this one.. maybe more people will share an opinion.

and the bezels .. I agree - I was looking mostly at Samsung that I wasn't really sure about another brand. The price on the ACER is definitely right. I'm going to read up on some reviews.

Thanks again.

 

[rikishi19]

Ok, well here are 3 other options for you that you can look at to decide on value:

These 3 are way cheaper so will give you better value than your combo I believe, and all are equal to or better than the corsair combo ones.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335&cm_re=g_skill_6gb_ddr3_1600-_-20-231-335-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247&cm_re=g_skill_6gb_ddr3_1600-_-20-231-247-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231304&cm_re=g_skill_6gb_ddr3_1600-_-20-231-304-_-Product

The first one has lower voltage, so in theory should be able to be over clocked better, if you're going to be over clocking.

 

[sp12]

GTX 460 SLI beats the 5970 by a fair margin in all multi-monitor tests. 5970 is already crossfire so there's not really an upgrade path there either.

XFX black edition PSU is nicer for less.

IMO go for IPS monitors for Eyefinity. TN start having viewing angle issues when you rotate them for your peripheral.

 

[iRaiden]

Well a 5970 is basically two 5850's crossfired in the same PCB.

With a resolution around 6050x1080, you're definitely going to need crossfire.

Yeah when I saw that i7 950 I nearly shat myself. ;D

This might help you decide on that Acer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH-Q6siZs8M

 

[iRaiden]

GTX 460 SLI beats the 5970 by a fair margin in all multi-monitor tests. 5970 is already crossfire so there's not really an upgrade path there either.

XFX black edition PSU is nicer for less.

IMO go for IPS monitors for Eyefinity. TN start having viewing angle issues when you rotate them for your peripheral.

You can get a 2nd 5970 to use in Crossfire.

You can only use 2 GTX 460's in SLI.


And of course the XFX PSU costs less, it has 150 watts less than the Corsair.

 

[Papadrom]

Thanks - I'm at work so I can't really look into your suggestions till I get home, but I'll post a more thorough response as soon as I check it out.

Thanks iRaiden for editing your post, I was just about to ask for confirmation that the 5970 could be crossfired...

since its crossfired on a single card, that will also be enough to cover the resolution also.

 

[Papadrom]

I think this is final... not a lot of monitors really to choose from, it seems like there may be some price gaps for multi monitor setups.
Anybody have any last impressions to bestow upon me?
Thanks to iRaiden and rikishi19 and sp12 for their very helpful inputs!

CPU:
Intel Core i7-950 308.99
Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz 8M L3 Cache LGA1366 Desktop Processor
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-3-06GHz-LGA1366-Desktop-Processor/dp/B002A6G3V2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

MOTHERBOARD:
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R $209.99
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

RAM:
$149.99
G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7T-6GBPI http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335

Monitors:
$239.99x3 = $719.97
Acer S243HLbmii Black 24" 2ms(GTG) Full HD LED Backlight LCD monitor 250 cd/m2 DC 8,000,000:1 w/Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009206&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=4g7zy1n2um

GPU:
$699.99
GIGABYTE GV-R597D5-2GD-B Radeon HD 5970 (Hemlock) 2GB 512 (256 x 2)-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Dual GPU Onboard CrossFire Video Card w/ Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125303

SSD:
OCZ Vertex 2 60gb $155 - $135 with rebate
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227550

HDD:
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $74.99
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

CASE:
HAF X $199
COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225&cm_re=haf_x-_-11-119-225-_-Product

COOLER: 109.99
CORSAIR Hydro H70 CWCH70 120mm High Performance CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181013&Tpk=h70&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=4g7zzbstqo

Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm Case Fan- 1,850rpm, 28dba, 58.3cfm
25.79 sold out at newegg – so on amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/cart/view.html/ref=gno_cart

PSU:
Corsair 1000W Modular $229.99
CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

DVD: $20.99
ASUS Black 22X DVD+R 12X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 12X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-R 40X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache E-IDE/PATA CD/DVD Burner – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135210

CABLES:
DVI to HDMI Cable x2
SYBA 10 ft. DVI to HDMI Cable Model SY-DVIHDMI-MM10
Item #: N82E16812186025

89.70
Accell B087B-003J UltraAV miniDisplayPort/DVI-D Dual-Link Adapter
http://www.amazon.com/Accell-B087B-003J-UltraAV-miniDisplayPort-Dual-Link/dp/B0030XMREG#_

 

[rikishi19]

the i7 950 is cheaper on newegg at the moment:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211&cm_re=i7_950-_-19-115-211-_-Product

Only slightly but every dollar helps!

 

[Papadrom]

the i7 950 is cheaper on newegg at the moment:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211&cm_re=i7_950-_-19-115-211-_-Product

Only slightly but every dollar helps!

NICE CATCH!

Thats huge - because its free shipping on Newegg and now I can expect it with everything else! saved 40 bucks...!!!!

you rock!

 

[rikishi19]

NICE CATCH!

Thats huge - because its free shipping on Newegg and now I can expect it with everything else! saved 40 bucks...!!!!

you rock!

HaHa, no worries. Like your choice of RAM btw.

 

[Papadrom]

saved another $20 making a combo out of the motherboard and CPU .. so it was a 60$ catch rikishi19!

 

[Papadrom]

Do you need an active display port to DVI if your not planning to hit the 2560x1600 resolution? I'm seeing conflicting statements.

I think the answer is yes if your going to span across 3 monitors. but no if your just using it as a single 1920x1080

 

[Papadrom]

Best answer selected by PapaDrom.

 

[iRaiden]

Sweet. Newegg finally marked down the i7 950. They still had it at $500+ yesterday.

If you're planning on using 3 monitors, one of them HAS to use the DisplayPort and HAS to be active if it's an adapter.

You can have DVI DVI DP or DVI HDMI DP.

 

[Papadrom]

Sweet. Newegg finally marked down the i7 950. They still had it at $500+ yesterday.

If you're planning on using 3 monitors, one of them HAS to use the DisplayPort and HAS to be active if it's an adapter.

You can have DVI DVI DP or DVI HDMI DP.

These particular monitors didn't have DVI ports - 2 HDMI and 1 vga port, considering the max resolution - it is not a problem. in fact it just allows me to plug in the xbox or ps3 to one of them if I want to ... multitask

 

[iRaiden]

These particular monitors didn't have DVI ports - 2 HDMI and 1 vga port, considering the max resolution - it is not a problem. in fact it just allows me to plug in the xbox or ps3 to one of them if I want to ... multitask

I meant you have to use DVI DVI DP or DVI HDMI DP which is on the video card. You can use any adapters you want for the DVI and HDMI. The Display Port has to have an ative adapter though.

Check this out.

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/DVI-DisplayPort-Radeon-Eyefinity,11201.html


And be sure to let me know when you get it fully built. I expect pics and benchmarks. =)

 

[obsidian86]

You can have a look at the abs 1050 watt psu better then the corsair and a bit cheaper

 

[Papadrom]

Got stuck by the labor day weekend on the order. Most of the parts will arrive tomorrow - however even though I meant to order an H70 for CPU cooling, I apparently forgot.

I'm not sure I'm happy with my choice on the H70 - the ramifications it may have on my other air cooling components and the cost don't seem to fit what I have in mind.

I like the idea of the Noctua nh-d14 - but with my memory choice - there may be an impact on whether it will fit properly... if the memory can be offset on the motherboard in terms of layout it should be okay, but will affect upgrades.

Hyper 212 Plus - seems to be a popular choice among many? What do you think?

Corsair H70 - should I stick with my original choice? since I need to order still, I'm free to change my mind..

are there other options? perhaps a different Noctua product... the compatability lists warn against possible issues with ram using heat spreaders but I don't see a distinct list as the D-14.

Thanks!