2k-2.5k First time gaming build

[Bigg Angry]

So 1st build like so many others, looking for some feedback. My goal is to run 3 27" monitors. I already have the monitors picked out and will link them (not including monitors in rig price). Just want to know if this build will be able to run the monitors at max settings on games such as Metro 2033, Stalker, Crysis, Mafia II, Eve Online, etc. or am I smoking crack? If so, open to suggestions. Thank you in advance.

CPU: i7-950

MOBO: Asus Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366

RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Redline 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

GPU: 2 GeForce GTX 460 in SLI (EVGA 01G-P3-1373-TR Superclocked EE 1GB)

HSF: Prolimatech Megahalems Rev. B with 2 Yate Loon 120 mm fans in Push/Pull or
Thermaltake Frio (undecided)

SSD: Need help here, from what I understand you want at least 100 GB as 20% has to be left free.

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB or WD Caviar Black 1TB (undecided)

PSU: CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-1000HX 1000W (room to upgrade to GTX480/580 later)

DVD: Lite-On 24X iHAS124

CASE: HAF 932 OR HAF X (undecided)

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit

Monitors: 3 x ViewSonic X Series VX2739WM 27" 1ms HDMI Full HD 1080p
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116441

So that is what I am looking at . . . open to suggestions, tweaks, etc. I picked Nvidia cards over ATI as I want Phsyix. That being said, unless you can come up with a great setup that would run 2 ATI cards in Crossfire plus a 3rd dedicated Phsyix card, I am not interested in ATI cards at this time. Standing by.

 

[vindictive]

Prolimatech.
Samsung spinpoint f3
gtx 580 def wont need 1000W
hax-x

or this sexy beast
$160+free shipping+ $20 MIR = $140 http://www.amazon.com/SILVERSTONE-RV02B-W-Steel-Tower-Computer/dp/B002M78KZG
on newegg its $200 +$20 shipping :O newegg failed.

 

[Atotalnoob]

1000W lets you have future proofing and other stuff......

here is a good 120 Gig SSD... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226152&cm_re=mushkin_ssd-_-20-226-152-_-Product If you have more left over get a bigger one.

 

[Bigg Angry]

Thanks for the feedback so far . . . but what about the feasibility of this build, will it run 3 27" monitors on max settings with two gtx 460's or should i just get the 580's now??

 

[vindictive]

I know nothing about multi-monitor setups :x

 

[Atotalnoob]

ummm I can run 3 monitors with my 5770.... 23" @ 1080P, a junky 15" @ 1440X900, and a 37" TV @ 1080..... I usually get 30 FPS in JC(edit)2(end edit), comparitivily to the 23" @ 1080P gets 60(Vsync enabled)

 

[Bigg Angry]

So why the Raven over the HAF X? Does it have filters?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

First off, the PPI (pixels per inch) on your monitors needs to be 96 of better if you are sitting at "normal" viewing distances. Sitting back a bit to use three of em, ya can get away with 88 or so. Your selection gives ya 81 which will look quite grainy. I use a lotta these:

ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms (1920 x 1200) 89 ppi ($750 for 3 w/ MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236047

ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms 93 ppi ($540 for 3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

With $2k, you can get a bit more puter than you have listed.

One, I would drop the HAF-932 from consideration. The HAF-X improves upon the 932 in several significant ways. Having built boxes this month with the 932 and DF-85, I won't do another HAF-932 build. The 932 and 1200 were very good cases. The HAF-X is a great case, the DF-85 has several things going for it over the HAF-X:

1. Hot Swap External 2.5 SATA Bay - Super feature for off site storage or having a spare copy of your OS to boot a fudged machine.
2. Dust Filters - No explanation necessary except that ya can remove them and replace them in seconds.
3. CPX Form factor PSU's.

OTOH, the doors on the 5.25" drive bar are there for aesthetics but could be annoying of your a regular CD swapper.

There's a great bundle that will save ya $75 if ya want the HAF-X

HAF-X w/ Asus Sabertooth 1366 and i7-950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.540792

Add the case fan for the door duct for $10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103091

Adding the HX-1000 for $210 and ya get the package for $820

If ya want the DF ....

Case - $180 - Antec DF-85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087

Case Fans - $18 - Antec Red 120 mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209013

PSU - $150 - Antec CP-1000
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371036

MoBo / CPU $480 - Asus Sabertooth w/ i7-950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.541727

That set comes to $828 for an $8 difference....essentially the difference in cost between the 2 fans

Apparently, while the Megahalems remains the king of OC'd 920's, the Venomous-X RT takes the crown w/ the 930. Where is it w/ the 950, who knows. My guess is that the Mega may retain it's crown w/ the 950 as it won't OC as much as the 930 on a % basis. You know the Mega, here's the top dog

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=447&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=15

Cooler - $68 - Thermalright Venomous-X RT (stock fan gave lower temps than push - pull noctua - I'd use this and see how ya deal w/ it before going faster / noisier or slower / quieter) )

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11072/?campid=bmr

TIM - Included w/ Cooler

RAM - $110 - 3 x 2GB Mushkin Enhanced Redline DDR3-1600 CAS 6 (40 mm height fits under heat sink)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226121

GFX - $540 - Two EVGA GTX 470 SC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549

HD - $180 - Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 rpm w/ Win 7 64 Professional

SSD - $235 - OCZ Vertex 2 3.5" 120GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227590

DVD Writer / Blue Ray Player - $80 - ASUS BR Model BC-08B1LT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135220

Total $2041

If ya wanna hit the upper end of ya budget, and wanna be in on "what the big boys" use for overclocking, the Rampage III Extreme is a fun way to spend that money. Will add about $175 to ya bill.

 

[Bigg Angry]

-How do you find the PPI for monitors? Reading the reviews on that Asus, they say the quality is not that great and it has a blue tint to it.
-Regarding the graphics cards, do you know if the GTX 460's can run 3 monitors when OC'd for the games I listed at max settings? Or will I need to move up to the 480/580's. I am not interested in the 470's as I heard they do not OC as well as the 460's or the x80's. If I am wrong please let me know.
-As far as cases go, I was also looking at the NZXT Phantom.
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=571&Itemid=61
Reviewed well, but I was wondering if you have any experience with it or know of anyone who has. In short I want a case that my rig can grow with, room for future expansion in regards to drives, cooling, mobo, and gfx cards.

 

[Somebody_007]

There's not much to add after the lenghty post above, but as for 460s powering 3 screens they definately can. My 470 which is a bit slower than a 460 overclocked flies through every game. And when you have 2 of them I'll sure they'll handle 3 screens. 2560x1600 is pretty comparable to 3x 1920x 1080 so just look at the benchmarks and you'll know the story.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-460-sli-review/8 you're 460s have more ram and will be overclocked so should perform a good deal better.

 

[vindictive]

and yes the Silverstone RV02 has fan filters.

 

[Bigg Angry]

I think I will still go with the Mega's as they are always right there and have been for the last year or so, not to discount the Venoms. How do you find the PPI (pixel per inch)? Additionally are there any other recommendations for monitors around 25-27"?

 

[Somebody_007]

It's not listed you need to calculate it http://members.ping.de/~sven/dpi.html

But that counts for all monitors of 25-27" seeing as they all have the same resolution they'll all be pretty grainy. The 25" should be fine but 27" is really pushing it.

Only 27" like these will be better http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824002543

 

[Atotalnoob]

*eye roll* does it matter? I use monitors on several distances, and they look fine... never heard of this stuff 007 is talking aobut (except for Pixels Per in)

 

[Somebody_007]

Dial down you resolution so you get something like 80 ppi and you'll definately see a huge drop in quality.

 

[Atotalnoob]

.... 1080P is fine for me... I don't really care if I have more or not....

 

[vindictive]

your dots agitate my eyes.

 

[Somebody_007]

.... 1080P is fine for me... I don't really care if I have more or not....

on a 24" its great but once you start going 26-27 the quility goes rapidly downhill.

 

[Atotalnoob]

*shrugs* I used a 37 in TV.... does that count? quility... win!

 

[Somebody_007]

I have a 40" @ 1080 and it's satisfying especially considering the distance I sit from it, but I can tell you 1600p would look a whole lot nicer. It's not because mediocre food isn't bad that you shouldn't opt for good food if you can.

 

[Atotalnoob]

lol w/e.... if it fits in your budget....

 

[Bigg Angry]

Best answer selected by Bigg Angry.

 

[Maziar]

This topic has been closed by Maziar