Examining my Sandy Bridge build before purchase.

[xstalkrx]

s I wait for the Sandy Bridge mobo's to come in stock, I wanted to make sure I had all the kinks worked out in my build.

Specifically:
Is this RAID 0 setup more efficient than getting a SSD for a boot drive and then a HDD for data? At a later date, could I theoretically pull everything off my RAID array and onto a large SSD when they become more affordable? Is WD not a dependable brand?

Is this overkill on RAM or is this simply good quality fast RAM that will fill my needs for years to come?

Anything I'm spending way too much money on?

I want to have a powerful, dependable gaming machine that will allow me to play the latest games for at least 4 years or so.


2600K sandy bridge CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

SLI 560 Ti Twin Frozr GPUs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565

Mushkin 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB) DDR3 1600 CAS 7 7-9-8-24 Timing
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226178

Corsair CMPSU-850HX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

RAID 0 WD 1TB 7200RPM Caviar Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

ACER GD235HZ 120Hz 1920x1080p LED TFT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009222

Antec 900 V3 Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129097&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

$1899 without mobo. My Windows 7 and keyboard are already included in the price.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

RAID 0 arrays are good performers. However, the increased risk of data loss is a major negative. If you are willing to live with the risk and possibly mitigate it with regular backups, then go for it.

The amount of RAM is fine. However, if you are paying extra for the timings, don't. Just get 8GB of "standard" 9-9-9-24 DDR3-1600.

Looks like you'll have a nice well-balanced system.

 

[1965ohio]

^ agreed.

Also would like to say if you can afford a small 40GB SSD, and use a standard HD for files and app... you could load your OS from the SSD and have much faster system booting and system responsiveness. No need to save up for a huge SSD, cause even 120GB is not much space and a waste of money.

I recommend SSD+HD because of your RAM and CPU are very fast so you shouldn't bottleneck yourself to depend on the standard HD speed for system loading and core components.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

120GB actually does Windows 7 Ultimate x64, Office 2007 and other programs not to mention 8 or 10 of my favorite games and does it quite well. Something a smaller drive will not do. 120GB or larger if you can afford it. You will thank yourself.

 

[xstalkrx]

120GB actually does Windows 7 Ultimate x64, Office 2007 and other programs not to mention 8 or 10 of my favorite games and does it quite well. Something a smaller drive will not do. 120GB or larger if you can afford it. You will thank yourself.

I've decided to roll with the 128 gig SSD since this is a gaming machine and will not require anywhere near 1 TB of space.

So its not worth 50 more dollars to pick up the better timed RAM? why is this? What do you suggest specifically? I found this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

Thanks.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

With the last couple of generations of CPUs, the RAM timings haven't mattered much. You might get a few percentage points better in a synthetic benchmark like SiSoft Sandra, but in real gaming it makes almost no difference.

I'd suggest one of these two:
G.Skill Ripjaws X 8GB DDR3-1600 CL9
Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3-1600 CL9

Edit: lol you picked one of the ones I recommend.

 

[LePhuronn]

You can always tighten the timings on your RAM anyway. I'd say that was a pretty sweet build overall.

+1 to the SSD if you can afford it. Go 120GB or more for plenty of breathing space (or RAID 0 a pair of 60GBs if you want to melt your face!)

 

[xstalkrx]

but what about CL? Isn't a CL of 9 basically as slow as they come?

 

[Bigmac80]

yeah your build look good to me...only thing i'd change probably is the case and go with an alluminum case but thats just me personally since i think the quality of Lian-li alluminum cases are by far the best imo ...or go with a single gtx 580 instead of 2 gtx 560's in sli...but overall good build..

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

When computers were slower and RAM speed peaked at DDR-266, RAM timings could mean a few extra frames all through a game.

With modern processors, it doesn't matter much. Maybe a frame or two here and there in a game. Get 8GB of DDR3-1600 CL9 1.5v spec RAM as that seems to be Sandy Bridge's sweet spot.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

lol Biggie ... the HX series from Corsair are modular.

Why waste money on an aluminum case? There aren't any benefits to them, other than the E-peen boost.

Now the 580 idea might be a good one. I'd go that route rather than SLI, but I also haven't liked SLI from the start.

 

[xstalkrx]

lol Biggie ... the HX series from Corsair are modular.

Why waste money on an aluminum case? There aren't any benefits to them, other than the E-peen boost.

Now the 580 idea might be a good one. I'd go that route rather than SLI, but I also haven't liked SLI from the start.

why dont you like sli?

I looked up the benchmarks on hardware heaven for the 580 vs 560 ti in sli and it seems pointless to get the single 580.

A single 580 costs the same as SLI 560's and the performance of the SLI 560's is much greater.

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1103/pg15/palit-nvidia-geforce-gtx-560-ti-graphics-card-review-gtx-560-ti-sli-vs-gtx-580.html

 

[Bigmac80]

lol Biggie ... the HX series from Corsair are modular.

Why waste money on an aluminum case? There aren't any benefits to them, other than the E-peen boost.

Now the 580 idea might be a good one. I'd go that route rather than SLI, but I also haven't liked SLI from the start.

my alluminum mid tower lian-li case only cost me $120...and boy am i in love with it...i don't know about you but to me the build quality is just much better..i've looked at alot of cases such as corsair 600t, antec 900, NZXT phantom etc but the build quality wasn't the same as a alluminum case...but yeah you don't have to buy an alluminum case there are alot of good cases out there..i was really close to buying the NZXT phantom or even the 600t corsair but i decided i wanted alluminum and out of the 3 cases the alluminum lian-li came out cheaper in price...corsair 600t $159.99, Nzxt phantom $139.99, lian-li 7FNW $119.99...but yeah anyways the GTX 580 would be a better option then the GTX 560 in sli

 

[xstalkrx]

my alluminum mid tower lian-li case only cost me $120...and boy am i in love with it...i don't know about you but to me the build quality is just much better..i've looked at alot of cases such as corsair 600t, antec 900, NZXT phantom etc but the build quality wasn't the same as a alluminum case...but yeah you don't have to buy an alluminum case there are alot of good cases out there..i was really close to buying the NZXT phantom or even the 600t corsair but i decided i wanted alluminum and out of the 3 cases the alluminum lian-li came out cheaper in price...corsair 600t $159.99, Nzxt phantom $139.99, lian-li 7FNW $119.99...but yeah anyways the GTX 580 would be a better option then the GTX 560 in sli

again, I dont understand why the 580 would be a better choice because according to this review, the 560 in sli get far greater performance than the single 580. AND a single 580 costs the same as a pair of 560's.

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1103/pg15/palit-nvidia-geforce-gtx-560-ti-graphics-card-review-gtx-560-ti-sli-vs-gtx-580.html

 

[xstalkrx]

psycho whats the word on that cheetahdeal website? Kinda shady lookin' isnt it?

 

[Oolawloo]

I just ordered 2 of those monitor's today from them and they shipped. They're just not a huge retailer like newegg

if im not doing 3d gaming, can I use just the hdmi cable to get 120hz or do i have to use the dual link cable? I understand that if I am using 3d I have to use the dual link but if I just want 120hz 2d gaming, can I just use the hdmi cable or will it knock me back down to 60hz?

 

[xstalkrx]

I was wondering what motherboard would go best with this system without being overkill? I was looking at the P8P67 and the P8P67 deluxe. I am also concerned with the x8 x8 bandwith on SLI cards on the Deluxe board and wondering how this will affect performance?

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

I posted a detailed answer to your question in the other thread, stalkr. Go look there.

 

[Bigmac80]

I was wondering what motherboard would go best with this system without being overkill? I was looking at the P8P67 and the P8P67 deluxe. I am also concerned with the x8 x8 bandwith on SLI cards on the Deluxe board and wondering how this will affect performance?

From what i heard the x8 doesn't hurt the performance...if it does they say you can't tell...that would be the last thing i'd worry about...sandybridge platform is insane fast